It’s crazy to think that after 13 years, I only have a few weeks left to play the sport that I love. When I first got to Saint Mary’s, I remember everyone telling me how fast the four years will go here. Of course I listened, but didn’t really believe it. Now I’m sitting here writing my senior salute wondering where all the time has gone?! Looking back on my four years at Saint Mary’s, my greatest times all come back to basketball. I’m so thankful to be a part of this team. I have grown so much not only as a player, but as a person as well. I learned so much about myself I would have never realized if it weren’t for this opportunity to play basketball for four more years. Hard work, patience, and dedication have made me who I am today and I have basketball to thank for that. We have come so far since my freshman year, only winning two games and now senior year we are at the top of the conference. That feeling is literally indescribable! I have so many people to thank for all of this, because I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all of the love and support I have received along the way.
There have been two people who have been right by my side every step of the way ever since the first day I laced up my basketball shoes and rocked the baggy t-shirt under my jersey and sweatband look.
Mom and Dad: You guys are seriously the best. I can’t thank you both enough for all of the love and support you have shown me during all of my years of basketball. I realize I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to even be at this school right now if it weren’t for you guys. The support and love I got from you after both ACL tears was incredible. I wouldn’t have made it through either of those hard times if it weren’t for you two. You have made me feel like the luckiest chick on the planet because of all the things you both sacrifice for me. On top of allowing me to get a great education and play basketball for four more years, you made it possible for me to go on a trip of a lifetime to Italy. That is something I will remember forever. I know I was a real treat after some games and let my crabbiness get the best of me, so I thank you for putting up with it for all these years! Mom, your love and hugs after every game are appreciated so much. I could always count on you to tell me good game even if I sucked. Dad, your words of wisdom after my games have helped a lot. I always strived to be a better basketball player than you were in your glory days ? I know you both are super busy taking care of the other four yet you still set aside time for me, and that is something I can never thank you enough for. I am truly blessed to have parents like you. You have both allowed me to play the sport I love for four more years and I will never be able to repay you for that. I love you both so much!
To my four favorite people in the world, my sisters: Critty, Honey, Beb, and Baby J, how did I get so lucky to have not only one, two, three, but FOUR unbelievably loving and caring sisters? It beats me, but I am so thankful for each of you every single day. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to come support me whether it was to watch me play or to watch me cheer on my team. I appreciate it more than I could ever explain to you. All of your good luck texts and allowing me to vent to you guys have made things so easy. Your hugs after each game make my night! You are all so good at making me laugh and brightening my day. I’m so proud to call you my sisters! I love you all so so much!
Dustin: Think I wouldn’t put you in here?! Thank you for taking time out of your day to show me support. You are awesome, Bunny! Although I love my four sisters to death, I can’t explain to you how excited I am to finally have a brother!
Grandpa and Grandma Pauline: I can’t thank you enough for all of the support you have shown me throughout my high school and college career. You two are my number one fans and I can’t thank you enough. It is such a great feeling to look up in the stands and see you guys there at every game. I’m so thankful to have such loving and supportive grandparents. I appreciate you both so much!
To my roommates, Abbie, Ari, and Luna: Thank you all so much for the good luck texts and the congratulations facebook posts after our games! It means the world to me to have such supportive friends and roommates. I’m very lucky to have people like you in my life! I appreciate all three of you very much. Thank you for all that you do ?
To my past teammates: Thank you for paving the way for us. You have really turned this program around and have taught me so much during your time here. It was an awesome feeling having so many great leaders to look up to during my first few years here. You guys are missed but very appreciated! Thank you all.
We have been blessed with such a great support system and fan group this year. I can’t thank you all enough for the emails, texts, flowers, and kind words in the hallways. You guys are awesome! A special thanks to the track team, Coach Landrum, Nikki Fennern, Donny Nadeau, Brother William, and Mary Fox. Cardinal Pride!
Coco and Rika: You two have been such awesome fans all four years. Whether we were winning or losing, I knew I could always count on you two to brighten my day with a text, letter, email, hug, anything! You two are great friends and I appreciate you both so much. THANK YOU!
Knowing I had the opportunity to play the sport I love for four more years was a chance I just couldn’t pass up. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my coaches who have taught me so much about the game during these past four years.
Coach Pearson: Thank you for all the opportunities you have given me. You have taught me a lot about the game of basketball. I appreciate all the support you gave me during my freshman year when I was injured. You made sure I still felt like I was part of the team, and I can’t thank you enough for that. Most importantly, thank you for recruiting all of these great people to join this basketball program. A big part of the reason we are at Saint Mary’s is because of you, so thank you!
Coach Freddy: You always know how to get us going and motivate us. I appreciate all the times you laughed at Coach Pearson, so we all knew it was okay for us to laugh too! I remember last year coming into your office stressing out because I didn’t know what to do with my life. Thank you for talking me through it! I finally have my life figured out now…kind of!
Coach Boese: I feel like you always caught me during my weirdest moments...sorry about that. I give you props for dealing with us post players; it’s not always easy! Thank you for all that you have taught me. I appreciate it.
Coach Ehlert and Coach Biebel: I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to be coached by each of you for a year. You guys knew how to bring the energy and that is something I loved about you guys. Thanks for your help with this program and for all the laughs along the way. You guys are very much appreciated and missed here at Saint Mary’s!
Trainer Ben: Thank you for all your help this year. Coming in your first year and having the basketball girls is a pretty demanding task! Thank you for all the hip wraps and ankle tapes.
Being a part of a team is rewarding in so many ways. I know its cliché to say that this is the best team ever, but in all honesty, THIS IS THE BEST TEAM EVER! I have developed so many life long friendships with my teammates and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am literally the luckiest person to have 18 incredible teammates and friends. When I look back on my four years at Saint Mary’s, every memory comes back to being with these ladies both on and off the court.
To my fellow seniors:
Brit: Holy smokes! It feels like just yesterday it was my freshman year and we were sitting at the scores table every practice injured together. Although it’s never fun to be injured, I’m thankful for all those times we sat out together eating jolly ranchers because that’s when our friendship began! I’m surprised you didn’t get sick of all the things I had to say during those five months but I’m thankful you didn’t ? It has been so much fun playing with you these last three years. My all time favorite thing is when you take charges because it gives me a reason to act extremely obnoxious and fist pump and jump all over the court. You were my first good friend here at Saint Mary’s so I’m so glad you decided to stay for your fifth year! Even though we always make fun of you for being old ? I wouldn’t change our red team at practice for the world. I love playing with you and having someone to share my sense of humor with. Everything is funny to us…especially at practice. I love it! Like I told you before, we’re going to finish this season off for you! Thank you for pushing me and helping me with so much along the way, Brit.
Jess: It seems like just yesterday you were no where to be found for pre season work outs freshman year, and now you’re a senior hosting team dinners! Who are you?! This team wouldn’t be the same without you. You have been a huge part of the success we’ve had this year. I know how much you love attention especially when its basketball related so naturally I’m going to congratulate you again for being a huge stud and scoring 1,000 points! You always know what to say and how to take charge when needed. I said take charge, not take a charge…we all know Jessica Thone would never take a charge! ? I’ve enjoyed these last four years with you both on and off the court. Thank you for sharing your parents with us. Your dad’s vest will forever be my favorite thing to come into the SMU gym! I’m thankful we always had you to lighten the mood or be the one to ask the questions everyone else was thinking, but would never ask. I couldn’t ask for a better teammate and friend to finish off our four years here! NUM NUM NUM NUM NUM!
Janice: Who’s Jamie? Look how far we’ve come! I still remember sitting in the bleachers freshman year during our recruiting visit. Your dad and I became the best of friends and now senior year we are rooming together! You are one lucky gal ? You truly are a great friend, teammate, and roommate. Your loopy-ness is one of your best qualities! You make me laugh even when you don’t try to and I love it! I know I’m quite the handful to room with but I appreciate your willingness to deal with my weirdness and crazy screaming outbursts. We’ve gotten so much closer each year we’ve been here and being teammates has been a huge reason for that. I have enjoyed every moment of it with you and have also enjoyed watching you kick butt so I can brag to everyone saying, “that’s my roommate!”. Thank you for helping me through things when I’m upset and also for making me laugh endlessly. Our talks always make me feel better! You’re the best Janny.
Juniors
Court: I still remember the anger I first felt inside when I heard another Courtney was coming to SMU but then I met you and realized that I wouldn’t want to share a name with anyone but you! You have grown into such a beastly basketball player, especially when you bring out that awesome volleyball spike. I have enjoyed all the times spent with you both on and off the court. Thank you for answering all my questions I had about defense and always being there to make me laugh, but most of all thank you for being a great friend. I can’t wait to watch you dominate the MIAC next year!
Kait: You are such a good teammate and friend. We have grown closer over the years and I love it! You have had such a positive attitude during your time here which rubs off on other people. You are so fun to be around and bring many laughs to this team with your random goofiness. You’re a teammate I know I can always count on, so thank you for that! Just a Dream will always remind me of you. ?
Darcey: I’m glad you decided to come to the better side of Winona for my last year! You have meshed with our team so well. If only you would have came two years ago so I could have enjoyed your presence longer! You’ve helped this team out a lot this year. I look forward to watching you continue to kick butt!
Sophomores
Adri: Ma’am, Dinky, Driz...you always know how to make me smile! I’ve enjoyed being locker buddies with you. I’m going to miss being your shooting partner for warm-ups as well. Good luck finding a partner as cool as me again! ? I will never forget you talking to yourself during practices. “Adri fo threeee!” Keep working hard little lady.
Tay: Otay-Kay. I don’t think anyone will ever understand us. Writing our “Seriously so funny…joke book” to being the best prom dates ever. I’m going to miss you! I’m still waiting for the day that you’ll be faster than me. Not sure if it will ever happen! Keep being the beast that you are out on the court. After two years of playing with you, I have finally come to the conclusion that you will prevail no matter what ? It’s 6:09.
Corrine: What the heck would I do without you? You have been there for me whenever I needed someone to vent to, and I can’t thank you enough. We have had so many laughs these past two years that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’ve never met someone so hilarious right when they wake up! You are the most dedicated basketball player I’ve ever met. You have so much heart and love for the game so keep working hard and being confident and good things will come your way! I still think you have the best three point shot in the MIAC. ? Thank you for being such a great friend and teammate, Muffy!
Sara: Oh sweet innocent little Sara…you have brought a lot of laughs to this team. You have stepped up big for us in a lot of games this year as well. I’ve enjoyed all the time spent with you both on and off the court! Great things are coming your way your junior and senior year so keep working hard and dominating! Make sure your shoes don’t make too much noise when I’m gone either. ?
Freshmen
We were so lucky to get 8 very talented people to join our team this year. Thanks for coming every day and working hard. I had so much fun with all you goofballs! The four years go by so fast, believe me! Enjoy every second of it.
Katie: It was awesome getting to know you this year. You are such a good communicator for this team. Keep working hard and using those mad point guard skillz!
Micaela: I swear you tip every pass that comes your way! I can’t wait to see how much you accomplish during your next three years here. You better believe I’ll be at your softball games cheering loud and proud for you too!
Nat: I give you props for coming in and being a new-by to our little post group! You have worked hard and improved so much already this year. Good things are coming your way...just watch out for the flying balls during warm-ups!
Bridget: You are so fun to watch! You earned every minute of time you got this year and I’m excited to see all that you accomplish in the years to come. You are becoming a leader for this team already. Keep kicking butt on defense. I’m still trying to figure out how you are that quick for a white girl…do you ever get tired?!
Kenzie: I have given you so much grief this year only because I know you can handle it! I love picking on you. You have developed so many nick names during this season, I hope you live up to all of them ? You have so much potential. Keep working hard! KONICHIWA!
Mikayla: I’m so glad I met you this summer and got to play with you! I can always count on you to make me laugh. Remember that sick drive you had at practice the other day? Gosh that was cool. You’ll always be my favorite twin! (Shh...don’t tell Kenzie)
Shelb: TWINNIE! It’s been awesome getting to know you this year. I enjoy warming up next to you every day and appreciate your sense of humor. You’re so fun to be around! I swear I will never be able to guard your fakes inside. Big things are coming your way in the years to come. I can’t wait to watch you continue to kick some booty out there!
Haley: You are such a huge part of this team. Your smile and positive attitude goes such a long way. Thank you for always making me laugh and brightening my day whenever I see you! Your dedication is awesome. Keep working hard my little Haley!
Managers
Andrew: Thank you for all your help and support these past two years. You are fun to have around. I will forever be in love with your booty pop!
Rosie: Thank you for helping out as much as you could! You’re such a goof so you were fun to have around ?
Nasty: You are honestly the best. You are such a huge part of this team and I appreciate you so much! All the times you kept score for us at practice, filled up my water bottle, been there to talk to, gave me hugs, and just been an awesome friend. What would I have done without you?! Thank you for always holding my chap stick for me at games and keeping it safe whenever I forgot it. I don’t thank you enough for everything you do for this team. Never forget how appreciative I am of you, Nastalish! THE BEST MANAGER IN THE MIAC RIGHT HERE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Thank you for everything Nast.
Having the chance to be a part of this basketball program for four years was an experience of a lifetime. I got to play the sport I love with my best friends every day…what is better than that? Thank you all so much for making my time here something I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life. YEEEEHAWWW! |
