Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Everyone would agree that there is never a dull moment with our senior class. We have had a wonderful four years with Octavia, Sara, Andrew and Natalie and cannot believe how fast the time has gone. We have been blessed with a very tenacious senior class who have been determined to be as successful as possible in all areas of their lives. They all have very unique personalities that will continue driving them each to be successful in their final days on the basketball court, in their finals days as students at Saint Mary’s University and in their future careers. They are well known on campus because of all of the positive qualities each of them possess on and off the basketball court. Octavia and Sara are two of the best defenders that have gone through our program because of their determination to do the little things well. Natalie and Andrew have done so many little things for our team and it has been a blast to watch Natalie on the court this season pushing everyone to become better basketball players and better leaders. This group will move on to live very successful lives and we are very lucky to have been a part of this very exciting and successful chapter of their lives. Thank you so much for your dedication to Saint Mary’s women’s basketball, to your teammates, for your leadership, personalities and for all of the things you have done as student-athletes at Saint Mary’s University.

ANDREW LEE: It only makes sense to start with Andrew. Our coaching staff spent numerous hours catering to the needs of our dear manager Andrew, as he demanded court time. He was adamant that he could just wear a weave to get some playing time, and he didn’t need to shave his mustache off. It just isn’t a normal day if Andrew does not walk into Coach F’s office three or four times to ask random questions. Aside from all of the random questions and demands, Andrew has been a blessing for our program. He truly cares about Saint Mary’s women’s basketball and more importantly all of the women in our program. Andrew thank you for caring so much and for all of the time you spent grocery shopping, carrying coolers, calling restaurants, running the scoreboard, lowering the hoops and all of the other little things you did on a daily basis for our team. You will be greatly missed next year, and we are so excited to see where life takes you!

OCTAVIA BROWN: One of the worst decisions anyone can make if they are in a hurry to get from one end of campus to the other, is to walk with Octavia Brown. She knows everyone on campus and always makes sure to say hello. She is one of the most outgoing and friendly people we have coached, and according to sources, a five minute walk with Octavia can take anywhere from ten to twenty. Octavia has been a joy to coach. Her tenacious on ball defense, quickness and energy are hard qualities to find in an athlete, and they were the first things our coaching staff noticed in the recruiting process. Everyone she meets absolutely adores her and Coach Pearson’s grandma can attest to this. Octavia always took the time to give Coach Pearson’s grandma a hug as well as thanking her for coming to our game. We will miss Octavia and want the absolute best for her in her future. Your future is very bright! Thank you for all of the laughs, hard work and dedication you have given Saint Mary’s University!

SARA SCHOENTHALER: To say that Sara Schoenthaler is pretty competitive is an understatement. When Sara chose to attend Saint Mary’s, she decided it was best for her to room with a random student because she is “just too competitive” to room with another basketball player. Sara is hilarious without even trying and often refers to herself as awkward. Our entire team loves to laugh at her for her hair flips, her grunts at practice when she thinks she gets fouled and for all of the shots she made after yelling, “Uh, that’s off.” Sara is an extremely hard worker, strong leader and a great example of how to be successful on the basketball court and in the classroom. She is extremely organized and we are very excited to see what the future holds for her as she will continue to be very successful throughout the rest of her life. Her competitiveness, resiliency and desire to succeed will continue to drive Sara towards great things! Thank you for everything Sara, we will miss you next year!

NATALIE WILLIAMS: Natalie “Nasty” Williams started out as a manager for our program, but we are very happy she decided to play in her final year. Nasty is a definite team first player and the best example of this can be shown through one of our recent conversations. She approached our staff and said, “I know what my role on the team is, and I want to be able to do more for the team. What else can I do off the court to help us be more successful?” Nasty is always there for her teammates and coaching staff and is very good at boosting Coach Pearson’s ego. Coach Pearson is currently 3-0 against Nasty in 1 on 1 but strategically planned for each game to happen when Nasty was wearing her sandal, and these sandals have no grip. The annual 1 on 1 game hasn’t happened yet because Nasty now wears basketball shoes to practice every day. Natalie is a wonderful person who has great dance moves and has been an extremely important piece of the success of our program. We are extremely grateful for her unselfishness, team first attitude and for all of the fun she brought to Saint Mary’s women’s basketball. You will be deeply missed by everyone, and we are very thankful for all of the big and little things you have done for our team!