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Kjerstad leading flock of Eagles - Athlete of the Week |
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 16:39 |
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The Wall girls' basketball team has amassed an impressive 20-3 record this season. Leading the way for the Lady Eagles has been their dominant post player, Katrina Kjerstad. But as Chris Leone tells us, this week's Athlete of the Week must now lead her squad into unfamiliar territory.
As the clock ticked down on Wall's region win over White River last week, it was a moment of jubilation for Katrina Kjerstad. Kjerstad says, 'I actually kind of started crying. I'm not going to lie. It was just overwhelming because all that hard work that you put in for practice and camps and all that time before and after practice, it was all for that.' An understandably emotional moment for the senior, who was key in leading the Lady Eagles to their first state tournament appearance in 16 years. Hess says, 'It's been great. You know we've been called rock stars so it's been pretty big.' Kjerstad says, 'The town is crazy. Everywhere you go it's just, oh my gosh, we're going to state, I can't wait for next weekend.' But the hard work is just beginning for Kjerstad and the Eagles. Many of her younger teammates hadn't even been born yet the last time Wall made it this far and they're going to need to be ready to go come Thursday. Hess says, 'I know going into game number one we're all going to have butterflies in our stomach and feeling nervous and stuff. We're just going to have to work through that and hopefully get through that early in the game so that's not a big deal.' It's already been a magical season for Wall and just three more wins would be the perfect ending. Kjerstad says, 'It would mean the world to us. I mean we've been playing together since the fourth grade. It's what we've wanted and what we've worked for and bringing home a state championship would be a dream for us. It's what we've wanted forever.' But regardless of what happens this weekend in Watertown, what the Eagles have accomplished this season will stay with Kjerstad for the rest of her life. Kjerstad says, 'I'm going to look back and I'm not going to regret anything. Our season has been so good and I'm going to look back and be thankful we had a great season and I got to play with these girls. We've just all worked hard and even if we don't come home with a state championship I'm just going to be proud of our team because we made one of our goals come true.' With your Powerade Athlete of the Week this is Chris Leone, Black Hills FOX Sports. |
