Young team with new talent to help continue the Eagles winning tradition
–by Bre Milnes, Kirkwood News Service
Many times the phrase “Tradition never graduates” is thrown around in athletic programs nationwide. Some programs can prove this statement, but for the Kirkwood Community College Women’s Basketball team, it’s becoming a known fact.
The Eagles begin yet another season contending a Division II NJCAA National Championship. Last season’s run to a fourth consecutive NJCAA National Championship title gives the Eagles six total, tying Illinois Central College for the most national championships at any level. If this isn’t impressive enough, the Eagles posted a perfect 18-0 conference record in 2009-10, continuing the team’s 96 game conference win streak. The Eagles went 37-1 last season breaking the previous single season wins record.
There will be holes to fill due to graduation of dominant players Staci Gillum (West Des Moines, Iowa), Kalli Hansen (Olin, Iowa), Andi Waugaman (West Des Moines) and Kari Goodchild (Van Horne, Iowa). Gillum led the team in scoring, steals and assists, with 53 more assists than any teammate, while collecting ICCAC Athlete of the Week, Third Team NJCAA All-American, First Team All-Region and NJCAA All-National Tournament Team honors. Hansen led the team in three-point goals receiving First Team NJCAA All-American, ICCAC First Team All-Region and NJCAA All-National Tournament Team accolades. Waugaman was Third Team All-Region and NJCAA National Tournament MVP.
These athletes have moved on to compete at the NCAA Division I level: Gillum at the University of Evansville, Hansen at the University of Iowa, Waugaman at Marquette University, and Goodchild playing at Quinnipiac University.
Filling the shoes of these players are 12 newcomers and just three experienced returners who saw time in all 38 games last season, including Taylor Smith (Leon, Iowa), Ashley Birts (Milwaukee, WI) and Rachael Remick (Hillsboro, Iowa). Birts was named Second Team All-Region scoring 24 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the NJCAA National Tournament.
The Eagles have a lot of depth with fresh talent hitting the floor this season. Growing pains are expected with a young team, but Head Coach Kim Muhl expects the sophomores to help the freshmen through it to become better players.
“We look to the sophomores as leaders that will push the younger players to the next level to be more successful,” Muhl said.
The women attempt the unimaginable this season as they fight for a fifth consecutive NJCAA National Championship. That’s impressive when considering it’s typical to start a season with more newcomers than returners, but Coach Muhl believes, “There are a lot of variables, but the team has the potential to match the success of past teams.”
The Eagles hit the floor for the Kirkwood Jamboree October 17, playing against Ashford University, St. Ambrose University and Grand View University at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.