While most of Laurier’s roster will be looking to repeat or top their 2010-11 incredible season next year, for three Hawks it will serve as a farewell. Fifth-years Renata Adamczyk, Mallory Kohlmeier and Megan Grant all capped their university basketball careers with the unforgettable season the purple and gold put up, and according Adamczyk it was a more than fitting conclusion.
“It was a great way to go out, with a win like that,” she said. “It was just so fulfilling. You look back at all the time and commitment you’ve put in and it was great that we went as far as we could with that this year.”
While the three Laurier fifth-years had never made it to nationals themselves, they were certainly not short on experience, having played a total of 340 regular season and playoff games between them. That experience certainly showed this year as the trio of vets not only made massive contributions with their play but also acted as a steadying influence on a team that featured five rookies and just one fourth-year.
“They’ve done so much for this program,” said Laurier head coach Paul Falco of the three fifth-years. “They’ve worked so hard, I know they worked really hard last summer and that was a big part of why we were able to do so well this year, the example they set for everyone else.”
Of the three, Adamczyk has had the most decorated career, winning two Ontario University (OUA) West defensive player of the year awards, this year’s Joy Bellinger Award, three team MVP awards along with being named a divisional all-star three times.
But her accolades won’t be what stands out the most when she remembers her university career.
“I made some really long lasting friendships this year,” said Adamczyk. “We had really great team chemistry, one through 13, and it was just the most dedicated group of girls I’ve played with.”
In addition to the lifelong bonds with their teammates, the three veterans will also now forever have the memory of playing in the national championship, something not every university athlete gets. And for Kohlmeier, Grant and Adamczyk, they came dangerously close to not getting that experience.
“I’ve been in the basketball program for six years, one at Windsor, five here, and I’ve never really came close to [nationals],” said Kohlmeier. “So this year as a whole was really just an amazing experience.”
“It was the perfect ending,” added Grant. “Going to nationals, the whole experience it was just crazy. It’s something I’ll always remember.”
As for what’s next for the three graduating Hawks, Adamczyk plans to play basketball overseas, while Grant and Kohlmeier will now focus on education, with Kohlmeier recently getting into chiropractic school.
