"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
-Aristotle

It’s official, we’re back and with a vengeance. As coach would say, "This is the year. This is the team."

School has begun and we are back on the track, back in the gym, hitting the weights, and we’re rewriting the record books. In case you are unaware, our entire team is returning and we have two new players joining our family. Mandi Troutt is a junior transfer from Walla Walla Community College where she played one year with Aundrea. Our other addition is from Tualitin, OR, Madison Mendizona. Madison is our lonely freshman this year, but you wouldn’t know from watching her in practice. She is a poised player and will be helping us bring the ball up the court this year at point guard.

It feels like we never left because we have picked up right where we left off. We have had some fun get-togethers already this year. Coach didn’t waste any time getting us on the track. Our second day of school , the 29th, we were on the track running the timed mile. I know I didn’t sleep the night before the test, and I’m pretty sure a few of my teammates didn’t either. The mile has always been a tough test, and even though this was my third year running it my stomach was still tied in a million knots. It must have been a great day to be a warrior because we all made our times and you can bet there were many HUGE sighs of relief as we walked/limped out of Bulmer Bowl. The rest of the week consisted of tests in the weight room including bench press, leg press, and incline press.

After a week of testing we had a nice long labor day weekend and on Monday we had a potluck at Coach’s house. The lovely Bonnie Orr cooked us a couple fantastic entrees and the team brought salads, drinks, and desserts. We also brought along some family pictures and baby pictures. It’s always fun to make fun of those great bowl cuts and hot pink snow joggers. Awwww the 80’s.

The following morning after stuffing our faces we had our first day of 400’s. We were on the track at 6:30 Tuesday morning breathing in the nice smokey air and loving every minute. During conditioning we run 6 timed 400’s every Tuesday and Thursday. The 6th one is recorded in our preseason records. This year our outstanding point guard, Katie Hart, broke the 1:04 record by one second crossing the finish line at 1:03. I cheered her on from about two-hundred yards down the track. She is truly amazing! Las t week we also started our plyometric conditioning. On Mondays and Wednesdays we do dot drills, and don’t forget we play everyday.

This Sunday was our sponsor BBQ at the Mahoney residence. We had a great turnout this year. I think it was the biggest we have ever had. On behalf of my teammates, I would like to thank everyone that attended. Our scholarship club is a huge part of why we succeed. I’m very thankful that we get to share this experience with such great people. If you weren’t able to attend, that’s ok because we have a long year ahead of us to share many more memories and lots of wins (click photo on left to see more pictures of the BBQ).

We are really playing competitive basketball this preseason, and everyone is really working hard. I can honestly say that this is the best team I have ever been on. I feel very honored for this opportunity to play with such an amazing group of women, in such a great program, and for a very knowledgeable coaching staff.