Wheaton College Athletics

Q: What is your major?
A: Mathematics and Secondary Education

Q: Why did you choose to attend and play basketball at Wheaton?
A: During the process of looking into colleges, I realized that I was definitely interested in attending a smaller Christian college, knowing that it would be somewhere that not only fit but would also just really be a good place for me to be during these years. I had also watched both my older brother and sister during their years at Wheaton and knew that in many ways it was offering what I was looking for- Christian community and focus, and both strong academics and athletics. I struggled a little with being a “local”, but when I came on my recruiting visit, I stayed with Sarah Jones who was also a local and saw how much the school had to offer regardless of where you were from.

Q: What do you enjoy most about Wheaton?
A: I think that one of the biggest blessings has been how I am challenged in my faith from all angles of life. I think we can sometimes just forget how incredible it is to be at this school where we are surrounded by the desire to seek the Lord and Savior of all. I know that God has used this school and the people here to radically change my life and dramatically deepen my faith over the two-three years I have been here.

Q: What do you enjoy most about playing basketball at Wheaton?
A: Since playing at a large public high school, I have had my eyes opened to what it means to be on a team where you are physically and spiritually striving alongside women who are seeking to follow God first in their lives and a program that seeks to glorify God. It is such an incredible experience to get to know girls who are from all over, who all have a different set of life experiences that they are drawing on, and come together and work hard for something together.

I cannot explain how much I have learned from my teammates, the ways they have impacted my life and faith, and the hysterical fun they are to be around. They are truly special girls who can keep me accountable whether it concerns the way I play basketball, or the life I am leading off the court. The Bible studies on the team and have stretched me the most during my time here at Wheaton and continue to do so. My teammates are continually helping to shape my life for Christ and are teaching me things that I will carry with me when I leave Wheaton.

Q: Talk a little about coach Baker and coach Madsen, what do you appreciate about working with them

A: Coach Baker and Coach Madsen are wonderful examples of what it means to live in and through our Savior and complement each other incredibly well. They really do care about us and constantly look to caring about our whole lives, not just the part that occurs in the gym.

There is something to be said about a woman (whose livelihood depends on a successful program) who will sit you down and tell you that although she wants to make you the best player possible and win games, her ultimate definition of being a successful coach is that her players grow in their Savior Jesus Christ over their four years of basketball at Wheaton, and that is Coach Baker. She has taught me how when we are weak, He is strong, and how He must be our source for every part of life.

Coach Madsen (a lonely male surrounded by females) has always been such a steady rock for the program who not only encourages every girl on the team and helps them individually become a better player, but who also pushes us all to something so much greater than ourselves. He has been a huge influence in continuing to learn valuable lessons about integrity in both basketball and life.