Wheaton, Ill. – Wheaton College head women's basketball coach
Kent Madsen has announced the addition of three freshmen that have submitted their deposit to attend Wheaton College, with the intent to play for the Thunder women's basketball team beginning with the 2022-23 season. Madsen says of the trio, "We are excited to introduce our incoming freshmen class. As you will see from the information below, these three outstanding student-athletes finished their senior years playing in the final four or championship game in their respective states. It is also a pleasure to once again welcome players that span the nation representing Colorado, Michigan and Virginia. We can't wait to get them on campus to join our returning players and start another basketball season."
The three newcomers for 2021-22 are:
Alyssa Faberowski (Lone Tree, Colorado/Valor Christian High School) is a 5'6" guard joining the Thunder after playing on a Valor Christian High School team that finished as the 2021-2022 state runner-up and ended the season ranked No. 2 in Colorado. Faberowski transferred into Valor Christian from Menlo-Atherton High School, and between the two high schools, she was a three-year varsity starter. Her senior year she was honored with the "Effort to Outcomes" individual award and was an All-Conference honoree. Besides playing basketball, Faberowski ran varsity track and field and played varsity lacrosse. Playing varsity lacrosse, Faberowski was on Valor's 2021-2022 state runner-up team and garnered another All-Conference award. A dedicated student-athlete, Faberowski was on the Honor Roll and earned 2021-2022 Academic All-State recognition. She was an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Anna Fernandez (Canton, Michigan/Plymouth Christian Academy) is a 5'7" guard who capped her high school career as a state finalist runner-up after being a four-year varsity player and three-year varsity captain for the Eagles. Averaging 17.5 points per game, 3 assists per game, 6 rebounds per game and 3 steals per game, Fernandez was a two-time AP First Team All-State selection, a two-time BCAM Best All-State selection, and was recognized as a First Team All-State selection in 2022 by the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. She departs Plymouth Christian Academy having scored over 1,000 points in her career. During her high school career, Fernandez was a four-year MIAC First Team All-Conference honoree and MIAC Dream Team selectee while she led her team to two MIAC League Championships in 2021 and 2022 and was selected as the league's MVP in both years. Academically, Fernandez was a two-time BCAM Best Academic All-State award winner, and locally, she was honored with the 2022 Hometown Life Player of the Year award.
Kate Oliver (Falls Church, Virginia/Trinity School at Meadow View) is a 5'10" guard who graduated from Trinity School at Meadow View averaging 21 points and 10 assists per game in her senior campaign. In eighth grade, Oliver joined the varsity squad and was her varsity team's MVP selection each season. Oliver made the most of her senior season after her junior year season was canceled, by leading her team to her school's first ever semifinal state tournament run while scoring 324 points on the season. With her performance, she picked up a First Team All-State selection nod as well as a honorable mention All-Virginia Private Schools pick. Oliver was honored as Trinity School's Sportswoman of the Year. The honor was well deserved after serving as the captain of the volleyball, basketball and soccer teams. The soccer team made a semifinal run in the state tournament, and Oliver earned a Second Team All-State award for her efforts. Academically, Oliver graduated Cum Laude, and she achieved Trinity School's standard of excellence (A+ average while displaying excellence in depth of inquiry and sense of wonder in the subject) in humane letters, scripture, mathematics, physics, art and music.
