22-year-old Caitlin Clark from The University of Iowa Women’s Basketball team has a record-breaking season so far.
According to an article from KCCI News in Des Moines, Iowa, Clark became the NCAA men’s and women’s all time scorer on March 3, with 3,685 career points.
Since then, Clark surpassed NBA Steph Curry’s record for most three-pointers hit in a single NCAA Division I season, an article by CNN stated.
At Keene State College (KSC), the women’s basketball team recently ended their season following their loss to Eastern Connecticut on Feb. 20. Although her own season is over, KSC women’s basketball first-year guard Brynn Rautiola saw Clark’s record-breaking season and felt inspired.
“She’s completely changed the look on women’s basketball and it’s great to see a woman do that,” Rautiola said. “She’s just a great role model for the game. She deserves all the highlights and it’s inspiring for everyone playing the game and I think everyone really looks up to her.”
Similarly, junior forward Samantha Lee said Clark and other women in basketball deserved to be highlighted more.
“It’s definitely interesting because I feel like there’s not a lot of good rep[utation] on women athletes, especially in basketball,” Lee said.
Lee added there were instances of her being doubted as a woman in basketball.
“More in high school, I feel like the guys team wanted the gym more and kicking us out,” Lee said. “And even in college, if the men’s team comes in, they’ll be like, ‘alright we’re shooting’ or ‘uh, we have practice.’ I feel like there’s a lot of times men athletes think they’re better than the women athletes.”
Lee said she pursued basketball in college because she wanted to, “Beat the stereotypes and all the negative input on women’s basketball.”
Similarly, Rautiola said she pushed herself to play basketball as an Owl because it has been a huge part of her life since childhood.
“I was five-years-old probably when I would pick up a ball every day and go ask my dad to play and it just stuck with me and I’ve developed a really strong passion for the game,” Rautiola said.
Similar to Clark, Rautiola hit milestones this season, even with it being her first year as an Owl. Rautiola was declared the Little East Conference (LEC) Rookie of The Year and the New England Women’s Basketball Association’s (NEWBA) Rookie of the Year.
Regarding being honored as LEC Rookie of The Year, Rautiola said, “It’s just more motivation for me to keep getting better. I play the game because I love it and the accolades are just what comes with the game.”
Additionally, Rautiola said anyone who is hesitant to pursue basketball in college, for any reason, should, “Work hard and don’t take any moment on the court for granted because the season flies by.”
Similarly, Lee said in order to take the chance with pursuing basketball as a woman, “Don’t give up. It’s hard and there’s a lot of mental aspects into playing a sport during college… Sometimes coaches say rough stuff, but don’t let it get to your head and just believe in who you are.”
Nicole Dumont can be contacted at
ndumont@kscequinox.com
