Kristen Richardson, Women's Basketball Senior, Oxford, Ohio
I WILL do whatever it takes to win.
I WILL finish my career at Capital on a high note.
I WLL have the opportunity to do whatever I want to do in the future.
This past school year was a banner season for Capital senior Kristen Richardson of the women's basketball team. Capital's most prolific scorer from last season earned All-OAC First Team and WBCA All-Region Second Team honors while leading the Crusaders to the OAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships as well as a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Richardson was also recognized as an OAC Scholar Athlete of the Month for her work in the classroom. Capital Sports Information assistant Bryan DeArdo talked with Richardson about this past academic year, as well as this upcoming year and her potential plans after graduation and basketball.
BD: From a basketball standpoint, what accomplishment from last year are you the most proud of?
KR: The proudest thing I accomplished was being able to help this team win the league regular season and tournament titles. I felt like we let a few titles slip away earlier in my career. It was great winning both of the championships on our home court, especially being able to beat our rival Otterbein for the regular season championship.
BD: What are the expectations for next season?
KR: We're taking a big hit in terms of losing people on the team. Abby (Winland) and I just want to come back and change the way we play and do whatever it takes to win a championship and get another ring. We just want to come back and repeat the success we had last year. If we put our minds to it, we can put ourselves in a position to win another ring.
BD: Speaking of the championship rings, what was receiving them like?
KR: We just came in during finals week and picked them up. It was a really neat experience, and it's something you can have the rest of your life. I showed it to my brother Jake, who played football at Miami and played for two MAC championships but never won one. He told me that it was cool that I got to win one, because that's one of the reasons you play sports. It really looks nice, and looking at it makes you want to get another one.
BD: Talk about some of the positive experiences you've had at Capital.
KR: I've had a ton of great experiences here. Working and meeting new people at Capital has been a really neat experience. It's what I expected when I came here for my visit.
BD: You were an OAC Scholar Athlete of the Month this past season. To whom or what do you attribute your scholastic work ethic to?
KR: My family. They've always stressed that whatever you do, you do it to the best of your ability. I came to Capital to get an education. I've learned that you have to sacrifice sometimes, but you can still enjoy life and get things done at the same time.
BD: How would you like to utilize your Organizational Communication major?
KR: I want to work with athletic teams, like a program director. Operating their daily activities and working with the athletes on a professional team would be something I would like to do. If that doesn't happen, working for a non-profit organization or the government would be a good option.
BD: When Kristen Richardson finds some free time between basketball and school. What does she do?
KR: I normally go to a house where some of my teammates live. Abby (Winland), Caitlin (Elsass), and Katy (Lafferty) own a house close to campus. We'll get food, watch games on TV, and just enjoy some free time off from everything.
BD: Is there one moment from last season that sticks out in your mind?
KR: When we played at Otterbein for the OAC regular season championship. It's always loud and intense when they come to our stadium. Playing Muskingum in the OAC tournament was a cool game because they came in confident and ready to give us their best. It was also neat because I was recruited to play there, and I know a lot of people on their team. My boyfriend also goes to Muskingum.
BD: Is there any part of your game that you want to improve on?
KR: I need to improve utilizing my left hand when I play, and I need to consistently be able to knock down jumpers from the outside.
BD: What is the strongest facet of your game?
KR: My will to win.
BD: You guys traveled to St. Louis to play at Washington University in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Your layup with just over seven minutes left tied the score after being previously down by 10 in the contest. Yourself and the team played great (she led both teams with 26 points) but still lost 77-72 to a team that ended up finishing second in the nation. How long did that loss stick with you?
KR: To be honest it still makes me a little sick, especially the two weeks right after the game. I think if we got by that first game we could of made a run at winning it all. I'm using it as motivation for this year.