WOLFPACK WOMENS BASKETBALL SIGN FIRST RECRUIT OF 2009
For Release: Oct 20, 2008
Kamloops--The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Women's Basketball team hasn't even played a conference game this year, and already they've signed a recruit for 2009.
For the third time, Head Coach Scott Reeves has gone to the North Okanagan to get a player: specifically Vernon. And its a player he's familiar with. The WolfPack are pleased to announce the signing of Forward Karalyn Forsyth of Vernon Secondary.
Her signing brings the number of Forsyth's on the TRU roster to two. Karalyn, who is in grade 12, will be playing alongside her older sister Kayla, now into her 3rd year with the 'Pack. She is also a co-captain of the team.
"I first met Karalyn when she was in Grade 10 and was part of the Kelowna RTC (Regional Training Center) program,' says Reeves. "That was an RTC loaded with talent. Diane Schuetze (1st year TRU post and Vernon graduate) was also part of that group as well as many other provincial team players."
Karalyn played on the Provincial U-15 and U-17 Red teams the last couple of years and describes herself as an aggressive defender, able to see the floor well and be a relentless rebounder.
Unlike other recruiting missions, selling the TRU philosophy and the school wasn't as difficult for Reeves when he sat down with the Forsyth family. After all, having two girls in one place playing CIS basketball is a dream come true for most parents.
The younger Forsyth (who is 6'1") is looking forward to playing with her older sister "Growing up with Kayla, I always admired her work ethic," Karalyn says "I was especially proud of her when she made the BC U-16 team. I think playing with her will be a very good experience. She'll definitely challenge be to play to the best of my ability."
Kayla is also excited about next season ‘Its really cool that she’s coming here, “ she exclaimed. “It’s the first time we’ll play together since she was in grade nine and I was in grade 11.” The two were part of the Okanagan Heat Summer League Club program.
Does Kayla think she helped Karalyn make her decision? “I think she got a little more insight into what sort of program we are running here, “she says “The fact I think Scott is a great coach and we have something good starting here was definitely something she thought about.”
"Karalyn will be a great fit with our philosophy on Academics as her high school average is in the mid 90's" says Reeves. "She'll come in and challenge players in the 3-4 spot and be a major part of building a championship program here at TRU."
Unlike her sister, who is in the Sciences program, Karalyn has designs at going into the Education program. Why did she commit so early to a CIS school? "TRU is where I really wanted to play basketball, and the university has the program I want to take, so why wait?"