The Weakest Link

      Are you the weakest link? Imagine yourself in a room filled with people, some cheering for you and some cheering against you, but everyone cheering loudly.  The clock is slowing tick...tick...ticking down the final seconds. Sweat is pouring from your face and your legs are so exhausted you can't imagine them ever moving again. As you sit in the huddle with your teammates you look up at the clock and realize that your team is down by one and there are only five seconds left. "Ok, who wants to take the last shot?" your coach asks. What would you do? What would the weakest link do? 
      I can tell you what the weakest link would do...the weakest link would immediately start to think about those cheering fans, those tired legs, and that ticking clock and let fear and doubt creep into their mind. The hours of hard work and the dedication that came before this moment are all forgotten. The weakest link only thinks, "what if I miss the shot, what if we lose." Are you the weakest link? Ask yourself.
      The Dakota State Lady T's have all asked themselves the very same question. Instead of answering the question, they go to the gym and work harder and longer. They know that a championship team is only as strong as their weakest link. 
        To help the Lady T's reach their goals they have asked four transfer and seven high school athletes to join them and help strengthen their link. These athletes are not strangers to adversity or hard work. They definitely do not know the meaning of the words "weakest link."

Rachel Goehner

        Rachel transfers to DSU from Cottey College in Missouri.  The daughter of Wes and Shari Goehner, this Huron High School product averaged 11 points , 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in junior college.  This was Rachel's first action in over two years since suffering a severe ankle injury early in her junior year of high school.  While resuming her basketball play at Cottey College, Rachel was excelling off the court as well.  She received numerous academic scholarships at Cottey College and was named President of the Emerson Society, editor of the yearbook and was a senator in the student government.  In high school, Rachel was a National Honor Society recipient, "Who's Who" selection and a Regent's Scholar.  She was active in journalism (yearbook editor), band (section leader in the jazz band, marching band, and concert band), and graduated Valedictorian of her class.  Rachel will major in Computer Science and Web Design at Dakota State University.

Robin Grinager

        While Robin is a freshman in eligibility, she is a transfer student academically to Dakota State.  Robin began her collegiate career at Black Hills State before joining the Lady T's.  As a high school athlete for Lead High School, Robin averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists  a night.  This success led to her selection to the All-Conference squad for two years and All-State team her senior season.  She was also named to participate in the South Dakota-Wyoming All-Star game, the "Three-Class" Shootout and the South Dakota All-Star game.  Robin was also named All-Conference twice in track and once in volleyball.  In the class room, Robin was a National Honor Society selection, "Who's Who" recipient and National Merit Award winner while being on the Lead High School Honor roll for eight semesters.  The daughter of Eric and Ruth Grinager, Robin will be majoring in Business Administration at Dakota State.

Molly Hathaway

        In 1998, Molly led her Miles City, Montana, squad to the Class "A" Championship at the point guard position.  She was an All-Conference selection,  Academic All-American and the President of the National Honor Society her senior season before moving on the Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming.  In junior college, Molly helped her team to the Sub-Region Conference Championship before losing to JC powerhouse, Western Nebraska.  In the off-season, Molly has donated her time to the Big Champ/Little Champ Program for children.  The daughter of Ron and Ginny Hathaway, Molly will be pursuing a degree in Biology for Information Systems at Dakota State.   

Mandy Kruger

        A 5'8" shooting guard and the daughter of Fritz and Paulette Kruger, Mandy began her athletic career at Campbell High School in Gillette, Wyoming, before attending Northwest College.  As a high school athlete, she led Campell to State Championships in basketball and volleyball.  She was named to All-Conference and All-State teams in both sports as a result.   At Northwest, Mandy averaged 10 points a night while helping her team capture the Sub-Region Conference Championship and was an All Region IX Tournament selection her sophomore year.  Mandy was also Academic All-Region selection for 2001.  She will major in Secondary Education and Coaching this fall at Dakota State.

Renae Bottum

        Renae comes to the Lady T's from Tulare, S.D. and is the daughter of Dan and Barb Bottum. As a high school basketball athlete, she was 2nd team All-State, All Conference, a member of the All-Area team, and an alternate for the South Dakota All- Star squad. Renae made 5 State " B" appearances, and was a starter on the 1997 Tulare Championship team. This four year starter also broke three school basketball records. She averaged 15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals each game. Off the court and on the track field, she was named MVP and broke two school records. In the classroom, she was named Valedictorian of her class, was an  Honor Roll student and earned Academic All-State honors for basketball. Renae will join Amanda and Dana and major in Elementary Education.  

Andrea Gullickson

        Andrea attended Flandreau High School and is the daughter of Edward and Linda Gullickson.  A National Honor student, Regents Scholar, and Academic All-Stater in both basketball and volleyball, Andrea showed excellence on the court and in the classroom.  Averaging 9 points and 6 rebounds a game, she was a two-time all-conference athlete and was named the Central Valley Conference Outstanding Female Athlete.  Andrea was a six-time all-conference selection in track and three-time winner in volleyball.  Other athletic accolades she received include the Gatorade "Will-to-Win" and the Coca-Cola "Unsung Hero" awards.  A Girl's State representative, Andrea also received the American Legion Citizenship Award, President's Education Citation and was a U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete recipient.

Kayla Hewitt

        A  Langford High School product, Kayla had an outstanding athletic career.  Kayla is a 5'5" guard that was named All-Conference for three years and All-Area twice.  Kayla averaged 18.8 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals a night.  For her efforts Kayla was selected to play in the Dakota State University All-Star game and was an alternate for the South Dakota All-Star game.  In other sports, Kayla was also named All-Conference and All-Area twice in volleyball.  Academically, Kayla was named Academic All-State in both basketball and volleyball, and was a Who's Who selection.   She was a Young Author's Extravaganza winner, won 1st place in the Americanism Essay Contest and was a HOBY representative.  Kayla also represented Langord High School at South Dakota Girl's State.  Biology for Information Systems will be Kayla's choice of study at Dakota State.

Dana Van Zanten

         Dana is a Chester High School standout who was awarded a number of accolades in both athletics and academics. In the classroom, Dana was a member of the National Honor Society for three years and an officer her senior year. She also earned an academic letter two years and was on the honor roll. During her junior year, she was academic all-state in basketball and then proceeded to be academic all state in volleyball her senior year. In athletics, Dana participated in basketball, volleyball and track.  She was a 4 year starter and varsity letter winner in basketball. Over the course of four years she was named 1st team All-Conference, Augie Team Camp MVP, Team Offensive MVP, and YMCA Person of Character for 2000-2001. Dana also helped her team to a DVC Tournament Championship in 1999 and a DVC Conference Champions in 2000.  The daughter of Greg and Bev Van Zanten, Dana will major in Elementary Education at DSU.

Amanda Zephier

         The daughter of Jan Zephier comes to DSU from Flandreau, SD. As a high school athlete she averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists a game. She also garnered All-Conference honorable mention honors in basketball and volleyball as a freshman and a sophomore. During her junior season and much of her senior season she was forced to the sidelines with an injury. She was named the 2000 Entringer Classic MVP. Amanda will major in elementary education as DSU.

        NOTE:  Molly, Mandy and Amanda were all picture shy so we will have to wait until the season to see their pictures on the Lady T's web site.