Injured Stars Have Unexpected Impact

 

2.24.08

 

LA GRANDE, Ore. - Before the 2007-2008 season could even get started EOU lost a big part of its heart and soul when All-Conference Point Guard Whitney Leman went down with a season ending injury to her Achilles tendon.  Then on February 16th Eastern's third leading scorer Laura Olsen was lost to a season ending knee injury.  On Senior Night both stepped back on the floor and made their presence felt.

 

Just seconds before the clock expired on a 75-68 win over Northwest Christian that would insure a Conference Championship and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament, Head Coach Anji Weissenfluh did something that neither player could have expected.

 

Weissenfluh walked to the end of the bench and instructed the two injured stars to check into the game, so that they could be on the floor one last time.  A tearful Leman and Olsen did just that and as the clock ran down to zero their teammates, coaches and fans had a chance to show their appreciation for all that the two have done for EOU.

 

Coach Weissenfluh was emotional in saying, "I think this will go down as one of the top memories that I will ever have in coaching."  

 

For Leman it was the first time she had put on her uniform this season, "It feels like a dream."  The senior from Ninilchik, Alaska went on to say, "I can't stop thinking about it.  (it was) One of the best moments of my life."

 

 

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