Dream come true for Cary-Grove’s Straumann
Ever since she was a little girl, Megan Straumann has drempt of playing college basketball.
Now the Cary-Grove senior will get that chance, and on a Division I scholarship no less.
Straumann, the Trojans’ 5-foot-9 point guard who made such a remarkable comeback from an ACL injury that claimed her junior season, has committed to play on scholarship at the University of Rhode Island.
“I’ve had a dream ever since I was little and I wasn’t going to let it go,” said Straumann, an all-area player and honorable mention AP All-State performer who helped the Trojans to a 27-4 season that included a conference championship and a trip to the sectional finals.
“It was hard at times but I wanted my dream so I just had to work for it.”
According to Trojans’ coach Rod Saffert, Straumann’s comeback was nothing short of miraculous. She played in every game for Cary-Grove this season, averaging 9.6 points, 3.3 assists and 3 steals per game. She also had 29 3-pointers.
“I’ve said it before, but it was one of the most amazing comebacks I’ve ever seen,” Saffert said. “This has been Megan’s dream since she started playing basketball. Sometimes the Big Guy tests you and she’s passed this test with flying colors. I’m just very happy for her.”
Straumann and Saffert each said Cary-Grove freshman coach Keith Kula was instrumental in getting Rhode Island coach Cathy Inglese interested in Straumann.
“I knew of the school and coach Kula made the calls and sent them tape,” said Straumann, who said she’d likely study kinesiology or Sports psychology in college. “One of their coaches was able to come out to a regional game and then coach Inglese came to our sectional game against Huntley.”
“It wouldn’t have happened without him,” said Saffert of Kula. “He’s got all the contacts.”
Straumann said it was her plan all along to go away to school. She also visited Holy Cross. But once she hit Rhode Island’s campus she knew she had her home for the next four years.
“Adventure excites me and as soon as I walked on the campus I could picture myself being there,” she said. “I was able to play a pickup game with some of the girls and I was right at home with their style of play. Coach Inglese is so determined to turn the program around and that’s the type of people I want to be surrounded by.”
Rhode Island was 7-21 last season and 1-13 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. Inglese will be starting her third year as the Rams’ head coach. Straumann will join a familiar face at Rhode Island. Rams’ freshman Kiley Hackbarth is a St. Charles North graduate and, like Straumann, played for Derril Kipp’s Illinois Hustle AAU program.
Having torn her ACL in the crucial junior recruiting year, Straumann flew under a lot of college’s radar, making her late scholarship offer even more special.
“It’s a huge weight lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “I’m so excited to bring my game to the next level. I can’t wait to start working and become a better player.”