In this week's "Get To Know Your Golden Eagles", we sat down with UMC women's basketball freshman Kelsey Stinson. A native of Cottage Grove, Wis., Stinson is one of six freshmen on the roster for the 2016-17 season. Stinson is averaging 5.8 points per game off the bench this season for the Golden Eagles. She is shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. We sat down with Kelsey in an effort to better get to know her.
What has your adjustment been like to college life at Minnesota Crookston during your first few months of college?
"It has gone pretty well. There is a lot more homework. It is a lot different adjusting to Crookston, as well, but it has been good so far."
What has been the biggest adjustment for you on the basketball court through your first six collegiate games?
"Probably the biggest adjustment for me is just knowing that everyone at this level can shoot at a pretty high level. You have to be aware that everyone on the floor can shoot. It is a big adjustment defensively. You have to be ready. Offensively, you have to be ready to go because it is a lot quicker game."
The team has had some struggles out of the gate. What would you like to see the team accomplish over the next several weeks to get back on track?
"Right now we are really working on our defense because that is probably our biggest struggle point right now. We are trying to get that better right now. I feel like once we get out defense on track we will be pretty well off. We will be able to stop the opponents, so it will help us be able to get a win."
The team struggled out of the gate shooting the ball.It is an offense that is predicated on making some three-pointers. What were you guys able to do last week to improve your percentages from beyond the arc?
"It kind of just depends on the game. Some people have off games and good games. We shoot every day in practice, so that helps. I think we just had a little more confidence in our shots last weekend."
What do you see your role on the team as being?
"I would say I am someone that can make things happen off the bench and try to get the team motivated. I also bring my ability to shoot the ball. If the shot it open I have the green light to shoot, but if it isn't I try to get the ball moving and find an open shot for one of my teammates."
You were able to see a little more playing time in recent games. How has that been to be able to see your efforts rewarded because of what you bring the team off of the bench?
"It is fun. I am glad I am playing of course. It is what I really wanted to do to be able to help the team out. I hope I can get some more playing time and help us win some games."
The UMC women's basketball team has developed a bit of a Wisconsin pipeline in recent years. How fun is it to have a lot of girls on the team from the state of Wisconsin?
"It is good because I have a bunch of teammates who get where I come from and how Wisconsin is. I have known Amber (Schoenicke) since we were 12. So we have known each other even before we came here and now we are roommates. It is nice. I have gotten to know some of the other girls even better too. So that has been nice, as well. We also can ride back home if we need to."
What are your favorite things to do outside of basketball?
"I like to hang out with friends and shopping. Yesterday we built a snowman. We do a lot of random things that you wouldn't envision college kids as doing but we try to find different things to do here."
What is your favorite music genre?
"Probably rap. I like to listen to up-beat music. It depends on my mood. I also listen to some techno stuff."
Who is your favorite artist?
"I like Tyga. But I don't really know. I like to listen to a lot of different artists but he is a good one."
