As the only senior on the team, Tess Lardie (Eagan, MN, Eagan) definitely feels the importance of the last eight conference games for the Falcon women’s basketball team.
The team has gone 4-4 in WIAC play so far. Lardie is hoping to help the Falcons beat the four teams the Falcons lost to previously in the season, which would put them in a better position for the WIAC play offs. Head Coach Cindy Holbrook stated, “its encouraging when you’re 12-5 but your players know that we can be better.”
Lardie grew up in Eagan Minn., where she attended high school and played four years of basketball. She also competed in two years of track and field and a year of golf. Her first year with the Falcons was in the 2007-08 season.
When she was deciding on colleges it was between St. Thomas and UW-River Falls. Lardie stated, “I thought I would get more playing time at River Falls, and the coaching staff really kicked me in the butt.”
Holbrook chuckled and said, “ Tess has improved by light years in the last four seasons she’s played for me. Not only as a basketball player, but as a person, too.”
As for the rest of the season, Lardie would like to score more often and keep up her rebounding skills. She is currently averaging 4.2 points and 2.7 rebounds a game.
Holbrook commented, “ Although our team is very experienced, as a senior, it helps having the reminder that it’s her last season.”
Lardie said the ultimate team goal for the rest of the season is to, “dominate the hustle plays such as loose balls.” Overall, both Lardie and Holbrook said they would like to end in the top three teams in the WIAC.
Lardie is a business management major and plans to work for Bahama Consulting this summer. “ I had an internship at a consulting firm in Inver Grove Heights and I will be working there full time this summer.” Lardie holds a position at the consulting firm that hires people that do pharmaceutical testing. Lardie also enjoys playing guitar and reading. “I got a guitar for Christmas, I had to find something to do after I’m done playing basketball.” Although Lardie later stated, “ I’ll probably play in an old lady basketball league some day.”
Being the only senior on the team, Lardie has reflected on her last four years as a Falcon. “As a freshman, I was a pain in the butt.” Now, Lardie said that being a senior she has learned a lot of responsibility. “I’ve learned to accept my mistakes and move forward.”
Holbrook agreed and stated, “It’s nice to see maturity shine through. Working with a kid, it is the biggest reward you can get.”
