Last season Grand Island Central Catholic ended the season 26-6 after a heartbreaking loss to Malcolm, the eventual C-1 state runner-up, to get to the state tournament. Fast forward 9 months and they are gearing up to make a run…
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SubscribeLast season Grand Island Central Catholic ended the season 26-6 after a heartbreaking loss to Malcolm, the eventual C-1 state runner-up, to get to the state tournament. Fast forward 9 months and they are gearing up to make a run at the state tourney again. Led by past starters Megan Woods and Kamryn Willman, the Crusaders have experienced players returning and will take a back seat to no one this fall.
The Crusaders will most likely begin their season without a key part of their team, however: Kamryn Willman. Willman has been struggling with a blood clot in her right leg. After five angioplasties, the issue seems to be improving, but not completely resolved. Willman said,
“It really challenged me mentally.” Not being able to play because of some medication and risk has given her time to learn a lot about her team. When asked a strength of this upcoming team, Willman said,
“We have very good chemistry and we basically have the same team from last year, since we only lost 3 people.”
Willman is looking forward to the team’s conference tournament this year as it is packed with front running teams such as Lincoln Christian, Lincoln Lutheran, and defending state champion, Omaha Concordia. Willman is hoping to be back at 100% by mid-September in time for the Concordia and Lincoln Lutheran triangular.
Sharon Zavala will undoubtedly have her team ready to compete for a tenth state championship in her time at GICC. Zavala became the state’s all-time winningest coach in 2010 and will look to add to GICC’s trophy collection and dynasty this season. And rightly so, as she brings back highly talented players and experience on her team. The Crusaders will demand attention this fall and give any team a run for their money on their way to the 2017 state tournament.
