Compiling a "Best of" list no easy task -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SHE WAS THE BEST AT...

When one looks at the 12 sports that UofL competes in for NCAA DI athletes, there are an incredible amount of athletes to consider over the years. In women's basketball alone, since 1975, there are almost 225 letter-winners.

So, to pick a "she was the best at" list isn't an easy thing to do. I'll offer some candidates, though, for each sport and give my pick. Feel free to chime in on your agreements and disagreements in the comments section. Since rowing and track & field are so heavily dependent on multiple and many student athletes to compile a result, I'll skip trying to pick a "best of" in those two areas. 

CROSS COUNTRY

I'll present the names Michelle Molodyna and Dorcas Wasike as a couple of candidates here but I think Wasike is the "best ever" in Louisville women's cross country. ACC Runner of the Year in 2018, All-American and lowest time in the 5K, she has a season left to compete. 

FIELD HOCKEY

There is one name that comes to mind immediately: Ayeshia McFerrran.  "The best goalkeeper in the world" gets my vote...but the offensive stats of Jessica Javelet (2003-06) and her record of 176 goals is worth noting. Nicole Woods made the All-ACC team three years in a row and that is an incredible accomplishment. I go with McFerran, though.

GOLF

Three viable choices here with current rising senior Lauren Hartlage, Cindy LaCrosse (2005-09) and Sara Maude-Juneau (2007-11). LaCrosse has the most "wins' by far with 3092, and the highest win percentage...so I will go with her but a strong senior season out of Hartlage could replace her. 

LACROSSE

I had to cut my list to five players here and they are all very good at what they did. Bergan Folly, Tessa Chad, Nikki Boltja, Kay Morissette and Hannah Koloski were leaders and stars. Maybe my pick here is a bit biased, but no one could take a game over like Kay Morissette (2013-16) and that's my choice, although one could make an argument for any of the five listed. 


SOCCER

Charlyn Corral (2012-13), Gabrielle Vincent (2015-18) and Christine Exeter (2010-13)  are three players that set the course of Louisville women's soccer excellence. Erin Yenney and Emina Ekic deserve recognition, too, for their UofL careers....but Corral accomplished so much in just two years -- it's hard to take anyone above her. 

SOFTBALL

Once again, a wealth of talent to choose from in two decades. Alicja Wolny (2010-13) and Melissa Roth (2007-10) led the team in batting for three years and Kristin Wadwell has the career pitching records in games started, innings pitched, shutouts and wins. Aja Sherman, Nicole Pufahl, Chelsea Bemis, Marysa Becker, Katie Keller and Tori Collins also had incredible careers at Louisville. I'll go with Wadwell, since pitching is maybe the biggest key in winning softball games. A tough call. 

SWIMMING AND DIVING

Not much competition here, as Kelsi (Worrell) Dahlia career at UofL speaks for itself. Mallery Comerford, Andrea Cottrell and Tanja Kyllianen all deserve a shout out of recognition for their accomplishments as student-athletes, as well.


TENNIS

Rebecca Shine, Julia Fellerhoff, Julie Guess, Meg Peavy and Mariana Humberg made my final five. Fellerhoff (2011-14) was All-Conference all four years at UofL (Big East and AAC) and also Freshman of the Year. She edges out Peavy, who had an incredible 100-20 record in three years. 

VOLLLEYBALL

Lola (Arslanbekova) Robison, Tess Clark, Katie George, Molly Sauer and Melanie McHenry accomplished many things and have received many honors at UofL. 2145 kills is a stat that will be hard to beat, though, and it was Lola who accomplished that from 2009-12.. She gets my nod as "best ever" in Volleyball . McHenry has been a strong force for three years, though, and a big senior season just might have her taking over as my "Best of". 

BASKETBALL

Angel McCoughtry, Asia Durr and Shoni Schimmel made my top three list here. 2779 points scored in a career will probably never be topped, though...so I go with #35 Angel McCoughtry. 

The skill, determination and hard work from McCoughtry these many years is something any basketball player can learn from and adapt as a guide to success. 





Got a different take on any of these? Let me know. After all, as we say on our radio show..."You are Cardinal Couple and we never forget that." 


Paulie
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