Elif Istanbulluoglu battles on...--MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 ELIF ISTANBULLUOGLU BATTLES MORE THAN OPPOSING BIGS. 

Elif Istanbulluoglu was one of the biggest, pleasurable new addition surprises concerning the Louisville women's basketball this past season. She played in all of Louisville WBB's 34 games and was a starter twice. She saw about 12 minutes a game and averaged almost four points a contest. Fans were drawn to her right away and she was always ready to respond to the call. 

She is also diabetic. 

Seven years ago, she and her parents were told of the condition,  so ,in addition to the strenuous exercise she must go through to battle on the court, she has the added pressures of watching blood sugar, diet and the other things that a diabetic lives with daily. And, Elif is doing it far from her home. 

She has learned to master it and not make it an over-rulng fctor in her life. She comments: 

 "I think it is very important to include sports in a diabetic lifestyle. Being an athletes requires following certain rules and discipline, just as diabetes management does. When I blend the disciplines of these two factors, a very easy and healthy lifestyle is created for meI." 

She isn't willing to give up and believes athletics and conditionng are a good thing for diabetics. 

We are lucky to have such a talented and dedicated young student-athlete at the Unversuty of Lousville and look forward to seeing her star continue to rise. 

Only 3.3 % of the total NCAA college student athletes deal with either Type1 or Type II Diabetes.  And these are self reported cases. How do you know you might need to be checked for diabetes? Here are some signs...

** Increased thirst and increased urination.**

** fatigue, blurred vision** 

**slow healing sores** 

 ** increased tingling in the hands or feet.**

 If you suspect you or a friend or loved one might be diabetic,  have a health care professioal give you a oral glucose tolerance test. 

Elif was the first of my interviews when UofL WBB had Media Day last year and that interview is still availalbe for listening here at this link...https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vz46mmxyxfypnwpbe0fbq/DR0000_1899.mp3?rlkey=du1xt6tj1dv75wv6q32b4b88t&dl=0 (Mobley and Istanbulluoglu).

We, here at Cardinal Couple, wish her the best of voluntary summer training work outs and "the Elf" will be counted on to be a leader and strong force on Jeff Walz's  2024-25 Cardinals WBB squad. 

paulie