Aug. 14, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - Incoming freshman women's basketball player Sarah Kwasinksi, a standout center from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill., was named to womenscollegehoops.com's Top 21 New Players of Impact for 2001-02.
"The Wildcats are anxious to get out of the Big Ten cellar," said Ed Clark, editor of womenscollegehoops.com. "Kwasinksi should give them a great chance in 2001-02. Sarah could of gone anywhere she wanted and she gives the Wildcats a player who should instantly be ready to compete at the highest levels of the Big Ten."
At Fenwick, Kwasinski was named a Nike All-American and selected to the Chicago Sun-Times All-Area team. Street and Smith's tabbed her as an honorable mention All-American. During her senior year, she led Fenwick to a 35-3 record and pulled down 20 boards in her first game at the state tournament.
Other Big Ten newcomers named on the web site list include Ashley Allen (Ohio State) and Tabitha Pool (Michigan).
Top 21 New Players of Impact for 2001-02
(in alphabetical order)
Ashley Allen (Ohio State)
Jacqueline Batteast (Notre Dame)
Courtney Cooper (Florida)
Monique Currie (Duke)
Clare Droesch (Boston College)
Shyra Ely (Tennessee)
Kimberly Gipson (USC)
Sandora Irvin (TCU)
Rikki Jackson (Gonzaga)
Nicole Kaczmarski (Georgia)
Sarah Kwasinksi (Northwestern)
Debbie Merrill (Cincinnati)
Evelina Nhassengo (Old Dominion)
Kristen O'Neill (Washington)
Shawntinice Polk (Arizona)
Tabitha Pool (Michigan)
Katie Robinette (Nebraska)
Heather Schreiber (Texas)
Aiysha Smith (LSU)
Erica Smith (Louisiana Tech)
Kendra Wecker (Kansas State)