Kristine Austgulen is the first athlete in the history of VCU Women’s Basketball to have her jersey retired. She is the second athlete in the history of both Men and Women’s Basketball at VCU to receive the honor.
Her career at the university is decorated with a long list of honors, and an even longer list of record titles. Austgulen has earned 11 season records and 10 career records in VCU’s all-time record book and is currently a candidate for the Colonial Athletic Association’s Player of the Year.
Austgulen was presented with a framed jersey during a ceremony before Sunday’s game against UNC-Wilmington but would not play against the Seahawks because of an injury.
Despite all the success and all the attention surrounding the 2002-03 All-American candidate, she is still humbled by all of her success.
“There have been a lot of great players that have gone through this program, Austgulen said. “I feel extremely honored to have received this.”
The honor also has an additional meaning to the senior forward who comes from Bergen, Norway. “I don’t think anybody from Norway has had a jersey retired in the United States. I feel very privileged.”
Austgulen said she is grateful to everyone who has supported her during her career.
“I want to thank my family,” she said. “They allowed me to pursue basketball. I’d also like to thank the coaches for recruiting me and working with me.”
She also credits her teammates for a lot of her success.
The 4.0 grade-point-average student’s hard work pays off on and off the court. Austgulen has received multiple academic honors during her career and she said she owes it all to hard work.
“Besides being given a tremendous opportunity,” Austgulen said, “I pretty much attribute everything to hard work. I’m a prime example that you don’t have to be the most naturally skilled, that hard work can take you a long way.”
Even though the senior has worked hard her entire academic and athletic career as a VCU Ram she never expected to receive such an honor.
“I thought I’d come here and do my best,” she said, “but I never thought I’d do this.”
Once her career at VCU is over, Austgulen hopes to continue her education.
“I want to go to school and I’d like to play, but I don’t know yet,” Austgulen said.
The political science major has hopes of getting a master’s degree and possibly even a Ph.D. in a related field. Austgulen is currently awaiting word from several universities including Georgetown, George Washington, and Johns Hopkins but she isn’t worried.
“If that doesn’t work out, something else will.”
After the ceremonies the Rams faced the 20-4 (12-3 CAA) Seahawks for the second time this year. The 10-14 Rams (7-8 CAA) lost 70-59 despite four Rams reaching double-digits during the game.
Sophomore forward Maria Giovannetti led VCU with a career high 21 points in 33 minutes of playing time. Giovannetti went 6-8 including one three-pointer, and went for a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line. Behind Giovannetti were teammates Lauren Hogan, Candice Phelps and Cyndy Wilks who each had 10 points. Hogan, who also led the Rams with seven rebounds, went 4-11 from the floor. Phelps went 4-7. Freshman guard Natalia Oehninger also had six points for the Rams after landing two three-point baskets during the game.
Junior guard Cherie Lea led UNCW with 24 points, after going 10-16 including two three-pointers. Coming in second for the Seahawks was senior forward Shameka Montgomery with a double-double. Montgomery went 6-11 and made five free throws to total 17 points. Montgomery also led with 13 rebounds. Also scoring in the double digits for UNCW was junior guard Jennifer Kapper who had 16 points after going 6-13 including three three-point baskets.
VCU started off strong, with their largest lead of four points coming a little more than two minutes into the game. Just before the end of the half, UNCW went on a 5-0 run, which put them up 32-16. The Seahawks would go into the locker room up 35-20.
UNCW started the second half in charge with a 5-0 scoring run to put them up by 17. VCU came as close as five points after going on a 6-0 scoring run late in the game (62-57) but UNCW began to pull away again as the final seconds wound down. The Seahawks would win by 11 points.
The Rams shot 43.5 percent from the floor for the game and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. UNCW went 47.3 percent for the game and 52 percent from the free-throw line.