2008 Woodie Awards
"T" provides leadership to young team
Zeitler looks to provide direction on and off the court for the Pirates
Renee Huggins, Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/20/07
Last Updated: 8/9/07
On and off the court, junior guard Teresa Zeitler continues to be a leader on the Whitworth women's basketball team.
President Bill Robinson said "she never takes a night off. She's the woman." And the high praise doesn't stop there.
Athletic Director Scott McQuilkin said Zeitler is "one of the best defenders on the team."
Zeitler's numerous bruises are testimony to her work ethic.
"Ever since my injury, I approach every game like it was my last one," Zeitler said. "Man, I wake up with bruises."
In 2003, Zeitler suffered a torn ACL which led to her decision to red shirti her first year at Whitworth. She has started for the last two years and was a captain during her latest season. Zeitler is a health and fitness education major with the hope of teaching and coaching someday.
"I had great teachers and coaches growing up and I want to be able to do the same for someone someday," Zeitler said.
With hard work during the off-season, Higgs was pleased with her himprovement.
"Teresa improved a lot on her defensive skills since last year and we moved her from point guard to off-guard and she handled that well," head coach Helen Higgs said.
Along with being a great addition to the basketball team on the court, Zeitler is also a humble servant in her free time.
During the season, Zeitler did the team's laundry after every practice and every game. She also opened up her house to her teammates when they didn't have anywhere to stay.
"Teresa is an intense competitor, funny and she is a good teammate with a servant's heart," Higgs said.
Zeitler gives of herself more than she does to herself. When not on the basketball court, Zeitler can be seen at Life Center Church hanging out with the kids in Adventure Land and mentoring high school girls in their lives and basketball skills.
"I love to mentor. Just to hope to be a positive difference in the lives of girls that are lost in this world," Zeitler said.
This summer, Zeitler will be heading to Nicaragua on a mission trip with 17 others from Life Center.
"I am so stoked for the trip, it's going to be amazing," Zeitler said.
Zeitler is the oldest on the team and will coming back next year to lead the Pirates on the court.
"We aren't losing anyone next year," Zeitler said. "So it will be nice to have the same team with improvement."
President Bill Robinson said "she never takes a night off. She's the woman." And the high praise doesn't stop there.
Athletic Director Scott McQuilkin said Zeitler is "one of the best defenders on the team."
Zeitler's numerous bruises are testimony to her work ethic.
"Ever since my injury, I approach every game like it was my last one," Zeitler said. "Man, I wake up with bruises."
In 2003, Zeitler suffered a torn ACL which led to her decision to red shirti her first year at Whitworth. She has started for the last two years and was a captain during her latest season. Zeitler is a health and fitness education major with the hope of teaching and coaching someday.
"I had great teachers and coaches growing up and I want to be able to do the same for someone someday," Zeitler said.
With hard work during the off-season, Higgs was pleased with her himprovement.
"Teresa improved a lot on her defensive skills since last year and we moved her from point guard to off-guard and she handled that well," head coach Helen Higgs said.
Along with being a great addition to the basketball team on the court, Zeitler is also a humble servant in her free time.
During the season, Zeitler did the team's laundry after every practice and every game. She also opened up her house to her teammates when they didn't have anywhere to stay.
"Teresa is an intense competitor, funny and she is a good teammate with a servant's heart," Higgs said.
Zeitler gives of herself more than she does to herself. When not on the basketball court, Zeitler can be seen at Life Center Church hanging out with the kids in Adventure Land and mentoring high school girls in their lives and basketball skills.
"I love to mentor. Just to hope to be a positive difference in the lives of girls that are lost in this world," Zeitler said.
This summer, Zeitler will be heading to Nicaragua on a mission trip with 17 others from Life Center.
"I am so stoked for the trip, it's going to be amazing," Zeitler said.
Zeitler is the oldest on the team and will coming back next year to lead the Pirates on the court.
"We aren't losing anyone next year," Zeitler said. "So it will be nice to have the same team with improvement."
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