CORTLAND, N.Y. - This week's State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Q&A is with the Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week, Rachael Windhausen (Liverpool, N.Y.).
Windhausen led the Oswego Lakers last week in two hard-fought overtime losses, setting and resetting a career-high amount of points, 24 in the former and 34 in the latter.
In Friday's 70-69 (OT) loss to Potsdam, the senior easily recorded a double-double, adding 16 rebounds to her 24 points, appearing in all 45 minutes for the Lakers. Her points were nearly double that of the next closest Oswego player (15). In the double-overtime loss to Plattsburgh on Saturday, 83-76, the Liverpool, N.Y. native soared past her previous career-high point total, posting 34 while grabbing 21 boards, her second double-double in as many games. She was 12-for-15 shooting from the field, a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe, while recording two blocked shots. With Saturday's performance, Windhausen added herself to the Laker record books, with the sixth highest point total in a single game since Kelly Mraz had a 37-point outburst in a 2005 four overtime contest. Windhausen and the Lakers are set to return to action at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday as they host Oneonta for their last home contest of the 2018-19 season.
Windhausner was also honored as the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Division III National Player of the Week for the week ending February 10.
Rachael Windhausen
Sport: Women's Basketball
Position: Forward
Year: Graduate Student
Major: Accounting
Q&A:
1. Which professional athlete do you have the most respect for?
Serena Williams. She is not only an amazing tennis player, but an outstanding athlete as well. She is a great role model and has done so much to pave the way for female athletes.
2. What's your competition day meal?
I don't have a specific meal that I eat before games, but I try to get a balanced meal with some protein and fruit.
3. What age did you start competing in your sport?
I was in 7th grade, so 13 years old.
4. Do you have a hidden or special talent?
Most people don't know that I can play guitar. I'm not great but it relaxes me.
5. What is your career goal post college?
I am getting my master's right now in accounting and I actually already have a job lined up to start in June at the Turning Stone Casino and Resort in their auditing department.
6. What's on your music playlist?
Everything from country to rap to rock to pop. I'm not picky when it comes to music.
7. Do you have any pre-competition rituals?
Not really. I listen to the same playlist on Spotify for away games, but that's it.
8. What's the best advice anyone has given you?
My parents always told me to just try my hardest at everything. Even if you don't do as well as you wanted, at least you can look back and say, "I tried the hardest I could and did everything I could to affect the outcome."
9. What are your hobbies outside of your sport?
I like to read, play the guitar, and just hanging out with friends.
10. What's your favorite memory since competing for your institution?
Besides this past weekend? Haha! We were playing Nazareth at home and I scored a buzzer beater to put it into overtime and we ended up winning. I actually missed the first shot I took, but got my own rebound and managed to put it back up just as the clock buzzed. It seemed to take forever to go in.
