Women’s basketball team prepares for New Zealand trip

Editor’s note: Prior to the start of the semester, the women’s basketball team is traveling to play in New Zealand, the home country of senior forward Josie Stockill ’16. The players are writing about their athletic, cultural, and educational experiences.

This post was written by Steph Poland ’17.

The moment became real as twelve of us eagerly returned to campus: we were actually going to New Zealand. The excitement was overwhelming as we jumped into each other’s arms, not having seen each other in months. Being back on campus was so exciting and really catapulted us into the reality that we would be traveling across the world to reunite with our teammate Josie in New Zealand. Our coaching staff had been planning this trip longer than our team even realized and the moment was finally here.

The first day we were back we met in the office as Coach Hays ran through our itinerary for the week, but everyone’s minds were already set on New Zealand. The anticipation for the trip was overflowing in the room, but we knew we had to focus and take it one day at a time.

That night we made sure to eat right and hydrate properly because the next morning we were running our conditioning test, which was appropriately named “The Raider Fun Run.” We woke up early the next morning and headed to the track where we ran our hearts out, trying to show all of the hard work we did this summer. Later that night we had our first practice, which was a very special opportunity because we got to practice as a team before school even began.

Practice continued, and a couple days later we had an off day. We took advantage of the opportunity and drove to Rochester, where we spent the day at Camp Good Days. Camp Good Days is a summer camp for children who have been diagnosed with cancer. We hosted a basketball clinic, played games, and even went on the slip-n-slide with the campers. The best moments were not the games that we played, but the conversations we had with all of the kids. These kids were just ordinary teenagers having fun at camp, but they had something within them that not too many people have. They possessed such immense strength and determination and they really put everything into perspective for us visitors.

The team grabbed a photo with former player Wendy Bleier Mervis ’88 and her husband Gary Mervis, founders of Camp Good Days, and Colgate’s Dr. Merrill Miller, the camp’s first doctor 36 years ago.

Our team has also been lucky enough to be invited into the homes of different Colgate fans and alumni. We got to hear great stories and, of course, the food was fabulous. We visited Colgate’s Glendening boathouse on Lake Moraine where we borrowed paddleboards and kayaks. Unfortunately, not everyone was able to stay afloat. My teammate Randyll Butler ’16 boarded her kayak and went to take on the lake; let’s just say Lake 1: Randyll 0.

Through practice, team activities, and the chaos of packing, our team has really had the opportunity to bond. We are so ready to join our teammate Josie and begin our next adventure.