One for Izzy

Posted 3/3/09

Squad dedicates victory to teammate coping with tragedy

The Northwest College Lady Trappers claimed a 64-57 victory over Eastern Wyoming College Friday night at Hank Cabre Gymnasium in Powell, and they dedicated their effort to teammate Izzy …

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One for Izzy

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Squad dedicates victory to teammate coping with tragedyThe Northwest College Lady Trappers claimed a 64-57 victory over Eastern Wyoming College Friday night at Hank Cabre Gymnasium in Powell, and they dedicated their effort to teammate Izzy Gustafson. Gustafson, a freshman from Sandy, Utah, learned Thursday that seven members of her family had been in a one-vehicle accident on Wyo. 28, 50 miles southwest of Lander.Jaret Gustafson, Izzy's grandfather, and LuAnne Gustafson, Izzy's mother, both died at the scene of the crash. Diane Gustafson, Izzy's grandmother, also was in the vehicle and died early Friday morning of a heart attack at Lander Valley Regional Medial Center.Eric Gustafson, Izzy's father, and three of Izzy's siblings, ranging in age from 10 to 16, were treated at the hospital and released. According to NWC head coach Chad Oletzke, the family was traveling to Powell to watch Izzy in the Lady Trappers' final two home games of the regular season. “I can't even imagine what she's going through, and we've just tried to do whatever we can for her,” Oletzke said. Oletzke said the team elected to play its game with Eastern Wyoming at the urging of Izzy. “We were asking her what we could do to help Thursday, and she was telling us,” Oletzke said. “In the middle of telling us what she needed, she said, ‘Oh, yeah, win (Friday).'”The Lady Trappers did just that. While Izzy was with her family and mourning the loss of her mother, grandmother and grandfather, the Lady Trappers fulfilled their teammate's wish. In the process, the Lady Trappers carried out a number of tributes to Izzy and her family. Prior to the contest, a moment of silence was held for Izzy's family. Izzy's No. 30 jersey was draped over one of the chairs along the Lady Trappers' portion of the sideline. Izzy also was tabbed an honorary starter, and the team donned black wristbands that bore her number. The use of the black wristbands carried over into the Trapper men's contest with the Lancers Friday evening. As for the game, the Lady Trappers held a 30-29 lead at the half and outscored the Lancers 34-28 in the final 20 minutes to claim the victory. Overall, nine Lady Trappers scored during the game, including Erin Cooke, who tallied a team-high 15 points. Larissa Crump and Sharla Stevenson added 12 and 11 points to round out NWC's double-digit point totals. Other scoring points for the Lady Trappers were Sheena Ryan (8 points), Kati Oliverson (8), Lacey Gilmer (3), Chanda Hollows (3), Gita Grava (2) and Rachel Tilley (2). Oliverson led the rebounding effort with nine, and Grava and Cooke each added six boards.Eastern Wyoming was led by Koel Hall, who finished with 21 points. Jessica Brown added 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Danielle Brown contributed with 12 points and six rebounds. Oletzke, following the game, said he was proud of his team for its effort, especially considering the fact the Lady Trappers were playing with Izzy and her family in mind. “Izzy is definitely a team player,” Oletzke said. “Since day one, she always wanted to know where she can help us the most. She's always put the team first, and that's one of the things I've always appreciated about her. She's been a team player the whole time. The team really wanted to win for her, and I can't be more proud of them for the way they played.”One night after the emotional victory over Eastern Wyoming, NWC fell to Casper College by a score of 50-48 on a night in which the Lady Trappers' sophomore players were recognized. The game marked the final home contest for five Lady Trapper sophomores –– Kassi Tucker, Ryan, Gilmer, Grava and Cooke. NWC trailed 28-24 at halftime. In the second half, the Lady Trappers outscored Casper 24-22, but it wasn't enough to help them squeak out a win. Crump led NWC with 18 points, and Ryan added 11. The remainder of the scoring was rounded out by Gita Grava (6), Oliverson (5), Tucker (4) and Cooke (4). Grava led the effort on the boards with seven rebounds.Casper had 11 players score during the contest. Yianna Nadeau paced the balanced offensive attack for the Thunderbirds with eight points. Josie Stewart was the top rebounder with 10 boards.• Up next: The Lady Trappers (11-19) will see their next action Saturday at 5 p.m. in the Region IX Tournament in Scottsbluff, Neb. On that day, they will face Western Wyoming Community College. The winner of that game will advance to the 5 p.m. game Sunday against Western Nebraska Community College, which was given a first-round bye. The tournament is formatted as a single-elimination event.

Squad dedicates victory to teammate coping with tragedy

The Northwest College Lady Trappers claimed a 64-57 victory over Eastern Wyoming College Friday night at Hank Cabre Gymnasium in Powell, and they dedicated their effort to teammate Izzy Gustafson.

Gustafson, a freshman from Sandy, Utah, learned Thursday that seven members of her family had been in a one-vehicle accident on Wyo. 28, 50 miles southwest of Lander.

Jaret Gustafson, Izzy's grandfather, and LuAnne Gustafson, Izzy's mother, both died at the scene of the crash.

Diane Gustafson, Izzy's grandmother, also was in the vehicle and died early Friday morning of a heart attack at Lander Valley Regional Medial Center.

Eric Gustafson, Izzy's father, and three of Izzy's siblings, ranging in age from 10 to 16, were treated at the hospital and released.

According to NWC head coach Chad Oletzke, the family was traveling to Powell to watch Izzy in the Lady Trappers' final two home games of the regular season.

“I can't even imagine what she's going through, and we've just tried to do whatever we can for her,” Oletzke said.

Oletzke said the team elected to play its game with Eastern Wyoming at the urging of Izzy.

“We were asking her what we could do to help Thursday, and she was telling us,” Oletzke said. “In the middle of telling us what she needed, she said, ‘Oh, yeah, win (Friday).'”

The Lady Trappers did just that. While Izzy was with her family and mourning the loss of her mother, grandmother and grandfather, the Lady Trappers fulfilled their teammate's wish. In the process, the Lady Trappers carried out a number of tributes to Izzy and her family.

Prior to the contest, a moment of silence was held for Izzy's family. Izzy's No. 30 jersey was draped over one of the chairs along the Lady Trappers' portion of the sideline. Izzy also was tabbed an honorary starter, and the team donned black wristbands that bore her number. The use of the black wristbands carried over into the Trapper men's contest with the Lancers Friday evening.

As for the game, the Lady Trappers held a 30-29 lead at the half and outscored the Lancers 34-28 in the final 20 minutes to claim the victory.

Overall, nine Lady Trappers scored during the game, including Erin Cooke, who tallied a team-high 15 points.

Larissa Crump and Sharla Stevenson added 12 and 11 points to round out NWC's double-digit point totals. Other scoring points for the Lady Trappers were Sheena Ryan (8 points), Kati Oliverson (8), Lacey Gilmer (3), Chanda Hollows (3), Gita Grava (2) and Rachel Tilley (2).

Oliverson led the rebounding effort with nine, and Grava and Cooke each added six boards.

Eastern Wyoming was led by Koel Hall, who finished with 21 points. Jessica Brown added 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Danielle Brown contributed with 12 points and six rebounds.

Oletzke, following the game, said he was proud of his team for its effort, especially considering the fact the Lady Trappers were playing with Izzy and her family in mind.

“Izzy is definitely a team player,” Oletzke said. “Since day one, she always wanted to know where she can help us the most. She's always put the team first, and that's one of the things I've always appreciated about her. She's been a team player the whole time. The team really wanted to win for her, and I can't be more proud of them for the way they played.”

One night after the emotional victory over Eastern Wyoming, NWC fell to Casper College by a score of 50-48 on a night in which the Lady Trappers' sophomore players were recognized.

The game marked the final home contest for five Lady Trapper sophomores –– Kassi Tucker, Ryan, Gilmer, Grava and Cooke.

NWC trailed 28-24 at halftime. In the second half, the Lady Trappers outscored Casper 24-22, but it wasn't enough to help them squeak out a win.

Crump led NWC with 18 points, and Ryan added 11. The remainder of the scoring was rounded out by Gita Grava (6), Oliverson (5), Tucker (4) and Cooke (4). Grava led the effort on the boards with seven rebounds.

Casper had 11 players score during the contest. Yianna Nadeau paced the balanced offensive attack for the Thunderbirds with eight points. Josie Stewart was the top rebounder with 10 boards.

• Up next: The Lady Trappers (11-19) will see their next action Saturday at 5 p.m. in the Region IX Tournament in Scottsbluff, Neb. On that day, they will face Western Wyoming Community College. The winner of that game will advance to the 5 p.m. game Sunday against Western Nebraska Community College, which was given a first-round bye.

The tournament is formatted as a single-elimination event.

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