By Jadon Frank

A Calgary basketball player is looking forward to putting last year’s injuries behind her when she suits up for Briercrest next season.

Amy Wanvig, an athletic 5-10 forward/post, transfers to Briercrest after medically red-shirting at SAIT last year.

Prior to the 2012-13 season, Wanvig tried out for Mount Royal University (CIS) and was one of the final two cuts from the team. She had several options within the ACAC, but decided to stay close to home and joined hometown SAIT before her season-ending injury forced her to red-shirt the season.

Coach Chad Romanuk is encouraged by what he saw and heard from Wanvig.

"I am excited to have Amy join our team in the fall,” Romanuk said. “She has an impressive résumé, in regards to her accomplishments as a young athlete.”

“Her ability to play at this level has already been attested with SAIT this past season and despite her injury, I know she was well coached there,” Romanuk continued. “I am excited that she has chosen to transfer to our school and excited to see her impact on our team this upcoming season."

The graduate of Bearspaw Christian School started playing basketball for the high school team in Grade 7 and quickly found success with the Grizzlies, being names MVP in Grades 9 and 12.

“We were league and zone champs in Grade 10, and eighth in provincials,” Wanvig said. “I played in the Alberta shooting stars game in Grade 11, and I got MVP, and I played up in the 4A game in Grade 12 instead of playing in the 2A game and I got MVP as well.”

Wanvig finished her high school career as the all-time leading scorer for Bearspaw, as well as the single game highest points record.

In Grade 11 she began playing club basketball with the Red Jackets and her success continued as she was selected as team MVP both seasons.

President and head coach of the Red Jacket Premier Girls Club Basketball team, Randy Peron, had glowing praises of Wanvig.

“First off, I have had the opportunity to have coached Amy for the past two seasons with my club and I have never had such a positive person who loves life along with the game of basketball,” Peron said. “I have truly been blessed with having her part of my life.”

Peron had a great first impression of Wanvig, and has enjoyed watching her grow.

“She is always smiling, always being a positive role model for her teammates and to her coaches,” Peron said. “As an athlete, Amy has had the drive and passion to work as hard as she can in order to improve herself both physically and mentally. She has learned to be more vocal for her teammates, encouraging each of them to continue to work hard as well as to enjoy that process. Amy, knowing foot speed and physical play would be areas she needed to improve on, has spent extra time in both areas and it has shown whenever she hits the court.”

Wanvig’s former coach expects her to succeed at Briercrest.

“She is always, always, enjoying life with people in general,” Peron said. “Amy competes every time she is on the court and uses her skills rebounding to score at will. Her biggest strength is her willingness to learn to be open to change and willing to help others, taking direction without any resistance. I will miss her enthusiasm, energy, effort and positive personality. She has God given gifts and she will make others around her become a better person.”

Wanvig loves all sports and played volleyball and team handball at Bearspaw. She was also recognized for her academic success as she was on the honour roll every semester of high school as well as being awarded the “Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award” in 2012.

Wanvig brings versatility and willingness to the Briercerst women’s basketball team.

“I have played positions four and five, and a bit of three, and of course when I was needed, I was ready to step in and play point guard!”

Wanvig is excited to attend Briercrest in the fall.

“I am planning on taking the TESOL program at Briercrest,” Wanvig said. “I am so excited to be part of a Christian community and play basketball again.”

2013-14 Briercrest College Women’s Basketball Recruiting Class

G Brooke Briscoe • 5-9 • 1^st • Kelowna, BC/Kelowna Secondary School

G Lauren Jordan • 5-5 • 1^st • Leduc, AB/Leduc Composite HS/The King’s University College (ACAC/CCAA)

P Amy Wanvig • 5-11 • 1^st • Calgary, AB/Bearspaw Christian/SAIT Polytechnic (ACAC/CCAA)

P Marissa Burns • 5-11 • 1^st • Coquitlam, BC/Centennial Secondary School/Douglas College (PacWest/CCAA)

P Mikayla Benner • 5-10 • 1^st • Calgary, AB/Dr. EP Scarlett

G Melissa Wallace • 5-7 • 1^st • Wilkie, SK/Caronport High School

G Randi Fehr • 5-8 • 1^st • Caronport, SK/Caronport High School

P Kenedee Charuk • 5-8 • 1^st • Caronport, SK/Caronport High School

G Katie Humphrey • 5-4 • 1^st • Vulcan, AB/JT Foster

G Christa Clearwater • 5-4 • 1^st • Estevan, SK/Caronport High School

G Shae-Lynn Tashiro • 5-4 • 1^st • Vauxhall, AB/Vauxhall High School