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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooner Profile: Carolyn Winchester
January 19, 2009 | Women's Basketball
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For the last four years, Winchester has been living that dream. In fact, she has had the opportunity to put on more than one Oklahoma uniform as a member of both the women's basketball and track and field teams.
The road hasn't always been easy. As a walk-on, Winchester had to work her way into a scholarship, and last year she suffered a broken foot which kept her out most of the season.
Through it all, however, Winchester has kept a positive attitude and said she wouldn't trade the experience for the world. She is grateful for every opportunity she's been given and for all the people who have had such a positive impact on her life. She plans on transferring the lessons she's learned here into a future career as a teacher and coach.
What she doesn't realize is how much of an influence she's already had on many people. Prior to the season, her peers voted her as the team's best leader, and everyone associated with the OU women's basketball program has nothing but positive things to say about her.
It all comes naturally for Winchester. She's just being herself. She is a Sooner, always has been, always will be.
On what it's been like to live a lifelong dream:
"It really has been a dream come true. I grew up coming here with my dad and watching games. The first time I got to put on the uniform and run down that tunnel was just an unbelievable experience. I don't think it's slacked off ever since, it just gets better and better."
On competing in two sports at Oklahoma:
"The biggest challenge was figuring out how to devote enough time to both. But the experiences I had through track were so unique. I'm really thankful that I got to participate in that for the couple years that I did. Being here with basketball, they're family and I'm with them all the time, but to experience a different side of OU Athletics was really neat and educational. I met a lot of different people and learned a lot about just how this school works."
On what she has learned about herself through the entire process:
"I've grown up a lot. I've learned to trust myself and to trust others. I've learned how to work through things and to have faith as I go through it, that maybe there's something bigger than what I think is important at the time and to see farther into the future and work towards something that's beyond me."
On what has been the most special part about her experience:
"The people I've met here, from the players I've gotten to be teammates with, to the coaches, to all the people I've met in the Athletics Department. It's a really special bunch and a real privilege to be a part of it."
On being voted 'Best Leader' by her teammates:
"That was maybe the biggest honor that I've ever received. To know that they trust me and look to me in that way means the world. I don't know exactly why they voted me that, but I guess part of it was probably that I was injured the whole time. It doesn't have to do with on the court issues, it's personal things and hopefully the way I can push them individually and guide us collectively to what we want to do."
On being a role model for the younger players on the team:
"I do take a lot of pride in that. I want to give them something to look up to and to watch and know the right things to do and the right way to be a Sooner. Since I've been on the sideline a lot, I can see things and see where we're going. I'm glad they look to me to kind of guide them in that way."
On what sparked her interest in becoming a coach:
"I've wanted to be a teacher since I was really young. Once I got into basketball and really started learning how much was behind it, it just fascinated me. And the more I learn the more I want to learn, not only about the game but in working with different people. Part of my reason for coming here was to learn from some of the best, and they have not disappointed at all."
On how much her experience at OU has prepared her for the future:
"Probably more than I understand at the moment. As I get out on my own and start being responsible for a different group of people, I think a lot of that will come out that I don't even know I've learned."
On what the next step is for her:
"I really don't know. I kind of just want to see where it leads me and see what opportunities present themselves. I know it's not that far off, but I'm trying to just focus on each day I get to spend being a Sooner."
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