By Ken Hansard
The Webb City Cardinals girls’ basketball team finished last season with a record of 11-16 and a first round loss in District play. Thanks in part to senior post player Jenna Schulz, the Cardinals have already matched last season’s win total with over a month left to play.
The Cardinals and new head coach Grant Berendt returned only two seniors from last season’s squad, but when fellow senior Kirra Long was lost for the remainder of the season to a devastating ACL injury, Schulz knew that it was incumbent upon her to fill the leadership void that was left, “My main challenge is just being the only senior on the floor, but I take pride in that challenge. My role is to be a leader and a good teammate on and off the floor.”
As a senior statesman who has paid her dues for the Cardinals, Jenna also had to adapt to some new roles in playing time and strategy, “Going from playing little to no minutes to becoming a big role player this year inspired me to put in lots of work in the off season. Showing up for my team in the off-season and putting up shots when I can helped me to set the tone for the year. My main role is running the floor, rebounding the ball, and guarding.”
When asked about personal goals, Schulz, like most good leaders, deferred to her team goals. “I’ve never really paid much attention to my stats. I just kind of go out there and play my role and do what my team needs. My main goals are to lead my team to success and help create a positive environment and help to set a culture for the future of Lady Cardinal basketball, and part of that includes going out and winning a District championship!”
Finally, Schulz was asked to reflect on the season to date, and she said, “I was really looking forward to a brand-new beginning and a new environment. We are definitely headed in the right direction, and I’m excited to keep this going.”
Schulz also runs track in the spring for the Cardinals. She competes in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles.
Jenna sports an impressive 3.8 GPA and, following graduation, plans to go to college to earn a degree as a dental hygienist.
