Beske named Concordia's first basketball all-American
Outstanding performances by members of the women's basketball team led to various individual honors, a third- place finish in Division III at the MAIAW state tournament and a 20-5 season record this year. Star players included Coral Beske, Lake Park, Minn.; Kathy Meyer and Nancy Halda of Mayville, N.D.; and Mary Schultz, Baker, Minn. The women were coached by Collette Folstad, who was assisted by Jim Narum, a senior from Missoula, Mont.
Highlightling the year's achievements was the selection of senior Coral Beske as one of 10 all-American basketball players in Division Ill of the AIAW. She is the first Concordia basketball player, male or female, to be named all-American. A starter for four years, she was also chosen as an all-region player in Region VI for 1979-80, an all-state tournament player for her third consecutive year and a member of the all-Lutheran Brotherhood team. Beske established a new school record for Concordia by completing her college career with a total of 1,224 points. She was the first woman basketball player to reach the 1,000-point mark.
Senior and four-year starter Mary Schultz joined Beske in breaking the 1,000-point barrier by scoring 1,009 during her basketball career at Concordia. Mary was selected all-state tournament player in 1978-79.
Another senior, four-year starter and captain of the team for two years, Kathy Meyer was chosen as an all-region player this year, as well as an all-state tournament player for the third year in a row. She has been the leading rebounder for the team the last four years, completing her career by establishing a Concordia record of 1228 rebounds.
Sophomore Nancy Halda led her team in total points this year and was also selected as an all-region player, an outstanding achievement for a sophomore. According to her coach, "Nancy was one of the most improved sophomores in Minnesota this vear." She was also second-leading rebounder.
In reviewing the 1979-80 season, Coach Folstad stated that it was "super
teamwork and great players" that made it so successful.