By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – After posting her 12th double-double of the season against Landmark Conference rival Merchant Marine, senior Kate McDonald (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa/State College Area) cemented her place in Juniata College history. The forward notched her 1,000thcareer rebound and became only the third student-athlete in Juniata College basketball history, male or female, to earn over 1,000 career points and rebounds. McDonald earned her 1,000thcareer point back on February 10, 2013 at home against Drew University.
"Knowing that not a lot of people have done that, it's pretty special," said McDonald of the milestone. "I think it's more special than getting 1,000 points. You can only get one at a time."
The 2011 Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year has come a long way in her career. From averaging 9.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game her first year, McDonald is now averaging 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. She is a three-time All-Landmark selection and a two-time D3hoops.com All-Mid-Atlantic Region team member. But she wasn't always a forward.
"I was a guard until 8th grade," said McDonald. "And then my coach told them to put someone in who would get a rebound and she put me in. I was the shortest girl on the team, probably like 5-6. Then I had a growth spurt and that's how I became a forward."
McDonald currently leads the team in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks. She leads the league and ranks eighth nationally in double-doubles. McDonald also leads the league in two other categories and ranks nationally in seven, including 10th in steals per game.
While the 1,000 pointers continue to grow in number, the list of the 1K rebound club at Juniata is extremely short. Only Julie George ('81) and Mark Rucinski ('85) have accomplished the feat and both earned over 1,000 career points as well. George, the first to reach the milestone, finished her career with 1,138 points and 1,130 rebounds. Rucinski closed out his career with 1,310 points and 1,002 rebounds.
McDonald, to her credit, has already outscored both George and Rucinski at 1,360 points and sits fifth among the women's all-time leading scorers. Her 1,021 rebounds place her second all-time, behind only George. She is also top 10 all-time in career assists, steals and blocks.
"I would say that the strongest part of my game is rebounding," added McDonald. "That's what I take pride in. But I've tried to become, these last few years, a better all-around player. So having more options than just scoring and rebounding allows me to still contribute, even if I'm not putting points on the board."
Juniata has just jumped into the back half of its conference schedule. The Eagles are currently 9-10 overall.
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