After the Marietta College women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 83-73 decision to Ohio Northern University at Ban Johnson Arena Saturday, Krissy Rowe said she was tired.
The 5-foot-6 MC student-athlete didn't look it, though.
But considering on Friday Rowe went from basketball practice to competing and winning the triple jump at the Marietta Open #3 track and field meet in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, it's a wonder she had any legs at all on the hardwood Saturday.
"It didn't seem to hurt her today," said Lady Pioneers head basketball coach Jill Meiring. "She was all over the place."
Actually, Rowe started and played 28 of the 40 minutes in the Ohio Athletic Conference game. So, she had a little time to rest -but not much. With her at point on the court, the navy blue and white cagers seem to be more in sync - and competitive.
She is after all one of the team leaders.
"I try to be," said Rowe, modestly. "I'm not much of a scorer, and since we've got a lot of good offensive players, like Tori (Dixon) and Aleisha (Guiler) on our team, I just try to get the ball where it needs to be."
Not much of a scorer?
Early on against Ohio Northern, Rowe gave MC its first lead of the game when she drained a three. And, with under a minute left in the contest, she drove, scored on a tough shot, and got fouled in the process. After making the bonus freebie, the Lady Pioneers trailed only by eight.
Point being, Rowe can score when she looks to shoot.
On Friday, Rowe looked to jump - at the track meet - and nailed an indoor PR leap of 10.94m in the triple for the victory. She also high and long jumped during the competition. Not too shabby for having been to only one practice.
"She competed in her first track meet of the year," Meiring said. "She's a good jumper - does long, high and triple.
"She's not really doing much with track right now. They just threw her in there because she's so good. So, she just went in there and jumped right away."
Not surprisingly, Meiring has no qualms whatsoever about Rowe competing in basketball and track at the same time.
"I was an athlete, too, and I can appreciate the fact that she wants to do both," Meiring said. "I want to give her that opportunity."
Rowe, a Toledo area native, said she's been running track since she was in the seventh grade.
"I used to be a 400 runner, and the 4x4 is probably my favorite event," Rowe said. "They turned me into a jumper when I got here to Marietta.
"Coach is talking about making me into a heptathlete. But I don't know yet. We'll see. That's a lot of practices."
At MC, Rowe is a biology major, so juggling her studies with competing in two sports, it's not an easy thing to do. Needless to say.
But Rowe is taking it all in stride and enjoying the moment.
"It's fun," Rowe said. "I mean, it's fun to be busy. I only have two years left to play sports, and I want to try and get as much out of those two years that I can."
Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor, and can be reached at 376-5441 or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
