Viking_Yearbook_90

Volleyball, basketball profit from the talents of Kari Kockler Kari Kockler, a PSU senior, volleyball and basketball player, has helped PSU women's volley– ball team to win the NCAA Divi– sion II national championship, winning second team all-Ameri– can honors. She also started on the women's basketball team helping PSU to out rebound their opponents toward the end of the season. Kockler, a 1986 graduate from Helena High School in Montana, played both basketball and volleyball throughout her high school career and wished to continue that in college. It was Kockler's basketball skill which attracted the PSU recruiters, but after attending a volleyball camp she began to be recruited for both sports. "I knew I wanted to play both in college," she said. In addition to playing two intercolle– giate sports Kockler has also managed to maintain a 3.92 GPA in pre-med studies. "It is just a matter of budget– ing time," she said. "During the season I have to allow time to get my studies done. Everyone gives me a hard time, because I'm the type of person who always seems to have a textbook in front of her." Kockler hopes her studies will lead her to a career in orthopedics or sports medicine, but she's not sure where she will continue her educa– tion. Her interest in sports medicine comes from her obvious love of athletics and having been on the other side of the sports medicine profession. "I've been injured more than my share of times," Kockler said. "I have seen what the team doctors can do for an athlete, and I want to help athletes by doing those things." Kockler has another year to decide what to do because she didn't play basketball until her second year, and has one year of eligibility re– maining in that sport. "The thing that stands out for me is the people- both on and off the team. It's been like having a family away from home. It's definitely been the best of times," Kockler said, "times I'll cherish forever." ~- -· Debbie Hallick.