Posted 12/22/05
UW-Platteville's Michelle Hardyman is a four-year basketball letter winner from Blanchardville. The Pecatonica High School graduate is one of the Pioneers' top outside shooters and leads the 5-4 team into the next home game, Jan. 3 vs. UW-Oshkosh at 7 p.m.
How is the season going so far?
"I think it's going all right so far. We have a couple of losses that we shouldn't have actually had, but we know we can beat anyone now after beating some of the teams that were supposed to be at the top of the conference."
How much did it mean to you to beat (defending conference champion) UW-Stout?
"I didn't realize we hadn't beaten them up there since 1990. We were all seven years old at that time. So that was a pretty big deal. That was fun, and a good win for us. It was a good confidence builder."
Against UW-River Falls, the outside shots started falling, too. (The Pioneers made 12 three-point attempts in their 63-61 win Dec. 10). That must have been a good confidence builder, too.
"It was good because Coach Kuhle is always stressing that we can get it inside and when they kick it back out, we have the people that can make those shots."
Is that your strength, your outside shooting?
"I'm definitely a shooter. I'm more of an offensive player."
What has been your best game?
"In my career? Probably the championship game of the Clarke College tournament last year." (Michelle scored a career-high 18 points to lead the Pioneers to the title.)
What do you see for the team in the second half of the season?
"Hopefully everyone will stay healthy from now on. There are a lot of games coming up quickly."
How is your health? I know you missed some of last year.
"I'm all right. I'm getting old, I can tell. I've been playing for four years."
And what do you want to do after your four years? I know you are a business-finance major.
"Right now I have a job offer with the place I interned with over the summer. I would be working in the accounting department. It's a company in Verona. I graduate in May."
Has it hit you yet that this are your last few months to play?
"Not at all. I'm just trying to have fun and enjoy it while I can. This year's team is a lot of fun."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson