Kwiatkowski's future lies with Fordham
ASHEVILLE – Before the first tip-off of basketball season, Carolina Day senior Ralene Kwiatkowski already knows where she will play in college.
Kwiatkowski committed to Fordham earlier this week after also considering Manhattan and Hofstra.
Kwiatkowski liked New York since she has relatives there and enjoys cold weather.
"I think it was a good time to commit, you get the weight off your shoulders," Kwiatkowski said. I've been working super hard, I didn't know any of these schools were going to offer. I wanted to check out the campuses and see if they were the right fit and go from there."
She noticed an immediate connection with the Jesuit school.
"I just really loved the campus, team, and the coaches," Kwiatkowski said. "I felt a part of the team when I was there."
However, she is more than an accomplished basketball player as Kwiatkowski has run a personal record of 18 minutes, 9 seconds for 5-kilometer cross country races. She is a former two-time state champion in the sport and won the Buncombe County cross country meet earlier this season.
She said several colleges showed interest in offering her for running.
Kwiatkowski will get to relax when she gets to Fordham since she will only be playing basketball and won't be juggling any other sports.
"It's been super-tough, go to cross country, then basketball," she said. "In college, I'm looking forward to focusing on one and seeing what I can do."
Although Kwiatkowski's future for the next four years is set, she is still focused on her senior season and what Carolina Day can accomplish this year.
"We never beat (Charlotte) Providence Day, That's the goal, play together, get better, and win another state championship," Kwiatkowski said.
Kwiatkowski admired the unity team members show whether they're on or off the court.
"We don't yell at each other on the court. That allows us to work in unison," she said. "This way there's no rough patches."
Carolina Day basketball coach Joe Carrington will soon be starting his eighth season. Under Carrington, the Wildcats finished last season 26-3 and have won six consecutive state championships in the NCISAA.
"I'm real proud of Ralene,” Carrington said.
“She's deserving of the scholarship. She'll be fantastic and a great success at the next level. It's a great opportunity for Ralene. I think she made a great decision."
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ASHEVILLE – Before the first tip-off of basketball season, Carolina Day senior Ralene Kwiatkowski already knows where she will play in college.
Kwiatkowski committed to Fordham earlier this week after also considering Manhattan and Hofstra.
Kwiatkowski liked New York since she has relatives there and enjoys cold weather.
"I think it was a good time to commit, you get the weight off your shoulders," Kwiatkowski said. I've been working super hard, I didn't know any of these schools were going to offer. I wanted to check out the campuses and see if they were the right fit and go from there."
She noticed an immediate connection with the Jesuit school.
"I just really loved the campus, team, and the coaches," Kwiatkowski said. "I felt a part of the team when I was there."
However, she is more than an accomplished basketball player as Kwiatkowski has run a personal record of 18 minutes, 9 seconds for 5-kilometer cross country races. She is a former two-time state champion in the sport and won the Buncombe County cross country meet earlier this season.
She said several colleges showed interest in offering her for running.
Kwiatkowski will get to relax when she gets to Fordham since she will only be playing basketball and won't be juggling any other sports.
"It's been super-tough, go to cross country, then basketball," she said. "In college, I'm looking forward to focusing on one and seeing what I can do."
Although Kwiatkowski's future for the next four years is set, she is still focused on her senior season and what Carolina Day can accomplish this year.
"We never beat (Charlotte) Providence Day, That's the goal, play together, get better, and win another state championship," Kwiatkowski said.
Kwiatkowski admired the unity team members show whether they're on or off the court.
"We don't yell at each other on the court. That allows us to work in unison," she said. "This way there's no rough patches."
Carolina Day basketball coach Joe Carrington will soon be starting his eighth season. Under Carrington, the Wildcats finished last season 26-3 and have won six consecutive state championships in the NCISAA.
"I'm real proud of Ralene,” Carrington said.
“She's deserving of the scholarship. She'll be fantastic and a great success at the next level. It's a great opportunity for Ralene. I think she made a great decision."
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