Dale8R
02-05-2004, 07:57 PM
Every now and then it is interesting to read the stories of players outside the Big 12; here's one of them. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001851155_uwom050.html
Gioconda Mendiola is the older sister and teammate of the better known Giuliana, Pac 10 player of the year. They determined early on that they were going to stay together, no matter what. In the words of Giuliana, "I don't care. We'll go to junior college if we have to."
In the end, it was Washington who agreed to take them both. Gioconda sat out a year waiting for Guiliana to graduate from high school. Giuliana, of course, was a starter from the moment she set foot on the floor at UW, while it has taken Gio three years to get there.
Not in the story, but a good tale anyway. Both wanted to be #13, the number their mother wore. A long ago game of one on one settled the issue for their entire careers. Giuliana wears 13, Gioconda 31.
And of course, their greatest contribution has not been on the court at all, but saving the life of teammate Kayla Burt, New Year's Eve, 2002.
A story worth your time.
Gioconda Mendiola is the older sister and teammate of the better known Giuliana, Pac 10 player of the year. They determined early on that they were going to stay together, no matter what. In the words of Giuliana, "I don't care. We'll go to junior college if we have to."
In the end, it was Washington who agreed to take them both. Gioconda sat out a year waiting for Guiliana to graduate from high school. Giuliana, of course, was a starter from the moment she set foot on the floor at UW, while it has taken Gio three years to get there.
Not in the story, but a good tale anyway. Both wanted to be #13, the number their mother wore. A long ago game of one on one settled the issue for their entire careers. Giuliana wears 13, Gioconda 31.
And of course, their greatest contribution has not been on the court at all, but saving the life of teammate Kayla Burt, New Year's Eve, 2002.
A story worth your time.