For student-athletes in the class of 2024, the last few years have been tough. The pandemic canceled high school graduation, for fall and winter athletes their freshman year seasons were lost altogether. By sophomore year the season came, but progressed in a way that was by no means normal. Finally, now juniors, athletes such as Katie Hurynowicz are getting their chance to shine; and Hurynowicz is most definitely taking advantage of that long-awaited spotlight. 

Coming out of Tyngsboro High School in Tyngsboro, Mass., the 5'9" Hurynowicz was ecstatic to head to Worcester State University to further her basketball career, after all, WSU was her top choice of school. But the reality of 2020-2022 made it difficult to truly become comfortable on a new team and at a new level of competition. "My freshman year we didn't really have any team chemistry. We didn't hang out or talk or anything," remembers Hurynowicz. "And last year was the same… We couldn't really do anything with COVID." 

Thankfully, this season's normality has provided a much needed sense of comfort. "This year we've created bonds outside of basketball. We are so close that it helps us on the court." Katie's game seems to reflect the positive dynamic the Lancers have on the hardwood, as she's shooting nearly 40% from the field and ranks amongst the top three on the team in points and rebounds per game. 

Hurynowicz has excelled despite a mid-season injury. "I felt like right before my injury I was playing my best basketball of the season," noted number 10. The timing of the injury was advantageous, coming on a light week and only sidelining Hurynowicz for a pair of games. Desperate to get back to the long-awaited season, Hurynowicz would drop 17 points in just her second game back. 

The Katie Hurynowicz story is quite reflective of the college athletics world coming back from a complicated couple of years. Hurynowicz put it best in saying "last year it was just unpredictable. We didn't know what was gonna happen." Now, in the midst of a late-season push towards the playoffs, Hurynowicz and her team believe that this season, "we can beat any team in the MASCAC."

Hurynowicz, and her teammates, return to action tomorrow at 2pm, when they host Fitchburg State during their Play4Kay Game on Brissette Court.

~Chris Wright~