There are 12 Division I basketball programs along the Front Range, stretching from Laramie almost to Colorado Springs. But only the Wyoming Cowgirls (20-4) are all but assured of an NCAA Tournament berth next month.
While most of the Front Range teams endure perpetual growing pains, senior guard Dominique Sisk has been a major impetus to Wyoming’s success. The Palmer High School graduate made her 61st consecutive start Wednesday night at San Diego State. Before making the winter’s most welcomed road escape to Southern California, Sisk chatted with Denver Post staff writer Natalie Meisler.
Q: What is it like right now having the area’s best chance of getting the call for the NCAA Tournament?
A: It’s really exciting. For any player, entering the NCAA Tournament is a dream come true. To have the opportunity, especially in your senior year, I’m super excited.
Q: Last spring your team packed the house (15,462) for the NIT championship game and the whole state fell in love with the squad. Are you and your teammates still treated like celebrities?
A: Definitely. I’m recognized everywhere I go in Laramie. It’s pretty cool to have so many fans watch you, especially for the women’s game. We picked up a good fan base. When I walk in to Wal-Mart, a million people want to talk to you. It’s fine. I love it.
Q: After you were picked to win the Mountain West, there was a target on your backs, especially with a 18-1 start and top-25 status most of the season. How has that gone?
A: It’s fine with me. Each and every game is a dogfight. Even if we weren’t ranked, we’d be a target. The MWC is such a level playing field.
Q: Joe Legerski seems like a great guy and a super coach. What’s it like to play for him?
A: He’s such a down-to-earth guy. He knows the game so well. He sees things he wants you to see. Coach Joe is such an awesome guy to play for. He’s not a coach who gets down and yells. I love playing for him.
Q: You’re on the student-athlete advisory committee at Wyoming (a national program instituted by the NCAA). Can student-athletes really have a say in what goes on away from athletics, and did you go to the national convention?
A: We take advice from fellow teammates. It’s so tough to balance academics and athletics. I tried to implement a program where teachers have our travel schedules in advance to coordinate exams. I couldn’t go to the convention because we went on our summer tour to Australia.
Q: Wyoming has an international roster with players from Australia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Spain. Is communication ever a problem?
A: It’s pretty cool. We learn about each other’s cultures. Normally, you don’t get the opportunity to know someone from overseas and become really good friends. We’re used to (the different accents). We learn from each other.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I graduate in December. I’m a finance major, but I picked up a double major in economics. I want to go to grad school and then become a financial analyst for a big company. I’m not sure where I want to go to grad school but maybe Chicago or Boston.
Q: Won’t that be a culture shock after five years in Laramie?
A: Definitely, but I’m ready for a change.
Top five: Yee-haw!
Top five things about being a
Wyoming Cowgirl, according
to Dominique Sisk:
1. Just being with the girls is awesome.
I wouldn’t trade them for
anybody.
2. We get to be role models for
young girls who play basketball
throughout Wyoming.
3. Just competing and representing
the University of Wyoming.
4. Playing in front of the best
fans ever. They support us really
well.
5. The MWC Tournament is in Las
Vegas. Everyone in Wyoming
loves to come to Vegas, and
when we’re playing, they want
to come. Then when it’s all done,
I can play a couple of games.
