William Penn 4 lead Wesleyan’s charge

MT. PLEASANT — One year ago, the Iowa Wesleyan women’s basketball team was finishing up a season in which it won just a pair of games all season. The Tigers went 2-13 and had a quiet one-and-done in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Just 76 miles away, the William Penn women had polished off a 10-win season. It was a step down from years prior, in which the statesmen had qualified for two-straight national tournaments, but it was the fourth winning season under then former Iowa Wesleyan coach Steve Williamson.

A short time later, Williamson would make the decision to leave William Penn, go back to Mt. Pleasant and take his old job at the helm for the Tigers.

On year later, it’s Iowa Wesleyan that is back on top. The Tigers have won 19 games this season, including the Continental Athletic Conference championship.

And while Williamson’s return to the bench has certainly played a big part in the turnaround, it’s those he brought with him that have led the program back to national prominence.

Of the seven players currently playing ball for Iowa Wesleyan, zero of them were in a Tiger uniform last season. Four of them, however, were on the court for William Penn.

When Coach Williamson made the decision to come back to Iowa Wesleyan, he had plenty of company. Senior Brittany West, juniors Kyla Moore and Breanna Wendland and freshman Maci Kuchta all made the tough decision to leave Oskaloosa and follow their coach on his new journey.

“It was pretty hard, just because we had such a great connection with all of our teammates there,” said Moore. “We didn't know how they would feel that we were leaving them, but those friends were the most supportive friends that we had.”

Williamson says he didn’t originally plan on bringing his William Penn talent over, but that each one of them were willing to make the sacrifice to try and give the Tiger program a jump-start.

“It was huge, and it's also some pressure on me to make sure they have a good experience,” Williamson said. “They left some good friends over there, and they were already established, but at the same time, this was a new opportunity for them.”

And the quartet of players coming sure where significant. Moore, West and Wendland were all coming off All-Conference selections with the Statesmen, and Kuchta was one of the most promising prospects on the team.

“It just made sense,” said West, who had already earned her degree before the season started. “It was my last year. I was thinking, basketball wise, what do I want to do? It made the most sense to come over here and do it with Coach Will.”

And when the foursome got to Iowa Wesleyan, they performed sky-high. Moore was named the CAC’s Player of the Year. West was the Newcomer of the year, and Wendland joined the two on the All-Conference first team. Williamson was named Coach of the Year.

At the tournament, all four William Penn transfers were named to the All-Tournament team. West was named Most Valuable Player.

On Friday night in Sioux City, the four former Statesmen will each play in their first ever national tournament. Joined by teammates Brielle Baker, Cassi Kraft and Maddie Williamson, the quartet will look to notch one more accomplishment; an upset of the heavily-favored Morningside Mustangs.

Either way, it seems the decision to transfer was a massive success, not only for the players, but the coach who brought them to his old program.

“Those four kids are great kids,” Williamson said. “I'm very happy they decided to stay with it, stay with me and help me come build something here at Iowa Wesleyan.”