BADGERING
Anya Covington »» Women's Basketball
A senior from Edwardsville, Ill., Anya Covington begins her final season with the Wisconsin women’s basketball team. The season opens under first-year head coach Bobbie Kelsey on Oct. 3 with the team’s first practice. Covington, a 6-2 post, is a two-time team captain and returns as one of the team’s top scorers and rebounders.
What has it been like entering your senior season with a new coaching staff?
It’s been awesome and a very smooth transition! We’re very blessed to have them here. The whole coaching staff is passionate and inviting, allowing my teammates and I to flourish so far. I already have much respect for all of them and I’m very excited for this last year of college ball and having the new coaching staff to guide my teammates and fellow seniors to a successful year.
What’s been the biggest difference for the team under the new staff?
Conditioning! Coach Bobbie wants us in shape, so we’re including conditioning in every aspect of our workouts.
Can you believe that you’re already a senior?
Time has certainly flew by, I can remember my first thought and feeling stepping on campus my freshman summer with my fellow seniors Ashley Thomas and Jade Davis. It’s been three good years, but I’m so excited for this year and for this team and especially for my fellow seniors.
How did you spend your summer?
Lots of running and playing basketball. Our team scrimmaged close to five days a week so we could build our chemistry and get in the shape Coach Bobbie set the standard for. Personally, I decided to get in the best shape of my life so I ran, worked on my shooting and ran some more! I also coached a basketball team of incoming sophomores and took some summer classes. The majority of my time was spent with my awesome teammates, on and off the court. We went to Six Flags in Chicago; I’ll never forget that trip.
What are your goals for the team this season?
One goal is being a united force on and off the court. The coaching staff has constructed productive ways to push us towards that goal but it will mean our team will have to be very close and have unmovable faith in each other. We are definitely on the right track to meet that goal. Another goal is winning games. We’re working our butts off and building our confidence daily especially in one another allowing the outcome of the season to be positive. There will be no settling for anything less than our best, so the last goal is this team reaching the greatness that it has in store through hard work, toughness, faith, accountability and passion.
