Modest Superstar (Michelle Amundson)

January 25, 2010 7:14 PM


Our Taco John's Athlete of the Week has led her team to the NAIA National Tournament two out of the last three years, but like a lot of players at small colleges, Michelle Amundson doesn't always get the credit she deserves.

The Mount Marty Lancers practice in a small gym on campus in Yankton.  The modest setting is perfect for Michelle Amundson, one of the most modest stars in the loaded GPAC Women's Basketball Conference.

"There's been games I haven't had the greatest game and there's been other players to step up and play a good game, and that's what we need to win too, not just one person, but the whole team coming together and having a good game," said Amundson.

More often than not, the Lancers need a good performance from Amundson, who shoots 50% from behind the arc for her career.  This season, Amundson leads her team in points, assists and steals.

Mount Marty Head Coach Tom Schlimgen can't say enough nice things about his star.  "Obviously, we're pretty prejudiced here, but I've told our team a lot of times that we've got the best point guard in the conference," said Schlimgen.  "We wouldn't be where we're at without her, for sure."

That's why some people wonder why Amundson chose to go to such a small school in the first place.  After all, she was a star in high school, leading Dell Rapids to a state title.

Amundson thinks she knows the answer.  "I tore my ACL my junior year in high school too and that kind of brought some of the options down.  I didn't get looked at by as many people," she said.

It's pretty clear though that Mount Marty worked out well for her.

"I like the town and I like to be in a small college," said Amunsdon.Amundson was an Honorable Mention All-American her freshman year and played significant minutes right away, unlike a lot of players coming out of high school.  Now, four years later, Amundson is nearing graduation and a well-deserved place in her school's history.

"I think her legacy is gonna be very much looked upon as probably the best player that ever came out of Mount Marty College," said Coach Schlimgen.

High praise for Mount Marty's modest superstar.

Jason Anschutz, KDLT Sports, Yankton.