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Two Vikings Each Score 1,000th Point in Same Game
CHICAGO (December 19, 2005) - Seniors Megan Slattery and Shandrel Young have
not only been teammates on the North Park University Viking basketball
team, they also have been roommates and best friends since their
freshman year. It was only fitting then that they each scored their
1,000th point in the same game.
Scoring that many points in a college career is far from an everyday
occurrence, so reaching the plateau together made the accomplishment
even sweeter, they say.
"It was really amazing reaching my one thousand points with Megan
because she has been my best friend since freshman year as well," says
Young. "It was an outstanding feeling."
"Since Shandrel and I were both freshman, we both have said it was a
goal of ours to get it while we were here," says Slattery. "At the
beginning of this year we said it would be cool if we could get it the
same game because we knew we were only like two points away from each
other, and it was a realistic goal this year."
"Everyone kept asking us how far away we were, and it was a countdown
ever since," says Young.
They achieved their goal last Monday against Aurora, when Slattery
scored 14 and Young netted nine. "This is the first time in my
30-year-career that two players have accomplished this in the same
game," says head coach Jack Surridge.
In addition to sharing the scoring mark, both have averaged double
figures since their freshman years, are recognized as team leaders and
have shared captain duties. Both also have been CCIW All-Conference
selections.
Off the court, the similarities continue with each working towards a
bachelor's degree in exercise science. "Both are Dean's List students
who have helped us accomplish Top 25 Academic status as recognized by
the Women's Basketball Coaches Association," says Surridge.
Despite their many similarities and achieving their 1,000-point records
together, they reached their goals via different paths. Slattery came to
North Park after playing for nationally recognized New Trier High
School, a Chicago suburban school in which 98 percent of the students
live well above the poverty line and almost all are white. Young grew up
in the city of East Moline and attended United Township High School, at
which only 60 percent of the students live above the poverty line and
the racial makeup is diverse.
Young has played nearly every position on the team depending on its
needs. She holds the CCIW record for free throw attempts and free throws
made, Surridge says. Slattery has played post and distinguished herself
as one of the top rebounders in the league.
Surridge says he is thankful for the opportunity to have coached both
players. Slattery and Young will be presented special basketballs to
honor their recent achievements.
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