It is not every day that you come across a college student who can multi-task while putting her head, heart and soul into everything that she does.
According to Blazer Basketball Head Coach Mike Durbin, senior Cassie Dorschner has a rare ability to live in the moment.
Captain of the Blazer Basketball team, Dorschner carries qualities of leadership, devotion and compassion that are incomparable to others.
“Cassie has taken control of the team since the first day of practice, and has contributed to our team’s successes,” junior wing Whitney Canton said. “Her communication has been an important factor for our team all season.”
The team was struck by a rash of injuries early this season, and Dorschner was one of the players who suffered an injury. After hurting her ankle, Dorschner had to wear walking boot and was sidelined for weeks.
“It was a tough thing to overcome, especially with injuries at positions we could not afford to lose,” Durbin said.
With a strong desire to heal quickly, Dorschner rehabilitated with a positive attitude – and plenty of ice.
To the young members of the team, Dorschner is a source of wisdom, as this is her fourth and final season with the team.
“Cassie is a leader of the whole court,” first-year point guard Jessica Fischer said. “She is always the loudest and most enthusiastic. Her attitude really helps in keeping the team together.”
Dorschner’s teammates respect her ability to successfully juggle the life of a student athlete. Finding someone like Dorschner who can live in the moment, whether it is during basketball, schoolwork or friendship, is truly rare. There are positive people, good students or leaders, but Dorschner is all three.
As a passionate Dietetics student soon to graduate in May, Dorschner will further her education through an internship. This aspect of her life is where living in the moment really shines through. She can really do it all because she is completely focused on the task at hand. The time that she dedicates to her academics and athletics is the reason why she has been successful at CSB.
The Blazers will compete against St. Olaf College at 3 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 11 in St. Joseph at Claire Lynch Gym. Coach Durbin says they are preparing for the end of the season the same way they did in the beginning: by working on fundamentals and remaining focused.
“We haven’t given into our struggles – we still expect to be successful,” Durbin said.
Even through a disappointing season, Dorschner has remained a leader, athlete, student and friend to those around her.