Laurel Highlands’ Irwin selects Shenandoah University
Taylor Irwin had to sit and watch as her teammates battled through Section 3-4A with four new starters.
Irwin, a senior at Laurel Highlands, would have been on the floor for the Lady Mustangs, but she tore her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the fall and had to miss basketball season.
Fortunately for Irwin, who suffered her injury during soccer season, Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va., had shown interest in her being a member of the Hornets women’s basketball team.
“It wasn’t a week after my ACL surgery when I called Coach (Melissa Smeltzer-Kraft) and told her that I wanted to play at Shenandoah University,” Irwin said. “I knew she would have my back. I attended a basketball camp at Shenandoah over the summer, and it was a good camp. They also have a solid pre-physician assistant program, which I am going to major in.”
Irwin also took a tour of the campus, and was pleased with what she saw.
“Campus is located 2 ½ hours from home, and it is an easy drive,” Irwin said. “The campus is between a rural and city setting, and the city of Winchester is right down the road. I’m glad it is close to home because family and friends will also be able to come down and attend some games. I went for a third visit, and I met my future teammates. I also watched several of their games online.”
Irwin said Smeltzer-Kraft looked at her as a playing the four, but she can also play guard, however, she will go anywhere on the court if it means she has the opportunity to play and help the team.
While Irwin had made her decision to play at the collegiate level, she was not able to compete in sports, and expects to be fully recovered by late May to early June. She missed the entire basketball season, but was still involved with the team, and had a sense of pride as the Lady Mustangs clinched a spot in the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs.
“I was extremely proud of our girls,” Irwin said. “We didn’t have any returning starters other than Taylor Schwertfeger. We had different players step up. I will miss the track & field season due to my ACL injury.”
Irwin grew up playing soccer, but she decided to give basketball a try when she was in eighth grade.
“Playing basketball was really tough at first, and I was a little behind the others in the beginning, but I grew into it and love the sport,” Irwin said. “I have dealt with some injuries in my career, so to be able to come back and put myself in position to play at the next level is awesome.”