Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Katie Jorgensen

The pandemic has brought about a myriad of issues and obstacles for athletes of all sports, but for the past year, junior Katie Jorgensen has had to endure more than most. After tearing her ACL last winter, Katie has had to rehab and recover amid the pandemic and a loss of opportunities to practice and play. However, this optimistic natural-born leader has found ways to persist and get back on the court, which is one of the reasons she is this week’s Co-Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Katie’s journey to the hardwood began in the 3rd grade. Katie credits twin brothers of the OE boy’s team, Darren and DeVon Oregon, with helping to spark her interest in the sport. “My mom used to babysit them and they would always make me play against them,” says Katie.

Even at a young age it was obvious to those around Katie she had leadership qualities and would always do what she believes is right. Rhonda and Jay Jorgensen, Katie’s parents, say, “We can recall her first parent/teacher conference from preschool and her teacher said she is a natural-born leader. Once she is on the court, her leadership skills shine.”

Head coach Abe Carretto echoes those sentiments for what Katie brings to the table, saying, “Katie is very positive in what she says and is always encouraging and supportive to her teammates. Because she is so open and nice, her teammates listen to her as she runs our offense.”

Assistant varsity coach Brian Chandler also understands how important Katie has been to the team, saying, “Katie’s our point guard and has become our leader, not from us coaches but from earning that respected role from her teammates. I think she approaches the game in a precise, focused manner and I’ve seen her have that same approach to her school work as well.”

In what should have been a breakout season for the junior, the delay in the start of the season and the pandemic were only a few obstacles Katie has had to overcome. During her sophomore year, Katie tore her ACL and missed the majority of the season.

“Last year had many challenges for Katie,” says Rhonda and Jay. They go on to add, “First, she hurt her knee in what we thought was a sprain. She trained and did rehabilitation to be able to play 5 games until she found out it was a torn ACL. After surgery, she ended up in the hospital with a blood clot, and then the world shut down because of the pandemic.”

Despite being sidelined with an injury that has a very long recovery time, Katie used her time to serve as a mentor to others and gain a deeper understanding of the game. “Katie observed a lot from the bench last year during her injury, so she gained first-hand knowledge of what it is like to see things from the bench,” says Carretto. He goes on to add, “I think this has helped her be a good leader/coach on the court.”

With the delay in the start of the season, most of the team was unsure if or when it would even begin. When the IHSA made its ruling that sports could resume in late January, the basketball team had an incredibly limited amount of time to prepare for their first game. Although the Wolves have gotten off to a slow start with their record, most of the team feels fortunate to have any season left to salvage.

Katie has not only led by example, but has been a force on all parts of the floor by averaging 8 points per game, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Not only has Katie been able to excel on the floor as a player and a leader, but she also stars in the classroom, having earned a 3.98 cumulative G.P.A.
Unsure if she would like to continue her basketball career post-high school, Katie is interested in attending college and using her leadership skills to attain a degree in business. “Katie would be successful in any career path,” says Chandler, who also taught Katie in Algebra II. He goes on to add, “I feel like she has the correct mentality to accomplish anything in the sense that she understands how to set challenging but attainable goals, but just as importantly she understands how to accomplish those goals.”

The team, and Katie, are hoping as the weeks move on they can continue to prepare to make a deep run into the SPC conference tournament at the end of the season. Although it is an abbreviated season, the girls will make the most of their opportunity and are happy to share in the camaraderie and bonding being with a team creates. Katie offers her advice to future Wolves about this topic, saying, “Join a team or a club because it helps make it through high school with a sense of belonging and school pride.” There is no doubt the Wolves will use the same motivation to continue to improve and overcome the obstacles presented to them during this year unlike any other.