BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its women’s basketball postseason awards Wednesday, with three Gusties receiving recognition. Caitlin Rorman (Fy., Blue Earth) and Ava Gonsorowski (Jr., Esko) were named All-Conference, with Rorman also gaining Rookie of the Year honors, while Paige Richert (Jr., Comfrey) was named honorable mention.
Gonsorowski earns her first All-Conference honor after averaging 12.7 points and starting in all 27 games for the Black and Gold. The Esko native recorded double-digit scoring numbers in 16 of the teams 27 games, including a career-high 29 points on Jan. 22 against Hamline. The junior also found other ways to impact the game, leading the team with 92 assists, for an average of 3.4 a game, which was the fourth best mark in the MIAC. Gonsorowski was also one of the teams top defenders, grabbing a team-best 57 steals and also hauling in 3.6 rebounds per game from the point guard position. She also did a lot of work from the charity stripe, making 119-of-150 attempts, with her 119 makes being the third most in a season in program history. After three seasons, Gonosorowski sits at 705 career points and 252 career assists, with her assist number being the ninth most for any Gustie in program history.
Rorman capped off her first-year with MIAC Rookie of the Year honors to add to an All-Conference nod. The Blue Earth native finished her season with 429 points for an average of 16.5 per game. Rorman’s season was one of the most efficient offensive campaigns in program history. Her 429 points are the 14th most in school history, but she did so while shooting 61.3 percent from the field, which is the second best percentage for anyone to don the Black and Gold. The first-year scored in double-digits in 24 of the 26 games in which she played, eclipsing the 20-point mark six times including a career high 25 against Augburg on Jan. 19. Rorman also posted three double-doubles on the year, after adding a team-best 5.7 rebounds per game.
Richert earns the honorable mention nod after a solid junior campaign that saw her average 10.3 points to go along with 5.7 rebounds. The Comfrey native scored in double figures in 12 of 23 games played this year, eclipsing 20 points two times. Richert’s season was highlighted by back to back double-doubles on Jan. 4 and Jan. 8 against St. Olaf and Saint Mary’s. Richert posted 14 points and 10 rebounds on Jan. 4 against St. Olaf before a career-high 23 points to go along with another 10 rebounds against Saint Mary’s on Jan. 8. Through three seasons, Richert has scored 549 career points and pulled down 314 rebounds.
Alison Hinck (Jr., Vadnais Heights) was also recognized by the league as she was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team. Taite Anderson of Bethel was named the Player of the Year, Rachel Kelly of St. Olaf was named Sixth Player of the Year, and Jon Herbrechtsmeyer of Bethel was named Coach of the Year.