By Nicole Frkol
Being a leader is not always easy. Being the only returning sophomore on a basketball team isn’t either. Katie Kohr is facing both challenges this year and hopes to control those factors and lead her team to a successful season.
Kohr, a 5’6 guard from LaSalle Peru High School, is a leader on and off the court. Head coach Steve Crick agrees.
"It is early in the season, but I expect her to be a very vocal leader," Crick said. "In nature she is a shy person, but on the court she takes on the leadership role and does a great job at it."
Basketball has been a part of Kohr’s life dating back to the fourth grade at Peru Catholic School. There she started what would be a great athletic career in grade school, high school, and at IVCC.
Her brother Matt has played a factor in Kohr’s basketball career; she not only looked up to him as a brother, but as a basketball player also. Matt played all throughout high school and went on to play at Benedictine University. Seeing Matt succeed, Katie knew exactly what she wanted -- to follow his footsteps and play basketball in college.
In high school Kohr dominated her opponents and received recognition that included being the Prep Athlete of the Week in the Newstribune on two occasions, MVP of her team, and named to the All-Area All-conference team her senior year.
Crick adds:" She is a leader, a hustler and a competitor in nature, and that is why she has had such success and will continue to do so in the future"
Even though Kohr can dominate on her own, it is her team which motivates her to strive for the best. Being the leading scorer doesn’t matter. Winning does and winning takes teamwork and dedication.
"I am a very motivated person." Kohr says. "I have confidence in my shot, but I am also very confident in my teammates and I want everyone to contribute."
Even though the season is young, Kohr has already made an impression on her teammates, coaches, and fans. In the home season opener, Kohr scored her career high 31 points in an impressive showing against Danville.
Crick said: "To have her career high game on the home opener showed a lot of leadership and responsibility on her part. She had her best game and we needed it. She hit some clutch baskets and free throws that helped us tremendously. It was an ideal time for her to have her best game."
As for the rest of the season Kohr has set goals for her and her teammates to achieve, including winning the conference and having at least a 20 win season.
Looking to the future, after IVCC Kohr hopes to receive a scholarship to keep her basketball career alive and play at a four-year university. There she will study Elementary Education and hopes to teach kindergarten.
No one should expect this to be the last they hear of Katie Kohr.