Pepperdine basketball players will take Waves fans behind the scenes as the orange and blue of Malibu plays its 2003-04 women's basketball schedule. We've also added a link so you can submit your own questions for players to respond in their next entry. Being a collegiate basketball player creates an interesting journal, but being a collegiate basketball player at perhaps the most beautiful school in the country that is flocked with celebrities is a whole other story. Enjoy...

Lauren Wenski
Pepperdine basketball freshman guard
Diary Entry No. 3

Nov. 17, 2003

Hey Waves Fans!

I am new to the Waves team this year so I first want to formerly introduce myself and fill you in on some of the tidbits of information you might not know about me beyond the posted personal biography.

My full name is Lauren Elizabeth Wenski and I am from Lenexa, Kansas. My parent's names are Bob and Marcia Wenski and I have one older brother, Kyle, who is a senior football player at Princeton. I definitely consider myself to be extremely lucky kid with the parents and childhood I have been blessed with. My family means the world to me and if it weren't for those three amazing individuals I would not be near the person I am today. They have shown me the true meaning of hard work, dedication, and unconditional love. I would not be the current student-athlete here at Pepperdine if I hadn't been blessed with this amazingly strong family bond.

I am sure the majority of you are thinking and/or wanting to say to me, "You aren't in Kansas anymore." Well, I will tell you this. I have not gone a week since I have been here that I have not had at least one person say that exact phrase to me, and actually think they are the first witty person to do so. The truth of the matter is, no, I am not in Kansas anymore. The decision for me to make this drastic move out here to California is one of the biggest I have ever made. However, it is from this move that I have truly seen what I'm made of.

The adjustment from high school to college is definitely not a cakewalk by any means. Not only are you taking an enormous step up from high school athletics to Division I athletics, but also you are moving from a high school education level to one of the most prestigious University's in the nation. This big jump can sometimes be intimidating but it all relies upon the individual's attitude and constructive use of their resources.

Prior to being a college student this year, I think it's safe to say that I had "senioritis" in high school from about the beginning of my junior year. Looking back on it all high school was nothing compared to college. Yea, you have the same challenges of making new friends and excelling in your academics and athletics so you can be accepted at select universities. However, all of this takes place within ones "comfort zone." You still have your parents to run and confide in as well as the comfort of your own house to go home to everyday. You still have your mom's cooking, your grandmother's fan support at all of your games, and a strict curfew to live by. The drastic change from high school to college can be extremely overwhelming but there is one thing that has definitely helped me with this transition. I have learned to put it all in perspective and understand that everything happens for a reason. If I study hard in school and work hard in basketball then success can easily be attainable. It is only through a positive attitude from day-to-day that this sense of accomplishment can be acquired. I truly believe that God has placed me here at Pepperdine for a reason, to learn more about myself and what I am made of, to build a stronger appreciation for those "comforts" I have at home, and to realize that with three simple clicks of my ruby red slippers I can in fact be back safely home in Kansas.

I could not be happier than I am right now in my life. What more could I ask for: I am receiving a great education, the opportunity to compete in Division I athletics, and the campus scenery that has the power to take ones breath away. Pepperdine is what I now call home, and I am looking forward to making an impact on this school just as it has on me thus far.

I am looking forward to playing for the Waves and hope to see your support at the games.

Thursday November 13, 2003

I woke up today around 8:30 a.m. and headed off to my 9 a.m. German class. I must say it's extremely rough to walk to class every morning with a sunny ocean view setting the mood of the morning. Southern California weather is definitely something I can get used to. After class was over around 9:50, I met with my German teacher for some extra tutoring before our exam next Monday. When I was done with my tutoring, I met up with some of my friends for lunch in the cafeteria then I was quickly off to my noon class-Internet Health Care. During class today we discussed how to put together an impressive and thorough resume that could be used when it comes time for seeking out job opportunities. When class was over around 1:30 I walked back to my room to relax for a while before I had to leave for treatment in the training room before practice at three. I made a visit to see Debbie (Prouse), the trainer for the women's basketball team, to get my ankles taped before practice. At three we took the court and began practice.

Practice was intense today with various games and drills aimed to enhance the competitive level throughout the team. We reviewed our offense, defenses, and our out of bounds plays in preparation for the game on Saturday. Practice was over around 5:30 due to the men's basketball game at seven against a team from Germany. I picked up some dinner and headed back to my room for an evening of studying. I have to present a speech tomorrow in my Speech 180 class. The speech is a persuasive speech and I will be presenting it with a power point presentation on my chosen topic, 'Why you should not use smokeless tobacco.' I finished up my homework around 11 p.m. and then relaxed until midnight when I decided to call it a day and head off to bed.

Saturday November 15, 2003

Today is our last exhibition game before we start our actual season against Stanford next Friday. We had an 8:30 a.m. shoot around this morning for an hour of some last minute review and some extra shooting repetitions. After we finished our shoot around we had brunch from 'Marmelade.' I was a little reluctant of eating heavy breakfast foods prior to a game but it turned out to be a good filling meal to prepare me for the game. Since we had to be on the court at 12:30 I made a visit to see Debbie around noon to get my ankles taped. Sticking with my superstitions, I ate my orange and 'Snickers' bar as I was getting taped. This is a superstition of mine I have had since I was a freshman in high school and I don't plan on changing this superstition anytime soon.

We warmed up as a team prior to the game but something just didn't seem right. Our enthusiasm and intensity was obviously not present and that was definitely shown by our performance. We should have smoked those Australians but we didn't. The game was extremely sloppy but I think it was a definite eye opener to the team that we need to be mentally and physically prepared for what lies ahead of us. We all realize the packed schedule we will be playing during preseason and its now or never for us to step up and compete with those teams.

The season is approaching and now it's only a matter of days until we open up with Stanford and begin our long journey of success and attainment of our established team goals.

Lauren Wenski
#20