Kelsie Flanscha

By Shawna Carpentier
UWRF Sports Information

River Falls native, Kelsie Flanscha, has morphed from her role as a Wildcat to a Falcon this 2006-07 season in her first year as a member of the women's basketball team.

"She's going to be an outstanding player on our team and in this league," says Falcon Coach Cindy Hovet about Flanscha's future as a Falcon basketball player.

Flanscha's start as a basketball player had little to do with her skill as it did her height.   She began playing as a fourth grader and at that time, Flanscha got involved because it was the only sport her elementary school offered. Being a sport in which height can be handy, Flanscha decided to give basketball a try.

"Start young, do as much as [you] can if this is what [you] want," explains Flanscha to young athletes who want to get involved in a sport.

Flanscha built valuable skills as a young basketball player and brought her experience with her to her high school. At River Falls High School Flanscha earned four letters as a three-year starter. As a captain of her team during her junior and senior seasons, Flanscha earned all-conference second team honors and was named to the all-conference first team as a senior. In 2006, Flanscha received the River Falls Senior Athletic Award and All-State Honorable Mention.

Flanscha describes beating Big Rivers Conference rival Hudson her senior year to end an eight-season loss streak as her favorite memory this far into her career.

Now as a Falcon Flanscha has experienced the difficult process of being an inexperienced college athlete. Flanscha describes the transition from high school to collegiate athletics as a challenge.  

"Coming in and learning a lot of new stuff [is challenging]," expresses Flanscha. "With support you can make it through obstacles."

Hovet describes Flanscha as a player who finishes strong inside while her determination fuels her ability to contest shots and get rebounds.

Flanscha enjoys the competitive nature of basketball and looks to a peanut butter sandwich to get her focused before every game. "I always eat a peanut butter sandwich," shares Flanscha of her pre-game ritual.

"It's more than just a game, it teaches you lessons in responsibility and teamwork," says Flanscha of basketball.

Crediting the women's basketball team as a close support system, Flanscha identifies the team's ability to bond as a force that has helped the Falcons during ups and downs this season.  

"We started off successful, then in the middle of the season something happened and now we are starting to click again," observes Flanscha.

Flanscha hopes that the combination of the team's five senior leaders and coaching staff will guide the Falcons to an appearance in the WIAC championship come the end of February.

"The five seniors are really good to look up to; they are always positive," says Flanscha, "The coaching staff believes in us 24-7 and believe we can get the job done."

With two senior posts graduating upon the close of the season, Flanscha will be expected to step up her game. "She's going to have some exciting work ahead of her, she's definitely up to the challenge," says Hovet.

Flanscha's goals don't rest on her passion for basketball though; Flanscha also works to be a successful student.

"[I want to] be successful in college and [at] combining both basketball and school at the same time," shares Flanscha.

Currently majoring in art, Flanscha is dabbling at the prospect of becoming a health and human performance major. Although this would mean her love for photography would go from a career to a hobby, Flanscha feels that massage therapy would be a better substitute.

Flanscha's future plans involve having a successful career in the River Falls area and starting a family.

She is the daughter of Mike and Linda and sister to Steph, Kenzie and Allie.