Leadership doesn’t necessarily have to make a lot of noise. That has been the testimony of post player Amy Wanvig (#22) for three years here on the Briercrest women’s basketball team. Attending Bearspaw Christian School for most of her elementary and high school years, Amy was a multi-sport athlete who unassumingly ended up as a team leader on her basketball, volleyball and European handball teams.

Entering her college basketball career at SAIT, she experienced a season-ending ACL injury in her first pre-season game. While recovering from surgery, she and another friend with a similar knee injury connected with a young lady who told her about the opportunity to earn a TESOL degree at Briercrest College. Coming to Briercrest in the fall of 2013, Amy followed her dream of earning this degree as well as getting the opportunity to play the sport she loves most in a Christian environment.

Even in her first year at Briercrest, Amy led the team in scoring, and for the past two year has again topped the team charts in points and rebounds. Last year Amy was named Second Team All-Conference in the ACAC with 14.3 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game. With similar statistics this year and 59% shooting (2^nd in the ACAC), she’s on track to be recognized again as one of the best players in the conference. Of particularly note this year is her eight double-doubles, tops in the ACAC!

For the past two years, Amy has served well as the captain of the women’s team, not just through her leadership on the floor and in practice, but through her strong Christian faith, her love for the Lord and her willingness to lead the joint team post-game prayer circle after every game. Amy is known for her tender heart and listening ear. But don’t let her soft exterior fool you. She is a beast on the boards and finds ways to score around the hoop that continually confound fans and team-mates alike.

Particularly dear to Amy’s heart here at Briercrest has been her TESOL cohort. Coming together in unity as very different people, the group has become an extraordinary family to her, loving her in a special way and providing her with rich life-long friendships.

As far as the basketball team is concerned, she admits that navigating the challenges of a program being rebuilt is not always easy. But, as she says, “Knowing that in the end my team-mates have my back, well that’s pretty special to have.”

On the court, Amy wants to be known as someone who is perpetually grateful for the opportunity to play ball. She never wants to take for granted or take lightly the privilege and the calling to represent Christ as she plays. Academically, Amy desires that the end product of her studies will be a sharp mind that has the ability to think well and analyze carefully what others say in the pursuit of finding God’s truth about life and the world.

As far as big life dreams are concerned, Amy is not so specific about the what and where of her future. See is just excited to see where the adventure brings her. And, as always, she wants to honor the Lord and love people along the way!

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