In the eyes of many athletes, sports are a way for students to meet new people and share close relationships, due to constant teamwork. With this idea in mind, foreign exchange student Da Eun Sunwoo, ’10, joined the basketball team.

Sunwoo was born in Seoul, South Korea. During the summer before her freshman year, at age 15, she chose to move to America to live with her aunt.

“I came so I can study with other kinds of people and learn new cultures,” Sunwoo said. “I wanted to learn more English because in Korea, to learn English is the same as learning Spanish in America. I also wanted to come to get out of my small world. I wanted to go in to a big world with more people and more opportunities.”

Originally, Sunwoo was interested in tennis rather than basketball. After showing up to tennis tryouts, however, she changed her mind because she did not know anyone.

Although she didn’t pursue tennis, Sunwoo was determined to join a sports team because of the inability to do so in her own country.

“I was always interested in sport events because my country doesn’t have them in a regular school like here,” Sunwoo said. “I was thrilled to play sports more than anything else. I had no idea about basketball before, but I am glad I picked it.”

Sunwoo’s early friends encouraged her to join basketball.

“My freshman year, my friend Chelsea Shuman told me she was playing basketball so I decided to play,” Sunwoo said. “When I first got there, all there was were white girls. I couldn’t speak English and I had never played before. I was scared that I wouldn’t get along with them.”

Despite no interest or prior knowledge of basketball, Sunwoo feels the sport has influenced her life both socially and spiritually.

“Basketball was the reason to lead me to become a Christian,” Sunwoo said. “I wouldn’t have become the person I am right now without it. I think God lead me to play for this reason.”

Throughout Sunwoo’s basketball career, she has learned about different school rivalries as a result of her experiences.

“A best moment was at Caruthers because it was always really close and a really intense game,” Sunwoo said. “We tied at seven seconds and then they fouled Courtney [Franz] at 0.3 seconds and she scored both free throws and she had never done that before.”

Despite preparation made at practice for any situation during the game, injuries are not included as a part of the pre-game plan.

“At a home game [versus Caruthers] I was guarding this girl and she elbowed me in the mouth,” Sunwoo said. “My tooth went through my lip and I chipped my tooth. All the blood was just splurting out.”

From participating in this basketball, Sunwoo says she has learned more than how to play a American sport, but also life lessons.

“In basketball it involves a team and so now, whenever I do a group project or discussion, I have to listen to everyone’s ideas,” Sunwoo said. “Along with this, I’ve learned that I’ve got to get along with everyone, and all types of people. It has basically taught me to think more about what I do. It’s not just b-ball, it teaches life lessons, and it makes me a better person in my life.”

Despite tough practices all year long, the coaches allow the senior to lead the final practice of the season, providing one of Sunwoo’s favorite moments.

“My favorite practice was the last year’s senior practice,” Sunwoo said. “Katie [White], Larissa [Hensly] and Emily [Krieghoff] lead practice and we just played. We also different kind of lay-ups and played fun games about basketball.”

Despite injuries and different eventful moments, Sunwoo has gained more than scars and stories. With all these adventures she has made friends and a new family.

“I like playing with Da Eun because she can just read my face and know what to do on the court,” Nicole Hensley, ’12, said. “I met her through my sister during her freshman year and then we became friends. She often comes over to my house and we get together and do girl things. She’s like another sister to me, she even calls me her younger sister.”

Senior Kayla Haydock, who began basketball with Sunwoo, also noticed her potential.

“We both started at the same time so we began to learn the sport together,” Haydock said. “She didn’t know anything about basketball, but she had a lot of determination to work hard and that’s how she got to where she is now.”

Head coach Josh Tosland says Sunwoo has continued to progress throughout her years on the basketball team.

“She’s a great kid and really committed to the program,” Tosland said. “She’s improved every year and cares about everyone. Even when she is on break she is the most instrumental and does a great job with encouragement.”

For more information, read the Girls’ basketball sport shorts, Part II or the Feb. 8 article, Paternal influence motivates senior.