Karin Kedrowski '03 was an All-Conference performer in two different sports for Ripon College. A three-time First Team selection and Honorable Mention All-American on the basketball court, Kedrowski also earned All-Conference honors in women's tennis, winning the Midwest Conference number three doubles championship (with partner Etta Hilligoss '04) as a junior in 2001. Kedrowski was inducted into Ripon's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013, the first year she was eligible.
"My experience in athletics at Ripon College taught me lessons about dedication, hard work, and resiliency not only on the courts but also in life, which still stick with me today," Kedrowski said. "Working through challenges, enjoying success, and learning from failures are all things I credit to my upbringing and Ripon's athletics program."
A native of Plover, Wis., Kedrowski appeared in all 93 games during her four years with the Red Hawks, finishing among the team's top five scorers each season. When her career was said and done, Kedrowski held school records in 3-pointers made (154) and steals (189), while ranking second in scoring with 1,274 career points, all of which still rank among the top four in their respective categories. She averaged 13.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game during her career, while shooting 42 percent from 3-point range and 83 percent from the free throw line.
As a sophomore, Kedrowski set new single season records with 406 points and a scoring average of 17.7 points per game, both of which have since been broken. As a junior, she earned her second consecutive First Team All-Conference nod, before accomplishing that feat a third time during her senior year. That season saw her set school records for 3-pointers (55) and 3-point percentage (.426), which have since been broken, en route to All-American honors. That year also saw her set a single season school record for free throw percentage (.902), which still stands today.
The only player in program history to score at least 32 points in more than one game during her career, Kedrowski accomplished that feat twice, which is currently tied for fifth in Ripon's record book. She is also tied for another school record, recording eight steals in a single game during her senior season. In addition to that, Kedrowski has a career-high six 3-pointer game to her credit, coming against Lawrence as a sophomore.
Although she had unbelievable success during games, it was something that occurred during practice that remains at the forefront of Kedrowski's mind.
"My favorite memory as a basketball player wasn't a single instance, but many times when Coach Julie Johnson would kick off her shoes and step in on a play during practice to show us how she wanted us to do something," Kedrowski said. "Julie's spunk motivated the entire team to give our best at all times."
It didn't take long for Coach Johnson to become one of Kedrowski's biggest role models as someone that gets the most out of her players.
"After meeting with Coach Johnson on my visit to Ripon while I was in High School, it became clear that Ripon was the correct choice for me," Kedrowski recalled. "Coach Johnson's love of and commitment to basketball was apparent, as was the positive development of her players both on and off the court."
The individual accolades were great, and helped Ripon's women's basketball team to a 57-36 record during her career, including a 19-5 mark during her senior season, but it was on the tennis court where Kedrowski became a champion. During the Fall of her junior season, Kedrowski and partner Etta Hilligoss showed their grit and determination by defeating a duo from Beloit in the third flight of the MWC Tennis Doubles Championships. After losing the first set 2-6, Kedrowski and Hilligoss battled back to win the final two sets 6-2 and 7-5 to become conference champions.
"It was such a great feeling to win conference with Etta," Kedrowski said. "We had a great connection and improved with every match, while using our strengths to reach our potential as a team."
Besides Hilligoss and Coach Johnson, Kedrowski had two other people in her support system that attended nearly every game and match.
"I enjoyed looking out in the crowd before each event and seeing my parents as my advocates," Kedrowski said. "Their support was unwavering and I want to give the same feeling to my children."
Kedrowski currently works as a Data Engineer/ETL Developer at Sentry Insurance in Stevens Point, Wis. She and her fiance Scott Schober have four children. She served as Assistant Varsity and JV Girls Basketball Coach for three years at her alma mater Pacelli Catholic High School, where she is a member of the school's Athletics Hall of Fame.
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