Oct. 28, 2003

Kristy Curry is not French. As a matter of fact, neither is any of her players. But all of them know what "laissez les bons temps rouler" means. And they plan on doing just that through April 6, when the 2004 NCAA Women's Final Four concludes in New Orleans.

Now in her fifth year at the helm of the Boilermakers, Curry is looking forward to letting the good times roll this year, her first campaign surrounded entirely by players she has brought to West Lafayette since her arrival in April 1999.

"I'm as excited as I've ever been for a season to start," Curry says. "I love the blend of our outstanding senior class along with our other returnees and new faces. This is a special group in a number of ways."

The group's main objective, as it is every year, is to be one of, if not the last team standing.

"It's no secret that our ultimate goals every year are to win a Big Ten championship and get to the Final Four," Curry says. "This year is no different. We feel like we are capable of making a run at another national championship for this program."

Curry has good reason to be optimistic about the 2003-04 edition of the Boilermakers. After all, the defending Big Ten Tournament champions and NCAA Elite Eight participants return four senior starters and five additional letterwinners. Eighty-two percent of Purdue's scoring is back, along with 81 percent of its rebounding, 94 percent of its assists, and 93 percent of its steals.

To top it off, Curry welcomes four highly regarded newcomers, who together make up the nation's No. 3 recruiting class, as ranked by All-Star Girls Report.

Also new to the program are assistant coaches Katrina Merriweather and Jannon Roland. Both have collegiate playing experience at the Division I level, with Roland a three-time Big Ten champion and 1994 Final Four participant for Purdue.

Boilermaker fans hope the infusion of new blood mixes well with the tried-and-true veterans to make a successful combination, similar to that of the 2000-01 Purdue squad that advanced to the Final Four behind five seniors and five freshmen - a class ranked No. 1 by ASGR. that now is in its final season.

The similarities are not lost on Curry.

"No doubt the 2000-01 team was the deepest and most talented we've had, from top to bottom, since we've been at Purdue," Curry says. "I truly believe that this team is as deep and as talented. What really came together for us in 2000-01 was our team chemistry. If we get everyone on the same page this year, I think we could have some very positive results."

Purdue's senior class is used to positive results, and would like nothing better than to finish its career in the same atmosphere as it ended its rookie season - in the Final Four. In its first three years, the Class of 2004 amassed an overall record of 84-19 (.816), a Big Ten record of 39-9 (.813), won two outright Big Ten regular season championships, won the 2004 conference tournament title, and missed out on hoisting the 2001 NCAA championship trophy by a mere three points.

Curry would like nothing better than for the fearsome foursome of Lindsey Hicks, Beth Jones, Erika Valek and Shereka Wright to leave as one of the greatest classes in Purdue history.

"Our seniors have done some amazing things and have been a huge reason for our success since they arrived on campus," Curry says. "They will have a great opportunity to leave a lasting legacy at Purdue."

More than skill and athleticism, Curry is looking for the quartet to bring leadership and guidance to a 14-player team that has a total of seven sophomores and freshmen.

"Last year was a great testing ground for our current seniors because they only had one player ahead of them class-wise," Curry says. "They know what it takes to lead, and they know the urgency that is upon them. They want to get it done, and I have faith and confidence that they will."

Though the seniors will be responsible for moving the Boilermakers in the right direction, the three rookies should not need too much pushing or prodding. Katie Gearlds, Indi Johnson and Erin Lawless all come from outstanding high school programs, and know what it takes to succeed.

"Our freshmen are ready to compete at this level," Curry says. "There is no question that they will be a major factor for us this year."

Coming Oct. 29 - A look at the Boilermaker backcourt.

Printer-friendly format	Email this article

Purdue Boilermakers