Top Utah Athletes of 2014-15: #7 Taryn Wicijowski

The road wasn't always easy for Utah redshirt senior Taryn Wicijowski. The Canadian forward came to Utah from Saskatchewan in 2009, as a talented freshman, when Utah was still in the Mountain West conference. Despite suffering through multiple ACL tears during the course of her career, she perservered and kept going when it would have been easy to give up. She finished her collegiate career in February, after 6 tumultuous years, as one of the most decorated Women's basketball players in Utah history.

The 2014-15 season served as a year of redemption for Wicijowski. After tearing her ACL in 2010 and then tearing the ACL in the other knee in 2013, it would have been easy for the 24 year old senior to call it a career. She didn't need basketball. Wicijowski already had degrees in both Psychology and Biology with a chemistry minor. She had a near perfect GPA only receiving an A- in American history courses, which is understandable considering she's from Canada. Yet there was still another season of eligilbility hanging in the balance and Wicijowski decided to come back and finish what she started in 2009 with the Lady Utes.

Despite the struggles the Lady Utes experienced this season as a team, Wicijowski stood out as a bright spot. She finished off her last season leading the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game, led the team in minutes played with 36.1 per game, and led the team in rebounds, grabbing 9.1 per game. She shot 48% from the field and 70% from the free throw line, and led the team in blocks with 29. She scored in double figures in 21 of 30 games, scored over 20 points seven times and had eight double-doubles.

Wicijowski was named Pac-12 all conference honorable mention and Pac-12 honorable mention all defensive team. Her 9.1 rebounds per game were good for fourth in conference, her 48% shooting percentage was seventh in conference and her 14.3 ppg placed her eighth in conference. Aditionally, she was named to the Capital One Academic All-America first team and was named the Pac-12 Women's basketball scholar athlete of the year.

Wicijowski leaves Utah a 3-time All Pac-12 selection, 6th in all time scoring with 1,887 career points, and 3rd in rebounds with 1,047 career rebounds. She is the 4th player in school history to amass over 1800 points and over 1000 rebounds during her career and leaves 3rd in career blocks with 135.

Wicijowski's 2014-15 season was not only outstanding from a strictly statistical standpoint, but also from a personal standpoint. There are very few student athletes who are able to persevere through two season ending knee injuries, and come back to play at a high level. Wicijowski 's ability to keep a positive attitude through all her adversity and continue to excel in the classroom is a testament to her character.

Taryn Wicijowski is our #7 top athlete of 2014-15.