Courtney Landis: LBCC Women's Basketball

College sports is admired by so many individuals in today's society. Sports is such a widespread form of amusement for so many Americans, but something that is just as fascinating as a game winning point is the individuals behind it. A lot of the times we see what an individual does for the team, but we miss what the team has done for them.

I got the opportunity to talk to LBCC's team captain, Courteney Landis, who is a second year roadrunner - but has been signed with LBCC for three years. She is from west Linn, Oregon.

When asked how she had benefited most from being on the team, she said that she, "learned how to step into a leadership role." Also stating that, "Lb helped get my confidence up."

She explained how she was dual enrolled at OSU and living in the Corvallis dorms when she first started at LBCC, but later on chose to move to Albany in order to really become a part of the community, and to be closer to the team. 

"you should at least try it," Courteney said when asked what she would say to students considering playing college sports. 

Courteney explained how playing for the roadrunners at LBCC helped her to step outside of her comfort zone. She loves the community feel of the team.  

"you have to put in the work." "confidence is an issue. Step into your role and feel comfortable."

She spoke about confidence as it was something that she found was difficult for a lot of the younger girls that she helped couch at the annual basketball club. She said that most of the girls were timid and scared to step out of their shell while a majority of the boys had no problem doing so. She explained how when she first started playing she was also nervous to step into her role, but says that confidence is definitely an issue and needs to be worked on at a younger age.

She said that she "understood the overly confident type and the overly shy type," but that she wished there was an even ground. 

 Courteney said that it was her parents and uncle who pushed her to succeed in basketball. "my dad and mom spent hours with me training," she said when asked what drove her to succeed. She also explains that her couch, Debbie Herald, really stood by her during her injuries her freshman and sophomore years. Saying that she was "one of her role models."

"I pride myself on defense and assists," she explained, "don't have height to rely on," therefore she has to work even harder to succeed. She explained how she looks up to players who are shorter but work hard on agility, assists, and defensive playing.

The LBCC women's basketball page showed a picture of the team captain and says "Congratulations to sophomore guard Courteney Landis, who recently signed with Notre Dame de Namur University (in Belmont, CA) to continue her basketball career at the next level...!" She says that she had the chance to sign with Notre Dame de Namur University at the end of her freshman season, but she chose to stay with LBCC another year in order to improve her skills and knowledge of the game.

Starting next year, the LBCC team captain, Courteney Landis will be playing at Notre Dame with her sister Brooke, who is graduating from high school this year. She is excited to be playing with her sister, and she loves the community feel of the Notre Dame Namur University. She says it "reminded her of LB."

"always use "said." 

capitalize first word of a quote. 

always use past tense. 

don't write that you are interviewing someone.

At a Glance:

What: The LBCC women's basketball team 

Where:  LBCC, Notre Dame Namur University, LBCC basketball team website

When: Undecided

Who: Courteney Landis, Debbie Herald, Megan Ely