Setting the tone
One thing about the young student-athletes profiled in this space every week: coaches, counselors and administrators just jump at the opportunity to talk about some of the finest kids they’ve ever been around. And it’s remarkable – or maybe it’s not – how many wonderful qualities those kids share. Take, for example, North Central senior Ashlee Michelson, a three-sport athlete for the Indians for the past four years. And not just any three-sport athlete. Last season she finished second in the discus at the State 4A track and field championships a few months after averaging 13.4 points a game for the Indians basketball team. She also plays soccer for NC during the fall.
As usual, though, her athletic ability isn’t what elevates her to a different level, according to basketball coach Dave Hall.
“She’s just an awesome kid,” he said. “She works hard and sets high goals for herself and for her teammates. Even when things aren’t going well, she hangs in there, never gives up, never complains. We’ve had our ups and downs here, but she keeps plugging away in a real tough league.”
Michelson stands 5 foot 9 and is a combination post-wing for the Indians. For the past two seasons, the only time she’s left the floor is if she’s found foul trouble—that’s how indispensable she is to NC’s success. Hall can’t recall any occasion where she’s asked for a substitution because she was tired.
“She’s the first one on the floor at practice,” he said, “and the last one to leave. Her growth since her freshman year is in her willingness to help our younger players. She’s got a lot of respect around the league.”
Although basketball is her favorite sport, Michelson’s greatest individual success has come in the field events. She qualified for the state meet in the shot put as well last spring, and hopes to pursue her post-secondary work at a college or university which will allow her to continue a two-sport regimen.
“I love playing basketball,” she said. “The competition is so much fun, and I like the team part of it, and the physical nature of the game, the contact.”
She had a scare late last spring when she dislocated her kneecap in a summer league basketball game. But she had arthroscopic surgery, spent the summer doing physical therapy and was ready for soccer on the first day of fall tryouts.
Michelson relishes her experiences at North Central, and through her athletic involvement has learned a lot about leadership, she says.
“I’ve learned that seniors set the tone for a team,” she said, “so I need to stay positive and be enthusiastic. Being vocal is hard for me; my leadership style is more about working hard and inspiring others to do the same.”
She hopes the Indians will put things together on the basketball court and make it at least to the 3A regional tournament.
In the spring, her goal is to win a team track and field title – the Indians finished second last spring – and come home with an individual championship as well. Her discus record remains the 130-11 she threw at Spokane’s Mooberry Relays as a sophomore, so she has her sights set on improvement there, too.
In the end, though, Michelson talks about what it’s meant to her to be at NC for the last four years.
“It’s just a really cool, good place to go. People get along there, and you have the chance to meet all different kinds of people. That’s what I’ll remember, all the people I’ve met.”