MANKATO, Minn. – Seniors Hanna Geistfeld (Truman, Minn.) and Abby Olson (Montevideo, Minn.) shared highlights from their trip to Brazil with the USA DIII Select Team this past summer. Head coach Lyle Jones was the head coach of this select team as well, but preferred for his student-athletes to be highlighted in this interview.

1.    How were you able to get to know your teammates in a short amount of time?
Hanna Geistfeld:              Although we were only together for 10 days, we got to know each other quickly because we spent a ton of time together.

Abby Olson:        We basically spent every second together from when we met in the airport in Florida. We played games to get to know each other and it was just easy!

2.    Describe the gyms in which you played your games.
HG:        The gyms were much different than the gyms you'd see in the United States. Most of the gyms had large openings/windows to the outside which was different than the US. 
 
3.    What was the competition like?
HG:        The first team we played was very talented. We lost our first game, but we started meshing much more the second and third game, which led us to winning by 50 or so points!

AO:        The competition was different in every game we played, but we got better each game. 
 
4.   What was your favorite game of those you played?
HG:        My favorite game was the first game even though we lost. The people we played against were big, strong, physical and quick which was a great challenge and also really fun!

AO:        My favorite game we played in was the first game because it was the highest competition and was super fun game to play in!
 
5.    What sightseeing were you able to do?
HG:        We got to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue which is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. We also toured Sugar Loaf with is a gorgeous mountain that overlooks Rio De Janero. 

AO:        We went to Sugar Loaf, Christ Redeemer Statue, Lappa Steps, and several local markets. 

6.    What was the highlight of the trip for you?
HG:        The highlight of the trip was the relationships I built with my teammates and others that I met on the trip. I love meeting new people and now I have new friends for life. 

AO:        Meeting new people from all over the U.S. and learning a new culture. 
 
7.    What was it like to wear a USA jersey/coach for the USA?
HG:        I felt honored to wear a USA jersey. Many of the people we played against stated that their dream was to come to the US and play basketball, so it was a humbling experience to represent the US and D3 basketball.

AO:        It was a pretty incredible experience that I can cherish for the rest of my life!
 
8.    How will you bring what you learned from this experience into the 2021-22 season?
HG:        I've learned that it is a privilege to play in air conditioned and enclosed gyms, and have nice locker rooms, etc. 

AO:        I will bring what I learned from this experience into the season by always remembering to be grateful that I play where I play and to voice it to others. 

Click here for the story from KEYC about the trip.