Athlete of the Week: Kelly Denit

By Christopher Burke

JULIA TIERNAN/YH

What are most ecology and evolutionary biology majors doing on Wednesday nights? Probably some combination of research and lab reports. Kelly Denit, DC '00, is no exception--except her report will have to wait until after the North Carolina-Duke matchup on ESPN. Denit can't miss the chance to watch her beloved Blue Devils thrash their league rivals.

"I just love basketball," she said. "The constant motion of the game keeps me going. At every minute, you're active and doing something."

Like Duke, Denit is currently in the midst of her league schedule, and the junior is coming off her best game of the season, one which saw her net 15 points in Yale's 73-61 victory over Brown on Fri., Jan. 22.

"I think Kelly turned the corner in the Brown game," head coach Cecilia DeMarco said. "She took on a lot of responsibility in that game and felt comfortable doing so. She didn't wait for the seniors to take over--she stepped up. I think she will carry that through the rest of the season. I could see it in her eyes."

Denit's eyes have been looking up and down the hardwood for as long as she can remember. She has been playing competitively since the third grade, and the Maryland native has such a passion for the game that she returns home each summer to serve as head coach for her high school's summer team.

"What makes women's basketball great is that it's a true team game that stresses things like fundamentals and defense," Denit said. "It's less about showing off one-on-one moves and dunking--there's just much more of a team focus."

Denit also serves as a mentor in the Bulldogs' backcourt as the only upperclassman guard on the team. Logging minutes at both guard positions, she has earned the respect of her teammates.

"She always comes out with so much energy, and is ready to play even when her shots aren't falling," captain Autumn Braddock, BK '99, said. "We ask a lot of Kelly to play the two guard positions, and she does a great job switching back and forth."

Denit carries her will to succeed on the court outside the gym. She is active in community service as a participant in TEAMS, a group that serves New Haven elementary schools by organizing sporting events for grade school students.

After she hangs up the high tops, the Eli guard hopes to move into the field of marine research. Denit recently earned her scuba diving certification though a Payne Whitney Gym program.

But before she dives into the ocean, or even walks onto the court for this weekend's back-to-back games against Harvard and Dartmouth, she has to find the peanut butter.

"It's my one superstition," she said. "Before every game, I have to eat a peanut butter sandwich. I started it in high school and have continued ever since."

If this past week's games were any indication, it seems as if the sandwiches are working. Pass the Jif.

--Christopher Burke

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