Saint Francis Magazine Fall 2020

STALLED SEASON

Senior women’s basketball player Kara Gerka reflects on a harsh end to the season but undiminished memories of a great career

Kara Gerka looks back on the abrupt ending of her University of Saint Francis basketball career with perspective and even some gratefulness.

That wasn’t necessarily the case in March, when the Cougars were on site with high hopes for the start of the NAIA Division II National Championship Tournament.

They believed they had a shot at a long, perhaps even championship, run.

Hours before their tournament opener, everything stopped.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the NAIA to end the season prematurely. Seasons usually end with the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. Yet even in an agonizing loss, a challenge was faced. This? This was worse than defeat.

“It was especially hard for us because we knew we were in good position going into the tournament, playing a team we wanted to play, with a strong group of veterans and young talent,” Gerka said. “It was really shocking and disappointing.

“It was a tough one to swallow at the time,” Gerka said. “As I reflect, I’m still thankful my family and friends have continued to stay healthy. A lot of people have had to deal with things much more challenging than that.”

Gerka’s perspective is admirable. Yes, the cancellation of a basketball tournament ranks low on any list of devastating effects of the pandemic. But it remained something to be mourned, not only because the Cougars were 23-7 and good enough to make a tourney run, but because Gerka’s memorable USF career was over. She earned All-America honors twice, scored 1,879 points and helped her team to many thrilling wins.

Gerka didn’t get that on-court grand finale appropriate for

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a player of her impact. But she cherished that final road trip with her teammates, despite the way it ended.

“I remember the night we heard about the news, and hung out as a team and talked,” she said. “Even though it was disappointing, it was good to have that time together.”

Another achievement—and disappointment—came for Gerka in the spring. She was one of three valedictorians from the USF School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. A major achievement under any circumstance, Gerka was a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Physician Assistant Studies and Biology dual major with an Associate of Science in Pre-Pharmacy. She remains at USF as a grad student, pursuing a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 Commencement was canceled, robbing Gerka of her public academic celebration.

“That was kind of a bummer; I was looking forward to that,” she said. “I put a lot of work into my academics and to not have that opportunity was disappointing.”

Despite all disruptions of Gerka’s senior year by the pandemic, she retains the upbeat attitude and approach that have served her so well at USF. “It has been a real positive for me to make close lifelong friends and compete at a high level,” she said. “This past year was great because I go back to how I could see the culmination of a culture change. I was able to lead some of the freshmen and underclassmen and give them advice which I had received as a freshman.”

Gerka demonstrated the hard work and sacrifice needed to succeed as a student-athlete, and not even a pandemicshortened season kept her from passing that legacy on.