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Yeast breaks 15-year old Monmouth rebounding
record Release Date:
December 3, 2007
 MONMOUTH,
Ill. –
Funny how things work out. When Monmouth College’s Penny Rowan was
pulling down her then-school record 809th career rebound on Feb. 21,
1992, the woman who would eventually break her record was entering
first grade and had no idea of the monumental occasion.
Fast forward to Dec. 1, 2007: The Scots women’s career rebound
record is again broken and again, Ashley Yeast (Sciota, Ill./West
Prairie) had no idea that the milestone had been reached. Yeast’s
defensive board early in the second half against Lawrence University
was the 810th of her career, a feat completely lost on the new
record-holder. "I had no idea the number I needed and my only focus
was on getting a win," Yeast said. "It was a conference game and we
needed the win."
That attitude helped Yeast set the record, an attitude not lost
on Scots coach Melissa Jones. "The only stats Ashley worries about
is our team win-loss record," praised Jones. "It’s a super
accomplishment and shows you how good of an athlete she is and what
kind of desire she has to make every rebound hers."
Think of Yeast as Dennis Rodman
– without the
piercings, tattoos, outrageous behavior and police record. "She has
a Dennis Rodman mentality when it comes to rebounding," Jones said.
"It’s her desire that makes her stand out. She’s not the biggest or
most physical, and it’s not because of the drills we do. It’s her
desire above and beyond everything we do that made her the Scots
women’s rebounding champion."
While Yeast’s lanky physique reminds you more of a runway model
than a thick-bodied rebounding machine, Jones claims it’s her
senior’s lack of a stocky build that makes her such a force. "She’s
a very quick, agile player," said Jones. "She uses that to her
advantage. There are a lot of stronger players in the Midwest
Conference –
players that are more physical than her. Yet, game in and game out,
Ashley gets more boards because of her desire, agility and
quickness."
After leading the nation in rebounding last year at the Division
III level, Yeast knew she would be a marked woman this season. She
also knew the college’s women’s career rebounding record was within
reach. What she didn’t know was exactly when that milestone would be
reached. "Honestly, I thought I needed 20 or more (going into the
Lawrence game)," said Yeast. "I knew coming into the season that I
would be a target for opponents because of last season’s
recognition. I wouldn’t say I felt pressure to set the record, but I
did want to play well and contribute all I could to the team for a
win."
Although Yeast may not have had her eye on the rebounding record
when she entered as a freshman, opposing coaches and fans have been
watching as she captured the women’s record at Monmouth. She joined
two-time All-American Roger Sander as the two most prolific
rebounders in Monmouth College history. With 819 career rebounds,
the overall school record is within reach, but Yeast felt no
pressure to set the women’s record or catch Sander’s career mark of
939 boards. "I wouldn’t say I felt pressure to set the (women’s)
record. I want to play well and contribute all I can for us for a
win," said Yeast. "My goal for the season is to win conference, when
that happens, then I will be relieved."
If the overall rebounding record falls, so be it, but Yeast has
her sites on a conference title and won’t relax until that happens.
Opponents, meanwhile, won’t feel relief until Yeast graduates this
spring.
Women's
Basketball
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