Several former Pulaski County athletes are making their mark at the collegiate level this winter, headlined by the standout performance of Murray State University junior Keslyn Secrist.
Secrist, a starter for the NCAA Division I Racers, has proven to be as formidable in the classroom as she is on the court. A nursing student maintaining a 4.45 GPA, she was recognized Saturday as the State Farm MVC Scholar-Athlete during the Racers' matchup against Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
The recognition comes amid a season where Secrist has solidified her role as a primary contributor. Through 21 games, she has started every contest, averaging 12 points per game. Her season stat line features 251 points, 153 rebounds, 30 assists, and 23 steals.
Efficiency has been a hallmark of Keslyn’s game. She has connected on 20 of 66 attempts from beyond the arc and is shooting 85.9% from the free-throw line, converting 55 of 64 attempts. In Saturday’s contest against Belmont, she logged 37 minutes, contributing 13 points, two rebounds, and one steal.
Secrist’s journey to Murray State began at Indiana State University. In a twist of irony, her career-high scoring performance of 26 points came last season while playing for the Sycamores against her current team, the Racers.
The schedule will now come full circle for Keslyn. On February 5, she will return to Terre Haute, Indiana, to face her former team. The matchup marks her first trip back to Indiana State since transferring at the conclusion of last season.
Keslyn is not the only Southwest Virginia native representing the Racers. Former Patrick Henry High School standout Jada Cook is currently a sophomore with the program. Cook has become a reliable rotation player, appearing in 32 games as a freshman last season while averaging 10 minutes per game.
While at Pulaski County, Secrist led the Lady Cougars to a historic run, including four region championships, two state runner-up finishes. A two-time Region Player of the Year and Virginia All-Star MVP, she remains the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Lady Cougar basketball program with 1,489 career points.
Secrist surpassed the previous record of 1,309 points set just a year prior by then senior standout Ally Fleenor, who also continues her basketball career at the collegiate level this season at LSU-Shreveport.
As the winter season continues, local fans can expect more updates on Pulaski County alumni competing at the next level.