University of Northern Iowa Athletics
From High School Teammates to College Athletes
2/13/2017 11:17:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Emma Widner
Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Competition is a force that typically divides people. For two of UNI's student athletes, however, it's what brought them together.
Freshman Megan Maahs and sophomore Rose Simon-Ressler started their basketball journey together at Western Dubuque High School. Maahs trailed Simon-Ressler by a year in school. They've been competitive since the beginning, and not much has changed.
"We're really competitive against each other, so that's always fun," said Maahs. "It helps us both. Her quickness helps me improve my outside game, and I guess my height and post abilities help her on her inside game."
Maahs and Simon-Ressler knew they wanted to leave a legacy at Western Dubuque. They played for a state title in 2014.
"It was kind of a Cinderella story. No one expected us to be there," said Simon-Ressler, "so from there, our friendship just really was almost like you couldn't separate us."
The team fell short that year, but that didn't stop them. During Simon-Ressler's senior year of high school, they were back in the 2015 championship game playing against the same team they'd lost to the previous year. They lost again, but that wasn't the worst part for Simon-Ressler.
"It was really sad, because we lost," said Simon-Ressler, "but mostly because I knew I wouldn't play again with Megan, and that was kind of heartbreaking."
After the end of her high school basketball career, Simon-Ressler had offers from other schools to consider. However, she chose to walk on at UNI. Maahs still had a year left of high school.
"I did know that Megan had an offer here, but at that point I didn't know what her plans were, so I stuck with my gut," said Simon-Ressler. "I really liked UNI. Loved it, actually."
Simon-Ressler started her own journey at UNI, not knowing that everything would end up as planned.
"Megan went on a few visits. She decided to come here, and it's been a dream come true," said Simon-Ressler. "I redshirted so now we'll be here for four years together."
Now that they're playing together again, Maahs says that not much has changed. The competitive nature of both athletes still exists and still helps both of them get better.
"When we come onto the court, we compete against each other, but we hope for the best for each other," said Maahs. "Then right when we step off, it's a normal best friend relationship. Anything that happens on the court, stays on the court."
Aside from pushing each other in the gym and on the court, another really important aspect of their friendship is helping each other navigate college.
"I owe the whole world to her," said Maahs. "She made my transition into college so much easier. She really showed me the ropes and taught me very valuable life lessons."
Though Simon-Ressler was there to guide Maahs through her first year here at UNI, she says it goes both ways.
"As the older one and the one who had gone through a year of it already, I definitely get to help Megan a little more," said Simon-Ressler. "But she makes it so fun. She knows everything I've been through, so she can be there, and she always has my back, whether that's in school or on the court or just in relationships."
Both athletes admitted they do sometimes fight and that their journey hasn't always been easy. But having one person who can relate exactly what they're going through has made it all worth it.
"It's not easy to be a college athlete," said Simon-Ressler. "It's definitely a blessing, but there's definitely times where it's just really tough, and having someone to be there for you just makes it all worthwhile and so much easier."
Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Competition is a force that typically divides people. For two of UNI's student athletes, however, it's what brought them together.
Freshman Megan Maahs and sophomore Rose Simon-Ressler started their basketball journey together at Western Dubuque High School. Maahs trailed Simon-Ressler by a year in school. They've been competitive since the beginning, and not much has changed.
"We're really competitive against each other, so that's always fun," said Maahs. "It helps us both. Her quickness helps me improve my outside game, and I guess my height and post abilities help her on her inside game."
Maahs and Simon-Ressler knew they wanted to leave a legacy at Western Dubuque. They played for a state title in 2014.
"It was kind of a Cinderella story. No one expected us to be there," said Simon-Ressler, "so from there, our friendship just really was almost like you couldn't separate us."
The team fell short that year, but that didn't stop them. During Simon-Ressler's senior year of high school, they were back in the 2015 championship game playing against the same team they'd lost to the previous year. They lost again, but that wasn't the worst part for Simon-Ressler.
"It was really sad, because we lost," said Simon-Ressler, "but mostly because I knew I wouldn't play again with Megan, and that was kind of heartbreaking."
After the end of her high school basketball career, Simon-Ressler had offers from other schools to consider. However, she chose to walk on at UNI. Maahs still had a year left of high school.
"I did know that Megan had an offer here, but at that point I didn't know what her plans were, so I stuck with my gut," said Simon-Ressler. "I really liked UNI. Loved it, actually."
Simon-Ressler started her own journey at UNI, not knowing that everything would end up as planned.
"Megan went on a few visits. She decided to come here, and it's been a dream come true," said Simon-Ressler. "I redshirted so now we'll be here for four years together."
Now that they're playing together again, Maahs says that not much has changed. The competitive nature of both athletes still exists and still helps both of them get better.
"When we come onto the court, we compete against each other, but we hope for the best for each other," said Maahs. "Then right when we step off, it's a normal best friend relationship. Anything that happens on the court, stays on the court."
Aside from pushing each other in the gym and on the court, another really important aspect of their friendship is helping each other navigate college.
"I owe the whole world to her," said Maahs. "She made my transition into college so much easier. She really showed me the ropes and taught me very valuable life lessons."
Though Simon-Ressler was there to guide Maahs through her first year here at UNI, she says it goes both ways.
"As the older one and the one who had gone through a year of it already, I definitely get to help Megan a little more," said Simon-Ressler. "But she makes it so fun. She knows everything I've been through, so she can be there, and she always has my back, whether that's in school or on the court or just in relationships."
Both athletes admitted they do sometimes fight and that their journey hasn't always been easy. But having one person who can relate exactly what they're going through has made it all worth it.
"It's not easy to be a college athlete," said Simon-Ressler. "It's definitely a blessing, but there's definitely times where it's just really tough, and having someone to be there for you just makes it all worthwhile and so much easier."
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