The REPORTER
Camryn Runner, Hamilton Heights senior, has signed a letter of intent to join the University of Evansville’s women’s basketball team this fall. The University of Evansville is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and a NCAA Division I athletic institution. She is the daughter of Bart and Dawn Runner.
It was her initial visit to the University of Evansville’s campus that sealed the deal.
“It was different from the other schools she visited,” recalled Runner, who plans to study business management with a minor in accounting. “When I first showed up on campus, the coaches made it known that they did not only care about my athletics, but they also cared about my academics and well-being as a student athlete. I loved meeting the team because it showed how like-minded we were to succeed in life. Additionally, I loved the size of the campus and the enriching education I would receive as a student. The location is far enough from home to force me to meet people and get out of my comfort zone, yet close enough where I would be able to go home if need be for family. Overall, my visit showed me the endless possibilities this university holds for student-athletes and inspired me to continue my athletics and academics.”
Runner, a multi-sport (basketball, track and field, and golf) is currently ranked academically at No. 6 in the Class of 2023. She is student body president, a member of the honor society, Business Professionals of America (BPA) and works at Purgatory Golf Club and a M14 basketball coach. Athletically, she just passed Jessica Carr’s (Class of ‘11) career scoring record of 1,340 points on Nov. 11 vs. Jay County to become Heights’ All-Time Leading Scorer. She now stands at 1,377 points scored for Heights following Tuesday’s contest at Guerin Catholic.
She was named an Indiana Junior All Star, 1,000-point club member for basketball, 2023 Hamilton County Player of the Year, and set the school record for the 4×400 relay. She was a member of the first regional qualifying Hamilton Heights Golf team and earned three sectional and one regional title.
“Camryn has been a joy to watch the past four years,” said Kurt Ogden, Athletic Director for Hamilton Heights High School. “She is poised to be the career scoring leader at Hamilton Heights by a potentially large margin and has put herself in a position to potentially receive many more special accolades. She is the ultimate student/athlete and role model in the classroom and as the student body president, I couldn’t think of another individual who is better to lead in that position. Evansville University is lucky to get a student/athlete the caliber of Camryn Runner.”
“I have always been passionate about basketball,” Runner said. “It is what I grew up with, so it is all I have ever known. I have two older sisters that played basketball, so I like to say I was raised in a gym. Throughout the years I have played on a travel team to sharpen my skills and enhance my experience. Furthermore, I have met and befriended members of the basketball community through camps, competitions, tournaments, and teams that will always stick with me on a personal level. I have also trained and coached for the M14Training Program at Finch Creek for the past year and plan to continue training there when I can throughout the summers.”
Runner said the major influences in her development as a student athlete are her sisters, father, and coaches Brian Klem (Indiana Flight), Keegan Cherry (Hamilton Heights), and Tony Marlin (Indiana Elite).
“Growing up, I wanted to be just like my sisters,” she said. “Anything they would do, I would try to do better, so they pushed me in unimaginable ways. My dad, who I call my shot doctor, is one of my biggest supporters, yet he is also someone I receive criticism from when I need it the most.”
She credits Coach Klem as being extremely influential (grades 3 through 8) in teaching her to play the game at a fast, high scoring, and lively pace – which coincidentally fits the style of play at the University of Evansville. Coach Cherry came into her life during the challenges of high school play teaching her the IQ side of basketball – when to screen, how to read defenders, and some unique plays to get the desired shot. Coach Marlin gave her the opportunity to show what she was capable of on the court along with the opportunity to grow her skills in the point guard position at the AAU level.
“Camryn Runner is one of the most complete basketball players I’ve had the opportunity to coach,” said Keegan Cherry, Hamilton Heights Girls Basketball Head Coach. “She embodies what it means to be a student athlete and is a fierce competitor. Her drive in the classroom and on the court should be a shining example for all student athletes. The Hamilton Heights community has been lucky to have had the opportunity to watch Camryn compete over the past four years. She is a ‘team first kid’ that is willing to do whatever it takes to win. She’s always one of the first to practice and one of the last to leave.”
“Further,” continued Coach Cherry, “Camryn is always putting her teammates first in all she does. It’s no surprise she will leave her mark on the Hamilton Heights girls basketball program as one of the best to have ever played for the Huskies. And one of the best I’ve ever coached. The University of Evansville is getting one of the best players in the Class of 2024. And they may be getting the very best, highest character student-athletes in the state of Indiana. Camryn Runner is no question an Indiana All-Star. I’m lucky and better for having had the opportunity be Camryn’s coach.”