Kristen Forristall never anticipated her sophomore year would turn out this way.
Forristall – who earned Pacific-10 All-Freshman honors and played an average of 18 minutes per game last season – didn’t play consistent minutes in Coach Bev Smith’s rotation this season.
That is, until Oregon visited the Washington schools last weekend.
Forristall helped fill gaping holes against Washington Feb. 16, when Chelsea Wagner and Brandi Davis were sidelined. In 24 minutes, Forristall collected five points, four rebounds and two assists.
Two nights later in Pullman, Wash., Forristall played 22 minutes with four points, three rebounds and two assists.
“It’s frustrating to go from playing a lot of minutes to going to no minutes,” Forristall said. “Just getting out there, it’s just nice to be able to contribute.”
She earned five starts early in the season, but overall her numbers have dropped. Her freshman year, Forristall had averages of 5.5 points and 3.2 rebounds. She is now averaging 10 minutes per game with 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds and shooting 37.8 percent with one three-pointer.
Forristall’s improved play of late bodes well for next season with three-point threats Wagner and Davis graduating. Last season, Forristall made 18 of 47 three-pointers.
Two Oregon teammates, Carolyn Ganes and Eleanor Haring, struggled after strong freshman seasons. Is Forristall’s off-year a result of the notorious sophomore jinx?
“No, and I want to blame it all on that, but it really comes down to the work I did or didn’t do,” Forristall said. “I wish I could say it’s the curse’s fault, but I don’t believe in curses.”
Opponents see what players can do during their freshman seasons, and adjust accordingly during the player’s sophomore year. This places responsibility to improve squarely on the player, sophomore Gabrielle Richards said.
“I think there is a lot more attention on you from other teams so that makes it obviously a lot harder to get open looks and open scores,” she said.
Forristall has been quick to support teammates when she’s not playing.
“I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the spectrum – play the minutes and work my butt off and come off and sit down,” she said. “It’s really nice to always have a teammate always there to encourage you.”
Right now, whether her recent play is foreshadowing of things to come next season, Forristall accepts her current place.
“I want to embrace my role wherever,” she said. “If I’m getting minutes, I want to play hard, and if I’m on the bench, I want to cheer them on.”

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