As high-scoring senior Gretchen  Owens reaches the apex of her Linfield experience, new horizons are beckoning.

Since transferring to Linfield to begin her sophomore year, Owens has been an inspiration to teammates on and off the court.

“Gretchen makes everybody around her better,” says fellow senior Brynna  Fuller. “She's always been a great leader and her confidence and competitiveness definitely rub off on the rest of us.”

Owens learned her competitive nature from one of her early role models.

“I've always looked up to my brother when playing sports,” says Owens. “He is a great athlete and had a lot of success in high school and he always works his butt off and never complains.”

Now with the final games of her career in sight, Owens will finish near the top of the Linfield’s women’s basketball record books. She’ll wrap up her career this weekend as both the No. 2 single-season and career scoring leader and ranks among the top 15 in a number of other important statistical categories.

“It’s fantastic what Gretchen has been able to achieve in just three years at Linfield,” says Wildcat head coach Potera-Haskins. “I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with her and watch one of the best offensive players in Linfield history.”

Her hard work and leadership helped propel her to success in basketball and other aspects in her life.

“I’ve had some great success here that I never expected,” say Owens in a rare moment of reflection. “It comes from always trying to push myself to be the best that I can be.”

Even outside of basketball, the native of Glendale, Ore., (population 862) believes in reaching her full potential and following her dreams. One of her dreams involves singing, which she began as a child.

“It's been a part of my life since I began to talk. I perform every year at the (Douglas County) fair, at the (Seven Feathers) casino down by my house, and other festivals and concerts in the park around the area where I live in Southern Oregon.”

Keeping her hopes high, Owens will give singing a chance as she graduates from Linfield.

“I am going to chase down my dreams of singing after I graduate,” says Owens. “I have recorded in Nashville and I am going back there soon to finish up my album.”

With Owens’ self confidence, it is easy to believe she will reach the stars.

“I am working with a very talented songwriter who has been in the business for a long time,” says Owens. “Great things are to come I believe. I can't wait to see what happens.”

-- Ian Rapport '13