College of Saint Benedict

By Kayla Albers '20

Nikki Fokken, a senior basketball player and member of the track team, had a big week for the College of Saint Benedict athletic department. Her stellar performance in not one, but two sports, earned her CSB Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season.
 
In a win over Hamline on Wednesday, Fokken led the CSB basketball team in scoring with 14 points. She also had eight rebounds and two blocks to help the team win their 20^th game of the season. This was the team’s first 20-win season since 2012-13.
 
On Saturday, Fokken began the day at the CSB/SJU Invite with the track team before heading back to Claire Lynch to compete in the basketball game against Augsburg. At the track team’s home invite, Fokken took fourth in the high jump, and tied her career-best with a mark of 1.56 meters. This is the seventh-best mark in CSB history.
 
Later that day in basketball, Fokken scored 22 points, had seven rebounds and three blocked shots. The win against the Auggies was the 21^st of the season, and the most wins for CSB since 2009-10.
 
For the week, Fokken averaged 18 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in her basketball games. She shot just under 60 percent from the field and went 4-for-4 from the line. Fokken is currently 12^th in the MIAC in scoring per game (13.4 points) and rebounds per game (5.9). Fokken’s high jump is ninth-best in the MIAC this season.
 
Fokken and the basketball team have a huge week this week as they host Gustavus – which is currently just behind CSB in the conference standings – Wednesday, and travel to take on No. 10 St. Thomas Saturday afternoon to end the regular season. She will be back with the track and field team again for the MIAC Championships Saturday, Feb. 24.