| | Associated Press
BOULDER, Colo. -- A French point guard has earned the last
scholarship offered by the University of Colorado women's
basketball team.
Caroline Koechlin, 20, who spent last year playing for Aix en
Province in a French women's league, signed a national letter of
intent with the Buffaloes Tuesday.
She enters the CU program with two years of eligibility but will
likely stay one year.
CU coaches learned about Koechlin from Colorado player Virginie
Delepine. Both were members of the French junior national team.
"When Virginie left France to come to Colorado she told the
Buffs' coaches she knew a point guard who wanted to play in the
United States," Koechlin said. "I came for a visit last November
and had a chance to watch the team play and really liked what I
saw."
But Koechlin's future was in doubt when the Buffaloes got a
verbal commitment from California prep point guard Syretta Stafford
in February. Junior-to-be Mandy Nightingale was already entrenched
at the starting point guard spot.
Koechlin re-entered the picture in March when Stafford tore the
anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee, placing Stafford's
status for the upcoming season into question.
"It's always been a dream of mine to play in the United
States," Koechlin said. "I could have played for money in France
but I never did because I wanted to play over there so bad."
Now the Buffaloes may have three options at point guard. CU
assistant coach Jen Warden said Stafford's rehabilitation is going
better than expected and Stafford should be able to begin running
in August.
"At this point there hasn't been any talk of redshirting
Syretta," Warden said. "It looks like she'll be ready, so we'll
use her."
Colorado is still awaiting word from the NCAA on whether
Michelle Hasheider will be granted a sixth year of eligibility. The
5-7 guard from Okawville, Ill., started her career with the team in
1995 but sat out the last two seasons because of leg and shoulder
injuries.
A ruling is expected later in the summer.
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