Auburn, ME – Head Women's Basketball Coach, Andrew Morong, announced today that Wells senior captain, Natalie Thurber, has committed to join the Lady Mustangs next year. Thurber was named to the Western Maine Conference 1st Team as a junior, and this year was named to the Portland Press Herald 10 Players to Watch list.
In addition to her numerous athletic achievements, Thurber has also been a 4-year member of student council, the President of the Interact Club, and has been incredibly involved in her community. She has participated in the Shootin' for a Cure event that has raised over $200,000 for the Living Wells with Cancer Funds at York Hospital, with their efforts being recognized by the Maine State Legislature.
Thurber on why she chose CM, "When I arrived on campus for my visit I really felt at home. All of the girls on the team were very welcoming and made me feel like I belonged. I wanted to stay in state to go to college so it would be easier for my family and friends to watch games and visit me. The Physical Fitness Specialist program was also a huge draw. Class sizes being small means I will get the most out of my education."
On playing at the next level, "I am really looking forward to being Lady Mustang! College basketball is going to be a huge challenge but I am ready and willing to work extremely hard. I think that my athleticism is going to help me be a big factor on both sides of the ball. I am known as a pesky defender who can turn people over, and that fits exactly what CM does on defense."
Wells Head Girls Basketball Coach, Don Abbott, on Thurber's commitment, "Natalie has worked extremely hard on every facet of her game. A naturally gifted scorer, her commitment to becoming a great ball handler, defender, rebounder and leader has made her a complete player. Nat is a team-first kid. There is nothing that she enjoys more than competing and laying it on the line with her teammates and friends. CM will be a great fit for her, and I could not be happier for her."
According to Coach Morong, "We are ecstatic that Natalie has decided to be a Lady Mustang. She is a tremendous athlete who should really excel in our up-tempo system. She has elite level speed, quickness, she can leap, and has great hands. If you sag off of her she will stick the outside shot, and if you play her tight she will blow by you. I am excited to see her create havoc in our press, and her natural athleticism and high basketball IQ should make her equally exciting in our transition offense. Even better than her basketball skillset, Natalie is a tremendous young woman who will be a leader off and on the court during her time here."
He continued, "She has had a great coach over her four years at Wells, Coach (Don) Abbott holds his players accountable and to very high standards. This should help make Natalie's transition to the college game relatively smooth. The Lady Warriors have always been scrappy with a blue collar approach to the game, which makes Natalie a perfect fit here at CM."
Thurber joins fellow Western Maine Conference 1st Team All-Star, Kristen Huntress of Lake Region High School, in CM's 2017 recruiting class.
