Eager enough to go through the hoops

HOME AND AWAY/ CLAIRE ROCKALL: John O'Sullivantalks to a talented young Galway woman who has opted to further her basketball career at Iowa State University

IT'S 7.30AM and Claire Rockall has just returned from a weights session in the gym at Iowa State University. The previous night the Oranmore native had enjoyed eight minutes of game time as the Cyclones beat Northern Iowa 79-54 to maintain their unbeaten start, a second successive victory in the Division One grade of American women's collegiate basketball.

The 18-year-old is a freshwoman at the American mid-west university, her presence capping a remarkable year for the Galway woman. She led her school Calasanctius, Oranmore, to an under-19 league and cup double, winning the MVP in both finals against Presentation Thurles and scoring 39 of her school's 78-point tally in the cup decider.

She was also a pivotal figure in driving her local club, Maree, to the Irish under-18 club championship title, beating Glanmire, and not alone claimed another MVP title for that match but was honoured as the under-20 Irish Player of the Year at the National Basketball Awards.

Then there is her international career, or more appositely careers, as she represented her country in athletics. She was good enough to win a Schools International Quadrangular Pentathlon (hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot putt and 800 metres).

In basketball terms though, her potential is best illustrated in playing two years for both the Ireland under-16 and under-18 teams and next summer she will head to the European Championships for the fifth time; on this occasion with the national under-20 team.

Her former coach at Calasanctius Joe Shields stressed: "She's a phenomenal player, not just in individual terms but her ability as a team player. She's not selfish and that's reflected in the number of assists she amasses in games."

Rockall was offered a full scholarship with a second division New York university but, having travelled to watch them play, decided that the Super League in Ireland would be of a commensurate standard. Iowa State University then made contact last Christmas.

Veteran Cyclones coach Bill Fennelly explained the background to the invitation. "I did not go over there and see her in person.

"Basically, we heard of her by word of mouth, from coaches I knew and other people who had heard about her. Claire is a very good athlete; she runs hard and she has adjusted really, really well so far. She's certainly someone that we're really excited to have with this programme."

She moved to America in August for pre-season training and quickly acclimatised to the new regime. Rockall confirmed: "I had to get out of bed about 5am for sessions that began at 5.30am and would last about two hours.

"Three or four mornings a week they would begin with weights but there was also track work and then endurance, which involved running miles."

Since the season started a couple of weeks ago, the conditioning week has been tapered to suit players who must not alone train but also play two games a week. Proving her capability in a couple of exhibition matches, she has progressed to floor time against UKMC and Northern Iowa.

Next week the Cyclones travel to play a tournament in Hawaii.

One of five freshwomen in the squad, she has formed a friendship with Iowa's other international recruit, Canberra's Alison Lacey. Rockall explained: "Aus approached me when I first got here, knowing we're both international players. She talked to me about her experiences here when she first came, which has helped me a lot so far."

The Galway teenager also possesses a laptop and a webcam which allows her to keep regular contact with her family and friends. So how has she adapted on court?

"The game is a lot faster and the tempo never drops. You have to know what to do instinctively as you don't have the time to think about what you are doing.

"The standard is definitely a lot higher as this is one of the best leagues in the American system. My priority is just to fit in as regards the team and try and get as much game time as possible."

She must also contend with study - she is hoping to major in Kinesiology, or more specially obtain a degree in Physical Education and Biology - which takes a sizeable chunk of her daily routine.

Training early in the morning, she attends classes from 10am to 1pm and then heads for a three-hour basketball practice in the afternoon. "At night-time you have to do some study to rack up the credits."

If things pan out ideally she'll spend four years at Iowa and while she dreams of a professional career, she's a level-headed young woman, mature enough not to gaze too far forward.

She's already covered quite a distance from the eight-year-old girl who walked into the Maree basketball club in Oranmore.