Apex moment, Wadd scores 1,000th point

Waseca High School girls' basketball senior Kloe Wadd scored her 1,000th career point Thursday evening Feb. 16 in a home victory over Belle Plaine 51-35. Wadd’s milestone point came on a free throw with 13:49 remaining in the second half. After the bucket, the game was paused as she celebrated with teammates and embraced coach Joan Conway. The accomplishment makes her the seventh Bluejay to attain the feat. She joins Madison Gehloff, Gus Boyer, Lexie Ulfers, Mikayla Rolling, Tressa Beckel, and Amy Buschow.

“I feel like I’ve basically watched her grow up,” Coach Conway said. “Kloe has been on varsity for the past five years and each year she has improved. It's been fun watching the progression. I’m proud to have coached her.”

Wadd, a 6-foot-2 center, said the basket was special; a little awkward, but a remarkable moment. 

“I’ve played with some amazing players and I'm realizing that my hard work paid off; having my closest friends there with me was really special," said Wadd.

Asked how she felt about the moment, her senior year, her favorite basketball memories and who has impacted her basketball career the most, she responded, “It felt really great. We’re getting into that mindset of working hard, but realizing it’s senior year… It’s kind of bittersweet knowing that it might never happen again. 

“We’ve accomplished a lot. I was on a great team my eighth- and ninth-grade years. We went up to state and I got to play on the Barn floor, which doesn’t happen for every player: It was super cool. I played with great, amazing players for the last three years and I’ve just made so many memories.”

Wadd said she credits her parents and Coach Conway for having a special impact on her career. 

“My parents have given up a lot to be there for me and take me everywhere,” Wadd said. “I want to thank my coaches, too. Conway’s been there since I was little. And then my AAU family, MN Nice, they helped me get to the point I am. They all did.”

Wadd is the daughter of Trent and Kari Wadd. Besides basketball, she played volleyball, ran in track, and is an active member of FFA. She is also a 4-H County Ambassador, a member of the Minnesota Honor Society, the Exchange Club, the Minnwest Junior Board, select choir, State Street, and the CTE Advisory committee. She serves as a WBA Youth coach and is a member of the Waseca Lutheran Church. 

Wadd’s plans following high school are to attend the University of Minnesota Crookston where she plans to major in Agriculture Business and Communications with a special interest in animal science. She intends to continue intramural sports, plans to continue coaching youth in her future, but remains unsure whether she will play any sports at the college level.