Success won't lead to rest for McHenry
Lady Blues coach always looking to bolster next year's roster
Good teams come and go. Good programs endure for years.
Ron McHenry has built a program in six years as coach of the Washburn Lady Blues.
After 11 years as an assistant to Washburn men's coach Bob Chipman, McHenry took over the women's team and has put together records of 13-14, 23-7, 30-4, 26-5, 35-2 and 32-1.
The run includes five straight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and the 2005 national championship.
"It's hard for me, being part of it, to put into words what he's done," said Dani McHenry, who completed her four-year career playing for her father. "He was kind of skeptical about taking a head coaching job with girls, but I knew he could do it.
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Ann Williamson/The Capital-Journal
Ron McHenry has compiled a 159-33 record in six seasons as head coach of the Lady Blues, including a 67-3 mark -- highlighted by the 2005 national championship -- over the past two seasons.
"He coached us when we were little so he had some experience, so he knows what it takes. I think that helped the transition from coaching boys to girls. He loves basketball and he's proven what a great coach he is."
Two days after the season-ending loss, Ron McHenry and assistant coach Dustin Odum were fully involved in recruiting.
"You want to enjoy this season and take care of your kids because you know they're hurting," McHenry said, "but we have to get on the road and recruit. If you don't do a good job now, it's hard to make up ground next season if you don't have the players."
The WU coaches have holes to fill, replacing All-American Jennifer Harris, point guard April Roadhouse and reserves McHenry and Bojana Samardziska. They leave quite a legacy.
"Even when the winning streak stops," Harris said during the season, "it will be something this program can be proud of. The records we've set for the newcomers coming in is a good thing. It will be motivation and let them know they are a part of history."
One player was signed during the early recruiting period: Hope Gregory, a 5-foot-10 forward from Cheney who was an All-Class 3A selection. McHenry and Odum are looking for impact players on the junior college scene, which has been integral blending with high school recruits.
"The new people coming in will understand what we've accomplished and they will try to match that," Brooke Ubelaker, a two-time All-MIAA forward who will be a senior next season, said after the MIAA Tournament. "We want to be in the same position next year that we've have the last two years."
Success breeds success, and it begins at the top.
"Coach Mac is the foundation of it all," Roadhouse said.
