Tysen Lindner breaks nearly 30-year old school rebounding record

By Cheyenne Thomas In 1995, Greenwood High School produced a solid girls basketball team that went all the way to the semifinals in the WIAA Division 2 playoffs. Led by the likes of Janalee Rondorf, Jenny Weyer and Jenni Mayenschein, the team had a very successful season, winning the Eastern Cloverbelt Conference that year with a 14-0 record and going on a 16-game winning streak before their first losses. That time marked a high point in Greenwood girls basketball history, as players of that time achieved school records in point-scoring, rebounds, assists and steals, many of which still stand at the top of Greenwood’s record books today.

One of those records was recently broken by Greenwood High School junior Tysen Lindner, who broke the school’s rebounding record in the first five minutes of gameplay in the team’s game at home against Elcho on Feb. 20. Before the game — which was the start of the Indians playoff run that ended Feb. 24 with a defeat at Pittsville in the WIAA Regional Finals — the rebounding record was held by Greenwood alumni Janalee (Rondorf) Knapmiller. She played basketball at Greenwood from 1991 to 1995 and held two school records in basketball at the end of her high school basketball career. By the time she graduated, she had 752 total rebounds and the top scoring record, making 1,097 points in her years of playing for the Indians.

“I am super excited for her,” Knapmiller said of Lindner right before she broke the nearly 30-year-old record. “With her future achievements to come, it’s good to celebrate these things that bring the community together.”

The Greenwood community was out in full force the night Lindner broke the rebounding record. As soon as the record was broken, the crowd erupted with cheers and waved congratulatory signs celebrating Lindner’s achievement. Following the game, Lindner was swarmed by family, friends and community members alike — something that surprised and touched her “I’m amazed,” she said. “I didn’t realize how much support I have. It’s a blessing to be able to celebrate this with my community.”

Since the Indians won against Elcho, the team’s season was extended, giving Lindner an opportunity to grow the record she now had. Greenwood played twice more before the season ended, first against Columbus on Feb. 23 and finally against Pittsville on Feb. 24. After that final game, Lindner’s record now stands at 801 rebounds, and she has one more year to go.

“I’m hoping that I can reach 1,000 rebounds,” said Lindner. “I’m on track to be able to do that, so that is the goal for next year.”

Her coach, Trevor Wuethrich, said Lindner’s achievement is an impressive one, especially considering that she broke the record as a junior rather than as a senior. It is an indicator of one of Lindner’s greatest abilities, her determination under the net, he said.

“As a junior, I’m pretty impressed with that,” he said. “Rebounding is about effort, and she has put in that effort every day for the past three years and now has 760-plus rebounds. You can’t teach that. It’s just a trait that someone has, and she has it. She brings that attitude every day and she comes in with that work ethic.”

Members of the Greenwood community stand and cheer after the play when Tysen Lindner broke the school rebounding record.

Above, Tysen Lindner (left) stands with Janalee (Rondorf) Knapmiller at the Feb. 20 playoff game where Lindner broke the school rebounding record. Knapmiller had held the record since 1995 when she had made 752 rebounds. At the end of her junior season, Lindner now stands at 801 rebounds. Below left, Lindner snags a rebound on her way to securing the school record. Below right, schoolmates hold up signs showing the current number of rebounds Lindner had completed.

CHEYENNE THOMAS/STAFF PHOTOS

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