136WINTER ATHLETICS Jump-Shot Journey Students move across the globe to pursue their basketball dreams. MOVE IT Sophomore Patricija Peric looks to make a pass at practice. Over the summer of 2021, Peric prepared to join the Lady Bison basketball team. Photo by: Julianne Baker IN FALL 2021, FRESHMAN Marija Runic from Bosnia and Herzegovina was the first international student to play on the Lady Bison basketball team since 2013. Head women’s basketball coach Tim Kirby recruited Runic when he found her through a video from her manager. “I was delighted by the offer and decided to try it,” Runic said. After a summer of paperwork and preparation, Runic arrived in the United States on Aug. 21, two days before the 2021-22 school year began. Sophomore Patricija Peric was another new addition to the team in 2021. Peric was from Croatia and visited campus in 2020 after hearing about Harding from her manager. While on campus, she tried out for the team in person in addition to video. She decided to become a Bison after enjoying her visit to campus. Kirby had no issue integrating Runic and Peric into the program since both were “really talented basketball players along with the rest of the team.” Since basketball was a universal sport, there weren’t many athletic boundaries between Runic, Peric or the current team members. Although cultural differences were present, the team was brought together by their shared love of the sport. Runic gave credit to her great teammates for making her transition easy. “The girls are amazing, each one of them,” Runic said. “It feels like I’ve already played a couple years with them because they accepted me just like that.” Peric also spoke highly of the Lady Bisons because they quickly felt like a second family and were her favorite part of her time at Harding. “I am happy to be a part of this beautiful experience and nice people,” Peric said. Entering the season, Runic and Peric were eager to learn more about the new culture they were immersed in as they played the sport that brought them to the United States. WRITTEN BY HANNAH HACKWORTH
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==