Rachel Strand of King's Commits to SPU Basketball
April 24, 2003

SEATTLE (Apr. 24) - Rachel Strand, a two-time all-state forward from Seattle's King's High School, has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for Seattle Pacific University next season.

Strand, a 6-foot-1 senior, averaged 16.4 points and over seven rebounds as the Lady Knights went 24-3 and finished third in the state 1A tournament. She was MVP of the Chinook League and, as both a junior and senior, was first team all-state and all-area. Last fall, Strand won the state cross country championship.

Strand is the first spring recruit signed by Seattle Pacific coach Gordy Presnell, who lost four seniors, including three starters, to graduation. Enumclaw's Beth Christensen, a point guard, signed last fall.

The Falcons, who were 29-1, won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and advanced to the NCAA Division II West Regional championship game. They have qualified for the NCAA tournament each of the last seven years.