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Taryn Rauk signs letter of intent to play basketball at Dordt University

Lead Summary
By
Brennen Rupp

Taryn Rauk has been around the game of basketball since she can remember. As the daughter of a coach, she fell in love with the thrill of competition at an early age.
“Basketball has been a huge part of my life ever since I was a little girl,” Rauk said. “My dad (Chad Rauk) coached basketball. I got to go to so many basketball games before I could even play.”
Rauk started playing organized basketball when she was in fourth grade. The senior at Hills-Beaver Creek has been on the varsity squad for H-BC since she was an eighth-grader.
“I like basketball because it’s a competitive sport and I love competing,” Rauk said. “The one thing that I absolutely love about basketball is that it’s a team sport. I love playing as part of a team. It’s so much fun.”
Rauk recently signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Dordt University. She said the opportunity to play basketball at the collegiate level is a dream come true.
 “It honestly means the world to me to play college basketball,” Rauk said.
“The game of basketball has been a huge part of my life for so many years, and the opportunity to get to play for four more years is amazing. I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”
Dordt University is a private Christian university in Sioux City, Iowa. Rauk said she felt an immediate connection to the campus and head coach Bill Harmsen.
“I chose Dordt University because the first day that I walked on campus there I felt like I was at home,” Rauk said.
“Everyone there is so kind and makes you feel like you fit in. Their basketball program is good. I really like Coach Harmsen. He is an awesome basketball coach but he also invests in helping you grow as a person and strengthen your faith. I had an instant connection when I met the coaching staff and the team.”
Dordt will give Rauk an opportunity to continue to play a sport that she loves for four more years, but it will also give her an opportunity to pursue something else she’s passionate about.
“I’m going to major in elementary education,” she said. “I have always had a passion for helping kids. Ever since I was a little girl, I always said I wanted to be a teacher. I can’t wait to see where this leads me in life.”
Rauk is a three-sport athlete for the Patriots. She’s been a member of the H-BC varsity squad for five years. She knows that she wouldn’t be getting this opportunity to play college basketball without the support that she’s received from the H-BC program.
“I will definitely miss playing basketball at Hills-Beaver Creek,” Rauk said.
“Our community has such strong supporters. It is so amazing. Our gyms are packed on game nights with so many people from around our community.”
She credits her coaches at all levels of play growing up for her current success.
“I would not be where I am today without the amazing coaches that have coached me through my years at Hills-Beaver Creek,” Rauk said. “I have had great teammates that have helped me develop as a player. I will miss my girls. Every single year I’ve had an amazing group of girls to play with, and I could not be more thankful for that.”

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