JWCC Prairie State Profile: Unity’s Arnsman sets sights on carrying success from Unity to QU

MENDON, Ill. — Ashlynn Arnsman sees her future with a clear view.

For those whose sights are a little more murky, she has a plan to help them, too.

The Unity multi-sport standout who recently signed a national letter of intent with the Quincy University women’s basketball team plans to study biology and use her bachelor’s degree to propel her to optometry school, where she’ll become an eye doctor.

Before any of that takes place, the 6-foot forward wants to lead the Mustangs to a banner winter season and push them a step of two further than last season when Unity fell in the Class 1A sectional championship to eventual state champion Brimfield.

“I’m pushing this season to make a state run, make a far postseason run,” Arnsman said. “It makes me happy to go out there and give it my all.”

The Mustangs are certainly capable of doing big things. Ranked third in the initial Associated Press Class 1A state poll, Unity is off to an 8-1 start with the lone loss coming last Saturday to Quincy Notre Dame, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2A and the defending state champion.

Arnsman discussed her game, her goals and her love for the Adams County Fair with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for this week’s Prairie State Profile, brought to you by John Wood Community College.

Q: Is basketball your favorite sport?

A: Basketball has always been my favorite sport. Ever since I started playing, I just fell in love with the game. As a little girl, running up and down a basketball court was my favorite thing to do. The idea of that has carried with me all the way to my senior year.

Q: Is it still fun?

A: Oh, definitely. All the memories you make with your teammates at practice. Winning basketball games. Hanging out in the locker room. It’s all fun.

Q: What drives you to get better at it?

A: I was always pushing to be the best player out there on the court that I can be. I always wanted to get a scholarship. I wanted to play basketball in college. That’s really pushed me. Now that I do have that scholarship, I’m pushing this season to make a state run, make a far postseason run. It makes me happy to go out there and give it my all. If I know after a game there’s something I could have done better, I’m disappointed in myself. So going up there and trying my hardest, that’s something I take pride in.

Q: When the recruiting process started, what was it like for you?

A: It was exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time. (QU coach Kaci Bailey) was the first coach to ever reach out to me and give me an offer. That was super cool. Since she was my first offer, she kind of helped me through the recruiting process. I learned from teammates and friends who are already in college. I took notes on what they did and kind of did it my own way. It is a stressful time, but to make that decision was a weight lifted off my shoulders.

Q: How varied was the interest is during the recruiting process?

A: I was getting interest from schools I never thought would be interested or schools I wasn’t really familiar with, schools from different states and different areas. I didn’t know how they knew who I was. It was definitely cool, and it’s something I will never forget.

Q: What made Quincy University the right place for you?

A: They were my first offer, so they really stayed in contact with me. They offered me at the start of my sophomore year. So for a whole two years, they were always reaching out, asking me how I was doing, checking up on my other sporting events also. I really built a relationship with Coach Bailey. I think she’s a really good coach and is putting together a really good program, so I’m really excited to go play for her.

Q: To have the recruiting process finished, does that allow you some freedom to just play?

A: Last year, during the season, I was focused on all these coaches coming to watch me and the fact they want to see me play good. Now I’m only focused on winning and making a deep postseason run. Last year, I was still focused and dedicated to winning basketball games, but I was also focused on the coaches in the stands. All of my focus is on our team. So having it done is a stress reliever. It’s a good feeling.

Q: With the talent you have to go with the depth and experience you have, there’s the chance for this to be a really special season for Unity, isn’t there?

A: We lost two starters from last year’s team, but the two starters who have stepped in there got a lot of playing time last year and already have a lot of varsity experience. We have a good freshman coming off the bench for us. We’re a lot deeper than people may think. We have people who aren’t in our starting lineup, but they do so many good things on the court.

Q: What makes this group fun to be a part of?

A: We all just click really well. We’re all really close. We’re all really good friends. We hang out together outside of school and sports. We have a great relationship with (Unity coach Brad Begeman). We crack jokes with him and he cracks jokes with us. It’s a fun atmosphere we bring into the gym with us.

Q: Does the success in other sports help in basketball?

A: With volleyball being the season right before basketball, it’s a motivator. You want to get farther than you did in that last sport. Basketball is my favorite sport, so I’m going to push to go farther. As a team, we were all disappointed that our volleyball season ended kind of short, so now we’re all going to want to push to make it further in basketball.

Q: What do you do for fun when you’re not playing sports?

A: My family and I go camping a lot. I show pigs during the summer at the Adams County Fair. Myself and one of my teammates (Sophia Shaffer) both show pigs. Then I just hang out with my friends, do stuff with my grandparents, stuff like that. Most of the time I’m on a court or a field somewhere.

Q: What do you enjoy about showing pigs?

A: I’ve done that since sixth or seventh grade. I just love working with them. Going to the fair and getting that ribbon or that trophy makes you feel so accomplished. You worked all summer for that, and then it all pays off at the end of the summer.

Q: Having grown up in the county, how much do you enjoy the Adams County Fair?

A: It’s one of my favorite times of the year. We actually pull our camper up there, so my experience is different than a lot of other people’s experience at the fair. I’m there 24-7. I’ll wake up at 5 in the morning and go work at the church stand my family works at where they serve breakfast. Then I’ll go work with my pigs. Then I’ll go back to the camper. Then I’ll go back out later when all my friends get there. It’s like a vacation for me. I don’t go home for the whole week of the fair.

Q: What has made growing up in this area meaningful to you?

A: The sense of community you get is unmatched. Everyone knows who you are, and you know everyone. I’m friends with almost everyone in my class. I know almost everyone in the stands at our games. That’s just fun. It’s like one big happy family.