DILLON — As the Montana Western women's basketball searches for silver linings in a season cut short, one of the best the Bulldogs have found is that they can say, at least for another season, they are the reigning national champions.
But for lone senior Savanna Bignell it doesn’t take away from the shock factor this situation created.
“I heard talk about it, coach (Lindsay Woolley) had told us a little bit, but I just didn’t think it would happen," said Bignell, a senior guard. "And then he texted us and I was in straight shock.”
As we talk more and more about silver linings that can be found amidst the sudden change in lifestyle we’ve all had to embrace during the coronavirus pandemic, Bignell found out she was named an All-American honorable mention in late March.
“Honestly, I just smiled. I didn’t even know how to react," she said.
But in came the outpouring of support from her fellow teammates and Bulldog supporters.
“When I first received the news about receiving the All-American honorable mention, you should've seen the support just from teammates and other athletes and even community members," Bignell said. "The amount of support and love we have for one another is unmatched.”
Back home, Bignell now prepares for her next chapter in which she will begin student teaching and possibly coaching at her alma mater, Helena Capital High School. But as her time as a Bulldog wraps up she has one piece of advice for the next athlete to walk through the doors of Straugh Gymnasium.
“Come in to work as hard as you can," she said. "You’ll be a part of that family no matter what and if you put your nose to the grindstone and work hard ... you’ll get there.”
