Sophomore Brooke Kleinig, a standout women’s basketball player for Lake Region State College this season, has committed to St. Mary’s University. Her new school announced the news on Wednesday. SMU is an NCAA Division II program.
Kleinig was consistently one of the Royals’ best players this year. She was second on the team with 305 total points, behind only Tiyahna Trottier’s 307. Her 9.53 points per game put her marginally ahead of Kelsey Crossan’s 9.52, and barely behind Trottier’s 9.59. Her 4.3 rebounds per game were third on the team.
Kleinig was one of two lady Royals named to the Mon-Dak All-Conference Team, joining Trottier.
“So proud of you,” Kleinig’s mom, Tricia, wrote in a Facebook post. “Thank you to everyone at LRSC Athletics and the Lake Region State College for all your support. In particular to Ryan Clark and all coaching staff over the last 2 years. You are all part of our extended family and very important people in Brooke’s life. Looking forward to meeting everyone at St. Mary’s University.”
SMU is located in San Antonio, Texas. The Rattlers have been competing in the Lone Star Conference since 2020 after 19 years in the Heartland Conference. They had a run of five NCAA Division II tournament appearances from 2007-2014. They were led by head coach Jason Martens from 2006 up until the 2022-23 season, when Valerie Huizar took over.
Kleinig is the second member of this year’s team to commit to an NCAA university, joining Crossan, who previously signed with Gardner-Webb University. Kleinig and Crossan are two of five lady Royals who have committed to an NCAA program over the last two years (three to Division I and two to Division II).
Kleinig and Crossan were also two of the three Australians on this year’s team. Second-year head coach Ryan Clark is an Aussie as well.
“So happy for Brooke!” Clark added on Facebook. “Excited to follow this next chapter in her life. We will miss her here!”
The Royals finished third out of eight teams in the Mon-Dak Athletic Conference during the regular season and made it to the second round of the playoffs. They were 20-12 overall and 13-9 in conference games.
