Marie Gulich Prepares for Senior Day

Sunday night Marie Gülich will be honored as the sole senior of the 2017-2018 season for the Beavers. Marie came to Oregon State as a freshman from Cologne Gernmany and after a lot of hard work would go on to be a major contributor for the Beavers in every season.

"Freshman year was definitely one of the longest years I've ever had here, it was tough," said Gulich. "Being so far away from home and having the language barrier not being able to understand my teammates all the time. On top of that being in the gym I mean the first month I couldn't even get a shot up against Ruth (Hamblin)."

Playing against Hamblin, who would go on to be the Pac-12 leader in career blocked shots, every day in practice meant Marie would be challenged to compete every step along the way.

"When she first got here it was really clear Marie had a lot of offensive ability. And it was also very evident that she did not understand defense at our level," said head coach Scott Rueck. "I think it kind of caused her to doubt herself. She's thinking 'I thought I was really good' which she is, but it was the first time it got tested and she was going to have to work through it. As the year went on, we just saw her get better and better. She became a really pivotal part of the team. That progression continued through the years here, it's been a progression of her understanding the physicality, learning to love defense, and especially this year being comfortable in a really defined role. "

As far as senior day goes, Marie is focused on the same thing she has focused on before every one of the 131 games in a Beaver uniform that came before it.

"I don't want to just win for myself, or just win because its senior day," said Gülich. "I want to win for the team. We've been working so hard and improving so much throughout the season."

As the sole senior on the team after graduating four leaders last year, Marie had to step into a bigger role on the team, filling a new leadership roll.

"It was difficult at times. At first, I tried to be Gabby (Hanson), Kolbie (Orum), Syd (Wiese), and Bre (Brown) all at the same time, because they all brought such different mentality and character to the team," said Gulich. "Now I've figured out that I just have to be myself and lead within my own character. I looked back at all of them and realized that that is what they were doing the whole time, just leading the way they knew how. That is the biggest lesson I have learned this year by far."

"Leadership is at its best when it's authentic, like it is with her," said Rueck. "When we're outside the room at halftime talking and coaching you can hear her voice. She's challenging her teammates and setting the bar high and helping them understand what it takes. We lost a couple early games an there were tears in her eyes. She's a true competitor and she expects to win everything and every night, and if we don't meet that she wasn't afraid to show her emotions. I think that was hugely impactful for this group."

Gulich has credited the groundwork to her evolution as a leader to the teammates that filled the role as she was coming up at Oregon State.

"I think I just had really good examples. First Jamie (Weisner) and Ruth (Hamblin) and then Gabby, Kolbie, Syd, Bre," said Gulich. "Obviously on the court they were all great, but off the court they were the most inspiring people here for me and became my best friends. I played for them most of the time, because I saw how hard they worked, and I wanted them to win. I developed just a big teammate mentality here, that bigger than us mentality."

On the court Marie has evolved into being one of the best centers in the nation, averaging 16.3 points per game as well as 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks. She is shooting a blistering 63.3 percent from the field and has been named to the Naismith Award and Lisa Leslie Award watch lists.

"She understands what it takes. She wants to be great," said Rueck. "She's in that same mold that we've seen in Ruth and Jaime and Sydney where they identify as basketball players and they have big goals. When those things are in place your work ethic is going to be great. You're going to take care of yourself and it's going to allow you to achieve at the highest level. If she makes a mistake it's not because she didn't try or she's unfocused. It's only because she doesn't know yet."

As she gets ready to suit up for her final regular season game in Gill Coliseum, the crowd in the stands is always the only constant of playing at home.

"It's hard to put it all into words," Gulich said. "I'm just so thankful for the opportunity. So thankful for Beaver Nation – there's nothing out there like this. The fans are out there for us day in and day out and I appreciate that so much. This program and those around it have touched my heart and I'll never thank them enough for that."

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