A 1999 Tonganoxie High graduate, Mark started her collegiate career at St. Mary College in Leavenworth. But life in Leavenworth didn’t really jive with Mark. She stayed with a Catholic school, but headed for Benedictine in Atchison.

“It ended up not being a good fit at the college,” Mark said about SMC. “It was just a lot smaller.

“Benedictine fit me more spiritually. The community also did.”

Mark has started at center for the Ravens ever since.

Last season, she made 11 free throws against Mid-America Nazarene, tying her for second in Benedictine’s single-game record books. The last two years she shot just above 40 percent and has averaged 5.6 points per game the last two years. In 33 games last season, she averaged 6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds.

This season, Mark has seen more point production. After scoring four points against her former team in a season-opening overtime loss, Mark has scored in double figures four times.

After reaching the NAIA Division II Tournament three consecutive years, the Ravens have hovered around .500 the last three years. When coach Steve Huber left for San Diego State after the 1999-2000 season, Benedictine struggled for a year. But, Mark said, second-year coach Chad Folsom is bringing the program back up.

At the winter break, the Ravens are 5-7 overall and 1-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

The Ravens have taken on some tougher competition, though. Road games at NCAA Division II programs Northwest Missouri and Washburn resulted in losses, but like Emporia State and other Division II schools playing Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse, the visitors receive a sizable check.

Despite the losses, Mark said the money helps the athletics department. And, the crowds aren’t quite as hostile as those found in Lawrence.

“We’re not getting booed quite to the level Emporia State was,” Mark said, referring to the Hornets’ visit to KU earlier this season.

An academic all-American and team captain the last two years, Mark has found time to be the biggest change since her playing days in Tonganoxie. Practices usually run three hours, six times a week, Mark said.

A religious studies/youth ministries major, Mark will have an internship at Christ the King Catholic Church in Topeka this spring.

“It’s with junior high kids, so it will definitely be interesting,” Mark said.

The former Journal-World all-area selection has found ways to budget her time, and she credits high school coach John Lee with guiding her through the higher level of education. Lee, also Tonganoxie’s former athletics director, played collegiate baseball.

“He’s been awesome for giving me advice,” Mark said. “He knows what it’s like to go through a season.”

Now the freshman girls’ basketball coach at Park Hill, Mo., Lee invited Mark to work with his post players Saturday. His team watched Mark play in the fall and will likely bring them to a game in February.

By then, Mark thinks the Ravens will have their record turned around.

“Our record’s not as good as we are,” Mark said. Benedictine’s season resumes Monday against Baker in Atchison.