Freije Reflects on USA Team Experience in Brazil
8/1/2018 12:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Fallyn Freije returned to Bozeman Monday from her trip competing with the USA Team at the inaugural FISU America Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It ended a whirlwind summer for the Montana State women’s basketball newcomer
BOZEMAN, Mont. – While another semester awaits in a couple of weeks on the Montana State University campus, one Bobcat will be experiencing a slower pace when classes begin.
Fallyn Freije returned to Bozeman Monday from her trip competing with the USA Team at the inaugural FISU America Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It ended a whirlwind summer for the Montana State women's basketball newcomer.
The USA Team, made up of student-athletes that were part of the Athletes in Action organization, went undefeated against teams from the countries of Mexico, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil. With all 10 players coming from Division I programs and several from Power Five universities, the competition took a back seat to the overall experience of playing basketball and communicating personal belief systems for the Edmore, N.D., native.
"Basketball wise it was awesome," Freije said. "We didn't practice the first two days because it was so hectic, but we were pretty good as a team. It was pretty fun and after games we had a good atmosphere. Just the whole culture of it, the bus trips and talking to all of the people was a great experience."
While the team was loaded with Division I talent and had an eye on developing on the court, most of the emphasis was off of it for the members of the United States squad.
"The first two days we didn't play while there we did Samaritan's Feet," Freije said. "We washed their feet at an Elementary school and gave them new rugby shoes which was cool, they loved that.
"Mainly (communicating) with the athletes from the countries on the trip was our focus. It was interesting to hear their stories and how they got to be athletes. Their journey they go on is so different than what we have here."
The USA Team played on back-to-back days July 24-25, then participated in two more contests July 27-28.
The team spent most of its time in Sao Paulo but also made a trip to Rio de Janeiro which Freije said was a highlight of the trip. Freije had previously made a mission trip to Guatemala with the University of North Dakota's Fellowship of Chrisitan Athletes in May, but this experience provided a new opportunity. The trip in May, Freije explained, had more to do with outreach and being more hands on with the needy. Her most recent journey with the USA Team however provided a competitive component she enjoyed, as well as an opportunity to share values with those that participated.
"I think my heart goes out to people that don't have as much," Freije. "I've always had compassion for them and wanted to help people. I think that gave way to (wanting to go) into the medical field to give back to people who don't have what we do.
"I love seeing how different everything is. Both these trips were impactful in different ways."
Throughout the trip, the USA Team and members of the other countries' teams would get together and converse about their faith. Translators would be there to help communicate, but plenty of athletes in other countries spoke English as well Freije said. The opportunity to be part of the team was one that helped Freije feel appreciative to be where she's at today.
"The mission trip and (this trip) taught me there's so much to be thankful for," Freije said. "Just the way (these trips) shape you as a person and the things they teach you. It makes you reflect on your own life. I'm very grateful."
Life will begin to slow down now for Freije.
Her summer has included her journey with the UND FCA to Guatemala, moving to Bozeman and helping out with basketball camps, then practicing and traveling with the USA Team that competed in Brazil. Now she has a chance to take in Bozeman for an extended period of time. Freije will sit out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules before she suits up for her senior season for the Bobcats.
She'll take that time enjoying the new scenery and being part of the Bobcat women's basketball program.
"Every day I wake up I see mountains and it's like 'I'm really here?'" Freije said. "Getting to know the girls is awesome and being able to stay here for awhile and to call it home is really special. I just love the atmosphere from coaches to teammates, and to bring it back to how grateful I am to be with them. It's my year off, so I want to help the underclassmen get through that stage, which is going to be exciting for me."
Fallyn Freije returned to Bozeman Monday from her trip competing with the USA Team at the inaugural FISU America Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It ended a whirlwind summer for the Montana State women's basketball newcomer.
The USA Team, made up of student-athletes that were part of the Athletes in Action organization, went undefeated against teams from the countries of Mexico, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil. With all 10 players coming from Division I programs and several from Power Five universities, the competition took a back seat to the overall experience of playing basketball and communicating personal belief systems for the Edmore, N.D., native.
"Basketball wise it was awesome," Freije said. "We didn't practice the first two days because it was so hectic, but we were pretty good as a team. It was pretty fun and after games we had a good atmosphere. Just the whole culture of it, the bus trips and talking to all of the people was a great experience."
While the team was loaded with Division I talent and had an eye on developing on the court, most of the emphasis was off of it for the members of the United States squad.
"The first two days we didn't play while there we did Samaritan's Feet," Freije said. "We washed their feet at an Elementary school and gave them new rugby shoes which was cool, they loved that.
"Mainly (communicating) with the athletes from the countries on the trip was our focus. It was interesting to hear their stories and how they got to be athletes. Their journey they go on is so different than what we have here."
The USA Team played on back-to-back days July 24-25, then participated in two more contests July 27-28.
The team spent most of its time in Sao Paulo but also made a trip to Rio de Janeiro which Freije said was a highlight of the trip. Freije had previously made a mission trip to Guatemala with the University of North Dakota's Fellowship of Chrisitan Athletes in May, but this experience provided a new opportunity. The trip in May, Freije explained, had more to do with outreach and being more hands on with the needy. Her most recent journey with the USA Team however provided a competitive component she enjoyed, as well as an opportunity to share values with those that participated.
"I think my heart goes out to people that don't have as much," Freije. "I've always had compassion for them and wanted to help people. I think that gave way to (wanting to go) into the medical field to give back to people who don't have what we do.
"I love seeing how different everything is. Both these trips were impactful in different ways."
Throughout the trip, the USA Team and members of the other countries' teams would get together and converse about their faith. Translators would be there to help communicate, but plenty of athletes in other countries spoke English as well Freije said. The opportunity to be part of the team was one that helped Freije feel appreciative to be where she's at today.
"The mission trip and (this trip) taught me there's so much to be thankful for," Freije said. "Just the way (these trips) shape you as a person and the things they teach you. It makes you reflect on your own life. I'm very grateful."
Life will begin to slow down now for Freije.
Her summer has included her journey with the UND FCA to Guatemala, moving to Bozeman and helping out with basketball camps, then practicing and traveling with the USA Team that competed in Brazil. Now she has a chance to take in Bozeman for an extended period of time. Freije will sit out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules before she suits up for her senior season for the Bobcats.
She'll take that time enjoying the new scenery and being part of the Bobcat women's basketball program.
"Every day I wake up I see mountains and it's like 'I'm really here?'" Freije said. "Getting to know the girls is awesome and being able to stay here for awhile and to call it home is really special. I just love the atmosphere from coaches to teammates, and to bring it back to how grateful I am to be with them. It's my year off, so I want to help the underclassmen get through that stage, which is going to be exciting for me."
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