Edina forward is colored by basketball experience

When she was 8 years old, KatyBeth Biewen entered a turkey-coloring contest for kids put on yearly by the Star Tribune.

Biewen colored her turkey and sent it in, never thinking that her drawing would be one of the chosen few to be honored as a winner.

Biewen's multi-hued masterpiece took first place in the category for her age group.

"I was totally surprised," said Biewen, senior forward on the Edina girls' basketball team. "I don't consider myself a creative person. I never thought I would win."

That is Biewen in a nutshell: humble and understated yet naturally talented.

She is beginning her fourth year as a varsity player for Edina. Staff writer Jim Paulsen spoke to her about her career and other diverse talents.

Q It's your senior year. Does it seem like it's gone by pretty fast?

A I cannot believe it. It's gone by so fast, it's crazy.

Q How are you approaching this year?

A I'm trying to take everything in. This is my last year; I want to be able to remember everything.

Q What are some of your best high school memories?

A When I was a sophomore, we beat Hopkins by 26 points. That was the first time we beat them in eight years. Last year we beat Eden Prairie when they were ranked number one in the state. Those are big memories for me.

Q What do you love about being a high school athlete?

A I play sports for the competition, because I'm a really competitive person. And I love basketball and I love the relationships you form. I'll be friends with people on my team forever.

Q What is your favorite part of a basketball game?

A The cheers that come from the crowd when someone does something good. When the bench goes crazy and the fans get loud, it's so motivating.

Q Do you still get nervous before a game?

A Yes I do. But in a good way. I use my nerves and channel it into energy.

Q You played on the Edina tennis team until this year. Why did you leave?

A Well, last year I wasn't part of the lineup. And this year, I didn't spend any time improving in the offseason. I knew I'd be in the same position. I needed to spend that time getting ready for basketball and on schoolwork.

Q Last year in track, you won the triple jump in the section meet even though you hadn't won it before. How did that happen?

A I was doing long jump and high jump and they just kind of threw me in there when there were problems with the other two jumpers.

Q Were you surprised at your instant success?

A Extremely surprised. When they were reading off the scores, I was like "Now, how did that happen?"

Q Did it make you wish you had focused on the triple jump all season?

A Yeah. Especially after I was successful at the section meet but I wasn't very successful at [the state meet]. I wished I had more time to practice. I'm excited for this year.