Editor's Note:  This is the most recent piece in a series of stories shared by Gorillas to Gorillas as we all embark upon this new "season" in our lives. These certainly are unprecedented times, for young and old alike. Our hope is for Gorilla student-athletes, past and present, coaches and members of Gorilla Nation to read these pieces, awaken their Gorilla memories and then compose their own story to share with us. There is strength in numbers.
 
Deciding to go to college at Pitt State was a rash decision.
 
Late into April of my senior year, I took a basketball recruiting visit to the home of the gorillas. With mere weeks from high school graduation, I said yep, I'm changing all plans, I'm going here. 

Riding on faith and intuition, I began my college career in a small town where I literally did not know a single person.
 
This small town of Pittsburg, Kansas holds most of my greatest memories and fills a big space in my heart.
 
It's where I had coaches like Lane Lord and Amanda Davied who were talented coaches and leaders. They built a culture of success; full of encouragement, work ethic, relationships and laughter. (#GTA). 
 
It's where I had older teammates like Bailey (Waugh) Kuhlman and Marrissa Poppe take me under their wing and show me the ropes. It's where I had teammates like Drew Roberts and Lizzy Jeronimus who were not only ballers, but loved to do college things at college places with me. 
 
It's where I made lifelong friendships:  five of seven of my bridesmaids were girlfriends that I met at Pitt State. It's where I fell in love with my husband, who also played athletics for Pitt State. 
 
It's where I convinced my brother (a year younger than me) to attend college, and became a four-year player for the Pitt State baseball team. 
 
It's where my husband began his college coaching career and had mentors like Tim Beck. It's where we had our first baby, and was spoiled with no less than 30 gorilla onesies. 
 
It's where I transformed, grew, struggled and thrived. It's where 1/3 of my life has been spent. On the court, on the sidelines of the football field, on the gorilla walk, tailgating in the parking lot… Pittsburg and Pitt State Athletics will always, always have my heart. 
 
It's where one rash decision became, single-handedly, the greatest decision of my life.
 
Alexa (Bordewick) Dreiling
 
Alexa Bordewick was a guard on the Pittsburg State University women's basketball team from 2011-14. The Topeka native scored 811 points and made 166 3-point field goals during her career. She helped the Gorillas make the program's first NCAA Elite Eight Appearance in 2012 and two NCAA National Tournaments. She is married to former football All-American & former PSU assistant football coach Nate Dreiling. The couple celebrated the birth of their daughter, Baylor, on February 6, 2020.
 
Please share your own personal stories/thoughts via email to dwilkes@pittstate.edu. We want to share them! (PSU Athletics reserves the right to edit content for space and appropriateness. We cannot promise to publish every submission, but we will do our best.) Thanks Gorilla Nation!
 
Through the Eyes of a Gorilla Archives
Vol. I - Dan Wilkes, Associate AD/Communications (Apr. 3)
Vol. II - Levi Wyrick, Football/Track & Field Athlete (Apr. 7)
Vol. III - Amanda Davied, Women's Basketball Coach (Apr. 10)
Vol. IV - Chris Hanna, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 13)
Vol. V - Jeff Moreland, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 15)
Vol. VI - Emily Hanenberg, Volleyball Athlete (Apr. 17)
Vol. VII - Ashley Balazs, Softball Coach (Apr. 20)
Vol. VIII - Peter Euler, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (Apr. 22)
Vol. IX - Caitlin Demarest, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (Apr. 24)
Vol. X - Tyson Cushman, Baseball Athlete (Apr. 27)
Vol. XI - Oscar Gonzalez, PSU Alum/Men's Basketball Athlete (Apr. 29)
Vol. XII - Russ Jewett, Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (May 1)
Vol. XIII - Ronald Moore, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 4)
Vol. XIV - Emily Regier, Volleyball Athlete (May 6)
Vol. XV - Wendi (Rickson) Horak, PSU Alum/Softball Athlete (May 8)
Vol. XVI - Josh Lattimer, PSU Alum/Football Coach (May 11)
Vol. XVII - Brad Buckley, PSU Alum/Baseball Coach (May 13)
Vol. XVIII - Piper Misse, Cross Country/Track & Field Athlete (May 15)