Get to Know St. Edward’s University Women’s Basketball Player, Ainsley Thunell

Photo courtesy of St. Edward’s University Athletics.

Name: Ainsley Thunell

Hometown: McKean, Pennsylvania 

High School: Villa Maria Academy (now Cathedral Preparatory School)

Sport: Basketball

Position: Forward

High School Accolades: Five-time letter winner between basketball (3) and soccer (2), four-time District 10 champion in basketball, 2021 PIAA state runner-up, and played AAU for the Erie Irish

What Villa Maria Means to Her: “It meant a lot playing at Villa. I was so blessed to play for them and to be on one of the last teams. Playing for the Victors set me up for the next level, and I credit Coach Doug Chuzie, Coach Laird and Coach Nicolle for pushing me and helping me be the best player I can be. Villa also helped me to grow as a person. I met amazing people there and got to play a game I love. I’ll always feel so blessed I was able to go there.”

College: St Edward’s University. The private, Catholic university is located in Austin, Texas and is home to around 4,300 students. The Hilltoppers compete in NCAA Division II and are members of the Lone Star Conference.

Why She Chose St. Edward’s: “I knew I wanted to get out of Erie County and go down south and play at the Division II level. I was visiting some schools down south and St. Edwards heard of me from another coach. The next thing you know I’m on a visit with them. I immediately fell in love with the culture of the team, the coaches, and the girls on the team. I knew right when I met a few of the girls on the team and Coach J.J. (Riehl) it was going to be the right fit.”

Major and Minor: Marketing major with a minor in management. 

College Accolades: Thunell in her three-year college career has played in 71 career games, made 26 starts, has scored 210 points, grabbed 175 rebounds, recorded 51 steals, dished out 41 assists, and has shot 44.2 percent from the field, and helped the program reach the conference tournament in her sophomore season.

Favorite Basketball Memories: “I have met some of my best friends playing basketball these past few years, and that makes going to practice and playing so much more fun when you are doing it with your best friends. I have also been blessed with traveling to some really cool places for basketball during my career for games, and that has created a lot of memories with my teammates and coaches.”

Her Support System: “I would not be where I am right now if it wasn’t for my parents Chris and Ann. I’m so blessed to have them as my parents. They have been my rocks and are there whenever I need them. Even with being so far away from home, they know i’m in the right place and they support me endlessly.”