Tera Bjorklund Chat Transcript Up!

Dec. 19, 2002

BOULDER - Junior center Tera Bjorklund appeared on ESPN.com's Timeout Chat Show Wednesday as the Buffs are in the midst of a nine-day final exams break. After defeating in-state rival Colorado State 65-51 Dec. 12, they won't play again until Dec. 21 when Southern Cal visits Boulder.

After two seasons of splitting time with sensational center Britt Hartshorn, Bjorklund has found herself in the spot light. Leading the Buffs with averages of 18.8 points, 3.6 assits and 2.0 blocks per game, the St. Peter, Minn., native also leads the team with an impressive .602 field goal percentage and also has high marks in rebounds per game (7.0), free throw percentage (.864) and also averages over 30.0 minutes per game, as well.

Below is the transcript from Bjorklund's chat:

Tera Bjorklund: I am here and ready for your questions!!

Adam (Boulder): You went from sharing time with Britt Hartshorn last year to now playing almost the entire game. How has the adjustment been both physcially and mentally?

Tera Bjorklund: I think so far it has been alright. It was hard at first. The last few years I split time and this year I knew I would be playing more minutes. It has helped me mentally and physically getting to play more.

Katie (Boulder): Tera - Has Syreeta Stafford given you any tips on playing against her former high school teammate, USC center Ebony Hoffman?

Tera Bjorklund: Actually she hasn't. We haven't been talking about the game a lot yet. But I'm sure she knows a lot about her and will have some good insight.

Jillian, New York: Is there a team that's not on your nonconference schedule that you wished the Buffs could play?

Tera Bjorklund: There are a lot! Teams like UConn or Tennessee would be fun to have on your non conference schedule.

Darley Dudes, Will-Vill, Boulder: We were wondering if you thought of a career in Modeling after school!? ;-) Go Buffs!

Tera Bjorklund: No, I have not.

Kathleen, Boulder: Going from a part time player last season, to being the cynosure of the triangle offense this season, and subsequently, the focus of opposing defenses, how have you prepared yourself differently coming into this season as opposed to previous years?

Tera Bjorklund: I don't think I prepare any differently. It's just a different mindset. If they are basing their defense around me, I do have to adapt to it a little bit to be ready for it.

Keith (Denver): Tera, how big of a factor do you think the altitude is in Boulder for players coming to play from sea level?

Tera Bjorklund: I have noticed a few teams do get more tired. But most teams at this point in the season are really in shape so it's not as much of an issue. It can also be a mental thing where teams just think they will get tired faster.

Jenny (St. Peter): Hi Tera this is your sis how are you

Tera Bjorklund: I'm good. Thanks.

Stephanie (Seattle): The Big 12 just gets better every year. Who's the toughest center you've faced in conference play?

Tera Bjorklund: I think in conference play, I like playing against Nicole Ohlde. She has been doing great this year and presents a big challenge. She is one of the better centers in the Big 12 and one I look forward to playing against.

Joy: OK. What's your dream Christmas present ... and what's your big New Year's resolution?

Tera Bjorklund: My dream Christmas present ... a keyboard! I woud like a keyboard. I haven't thought about my New Year's resolution yet.

Kyle(Lubbock): What do you think it will take to beat a very deep and talented Texas Tech team? It seems like when one player has an off game, another player steps up. Good luck!

Tera Bjorklund: I think we all have to step up. So far, our defense has been playing well and that will help us. Our offense, everyone has been contributing and that is what you need to beat a team like that.

David, Colorado Springs: How have you gotten better since last season?

Tera Bjorklund: This summer I worked a lot on going over the shoulder and using my right hand so that has impoved the most.

WestCoastHusky: Congrats on the win over Colorado State. What's it like to play for such a great coach, Ceal Barry?

Tera Bjorklund: She is a really demanding coach. It's fun though. She expects a lot out of us but has a really traditional style. Everyone enjoys her. She really understands the game.

Matt (Woodbury): Tara: Noticed that you are from Minnesota. Seems that alot of solid players are out of the state of Minnesota (Tia Battle at Vandy, Whalen at Minnesota, Kieger and Alsdurf at Marquette, Calhoun at Iowa)- talk about the in-state competition you faced while in high school and in summer ball. Continued success.

Tera Bjorklund: I came from a smaller school. The competition in my conf. wasn't that great. But in summer ball there were so many great players. That just goes to show how good our class was. It helped us to develop by playing against each other. The competition was great.

Jenny (St. Peter): What do you think your chances are for the NCAA tournament?

Tera Bjorklund: I think our chances are really good. We are in decent shape but we have to keep getting better and moving forward. If we do that, we have a good chance to make it to the tournament.

Jane (Lakewood): Tera, congrats on a solid effort so far this year to you and the rest of the Buffs. What would you say has been the biggest challenge for you now that you are the full-time starter?

Tera Bjorklund: I think just staying in the game mentally. That is hard and takes a lot of mental toughness. You get pushed around a lot and it's a long 40 minutes. That has been a big challenge.

Patti (Minneapolis): What are your plans after graduation?

Tera Bjorklund: Well, if I can still play overseas or in the WNBA I would like to do that. Hopefully I will still be able to play basketball.

Chaska: How do you spend the little bit of free time you have when you aren't studying or playing basketball?

Tera Bjorklund: I like to go to movies and go shopping. And I just started learning how to play guitar so I practice a lot.

I saw National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation the other day .. classic.

Kevin from Boulder: What are some of the cool places basketball has taken you? Some teams get to travel to the Virgin Islands or Hawaii. Where have you been that's been memorable?

Tera Bjorklund: Two summers ago I traveled to the Czech Republic. I probably would not have had that chance without basketball.

Chris (Mankato): Who is the top player you have either played against or played with?

Tera Bjorklund: I would probably say Chantelle Anderson. I played her twice and she is pretty tough competition.

Tera Bjorklund: Thanks for all the questions.. keep supporting the Buffs!! Take care everyone!

Colorado University Athletics