Hitchcock-Tulare’s Salmen commits to play basketball at Concordia

TULARE — Throughout her high school career, Hitchcock-Tulare’s Elizabeth Salmen envisioned herself continuing her basketball career at the collegiate level just as her mother, JoEllen (Hofer) Salmen had done nearly three decades ago.
Salmen has announced she will taking her basketball talents to play for Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., in the fall.
“My mom played college basketball and one of my goals was to play college basketball, as well,” Salmen said. “You know, just wanting to follow in my mom’s footsteps.”
Salmen, a 5-foot-9 senior guard, helped the Lady Patriots claim the championship of the 281 Conference Basketball Tournament en route to an overall record of 15-6. Combined with volleyball, she appeared in a total of six 281 Conference title games, winning four of them with Hitchcock-Tulare.
“This is crazy for me, because around here this tournamentis such a big deal,” she said. “It is so much fun to play in and the crowds and all the people who come to watch and support makes the game so intense. It’s one of the best feelings to play in and just be a part of.”
Salmen joined the Lady Patriots for her sophomore season after playing her freshman season at Fargo Davis High School in North Dakota. She finished her high school basketball career with 1,054 points, which included 1,010 points at Hitchcock-Tulare, and was a three-time first team pick on the All-281 Conference girls’ basketball team.

“My high school career has prepared me for this opportunity in many ways. It showed me that working hard and doing your best can help you accomplish a lot,” Salmen said. “It can give the confidence you need to complete a goal or just to have the confidence to say, “I can do it”.
“There were times that my confidence was shaken and there are always times where you think you won’t accomplish or can’t do something, but I had an amazing support ground through coaches, family members, friends and teammates that helped me get back on track and just gave me confidence and support to follow through in accomplishing my goals,” she said. “Sports didn’t just help me with my college goals, but also helped me learn a lot of life lessons along the way that I will carry with me the rest of my life.”
Despite garnishing attention from colleges in Kansas, Iowa and South Dakota, Salmen believes Concordia College is the perfect fit for her.
“I had a connection with assistant coach Terry Porter. He was my freshman coach at Davis High School, who later got a job at Concordia College,” Salmen said. “I know how he likes to play basketball and I know his expectations.
“I also had a great connection with head Kim Wagers, as well,” she said. “The Concordia basketball team loves to run and wants to have more of a fast-paced game and I like that kind of play.”
Hitchcock-Tulare head girls’ basketball coach Kristi Smith also believes Salmen will flourish during her transition to the collegiate level.
“It’s been a privilege to coach Elizabeth the past three years. She is a very talented, dedicated and coachable young lady,” Smith said. “During her time as a Lady Patriot, she was a great leader and role model for her teammates both on and off the court. I am proud of Elizabeth and am excited for her to receive the opportunity to play basketball at the next level.”