2008 Woodie Awards
Farokhmanesh finds his niche
Sophomore transfer helping the Eagles meet goals
Natalie Niemeyer
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Sports
If Ali Farokhmanesh's career thus far at Kirkwood Community College had to be summed up in one word, it would be "clutch."
Lately Farokhmanesh has become somewhat of an overtime hero for the Eagles. Consider the Eagles hard-fought triple-overtime win over Indian Hills in the JUCO Shootout on Dec. 17.
Farokhmanesh nailed the go-ahead three pointer with 36 seconds left in the third overtime to finish with 31 points. Farokhmanesh also led the Eagles in overtime against Iowa Central on Jan. 30. He hit a three pointer with 14.9 seconds left and then nailed one of two free throws with 4.7 seconds left in overtime to put the Eagles ahead for good, 67-65.
"Ali has been terrific," Coach Doug Wagemester said. "He is a pleasure to coach. He works very hard, thinks the game, is very competitive and is a good teammate."
Farokhmanesh, a sophomore transfer from Indian Hills Community College, prepped at Iowa City West. He has helped the Eagles to a 24-1 record and a second place spot on the NJCAA Division II National poll.
Farokhmanesh made the switch from Indian Hills to Kirkwood after his freshman season.
"I decided to make the move from Indian Hills to Kirkwood because the situation I was in at Indian Hills wasn't everything I thought it was going to be," Farokhmanesh said. "Kirkwood was my second choice coming out of high school, so naturally when I decided to separate myself from Indian Hills the first place I looked at was Kirkwood."
The switch proved beneficial for Kirkwood and Farokhmanesh. He is currently leading the team in scoring with nearly 17 points-per-game; in 3-point percentage with 49.1 percent; in free throw percentage with 89.3 percent; in steals with almost two per game; and in assists with over four per game.
"He not only leads us in many statistical categories but is doing a fine job as a leader of the team," Wagemester said.
Basketball is not the only aspect Farokhmanesh likes about Kirkwood. He also likes the people he has met through school and other activities around campus.
Lately Farokhmanesh has become somewhat of an overtime hero for the Eagles. Consider the Eagles hard-fought triple-overtime win over Indian Hills in the JUCO Shootout on Dec. 17.
Farokhmanesh nailed the go-ahead three pointer with 36 seconds left in the third overtime to finish with 31 points. Farokhmanesh also led the Eagles in overtime against Iowa Central on Jan. 30. He hit a three pointer with 14.9 seconds left and then nailed one of two free throws with 4.7 seconds left in overtime to put the Eagles ahead for good, 67-65.
"Ali has been terrific," Coach Doug Wagemester said. "He is a pleasure to coach. He works very hard, thinks the game, is very competitive and is a good teammate."
Farokhmanesh, a sophomore transfer from Indian Hills Community College, prepped at Iowa City West. He has helped the Eagles to a 24-1 record and a second place spot on the NJCAA Division II National poll.
Farokhmanesh made the switch from Indian Hills to Kirkwood after his freshman season.
"I decided to make the move from Indian Hills to Kirkwood because the situation I was in at Indian Hills wasn't everything I thought it was going to be," Farokhmanesh said. "Kirkwood was my second choice coming out of high school, so naturally when I decided to separate myself from Indian Hills the first place I looked at was Kirkwood."
The switch proved beneficial for Kirkwood and Farokhmanesh. He is currently leading the team in scoring with nearly 17 points-per-game; in 3-point percentage with 49.1 percent; in free throw percentage with 89.3 percent; in steals with almost two per game; and in assists with over four per game.
"He not only leads us in many statistical categories but is doing a fine job as a leader of the team," Wagemester said.
Basketball is not the only aspect Farokhmanesh likes about Kirkwood. He also likes the people he has met through school and other activities around campus.
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