First-years Addison Baxter and Anna Wypych are ready for the season to begin. Photos by Darcy Leber.

BROOKS BAKER-WATSON | STAFF REPORTER | bbakerwatson@butler.edu 

“Welcome to the Team” is a Q&A series where the Collegian sits down with first-year student-athletes who are entering their first season at Butler University. These articles will address why they chose Butler, what they hope to get out of this season and some personal tidbits that you won’t find anywhere else. 

This week, staff reporter Brooks Baker-Watson sat down with two first-years on the women’s basketball team: Addison Baxter and Anna Wypych. 

Addison Baxter is a 5’9” guard from Larwill, Indiana. Photo by Darcy Leber.

THE BUTLER COLLEGIAN: You were a two-time Supreme 15 selection in high school. Why choose to attend Butler? 

ADDISON BAXTER: I just really loved the culture here and the coaching staff. [My] faith is really important to me and [the coaches showed they] are very good at implementing [those values] into our practices and lives outside of basketball. [Also], the academics are great here. 

TBC: What is the biggest adjustment that you have made to your game so far in college? 

AB: Definitely [my] defense. In high school, we don’t play against the caliber [of teams] that [we] do here. In practice, our coaches really emphasize defense and the importance of it. [We’re] against faster, stronger girls here in college, so just making that adjustment [to match their play] has been the most difficult transition so far. 

TBC: What do you consider to be the strongest part of your game? 

AB: I definitely think I’m an attacker. I think I make a lot of [plays] on [offense]. Whether it’s kicking [out], scoring or just getting movement, I think that’s the best part of my game. 

TBC: What goals do you have for this season? 

AB: I think from a team [perspective], just to really improve [the image of] what Butler women’s basketball is all about. [The coaches] have really built up the program since [head coach Austin Parkinson] got here. [We want] to continue to grow and improve and become a recognizable team in the Big East.  

TBC: In a game of Fortnite, which three teammates are you picking to squad up with? 

AB: I don’t play it very often, but I do like Fortnite. One hundred percent [Mallory Miller]. [Caroline Dotsey] [because] I just know she’s a gamer, and [Chloe Jeffers], I know Chloe is a gamer. 

Anna Wypych is a 6’0” guard from Rockford, Michigan. Photo by Darcy Leber. 

TBC: You were named Michigan Miss Basketball in high school. What made you choose Butler? 

ANNA WYPYCH: I’m the type of person [who] gets really homesick, but Butler felt like home away from home. I took a lot of visits here, and the community base that Butler had [was better than] the other schools [I visited]. The academics were also important; you can only play basketball for so many years. Basketball is not going to be there for [my] whole life, [whether I] like that or not, so I feel like the academics are important for me to create a life outside of basketball. 

TBC: What has been the biggest adjustment for you in college so far? 

AW: Off the court, definitely being on my own and living on my own. On the court, I’d also say defense. We wear “Defense Lives Here” on our shirts, so that’s a big [theme]. In high school, [we played] on teams where you might have one standout player and some other [role players], but in college, everyone’s good. Defense has always been a big thing to improve on [for me]. 

TBC: What do you think the strongest part of your game is? 

AW: I definitely think I’m a pretty good shooter; that’s my strong suit. But what comes with that is that everyone thinks [I can only shoot], which gives me opportunities to drive to the hoop. But I’m still figuring out my role on the team. 

TBC: What goals do you have for this season? 

AW: I definitely want [us] to make it to the [NCAA] tournament this year. Coming out on top of the Big East would be huge [as well]. 

TBC: Do you have a favorite basketball memory? 

AW: My high school team was pretty successful; we went to the [Michigan] state finals four years in a row. We [only] won it in my sophomore year, so that was a really big [accomplishment]. One of my other favorite memories is winning [Michigan] Miss Basketball and my coach announcing it to my high school team. You win the award individually, but the people who get you there also win the award. Celebrating that with them is one of my favorite memories. 

TBC: What song is on repeat for you right now? 

AW: Honestly, anything [by] Drake.