MORRIS, Minn. – Minnesota Morris student-athletes took part in National Girls & Women in Sports Day by spending time at Morris Area Elementary on Wednesday morning.

The Cougars arrived for breakfast at the elementary school and participated in gym class led by Minnesota Morris Athletics Hall of Famer Darcy (Rheingans) Winkelman. During the class, the student-athletes and students played basketball, threw a football, kicked a soccer ball, and climbed a rock wall.

"I think it is really cool spending time with the kids, because they all have a lot of potential," Minnesota Morris student-athlete Morgan Matthews said. "Being able to interact with them and tell them what we do and ask them what they are interested in. The students really enjoyed having us here."

"The day gives a step up to a lot of younger girls because they don't always see their potential, but by seeing people who are succeeding, like women, they can realize what they can do with their lives," Matthews added.

For Winkelman, the morning meant a lot to her because of her role as an educator and as an alumna of the University.

"First of all, it is my alma mater and I played basketball for the Cougars," Winkelman said. "So this means a lot to me, especially to me personally, but as a teacher I know how much this means to our students that we have role models in our community coming here and advocating for physical fitness, advocating for student-athletes, hard workers in the classroom and on the field or on the court."

As a gym class ended this morning, a young girl went up to Mrs. Winkleman and asked when the Cougars were coming back to play.

"It does mean a lot to us and it does inspire the students, too."