Clough: Anatomy Of A Record

By: Rob Clough, GoDuke.com

DURHAM, N.C. -- When a record is broken in sports, one always wonders how much breaking it matters to the athlete who achieved this feat, who held the record before them and how long the record stood. In the case of Duke's single-game steals record that Abby Waner just broke against Utah Valley on Tuesday, Dec. 18, common wisdom on who held the record would be dead wrong.

It wasn't career steals leader Alana Beard who held the single-game record. Despite her awe-inspiring 404 career steals, Beard never had more than seven in a game (tied for eighth on the list). Nor was it 2007 National Defensive Player of the Year Lindsey Harding; she was tied for third with eight. It wasn't Peppi Browne, the most fearsome defensive player of the 1990's either; she was tied with Harding. The dynamic Katie Meier, fourth all-time in steals at Duke, had eight on two different occasions, but never broke the record.

The record of nine was originally set in 1992 by Kim Matthews against Davidson, and then matched in December of 1992 by former point guard and current program director Missy Anderson. Attempting to recall the game, she noted "I don't remember a lot of the specifics about the game and really did not know that I was close to the record until the game was over. Defense is something Duke has always taken great pride in and we worked hard to be the best when I played just like we do today."

Anderson may not have been aware of the record then, but it became impossible to escape discussion of it in recent years. Expanding on what the record means to her, she said "I think everyone who is listed in our media guide or holds a record is proud of their accomplishment or at least they should be! I was never able to forget my accomplishment because it seems like every year we've had a great defensive player on our team who was close to the record in several games." Indeed, she noted that Browne, Beard and Harding "were all top defensive players in the country who were very athletic and talented so I did think it was kind of remarkable that none of them got the record. On several occasions throughout their careers, I remember thinking that the steals record was going to fall during the game!"

For those aforementioned great defensive players, records were merely a byproduct of consistent effort. Browne noted that she "never really thought about my stats during the game, and thus never really knew if it was even possible for me to attain during a game. I simply don't like to lose, or be beaten one on one, and I would take it personally if I was ever beaten." Along the same lines, the ever-intense Beard offered "Setting records [was] never my intent, winning games was and still is. Every moment on the court I know I'm going to give my all; along with giving 100 percent comes winning and setting records. With that being said, I took them as they came."

Neither Browne nor Beard were surprised that the record stood for so long. Browne noted that "It takes a lot of work and a little bit of luck (being at the right place at the right time) to even get a steal. Some players worry about both stats and records, which is fine unless that distracts them from the goal of teamwork and winning the game. I have always felt that as long as you are able to give all you have and play with no regrets, you will be more likely to have a place in the record books." Beard added, "Not by any means am I surprised, records are meant to be broken. When records are broken I see it as a testament to the growth of the game!"

Anderson had a different reaction, offering that "It's hard to believe the record lasted as long as it did considering the exceptional level of talent that has stepped on the court for Duke. I am happy Abby got the record because she is the type of player that is willing to give everything she's got to help her team win a game."
For her part, Waner tried to deflect the attention a bit, saying "It is an honor to be on the same list as the amazing players that have come before me, however, records and accolades can only go so far, seeing as the true accomplishment lies in team achievements. Nothing would be possible without the other four girls on the court, so while I am happy to have the record, the wins and losses are most important!"

Though Anderson and Waner spoke about the record after the game, Waner revealed that "Right after the game Missy and I were not even aware that I broke it, we both thought I tied it!" Abby noted that while there's been some "friendly banter" between the two as a result of the record, she hasn't dished out any
real trash talk. Indeed, Anderson said "I think Abby has probably received more grief than me because my friends have been on her a little."

It's obvious that Duke's team-first approach has echoed down through the years, even with different coaches and players. Gritty defense and intense ball pressure have always been highlights of the program, and it is inspiring to see Waner follow in the footsteps of the program's great defenders and make her own
statement as to how she's become much more than just a shooter at Duke. She's set her own bar of achievement with this record, but still has plenty of time to exceed it--after all, the ACC record for steals is 10.

Clough: Anatomy Of A Record

Players Mentioned

Lindsey Harding

Abby Waner

Duke information

Clough: Anatomy Of A Record

Players Mentioned

Lindsey Harding

Abby Waner

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Duke information