RIVERSIDE, Calif.- Golden Eagles superstar Sydney Wallner celebrates her senior night after three years of leading her team. The point guard sported number 2 on her back all three seasons. Wallner began her career at La Sierra during covid where she appeared in the only three games of the season. Wallner totaled 45 points going for a shooting percentage of 48.6 FG%, 38.5 3-PT%, and 80 FG%. Wallner had an incredible season the following year, scoring a total of 360 points in 877 minutes of game play. She appeared in 27 games for 27 starts posting a 46.6 FG%, 28.4 3-PT%, and a 87.5 FT%. Wallner totaled 130 rebounds, 98 assists, 63 steals, and 5 blocks. She had a season high of 24 points in a single game. This season Wallner continues to dominate on the court. She's appeared in 23 games with 20 starts for a total of 803 minutes. She has 341 points so far, for a shooting percentage of 44.3 FG%, 34.5 3-PT%, and 79.6 FT%. Wallner has a season high of 26 points in a single game this season. Sydney adds 73 rebounds, 96 assists, 42 assists, and 3 blocks to her stat line.
Sydney graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science, and is currently obtaining and MBA in Sports Administration. Wallner has received Dean's List Honors from the university. She was the team captain on the women's basketball team from 2020-2022, Team MVP in years 2021 and 2022, All-Conference First Team 2021-22, All-Conference Defensive Team 2021-22, SAAC Treasurer 2020-21, La Sierra Women's Basketball Representative SAAC President 2021-current, and Female Athlete of the Year Golden Eagle Award Winner 2021-22. Wallner chose La Sierra, because she wanted to come back home to be closer to her family, and finish out her career where it all started in Riverside. In the future she plans on obtaining her strength and conditioning certification, and along with her Exercise Science Bachelors and Masters in Business, she plans to one day open up her own gym here in Riverside to help youth athletes with sports performance. She is most going to miss the laughs with her teammates and bonding through the trauma.
Sydney describes her experience at La Sierra as such, "I have truly grown in so many ways during my time here at La Sierra. I have grown as an athlete, as a student, and have become the most authentic version of myself here."
Let's all congratulate and thank Sydney Wallner for all her accomplishments and hard work on and off the court. We wish you all the best and can't wait to see where life takes you.
Here is a little more about Sydney Wallner.
Q: What is your favorite sport memory at La Sierra?
Sydney Wallner: Being able to fall back in love with the sport of basketball here at La Sierra has been my favorite memory.
Q: How long have you been playing this sport and how did you get into playing this sport?
SW: This is my 10th year playing basketball. I started as a freshman in high school, my high school coach introduced me to basketball, and I haven't put the ball down since.
Q: Who is your biggest influence?
SW: My mom. I am who I am because of the woman my mom is. Her strength and love has been my foundation through the hard times Ive faced these last few years, and I wouldn't be here without her. I owe her everything.
Q: Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?
SW: MY TEAMMATES KNOW... NEVER SPLIT THE POLE.
Q: What is your perfect pre-game meal?
SW: Flame Broiler and a spirte.
Q: Go to pump up song or music?
SW: WHO I WANT LIL DURK... ON MY SIDE NBAYOUNGBOY... JUMBOTRONPOPPIN DRAKE... My 3 gameday go to songs. I have to listen to these three every single game day.
Q: Do you like to get hyped before games or stay calm?
SW: I think I need a good mix of both. I want to be able to have fun and get hyped but I love to pray and read right before tip off to calm my mind.
Q: What do you enjoy doing on your off days?
SW: Spending time with my loved ones and my puppies.
Q: Who on the team are you closest with?
SW: Coach Jay has been a part of my journey for almost 9 years now. He's been by my side since my career started in high school, he's seen the ups and the downs of my basketball journey, been there for the extra workouts in the gym and it's a blessing that I get to end my career here at La Sierra with him by my side as a lifelong friend.
Q: Who is your favorite sports team/player?
SW: Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry
Q: What are five things you can't live without?
SW: My puppies... Starbucks... My phone... Tik Tok... Chocolate
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
SW: No basketball consumed my life... now I need to go find some hobbies..
Q: What is your favorite movie and TV show?
SW: Friends is the greatest show of all time.
