She is called the "mom of the team" by her head coach.

She's the team captain. 

She's dished out 300 assists in her career.

She's majoring in nursing.

Taylor Rusk just wants to help.

She is a senior on the Cowgirl basketball team who always seems to be there. . . for everybody.

She has a compassionate side when members of this very young team come to her.  "I was a freshman, and there were lots of times when I just wanted to talk to somebody," she says.  "So I have an understanding of that, I want to be a good listener for them. Sometimes they might be dealing with an injury, sometimes they might be struggling with confidence.  Whatever, I'm glad they come to me, I want to be there for them."

She has a hard-work side too.  Taylor is only one of five Cowgirls to ever reach the 1,000-point milestone, while producing 300 assists.  Three of those five—Hanna Zavecz, Ashley Elliott and Christine Fairless-- are in UW's Hall of Fame.  Marquelle Dent is the fourth and she will be in the Hall one day.

That's pretty lofty company, but they'll be space there for Taylor one day too.

Back to the help side.  Rusk decided at ThunderRidge High School (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) that she wanted to be a nurse. "I'm a science person, I really enjoy it, and I wanted to do something medically. I really want to care for people who need it. Nursing seemed to be a logical move."

As yet, however, she's not sure what area of nursing she wants to pursue.  "They tell us not to decide too early, because your interests will probably change. Mine certainly have continually changed.  I've thought about surgical, and I'm very interested in oncology.  I'm excited to see which way I go."

Rusk has always been successful.  She was a three-time all-conference performer at ThunderRidge.  She was a first-team Colorado All-State performer her senior year as she helped lead her team to the 5A Colorado State Championship.  She was the Continental League Player of the Year.    

She was a three time All-Academic selection in high school.  She has done the same thing at the collegiate level, earning three academic all-Mountain West awards, and three league Scholar-Athlete honors.

Taylor prides herself in consistency.

Since her sophomore season she has started every game for the Cowgirls, that's 87 starts.  During that time she has scored in double figures 46 times.  She has produced at least five assists in 17 games.  She has a career 2.48 assist-turnover ratio.

"I try to be consistent with my game," she says.  "I want to be a great defender, that's my goal every game.  But I have been able to score and I love making passes.  To be mentioned among those great Cowgirls is a real honor. I certainly didn't have those things in mind when I came here.  But I'm honored. 

"Whatever I've accomplished, it's due to our motion offense.  One of the reasons I came to Wyoming was for this offense.  It's such a team-oriented style.  If you are unselfish, you will excel.  That's what I've loved about this program since I got here.  You are rewarded for being a team player."

Taylor received a couple of other collegiate offers out of high school, but she wanted to come here.  

"I just love the 'community' of Wyoming.  When I was on my visit I was so impressed with the support for the Cowgirls.  I wanted the opportunity to play and experience that support.

"Being a collegiate athlete is so special anyway, but to do it here is beyond special.  We play at a lot of places where they'll 50 people in the stands. That's it.  When we go to those places It makes us appreciate even more what we have at Wyoming.

"It's crazy how it's flown by.  It's emotional knowing that it's coming to an end for me.  I've enjoyed it so much."

It's been an up-and-down season for the Cowgirls in Taylor's final season.  They picked up a big road win at Utah State on Wednesday, and they host one of the Mountain West's two-best teams tomorrow at 1 p.m. in the Double A, when San Jose State comes to town.

"Our team is very young, and we knew that over a long season it would be a rollercoaster ride.  We all struggle with confidence sometimes, especially as freshmen.  We have to keep working hard, and we have to stay confident. There is enough ability on this team for us to do well. Maintaining our confidence is so big."

What will Taylor take from her Wyoming experience?

"I'm so grateful that I have been able to play on such good teams at Wyoming, and experience the support we have here.  Our fans are very special.  But the relationships I've had with my teammates is the most special part.  I'm really going to miss that.  It's very emotional.

"But thanks to Wyoming I will be entering the next phase, and I'm excited for that. I'm really looking forward to helping people."

In the world of medicine and hospitals I've always been impressed with the compassion of medical people.  Taylor Rusk will fit right in, she's going to be a great nurse.