By: Mark Reinhiller
Katlyn Allen proudly wears the green and silver uniform for the 2022-23 North Central Community College Conference Champion College of DuPage Chaparrals.
She wears a different type of uniform one weekend a month and for two weeks each summer as an equally proud member of the Illinois Air National Guard.
The sophomore forward from Aurora and Naperville Central High School has stepped up her game this season for the Chaparrals, who begin National Junior College Athletic Association Region 4 play Friday afternoon as the top seed.
The Lady Chaparrals take on Harper College at 1 p.m. in the regional semis at Joliet Junior College.
Balancing basketball with her equally challenging duties with the National Guard is all part of Allen’s plan for success.
She averages nearly a double-double a game, scoring 11.4 points with 9.6 rebounds with 11 double-doubles for coach Abigail Talley. She ranks 11th in the NJCAA D3 defensive rebounds with 176 and is 18th in total rebounds (239).
“Katlyn is a natural born leader,” Talley said. “You don’t have to worry about telling her to rebound because her instincts under the glass are given. She encourages her teammates and holds them accountable. She makes her teammates better by everything she does.”
Allen graduated in 2020 and then took a year off before planning her next move. With encouragement from her father, Dante, a 30-year veteran who reached the rank of major for the Illinois Army National Guard, she enlisted in March 2021 and underwent basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
She completed her training as an airman first class in Peoria, Illinois about a week before school began at COD in Fall 2021.
“Before I fully committed, I wondered if I had the discipline to do it,’’ she said. “I’m glad this is my path. It’s a permanent job, it pays for my school and I’m learning a trade in material management.’’
Allen is the first to admit that it isn’t easy balancing athletics with school and her military commitment.
“I’ve always considered myself semi-disciplined,’’ she said. “I don’t think you can succeed in the Guards if you’re not. I’m fortunate that I can do all of these because the plan all along was to play basketball here at COD.’’
And she plays with a team that understands that she may occasionally miss a game due to her commitment.
“Katlyn exemplifies what the term student-athlete means,’’ Talley said. “She has a lot on her plate and she finds a way to make it all work.’’
The Region 4 Division III champion will travel to play the Region 12 winner for the NJCAA Great Lakes District Championship on March 4, with the winner qualifying for the 2023 NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championships in Rochester, Minn., March 15 to 18.
About the Region 4 Tourney
Joliet Junior College Events Center
Friday, Feb. 24
Women’s Basketball:
1 p.m. — No. 1 Chaparrals (13-15 overall) vs. No. 4 Harper (3-22)
3 p.m. — No. 2 Joliet (11-18) vs. No. 3 Madison (8-19)
Men's Basketball:
8 p.m. vs. Joliet Junior College
Sunday, Feb. 26
Women’s Basketball:
1 p.m. — Championship
Men’s Basketball:
3:30 p.m. — Championship