Though Shari’ Welton’s time at NIU has been short thus far, the redshirt transfer from Wisconsin has already made a big impact.

Aside from her 6.3 points per game, Welton hit a game winning shot against Western Illinois early in the season. The junior took time out after practice to talk with the Northern Star about Cancun, Michael Jackson and sand coaches.

Northern Star: Earlier this season the announcers were having some trouble pronouncing your name. Now is the chance to set the record straight: How do you pronounce it?

Shari’ Welton: Sha-ree. It’s actually a pet peeve of mine, I cannot stand when people don’t say it right. I knew it would probably happen, but I think the announcer has gotten used to it by now.

NS: Does it happen a lot?

SW: All my life. The first day of class teachers always mess it up. They forget I have the accent.

NS: A few weeks ago the team went to Cancun. What is the best non-basketball related story from the trip?

SW: There was a Hispanic Michael Jackson impersonator and they played all of his hits. The whole team got together and we were just dancing and singing along. After the show they had a dance contest and they asked for volunteers from the crowd, and Mauvolyene Adams [NIU forward] was one of the five people picked.

NS: How did she do?

SW: She was great. I think she’s a natural.

NS: You have a blog, “Welton’s World,” on the NIU athletics Web site. How did your blogging start?

SW: At [Wisconsin] I did blog writing for the program guide. So when I got here I let some people in media know that was something I was interested in, and [assistant media relations director] Joe Summins hooked me up. He was real helpful and supportive.

NS: What do you use the blog for?

SW: It’s not so much about the scores of the games and the details, it’s more about the team and what we’re doing.

NS: On your blog you also mentioned the team had sand castle building contests. Who built the best one, and who’s was the worst on the team?

SW: Of course my team was the best. It was me, Aileen Rossouw, Becky Smith and Jessie Wilcox, and we made Coach Owens.

NS: Coach Owens?

SW: Yes, and it was amazing. It was life size. Coach Owens thought it was great. She laid down next to it and we took a picture.

NS: And the worst?

SW: I have to say the freshmen, just because they can conveniently be pathetic every so often. It’s all in love though. Everybody did a good job and put forth the effort, and that was the most important thing.

NS: What’s the best part about trips like that?

SW: It’s a chance for us to get to know each other better, and we have a lot of fun. We do sing-alongs and we dance all the time and talk nonstop. We bond, and that’s the most important thing.