Some athletes have that rare ability to always be where the action is. Just ask Bears fans about Brian Urlacher.

Watch an NIU women’s basketball practice and a certain 6-foot junior forward will consistently pop into your field of vision.

No matter what you do, a white jersey with double deuces on the back will be ingrained into your memory.

“I just try to be an aggressive player and get open so my teammates can get me the ball,” said Kim Boeding. “I’m here to play and give it 100 percent all the time.”

Boeding, co-captain along with fellow junior Kristan Knake, has taken that aggressive mentality and been a model for the younger Huskies.

“I think my role on this team, since I’ve gotten here, has progressed into becoming more of a leadership role,” Boeding said. “Being a co-captain, I need to set a good example for the freshmen and show them what needs to get done on the court.”

Boeding’s leadership skills began to show through at the tail end of the 2000-2001 season as she shot 63 percent from the field during the last five games of the Huskies’ run to the MAC tournament semifinals.

She isn’t the only one who realizes what she needs to bring to the team as a co-captain.

“Coach [Carol Hammerle] has asked for us as captains to be leaders and set the pace in practice,” Boeding said.

“Kim Boeding has done a tremendous job as a leader of this team, and she has really improved her game,” Hammerle said. “She’s worked hard in the weight room, so she’s much stronger and more consistent with her jumper now.”

The Fort Madison, Iowa, native saw her numbers grow exponentially across the board last season.

Boeding’s points per game improved to 8.5 from 4.4 while she raised her shooting percentage five points to 41 percent.

She had a hard time talking about herself when asked if she had any individual goals.

“Anything to accomplish our team goals,” said Boeding. “Everything that I can do to go out and play hard every game and help the team accomplish what we want.”

Those team goals are something Boeding and the Huskies aren’t taking lightly this season.

“We’ve set some pretty high goals this year,” said Boeding. “I think we’re all willing to work hard. I think we’re going to do good this year, and we’re going to take some steps and hopefully come out on top.”

Like a conscientious athlete should, Boeding realizes her game isn’t all peaches and cream.

When asked about her weaknesses, Boeding again managed to incorporate the team into her answer.

“Defense, you can always improve,” said Boeding. “We’re such a focused team on defense. That’s something we all need to work on. We all have little things that we can always improve.”

The Huskies start the season with no seniors on the roster. Eight of the players on the roster are underclassmen.

Despite the odds stacked up against her and the Huskies, Boeding refuses to concede that the Huskies are at a disadvantage.

“Even though we are a young team, everyone has a lot of playing experience,” Boeding said. “The sophomores played all last year as freshmen. They have that playing experience behind them now and that’s what matters.”

When all is said and done, what matters most is winning, and Boeding sees no reason why the Huskies can’t be successful at what matters most.

She knows her role on the team and is ready to pave the way for the Huskies to “Raise the Bar,” one of the Huskies mottos this season.

“I think I just need to play my role and take care of the defense,” said Boeding. “Just work hard every day, give 100 percent every day. I think that will rub off on everyone else.”