Maddie Dixon playing on Team USA

GREAT FALLS, MONTANA–Pomeroy High School basketball standout Maddy Dixon, a member of the University of Providence Lady Argos Women's Basketball team, will, along with her teammates, represent the United States as Team USA in the 2022 FISU American games in Merida, Mexico, on October 18-26.

Dixon, the daughter of John and Laura Dixon of Pomeroy, said it is exciting that this small community was picked and that getting to represent these smaller places is huge. "It is such a small community here at Providence, kinda like everybody knows everybody," said Dixon, a 2020 graduate of Pomeroy High School. "Even in Montana, the Frontier conference, we know each other, know each team better than our own, through scouting. So, getting to represent the small communities, Montana, the United States is such a cool opportunity, she excitedly pointed out. "I'm from a small town, so getting to represent these smaller places, is huge."

"The honors continue to rack up for the University of Providence Women's Basketball team and head coach Bill Himmelberg," stated a K'MON Country Radio interview.

"We were selected to represent the United States in the FISU games in Merida, Mexico October 18-26," said Coach Himmelberg. "We will play five games in five days and play teams from North and South American universities that are going to be representing different countries: Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, are the first three teams we'll be playing and we will see what we get after that. We are pretty excited about it. Representing the United States is a big deal," he continued. "It's going to be a fun time taking in some different culture and meet some teams from different places."

Himmelberg went on to say this team was selected through contacts he has at the national level. He acknowledges most of the time teams from larger conferences are picked but through a change in the scheduling the conference usually picks teams from bigger conferences. "The NCA moved the deadline to be a part of the selection process, so no division 1 teams could go, so they looked for a team to represent in a great way," said Himmelberg. "The University of Providence Lady Argos Women's Basketball team is known nationally as being great academically and also known for upsetting big teams." For these reasons, the NCA thought the Lady Argos, one of the top teams in the country, would be a great pick. "We are going to focus on ourselves and make sure we are ready to play," said Himmelberg. "I am really confident in the group we have."

Reed Hazzard of Portland, Ore., saw this as a super-exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that this tight-knit group gets to play against other country teams. "I don't think too many people get to represent their country doing something they love with a group of girls they've know a long time," Hazzard said. "Our team gets along great and [I am] excited to travel with them."

Hazzard said they don't know what to expect from other teams-size wise, athleticism, how seriously they take basketball in their country. "Historically I know Argentina and Brazil are some 'ballers', but do not know what to expect," she confessed. "There are different rules and little differences. And, with this group of coaches, they win. They have also taught us how to represent this school and our country."

Learn more by going to the UP Womens Basketball website or their Facebook page.