Leaving a lasting legacy
Flaherty’s father has attended every home game this season but one, when a ticket booking error prevented him from getting a flight. As he watched on TV in New Jersey, Katelynn hit a school-record 10 3-pointers against Penn State and finished with 33 points.
Despite all the work they’ve seen their daughter put in, Flaherty’s parents struggle to comprehend the magnitude of her record-breaking achievements.
“You look at Katelynn, and she is a 5’7 little white girl. It’s hard sometimes for me to believe she broke the scoring record,” Lynn Flaherty said. “A lot of people would think it would be a center or a big person that does that. Not a player like Katelynn. If you see her walking down the street, you may not even know she plays basketball.”
The fiery and competitive side of Flaherty is balanced by her persona off the court.
“Katelynn is certainly someone who loves to have her nails done and get massages. She gets manicures and likes high-end clothes and jewelry,” her mother said. “Last year for Christmas, we got her a Louis Vuitton backpack and had to lie to her dad about how much it cost.”
Flaherty’s parents have been P.E. teachers at their respective schools in New Jersey for more than 30 years. Their students all ask about Katelynn and many follow Michigan’s results.
One boy in her mother’s class requested a Michigan T-shirt from Flaherty and wore it all day once it arrived.
Flaherty tries to sign every autograph and pose for every picture with kids. She helps runs camps and clinics when she has time.
As she began setting more records at Michigan, the messages she received on social media increased. Flaherty isn’t afraid to show vulnerability when responding to younger girls.
“It’s hard to remain confident throughout the season because there are highs and lows. That can happen in everyday life as a woman, and I think I have really learned to be confident in myself the past four years I’ve been at Michigan,” Flaherty said. “Coach Arico really taught me to be a strong and confident person. That is the biggest thing I try to share.”
Flaherty led Michigan to the WNIT title last season, and wants to make an NCAA appearance before her career ends.
There is not much else for Flaherty to accomplish individually in Maize and Blue. Her statistics exceed what most could have imagined when she arrived from New Jersey.
Her legacy at Michigan, however, goes far beyond the numbers. The steady stream of Instagram messages attest to that.
“To leave here as the best player to put on a Michigan uniform is truly an incredible story,” Barnes Arico said. “For me to have known her since she was a little kid and watch her dreams come true and be able to coach her has been absolute joy and an absolute honor. It’s just been a great ride.”