As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the Prairie Stars' Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one student-athlete, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.

This week, UIS recognizes Lauren Ladowski as one of the 15 standout student-athletes who helped define the Prairie Stars' Division II era, earning UIS Athletics' Female Athlete of the Year honors in both her junior and senior seasons.

Ladowski was a cornerstone of the historic 2021-22 UIS women's basketball team, delivering one of the most impactful individual seasons in program history. That year, she earned GLVC Defensive Player of the Year honors and First Team All-GLVC recognition while anchoring a Prairie Stars defense that limited opponents to just 64 points per game.

Her defensive award marked a milestone for the program, as Ladowski became the first UIS women's basketball student-athlete to earn a GLVC major award and the program's first first-team all-conference selection. She also took over as the program's all-time leading scorer during the season and finished the year with 477 points, closing her UIS career with 1,515 total points and a career scoring average of 15.5 points per game.

Ladowski also holds UIS career records in made free throws (528) and steals (206), and her free-throw consistency was unmatched, with her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons ranking as the top three single-season totals in program history (145, 137, 137).

A three-time All-GLVC honoree, Ladowski's impact extended well beyond one season. She entered the 2021-22 campaign with 1,038 career points, already ranking among the top scorers in UIS history.

Ladowski's resume includes selection to the 2019 GLVC All-Freshman Team, two GLVC Player of the Week honors, and multiple appearances on the GLVC Academic All-Conference Team, highlighting her excellence on the court and in the classroom.

During her senior season, Ladowski's leadership helped propel UIS to a 17-11 overall record and the most successful NCAA Division II season in program history. The Prairie Stars set a Division II era record for wins, earned the program's first-ever GLVC Tournament victory, and posted a statement non-conference win over NCAA Division I Bradley. 

Through elite defense, scoring consistency, and record-setting performances, Lauren Ladowski left an lasting mark on UIS women's basketball. Her legacy remains a defining chapter in Prairie Stars history and a cornerstone of the program's Division II era.

This week, the 2021-22 women's basketball team was the featured team in UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership series. Read more on their season. Explore the growing list of NCAA Division II 15 Years Anniversary honorees celebrating the legacy of Prairie Stars Athletics.