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FAIRMONT -- The next logical step.
Sara Junkermeier has coached at the seventh- and eighth-grade, B-squad and assistant varsity levels in the Fairmont girls basketball program for almost every season since 1999.
After a one-year hiatus, Junkermeier officially accepted the job as the Cardinals' head girls basketball coach last Thursday.
Junkermeier replaces Don Waletich, whose contract was not renewed by the school district during the offseason.
"Considering my family situation, this is the perfect window of opportunity for me to accept this position," Junkermeier said in reference to she and husband Troy's three boys -- Gavin, 12; Logan, 9; and Holden, 6. "Another factor behind my decision was the fact that I've worked with this group of (varsity) kids throughout the years and really want to see them achieve what they're capable of.
"I know I have my work cut out for me, but I'm up for the challenge."
One of the Fairmont health and physical education instructor's first challenges will be fitting all of the pieces of the program's coaching puzzle into place.
"Now I have to figure out my coaching staff. I've talked to a number of people, but haven't made any decisions yet," said Junkermeier.
Junkermeier already has Fairmont's hoopsters signed up to play summer league, and received positive feedback from the program's returning starters.
"They (players) are begging to get in the weight room to get stronger, and to get a basketball in their hands to work on their skills," said Junkermeier. "Those are real positive steps so far."
The Cardinals are coming off an 11-15 record, but return all seven players who served as starters in 2016-17. Under Waletich's and Junkermeier's tutelage, Fairmont earned the program's second bid to the Class AA state tournament in 2015. The Cardinals also qualified for the state tourney in 2007.
"I've been a part of this program for a long time. I've seen it at its lowest moments when I started coaching in 1999, when we didn't win many games, to building a history of success throughout the years under coaches like Patti (Strukel) and Don (Waletich)," said Junkermeier. "Now I want to continue that progress."
Junkermeier not only has nearly two decades of coaching experience to bring to the Fairmont sideline, but also had prolific collegiate and high school careers as a player.
Junkermeier earned Division II All-Region second-team, all-North Central Conference, and academic all-NCC accolades during her fourth season as a starter for the Augustana University women's basketball team in 1998.
The 2012 Augustana Hall of Fame inductee exited her college playing days as the Vikings' 12th all-time leading scorer (1,309 points), third-best career rebounder (885) and third-best all-time shot blocker (149).
The 1994 Iowa Class 1A all-state selection led Armstrong-Ringsted High School to that season's state semifinals and a 22-2 overall record.
She topped Iowa Class 1A in scoring with a 26-point average to earn all-Class 1A state tournament and Des Moines Register all-state honors in 1994.