Jodi Kruta

Jodi Kruta, a 1992 graduate of Lincoln High School, will always be remembered for her outstanding accomplishments on the basketball court including her 1,771 career points. She also contributed significantly to the cross country and track programs, where she still holds school records in track for the long jump and the 100 meter dash. 

Jodi was a starter on the varsity basketball team beginning her freshman year.  She played shooting guard most of the time and possessed natural quickness that made her extremely difficult to cover defensively.  Jodi was ambidextrous and able to dribble and shoot with either hand.  In 1992 Jodi was recognized by the Grand Forks Herald as “Player of the Year” and she participated on the Minnesota All-State Team, eventually earning a scholarship to play for Montana State University-Northern in Havre, Montana.  

Jodi’s basketball achievements at MSU-Northern were outstanding.  She scored a total of 1,562 points, making her the second all time leading scorer in Northern Skylights History.  During her college career she  participated in four national tournaments with her team earning the 1993 National Championship.   At the Colorado College Holiday Tournament in 1994, Jodi received the “Most Tenacious Defender” Award.  Jodi graduated from MSU-Northern in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Health and began teaching and coaching basketball.  

Her love of athletics took her to the Atlanta, Georgia area in 1998 to learn the game of Team Handball. Jodi became a member of the USA Team Handball National Team in 1999, participating in the 1999 Pan American Games in an attempt to qualify for the 2000 Olympic Games.  In 2005 Jodi graduated with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia.  Jodi was inducted into the MSU-Northern Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

Jodi Kruta currently lives in Douglasville, Georgia where she teaches 6th through 8th grade Physical Education and Health at Lovinggood Middle School.