Noemie Bariteau’s Senior Season is Rooted in Growth and Gratitude
4 Minute read
By Andrea Aruino
Westmost College senior and Bay Area Native, Noemie Bariteau, is playing her final season of collegiate level basketball, and will leave a mark through her extensive wisdom that has developed during the highs and lows of high-level basketball. This season she is averaging 19.4 minutes per game while averaging 8.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. The Westmont Warriors currently stand fourth place within the PacWest conference at 12-4 and an overall record of 16-6. With her final season of college ball soon coming to a close, she reflects on the journey that has brought her community while transitioning into a new chapter of life after the season ends.
After being at Seattle University for two years, she made the decision to move programs where she experienced a shift in her identity as a basketball player. The game became more than just making every shot, winning every game, or chasing the best stats– It became an outlet that fostered deeper conversations and meaningful relationships, especially after stepping into the community of a Christian college. Transferring was no easy task but in hindsight, it was exactly what Bariteau needed in order to grow and find peace within her decision to change programs.
“The coaching staff at Westmont has truly changed my life because they really care about us as people, not just as athletes. I was struggling a lot after transferring but they helped me so much. I have never experienced a staff that created an atmosphere like that and I’m just so grateful to call them my family on and off the court,” Bariteau said.
While she finishes her final season, her eyes remain focused on how she can be a valuable asset for her team. Just this past month, Bariteau scored a season high of 19 points and 5 assists in a 79-43 win against Hawaii Hilo. Her consistency in the gym and on the court has helped lead her team to an overall record of 16-6 this season.
Bariteau’s goal is always to win, but at this point in her career she has grown to understand that one bad game or practice does not define her. Identity is something she had to grapple with during her earlier years of collegiate basketball, more often than not she found a missed shot or a bad practice affecting her day more than it should have. She has learned to find peace within her flaws as an athlete, understanding that no one on the court will ever be perfect, and the only thing that matters now is taking a breath and enjoying what there is to be grateful for.
“I feel like I've grown so much from freshman year to now. My whole life was centered around basketball, I didn’t really care about anything else so it always affected me ten times more than I would’ve liked whenever I made a mistake. Now I’ve come to realize that I know I’m putting the work in and giving it everything that I have which is all that matters. This mindset has given me a lot of freedom this year and it’s nice to feel joy in that,” Bariteau said.
During her time in college, Coach Packie Turner played a huge part in her growth even when she was away. This relationship first began when she was still in high school and developed into a comforting and challenging experience. Just a couple of weeks ago, Bariteau recalls struggling at the start of preseason, and knowing Coach Packie was there to support her gave her the reassurance she needed to trust in her ability and find her rhythm. He has always served as a grounding presence whenever she seemed to be going off track and that is something she cherishes dearly.
“I was struggling just to find my groove and my confidence, and Packie helped me a lot. He would motivate me, encourage me, and give me tools that helped me to be where I’m at now. UPB has given me a great community overall. I’m always so happy to go into the gym, I just feel like I'm at home,” Bariteau said.
Upon finishing her season, she will continue pursuing her Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology at Westmont through the 2026-2027 school year. While basketball has played a significant role in her life, she is eager to embrace new opportunities and create meaningful connections as she works toward her future goals. Bariteau understands that transitioning from student-athlete to full-time student will come with its challenges, but her resilient mindset is enough to overcome and grow as she has done before.
