WNCC Cougar Bulletin -- March 3, 2023 by WNCC

BULLETIN

The Latest in Cougar Athletic News Newsletter March 3, 2023 – Issue 6 Tournament Time

COUGAR

Tournament Time

WNCC men host 1st-round game March 4, Cougar women host women’s regionals March 9-11

It is time for post-season basketball and the Western Nebraska Community College men’s basketball team will be hosting a firstround game on Saturday, March 4 when North Platte Community College comes to Cougar Palace.

The Cougar men earned the No. 2 seed from the South Sub-region with a 6-6 conference record and will host No. 7 North Platte (3-9 conference, 13-15 overall) at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

WNCC enters the tournament with a 15-14 overall record.

The winner advances to the March 9-11 regional tournament held in Casper, Wyoming.

Other men’s Saturday first-round games include Eastern Wyoming College at Laramie County at 4 p.m., Lamar Community College at Northeastern Junior College at 2 p.m., Western Wyoming Community

College at Central Wyoming College at 4 p.m., and Otero College at McCook Community College at 4 p.m. Teams with first-round byes on the men’s side include Casper, Northwest College, and Trinidad State College.

The women’s Region IX tournament will be held Cougar Palace as the WNCC Cougar women earned the right to host the tournament and a first-round bye after winning the South Sub-region with a 9-1 record. The Cougars moved to 21-8 overall. The tournament will be held March 9-11 with the winner advancing to the NJCAA National Tournament March 22-27.

Four other teams will join WNCC with first-round byes, including Otero from the South Sub-region and Casper and Northwest from the North Sub-region.

Men’s Region IX Tourney 1st Round

Saturday, March 4 North Platte at WNCC, 2 p.m. Otero at McCook, 4 p.m. W. Wyo. at C. Wyo., 4 p.m. EWC at LCCC, 4 p.m. Lamar at NJC, 2 p.m. Byes -- Northwest, Trinidad, Casper

Women’s Region IX Tourney 1st Round

Friday, March 3 Lamar at Trinidad, 6 p.m. Saturday, March 4

Central Wyo. at LCCC, 2 p.m. EWC at W. Wyoming, 2 p.m. McCook at NJC, 4 p.m.

Byes: WNCC, Otero, Casper, W. Wyoming

First-round women’s games that will be played Friday, March 3 include Lamar Community College at Trinidad State College at 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 4 games include Central Wyoming at Laramie County Community College at 2 p.m.), Eastern Wyoming at Western Wyoming at 2 p.m., and McCook at NJC at 4 p.m.

The first-round game winners will continue to bracket play at Cougar Palace March 9. The first day of the women’s tournament will have four games at 12:30, 2:30, 5, and 7 p.m. WNCC will play their first game at 7 p.m. Semifinal games are slated for March 10 at 5 and 7 p.m. with the championship slated for March 11 at 4 p.m.

The women’s tournament bracket and information can be found on the WNCC athletic website at www.wnccathletics.com.

— Written by Mark Rein

Stephen Ovia goes up for two points in a game with Lamar Community College in February. WNCC will host a first-round playoff game on Saturday, March 4.

Northwest (N2) Bye

Mar 04 @ TBA

North 2

March 9 @ 1:00

McCook (S3)

Mar 04 @ TBA

Otero (S6)

Trinidad (S1) Bye

Mar 04 @ TBA

CWC (N4)

Mar 04 @ TBA

WWCC (N5)

WNCC (S2)

Mar 04 @ TBA

NPCC (S7)

LCCC (N3)

Mar 04 @ TBA

EWC (N6)

Casper (N1) Bye

Mar 04 @ TBA

Reseeded South 3

March 10 @ 5:00

2023 Region IX Tournament

Men's Basketball-Division I

March 4, 2023, March 9-11, 2023

National Tournament

March 20-25, 2023

Sub-Region Cut-off Date

February 28, 2023

South 1

March 9 @ 3:00

Reseeded North 4

March 11 @ 7:00

Region IX Champion

Reseeded South

March 9 @ 5:00

NJC (S4)

Mar 04 @ TBA

Lamar (S5)

North 1

March 9 @ 7:00

Reseeded South 4

March 10 @ 7:00

* Top Team Wears White

**Host Team Always Wears White

***White Team Is Home on Scoreboard

****Quarter-final times may need to be adjusted based

Reseeded North 3

-- W. Nebraska

Bye

N4 -- W. Wyoming

Sat., March 4 Time: 2 p.m.

N5 -- E. Wyoming

S3 -- Trinidad

Fri., March 3 Time: 6 p.m.

S6 -- Lamar

Bye

N2 -- Northwest

N1 -- Casper

Bye

S4 -- Northeastern

Sat., March 4 Time: 4 p.m.

S5 -- McCook

N3 -- Laramie CCC

Sat., March 4 Time: 2 p.m.

N6 -- C. Wyoming

Bye

S1 -- W. Nebraska

2023 Women’s Basketball

Region IX Tournament

March 9-11

@ Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Thurs., March 9 Time: 7 p.m.

S2 -- Otero

Thurs., March 9 Time: 5 p.m.

Friday, March 10 Time: 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 11 Time: 4 p.m. 2023 Champion

N1 -- Casper

Thurs., March 9 Time: 2:30 p.m.

Thurs., March 9 Time: 12:30 p.m.

S2 -- Otero

Friday, March 10 Time: 5 p.m.

Teams on top: home//light uniforms

Teams on bottom: visiting/dark uniforms

N2 -- Northwest

Baseball, softball deal with weather, games moved around

The WNCC baseball and softball team are off and running and it isn’t without having to deal with the weather and playing their games on the road.

The Cougars have had to shift their schedules because of the weather and the unplayable fields in Scottsbluff.

The baseball team is 1-7 on the season and had to cancel their home games with Miles Community College the end of February because of snow.

With the weekend off, the Cougars had to make changes to their Empire Conference opener this weekend with Otero College in La Junta, Colorado. Instead of playing Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5, the team will open conference play on Sunday and Monday because of weather down in Colorado.

The Cougars lone win on the season came against New Mexico Military when they won 11-8, handing NMMI their first loss of the season.

The Cougars also played well the next weekend despite falling in four games to Barton Community College.

The second day of the four-game series, the Cougars had Barton on the ropes before falling 4-3.

After this weekend, March 5-6 at Otero, the Cougars will hit the road for a Spring

All in the Numbers

Break trip to Arizona. WNCC will finally have their home openers March 18-19 when Luna Community College comes to Cleveland Field for a conference fourgame series.

The softball team opened their season in Texas Feb. 17-19 and through the six games, the team showed improvement. The softball team is 0-6 on the season, but the teams final game of the trip against Odessa, who was ranked in the top five, saw WNCC fall 3-0 as Cougar pitchers Avery Fox and Caley Leslie combined on a one hitter.

WNCC was slated to play in the Region IX Pod this week, but because of weather concerns that Pod play was canceled. With the cancellation, that meant that the fourgame series scheduled would now become five-game series. Check the WNCC website -- www.wnccathletics.com -- for updates.

Because of the cancellation of Pod play, the Cougars picked up a four-game series with Highland Community College in Kansas March 4-5.

WNCC is slated for a home date with Friday through Saturday, March 10-12 against Lamar Community College. That is depending on field conditions at Volunteer Field, which is still unplayable because of the moisture Scottsbluff has received this winter

The number of teams in women’s Region IX basketball that have never won a regional title. Those teams include Lamar, Southeast, North Platte, Trinidad, LCCC, and McCook.

6

The number of times that Casper College has won the Region IX women’s basketball championship. The Thunderbirds also finished runner-up 10 times

The number if times the WNCC women’s basketball team has won regionals. The first one was in 1993 and the last one in 2019. The Cougars have also finished runner-up 10 times.

The number of total points that was scored in last year’s Region IX championship game between Casper and Eastern Wyoming. Casper defeated the Lancers 77-57 to earn the title.

134

The year that the first women’s Region IX basketball tournament was held with NJC topping Lamar. This marks the 49th year of the Region IX tournament.

1975

On the Cover:

Faith Walker looks for an outlet after grabbing a rebound during a recent game at Cougar Palace. WNCC will host the Region IX tournament March 9-11.

March is Athletic Trainer’s Month

20Questions with Athletic Trainer Doug Jones

March is Athletic Training month and Western Nebraska Community College athletic Trainer Doug Jones has been a part of Cougar athletics since 2006 in providing support to the athletes in helping them heal injuries as well as providing a ton of other support to WNCC from announcing, teaching classes, working on the field, helping with camps, and other duties.

Doug Jones, a Mitchell High School graduated, got his athletic training degree from Creighton University and has mentored future athletic trainers to also join the field.

Because is it Athletic Trainer month, here is a 20 question interview with Doug Jones.

MR: March is Athletic Training Month, what is the purpose of Athletic Training Month and how important is it to show the work of the athletic trainers?

DJ: Every March is national athletic training month, and its purpose is to raise awareness of what athletic trainers do. I

WNCC women’s basketball players Bre Fowler looks at WNCC athletic director Doug Jones wondering, “what did you say?” Jones helps in anyway of keeping the WNCC athletes as healthy as possible.

think it’s very important to showcase the work of athletic trainers because I think a lot of times their work goes unnoticed and sometimes misunderstood.

MR: How important are athletic trainers and how much time do you put in helping athletes?

DJ: As an athletic trainer, I think they are

very important, but their time is not always spent helping athletes. Athletic trainers can help physically active populations. Athletic trainers are found in many different settings, from professional sports, college sports, high school sports, recreational sports, performing arts, industrial settings, physicians offices, military, law enforcement, and even NASA.

MR: What do athletic trainers do and what is the typical day for you?

DJ: Athletic trainers are trained in the prevention, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, as well as emergency care for on the field or on the court incidents. My typical day starts showing up at school and doing some paperwork, and then teaching class. I spend a majority of the rest of the day taking care of the WNCC athletes, going to meetings, games, or working with doctors to get the best care for our athletes. In my down time, I usually try to research new ideas or work on my continuing education.

MR: If there were no athletic trainers, what would sports be like?

on next page

Doug Jones tapes up Payton Fields at the NJCAA national tournament last March. Jones has been a part of several national tournaments from volleyball to basketball to softball and seen two national championships. Continued

Questions with Doug Jones ..........

DJ: I think it is hard to imagine what sports would be like without athletic trainers. I think you’ll see a lot more injuries and a lot less people being able to enjoy sports.

MR: Why did you want to be an athletic trainer and when did you realize that was your calling?

DJ: I originally wanted to become a physical therapist, but became interested in becoming an athletic trainer during my freshman year of college. I have spent some time in the training room and really took a liking to what they did. I wasn’t sure that was my calling, but it was something I could see myself doing for a long time.

MR: How did you come about working at WNCC as an athletic trainer?

DJ: I moved back to Scottsbluff in 2006 with the hopes of finding something to do. It just so happens that Jennifer Pedersen who was the AD at the time brought me in and met with Tim Alvarez, and they gave me the opportunity to start working with WNCC.

MR: What are the hardest parts of being an athletic trainer?

DJ: One of the hardest parts for me is only being able to work with our athletes for two years, sometimes less. I really enjoy getting to know the athletes. Another hard part is when you have to give bad news to an athlete. That never gets any easier.

MR: How hard was it being an athletic trainer during the COVID pandemic?

DJ: During the pandemic, it was a challenge to be an athletic trainer. Especially during the shut down in March 2020. I was used to working baseball and softball at this point, but suddenly we were sent home with nothing to do. It took a toll on me mentally, not being able to do my job, and what I was trained to do.

MR: How much has technology changed for athletic trainers over the years and how do you keep up with all the technology?

DJ: Technology hasn’t changed a whole lot, but we are in a more digital world, and things are more digital. We can get information much quicker and relay messages faster.

MR: What are the best parts of being an athletic trainer?

DJ: I think some of the best parts of being an athletic trainer are getting to know the athletes, being able to be there for them, and really developing those relationships. I also really enjoy seeing them return to

the field or court after an injury.

MR: Have you ever had to have a sitdown, heart-to-heart talk with an athlete and tell them their sports is finished, and if so, how hard is that for you or an athletic trainer?

DJ: I’ve only ever had to do that twice, and neither time was very easy. I don’t think it will ever get any easier to tell an athlete that horrific news. As much as you want to help, sometimes there’s only so much you can do. The good news is that both athletes I had to give this news to went on to have good lives and careers.

MR: Have you ever become teary-eyed during your time as an athletic trainer with emotion?

DJ: There have been a couple times. Usually I try to save that when I can get away.

MR: What does it take to become an athletic trainer?

DJ: To become an athletic trainer, you need to, now, have a masters degree in athletic training. It also takes a person with time management, patience, and a desire to help others. Many other skills, come in handy, such as professional curiosity, and a sense of humor.

MR: Where did you learn to become an

n 20

Doug Jones not only helps out the college, but he has helped out high schools in his spare time. Here, Jones and Christina Nelson are the athletic trainers at a Gering football game in the Fall of 2021. Doug Jones administers a test to a soccer player during a recent game. Continued on next page

Questions with Doug Jones ..........

athletic trainer and what lessons did you learn in college that have helped you today?

DJ: I received my education from Creighton University in Omaha. I was fortunate to have learned many skills from Steve Brace, who was my mentor at Creighton. I had some other great mentors while I was at Creighton, including Ben McNair, Ed Halbur and Doc Bevilacqua. I learned a lot of lessons about how to deal with athletes and how to help athletes. I think most of all, I learned compassion for my job and people.

MR: What are the hardest sports to be an athletic trainer for?

DJ: I think that answer depends on who you ask. If you are at a bigger school, football is definitely challenging. Others may say wrestling or hockey or lacrosse.

MR: If you wouldn’t be an athletic trainer, what do you see yourself doing?

DJ: I haven’t thought of it too much, but I always have thought about wanting to do something in medicine, maybe a medic or flight medic.

MR: You played sports in high school, are athletic, what is your athletic background?

DJ: In high school, in Mitchell, Nebraska, I’ve played football, ran track and played baseball in the summer baseball was by far my favorite sport. I had some good coaches who taught me the game.

MR: If you could change anything about the role of an athletic trainer, what would it be?

DJ: I think one thing I would change for athletic trainers would be for people to see how much effort we put in toward jobs. More pay, more days off, more praise are all wonderful things, but I think I would like everyone to know the effort we put in to help athletes recover.

MR: How many of the students that you taught to be an athletic trainer are out there working as athletic trainers or somehow in that field, and what

Doug Jones is more than an athletic trainer. He is an instructor in the classroom in teaching athletic training classes, but he also steps in and helps in practices like he did at the 2022 women’s national tournament in Lubbock, Texas, as he uses a pad to gives contact to players.

does it mean to you to see students following what you do as an occupation? (you can mention names as well).

DJ: I’ve had some students from my very first years going to be athletic trainers, and some more within the last few years go on. Thomas Buehler and Bre Perkes were two of my first students to move on. Carol Alves was the first international student I had move on. More recently, Bailee Dopp, Lauren Oxford, Stuart Eurich, Gabby Loya, Taylor VanderWerff and Christina Nelson have moved on.

Continued on next page

n 20

Doug Jones watches the action at the summer’s baseball camp. Jones helps with baseball and also coached the Gering Legion Team to a state title.

Questions with Doug Jones ..........

MR: Who is your biggest influence to become an athletic trainer or biggest influence to see a journey of injuries to overcoming that?

DJ: I would have to say my biggest influences in athletic training were Steve Brace and Doc Bevilacqua. Both of these men displayed servant leadership and did their best to always help athletes. Now, my biggest influences are my family, especially my wife Sherry.

MR: You are more than an athletic trainer, you also help out in other areas of the college and community from PA, setting up the gym, coaching baseball, being an athletic trainer at high school games, helping with camps, teaching, and God who knows what else. What does it mean to you to help out where you can and how much

do individuals appreciate that? Memories from those other duties?

DJ: Thank you Mark for mentioning this. I like to be involved where I can help. I try to help out as much as I can because I believe in giving back. Some of my favorite memories away from school would be coaching the Gering Legion baseball team and learning about baseball from coach Jones and coach Burgner away from “school” time. I really enjoy getting to know people in the community and doing things like PA announcing helps me do that. I have recently been chosen to be the NJCAA representative on the Intercollegiate Council of Sports Medicine for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. I am honored to help give back to the profession and to the NJCAA.

MR: What else do you want to add about being an athletic trainer and the role that you have on the young people? Any special memories that really stick out?

DJ: As I said before, I think my greatest memories are of the athletes. I have so many stories that I could share regarding athletes, coaches, opponents, bus drivers, officials, and even fans. However, I think it all comes together, when I receive messages from former athletes, telling me how much I meant to them, and how much I helped them during their time at WNCC. This isn’t a job I do for glory, but it is very fulfilling at the end of the day. To know you made an impact on someone else’s life is extremely satisfying.

— Written by Mark Rein

Cougar Culture

n 20

will all the snow melt? Best looking dog Something purple What was the last DVD that you bought Alex Hernandez volleyball By this month Pit Bull Barney None Above 5 degrees C. Rottweiler My Shoes None December Dachshund Ball Michael Jackson March 23 German Shepard Grapes Tom & Jerry March 28 Pitbull Eggplant MLB The Show Word that is spelled the same frontwards and backwards EYE

When

Daniel Bula Basketball Sarah Lourenco Soccer

KAYAK MADAM MOM RACECAR

Dimitije Nikolic Basketball Lexi Keoho Volleyball

Softball players read to pre-schoolers during Dr. Seuss Day on March 2

Players from the Western Nebraska Community College softball team took a few hours Wednesday, March 2, morning to read to pre-schoolers at Bear Cub Preschool and Roosevelt Elementary Preschool and the players said it was a very rewarding experience.

“It was really nice being able to read to the preschoolers and hang out with them.,” sophomore softball player Maddie Johnston said. “It’s not very often we get to interact with kids in the community so I loved being able to read and play with them!”

Avery Fox, who has never been a part of Dr. Seuss day, said it was enjoyable to her.

“I have not taken part of Dr. Seuss day where someone got read to, which made this experience so much fun,” Fox said. “It was so much fun reading to preschoolers. They were super excited that us big kids were there.”

Roosevelt preschool teacher Jami Palser-Wilson said her kids were thrilled to interact with the softball players.

“My kids were super excited to have the girls come in and read to them. It’s always nice to have others to interact with besides

the teachers,” Palser-Wilson said. “A good role model is nice for these kids to interact with. We got to talk not only about Dr. Seuss but also what these girls do , why they have a different accent, what college is, etc.”

WNCC softball coach Courtney Medina said the team had some free time to make this happen since they have had games canceled and changed for this weekend.

“We are very thankful to have the opportunity to read to some amazing classes today,” Medina said. “We want to give a special thank you to Laramie Green and all of the teachers that allowed us to come read to their classrooms. We are usually playing on Dr. Seuss day and the weather has taken a lot but also gifted us a lot and being able to spend time with some amazing kiddos and faculty is one of them!”

Palser-Wilson said the softball players provided good role models for the youngsters.

“I like that these young ladies are getting out into the community and doing good for the young individuals,” she said. “My kids were so excited they were up close and personal just to get attention and

interact with someone new. Finding different ways for them to love reading and the love for books brings any teacher joy.”

The day was special to not only the youngsters, but to the players. The Cougar players said they learned so much from the little ones just like the little ones learned from them.

“I learned that little kids have their own mind and ask questions out of the blue,” Fox said. “I was playing with the kids. We were evening playing a game to guess the animal!”

Johnston said these kids has plenty of energy and were enjoying the players in their classroom.

“I learned that those kids are not shy at all! They are just excited for you to be there as we were to hang out with them,” Johnston said. “The kids were extremely interesting in the stories we read and they had a blast being able to tell us more about themselves!.”

The players were only scheduled to be their for like 30 minutes or a little longer, but a situation arose that put the schools at Gering, Scottsbluff, and WNCC in a lockdown. It was during that time the players

Continued on next page

A preschool boy points to a picture in a Dr. Seuss book while softball player Arianna Plorin reads the story to the youngster at Roosevelt Elementry. Caley Leslie reads a Dr. Seuss book to a couple pre-schools at Bear Cub Preschool in Scottsbluff.

n Dr. Seuss Day ..........

had an opportunity to mingle with the youngsters even more, some coloring with the young ones, while others built things and some even put puzzles together with them.

Fox said the situation that prompted the lock down made for an even more enjoyable time with the kids.

“Being secured with the kids was a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s crazy to think that the little ones do not know what is happening outside. They just continue business like usual. They were super excited that we got to play with them longer! It was a fun day and glad I was apart of it.”

For Johnston, who has partook in Dr. Seuss day before, said this day was crazy, but it was fun.

“It was quite nerve racking to be with the kids during such a crazy time,” she said. “Obviously nobody had planned for such an incident and suddenly I felt responsible for taking care of a number of young kids I don’t know. I know some of the kids were scared but they didn’t really know what was going on. I believe us being there with them distracted them for all the craziness.”

Medina said doing things like this is good for the college and the players to get out in the community. She knows her team enjoyed being a part of the day.

“The team really enjoyed it and I know I’m biased, but we have some great girls that went above and beyond today,” the coach said. “I am very thankful for this group of athletes and the community that provides these great opportunities for them.”

— Written by Mark Rein Avery Fox reads “Green Eggs and Ham” to pre-school children at Roosevelt Elementary in Scottsbluff during Dr. Seuss Read-Across-America Day. Sianna Lewis reads a Dr. Seuss book to a couple pre-schools at Bear Cub Pre-school in Scottsbluff. Bree Hansen reads “If I Ran The Circus” to a young girl. Maddie Johnston reads a Dr. Seuss book to a youngster at Roosevelt Elementary on March 2. Erin Hurst reads a Dr. Seuss book to a couple young girls during the Read-Across-America day that celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

Kathy Bresnahan coming to WNCC April 3

Kathy Bresnahan, the coach that led her Iowa volleyball team to a state title after losing their star player before the season to a car accident, will be in Scottsbluff on Monday, April 3 for an inspirational talk.

The Bresnahan presentation will start at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are $15 and can be purchased at the link on the WNCC athletic website www. wnccathletics. com.

Bresnahan

encouragement during that tragic season helped remotivate her volleyball team. Bresnahan wrote a book on the happenings called “The Miracle Season,” which was made into a movie starring Helen Hunt and William Hurt.

Bresnahan will talk about the true-life experience when the tragic event happened to their pre-season all-state setter Caroline Found was killed in Iowa City, Iowa. Found would have been senior.

Through a newspaper article, Found was Iowa City West’s setter that led the team to the 4A state title a year ago. She was also a reserve on the school’s softball team.

The accident happened on August 11, 2011, when the mo-ped Found was riding crashed around 9:40 p.m. when she lost control, hit a curb near a curve and lost control, striking a tree in the median.

Found was returning home from a church youth meeting.

The movie “The Miracle Season” was released in 2018. The Wikipedia article said after the death of Carline “Line” Found, the team struggled in practice and in games and the hopes of state title was in jeopardy.

That was when things changed.

Tickets for Monday, April 3 available here

“West High struggles in practice and loses their first game badly, still discouraged by Line’s death. Brez runs the team through grueling drills and names Kelley the new captain. Kelley initially struggles in the role, but improves as the weeks go by. The team begins to win and is motivated to win the state championship for Line. They need to win the fourteen remaining games to be eligible for the state championship, which they do,” the Wikipedia article slated.

“Before the tournament begins, Kelley receives a gift from Line’s father, that encourages her not just to play for Line, but to “Live Like Line.” At West High, Kelley and boyfriend Alex paint the windows to read “Live Like Line”. T-Shirts with the catchphrase are given out to players, staff, and fans. The Trojans win the quarter-final game with ease, but struggle to win their semi-final game. They move on to the championship against City High, who are heavily favored to win. Before the game,

Brez gives a tribute to Line, deciding not to have a moment of silence, but encourages the crowd to meet someone new, as Line always was kind to everyone. City takes the lead early, but West ties the score and forces the fifth and final game, which the Trojans win. As the crowd cheers, “Sweet Caroline” plays in honor of Line and Kelley holds Line’s picture up high and proud.”

The movie is emtional and shows how a team can respond from tragedy.

“During the closing credits, images, videos, and footage show the real life Caroline Found and her family, Kelley Fliehler, Kathy Bresnahan, and the Iowa West High volleyball team,” the article said. “On-screen subtitles show how Caroline Found’s death inspired the real Iowa West High volleyball team to repeat their win for the 2011 Iowa State Championship. The Founds climbed Mount Monadnock. Over 4,000 students from across Iowa attended Line’s funeral. Kathy “Brez” Bresnahan was voted National Coach of the Year for 2011; she retired from coaching in 2014 but remains in contact with the 2011 team.”

Bresnahan has toured the country talking about overcoming adversity, making the people around you better, and promoting kindness.

— Written by Mark Rein

https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=168277&fbclid=IwAR01PLk3oeOVvdlEmGSfuJTMrq7Mx7f4I1JGviLlscOq86lZ1z8lv9mDtsk

Cougar athletic photos from past years

Scottsbluff Junior College l Nebraska Western College l Western Nebraska Community College

ALUMNI ATHLETIC NEWS

Former Cougar Night Train Lane featured in EBook article

The Ebook Football’s Most Wanted, The Top 10 Book of the Great Game’s Outrageous Characters, Fortunate Fumbles and Other Oddities has a list of a list of Top 10 college football players that played in the NFL and were undrafted.

Former Cougar and Scottsbluff Junior College player Dick “Night Train” Lane made the list at No. 2. The top player on the list was Kurt Warner. No. 3 was Emlen Tunnel, No. 4 was Willie Brown, and No. 5 was Willie Wood.

The publication said, “After not being drafted, Dick Lane, a defensive back who played his college ball at Western Nebraska Community College, asked for a tryout with the Los Angeles Rams in 1952. Not only did Lane make the team, he set an interceptions record that still stands -- Night Train picked off 14 passes in his rookie season and 68 in his 14-year career.

The Ebook can be purchased through Google Books.

Cougar Athletes of the Week

Female Athletes of the Week

Sept. 2 Jenna Curtis, Vball

Sept. 8 ................................... Lesley Vasquez, Soccer

Sept. 15 Emmalei Mapu, Vball

Oct. 11 Erica Fava, Vball

Oct. 24 ................................... Lesley Vasquez, Soccer

Nov. 7 Volleyball Team

Nov. 14 Mackenzie Joseph, Wbball

Nov. 30 ........................................ Yara Garcia, Wbball

Dec. 13 Bre Fowler, Wbball

Jan. 11 Ola Duda, Wbball

Jan. 19 ......................................... Jayla Owen, Wbball

Jan. 26 Shiho Isono, Wbball

Feb. 7 Rashaan Smith, Wbball

Feb. 20 ........................................ Jayla Owen, Wbball

Feb. 26 Mackenzie Joseph, Wbball

Male Athletes of the Week

Sept. 2 .................................... Men’s Basketball Team

Sept. 8 Luis Escobar, Soccer

Sept. 15 Rodrigo Cercal, Soccer

Oct. 11 ............................. Matheus Nascimento, Soccer

Oct. 24 Rodrigo Cercal, Soccer

Nov. 7 Biko Johnson, Mbball

Nov. 14 ......................................... CJ Johnson, Mbball

Nov. 30 Daniel Bula, Mbball

Dec. 13 Stephen Ovia, Mbball

Jan. 11 .......................................... Carl Thrope, Mbball

Jan. 19 Enzo Clouvel-Urie, Mbball

Jan. 26 Biko Johnson, Mbball

Feb. 7 ..................................... Ahmari Samuel, Mbball

Feb. 20 Carl Thorpe, Mbball

Feb. 26 Daniel Bula, Mbball

What is coming up in Cougar Athletics

Saturday, March 4

MBB – HOME – North Platte at WNCC, 2 p.m. – 1st round regionals

SOFT -- WNCC at Highland C.C. in Kansas

WNCC -- Broadway on the Bluffs, Theater West Fundraiser

Sunday, March 5

BASE -- @ Otero College, La Junta, Colorado, Noon DH

SOFT -- WNCC at Highland C.C. in Kansas

Monday, March 6

BASE -- @ Otero College, La Junta, Colorado, Noon DH

Thursday, March 9

WBB – HOME – Region IX Tournament at WNCC (4 games) Cougar women play Thursday at 7 p.m.

MBB – Region IX Tournament at Casper, Wyoming

Friday, March 10

WBB – HOME – Region IX Tournament at WNCC (semis)

MBB – Region IX Tournament at Casper, Wyoming

SOFT -- Lamar at WNCC, 12 & 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 11

WBB – HOME – Region IX Tournament at WNCC (finals)

MBB – Region IX Tournament at Casper, Wyoming

SOFT -- Lamar at WNCC, 12 & 2 p.m.

Sunday, March 12

BASE -- @ Madison College, Phoenix, Arizona, TBA

SOFT -- Lamar at WNCC, 11 a.m.

Monday, March 13