WNCC Cougar Illustrated Newsletter -- March 13, 2024

Tournament Time:

WNCC men host Region IX tourney

What’s Inside

Men’s basketball host regional tournament

The WNCC men’s basketball team went through the second semester 14-1 and captured the South Sub-region title and the right to host the regional tournament which will be played March 14-16 at Cougar Palace with the winner qualifying for nationals in Hutchinson, Kansas.

WNCC women hope for a regional title

The WNCC women’s basketball team has 25 wins on the season and they are hoping for three more to win a Region IX title and a trip to the national tournament in Casper, Wyoming. Regionals is slated for March 14-16 at Casper College.

March is athletic training month

WNCC athletic trainer Doug Jones is a people person and gives everything to treat WNCC athletes. Jones not only is the athletic trainer, but also gives back by helping to announce, help with camps, teach classes, wash clothes, and many other duties that he does because he wants to help.

Baseball, softball off and running

March is a busy time at the college as the softball and baseball teams are a month into their seasons. Both teams have picked up several wins on the season ane will host games in the next weekends at Volunteer Field and Cleveland Field.

Any story ideas, pictures, or updates on former Cougar athletes, send the information to Mark at mrein2963@gmail.com or mrein@wncc.edu.

Cougar athlete alumni, also send updates what you are doing. Will be putting something in the next Cougar Illustrated of what the former players are doing now.

—— Cougar Sports Calendar ——

Thursday, March 14

BASE – AWAY – WNCC at Mesa C.C. @ Mesa, Ariz., Noon

MBB – HOME – Region IX Tournament at Cougar Palace

WNCC men play Northwest Wyoming at 7 p.m.

WBB – AWAY – Region IX Tournament at Casper, Wyoming

WNCC women play Western Wyoming at 12:30 p.m.

Friday, March 15

BASE – AWAY – at Paradise College @ Phoenix, Ariz., 11 a.m.

MBB – HOME – Region IX Tournament at Cougar Palace

WBB – AWAY – Region IX Tournament at Casper, Wyoming

Saturday, March 16

MBB – HOME – Region IX Tournament at Cougar Palace (championship)

WBB – AWAY – Region IX Tournament at Casper, Wyoming

SOFT – HOME – vs. Trinidad State, @ Volunteer Field, 12 p.m. DH

Sunday, March 17

SOFT – HOME – vs. Trinidad State, @ Volunteer Field, 11 a.m. DH

Saturday, March 23

BASE – HOME – vs. Luna C.C.. @ Cleveland Field, 12 p.m. DH

SOFT – AWAY – vs. Colby C.C., Colby, Kansas, 12 p.m. DH

Sunday, March 24

BASE – HOME – vs. Luna C.C. @ Cleveland Field., 12 p.m. DH

SOFT – AWAY – vs. Colby C.C., Colby, Kansas, 11 a.m. DH

Friday, March 29

BASE – AWAY – at Trinidad State, Trinidad, Colorado, DH WNCC – Good Friday – NO CLASSES

Saturday, March 30

BASE – AWAY – at Trinidad State, Trinidad, Colorado, DH

Tuesday, April 2

BASE – HOME – vs. Garden City C.C. @ Cleveland Field 1 p.m. DH

Friday, April 5

SOFT – AWAY – vs. Northeastern JC, Sterling, Colorado, 1 p.m. DH

Saturday, April 6

BASE – AWAY – at Lamar, Lamar, Colorado, DH

SOFT – AWAY – at Northeastern JC, Sterling, Colorado, 1 p.m. DH

Sunday, April 7

BASE – AWAY – at Lamar, Lamar, Colorado, DH

SOFT – HOME – at Northeastern J.C., Volunteer Field, 1 p.m. DH

Monday, April 8

BASE – AWAY – at Garden City C.C., Garden City, Kansas

Saturday, April 13

BASE – HOME – vs. Otero, Cleveland Field, 1 p.m. DH

SOFT – HOME – vs. Luna, Volunteer Field, 12 p.m. DH

Sunday, April 14

BASE – HOME – vs. Otero, Cleveland Field, 1 p.m. DH

SOFT – HOME – vs. Luna, Volunteer Field, 11 a.m. DH

WNCC’s Mackenzie Joseph goes up for a shot against Lamar in sophomore recognition night. The Cougar women are in the Region IX tourney March 14-16 in Casper, Wyoming.

Cougar Shorttakes

Isono wraps up junior year at Southern Utah U.

Former WNCC Cougar Shiho Isono had a good season for Southern Utah University this past year.

Shiho and her Thunderbids wrapped up the season this week as they fell to the University Texas Arlington 67-53 in the firstround of the Western Athletic Conference tournament last week.

The Thunderbirds wrap up their season with a 8-22 record overall, while the Lady Mavs improve to 16-15 on the season.

Head coach Tracy Mason said it was a good season and excited for next year.

“I think it’s such a great experience to be here,” he said. “We obviously have some young players on our team and some people that haven’t been here or didn’t play much here last year. It’s a cool experience and it’s something to build on moving forward.”

After the Lady Mavs opened the scor

ing with a jumper, Alexa Lord converted on a layup plus the foul to give the Thunderbirds a 3-2 lead. UT Arlington connected on a three pointer on the following possession to jump back in front 5-3. Then, Ava Uhrich drilled a midrange jumper to knot the game up at 5-5. The Lady Mavs scored the next five points of the game to extend their lead to 10-5 with 5:45 remaining in the first quarter.

Alexa Lord came up with the offensive rebound and found Samantha Johnston for an open three to cut the lead to 10-8. UTA went on a 6-0 run to go up 16-8. Southern Utah responded, with Ballena and Urich

each adding a bucket to make the score 1612 with 1:54 remaining in the first quarter. UTA ended the period on a 6-2 stretch to take a 22-14 lead at the end of the first.

The Lady Mavs outscored the Thunderbirds 17-9 in the second period, with Shiho Isono pouring in seven points for SUU. UT Arlington took a 39-23 lead at the break.

Lord led the Thunderbirds offensively in the third period with nine points, as the Lady Mavs led 57-41 entering the fourth quarter. Southern Utah outscored UT Arlington 12-10 in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Mavs would go on to claim a 67-53 victory..

Isono finished the game with nine points.

For the season, Isono averaged 4.8 points a game having 65 rebounds and 67 assists with 16 steals. Isono made 12 threes on the season.

Her high game was a 13 points contest against Tarleton State on March 2.

Shelly

Tournament Time

WNCC men’s basketball earned the right to host the regional tournament for the first time in 12 years

The Western Nebraska Community College men’s basketball team put together a stellar second semester, going 14-1 with their only loss coming to Trinidad State back on January 19.

Since that defeat, the Cougar men have won 11 straight, including a big 77-76 win on February 23 that gave the Cougars the South Sub-region championship and the right to host the Region IX tournament.

The tournament begins Thursday, March 14 at Cougar Palace with four games with the championship slated for March 16 with the winner advancing to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas March 24-30.

WNCC head coach Billy Engel, who was an assistant for the Cougars when the Cougar men last won a regional title in 2018, said it is an honor to host the regional tournament and for the Panhandle fans to see some talented teams.

“We are very excited at the opportunity to be able to host the Region IX Tournament,” Engel said. “It is a testament to how hard our guys have played throughout the season and how they’ve come together, grown together and learned to play together at a high level. We are also very excited to bring some high-level basketball to the community. The Scottsbluff community has been extremely supportive, and we can’t wait to play this tournament in front of our home crowd.”

JJ Harris, a sophomore, said this team is focused on what they need to do to bring on a title.

“It stats with God. Then, in practice, we must go 1-0 Monday through Wednesday in order to perform Thursday,” Harris said. “We know we can. Then I honestly feel like God will take care of the rest.”

Engel said while the team hasn’t played a game in three weeks because of a forfeit win from Lamar Community College on February 27, his team is excited to get back on the court in front of the fans.

“I think the guys are extremely excited to get back to competition after a long rest period,” Engel said. “We’ve been able to get healthy as well as mentally rested. We had a good week of practice last week and need 3 more good days this week.”

The tournament actually started last weekend with first-round games at the site of the higher seed. WNCC and Gillette, who won the sub-regions, received a bye into the tournament.

The first-round games saw a couple of upsets and games that went as predicted of the seedings. First round results with the winners making the quarterfinals saw Otero earn a 91-87 overtime win over North Platte;

That sets up the quarterfinal action on Thursday with four games at Cougar Palace. Action begins at 1 p.m. when Trinidad State takes on Laramie County followed by the North winner Gillette College taking on McCook at 3 p.m. The 5 p.m. contest will pit Casper against Otero followed by WNCC taking on Northwest College at 7 p.m.

Continued on next page

Trinidad State taking out Lamar 88-70; McCook upsetting Northeastern Junior College 78-76; Laramie County beating Western Wyoming 90-81; Casper defeating Eastern Wyoming 114-94; and Northwest Wyoming upsetting Central Wyoming 97-93.

JJ Harris brings the ball into the paint in a game with McCook Community College earlier this semester. The Cougar men have won 11 straight and went 14-1 in the second semester to get the right to host the regional tourney March 14-16.

n WNCC hosts men’s regional tourney ......

The winners advance to the semifinals at 5 and 7 p.m. on March 15 with the championship game Saturday evening.

WNCC’s first opponent will be Northwest College, a team they beat back on November 17 89-72 after only leading 40-39 at the half. In that game, Kayden Nation led the team with 16 points.

But, what was also key was WNCC had five players in double figures. After Nation, Elijah Burney tallied 12 points followed by 11 each from Harris and Maurice Walker, and 10 from Nazir Griffin.

Engel said Northwest will be a tough team, having beat some quality teams. Ttrappers are 14-17 on the season while the Cougars are 22-8 and received votes in the last regular season NJCAA national poll.

“Northwest College is an extremely well-coached team,” Engel said. “They are disciplined, detailed, tough, scrappy, and have some talented players.”

Northwest had sox players averaging in double figures. Colin Hayes leads the team at 15.4 points a game followed by Koltar Maritt at 12.7, and Isaiah Halverson at 12.2 points. Milton Rodriguez-Santana is at 11 points followed by Will Hemme and Drew Larson at 10 points a game.

The diversity and depth of the WNCC scorers has been a big reason for the Cougars play during the second semester.

WNCC had eight players that are averaging seven points a game and three that are averaging double digits.

Harris leads the way at 13.2 points a game followed by Nation with 11.4 and Willie Wilson at 11.1.

After that, Walker is averaging 8.7 points, Daniel Bula at 7.9, and Stephen Ovia, Travis Easterly, Jr., and Anthony Simo at seven points.

Harris said he believes the team is playing well right now and they are hoping to keep it going keep it going.

“I feel like the team is playing great,” Harris said. “It starts with our bong off the court. Everyone is for one another and I love that for us.”

What Engel loves about this team is how they have come together during the second semester. WNCC was 8-7 after the first semester. The second semester they are 14-1 and have won some key contests, especially in comeback fashion.

“Our keys to success have been the same all second semester,” Engel said. “Number

one is to defend personnel and actions of Opponent. No. 2 is great shot selection and take care of the ball, and three, when our opponents make a mistake we need to take advantage.”

During that key 11-game winning streak, the Cougars have won plenty of nail-biters, including an 81-80 overtime win at North Platte followed by an 89-82 win at Otero and then an 83-81 win at Northeastern Junior College.

The NJC win was a team effort when the Cougars put five players in double figures, but it was Harris’ shot with 1.4 seconds left that gave the Cougars the win.

WNCC then wrapped up the regular season on February 23 with a one-point win over Trinidad State on the road 77-76 that saw the Cougars put together a late 14-0 run to get the win.

WNCC had to battle back from a 10-point and 8-point deficit with five minutes to play

and went up 76-70 with about 45 seconds left. Trinidad hit a 3-pointer with 37.2 seconds left. Neither team scored on their next possession. With 11.9 seconds left, WNCC was looking for a shot to seal the game, but turned the ball over. Trinidad inbounded the ball and called a timeout as soon as the ball crossed half-court with 7.5 seconds.

On the inbounds play, Travis Easterly, Jr., got a steal and was fouled. Easterly, Jr., hit one of two free throws with 4.7 left. Trinidad came down and buried a 3-pointer with .2 seconds left and WNCC inbounded the ball and ran out the clock.

“This team has done a very good job throughout conference play of not looking into the future, but taking care of what’s right in front of them, going 1-0 today. The only thing our team is looking at right now is being prepared and ready to compete against NWC on Thursday at 7 p.m.

— Written by Mark Rein

Elijah Burney dribbles to the paint in a game with North Platte Community College last month.

2024 Region IX Men’s Basketball Tournament

Thursday-Saturday, March 14-16

@ WNCC’s Cougar Palace

S2 — Trinidad (88)

Saturday, March 9 @ Trinidad, Colo.

S7 — Lamar (70)

N3 — Central Wyo. (93)

Saturday, March 9 @ Riverton, Wyo.

N6 — NW Wyoming (97)

N1 — Gillette

Bye

S4 — Otero (91)

Saturday, March 9 @ LaJunta, Colo.

OT

S5 — North Platte (87)

N2 — Casper (114)

Saturday, March 9 @ Casper, Wyo.

N7 — Eastern Wyo. (94)

S3 — NE Colorado (76)

Saturday, March 9 @ Sterling, Colo.

S6 — McCook (78)

S1 — WNCC

Bye

N4 — Laramie County

S2 — Trinidad are reseeded from results

N1 — Gillette

S6 — McCook

N4 — Laramie County (90)

Saturday, March 9 @ Cheyenne, Wyo.

N5 — Western Wyo. (81)

N2 — Casper

S4 — Otero

S1 — WNCC

N6 — NW Wyoming

Teams on top: home//light uniforms

Teams on bottom: visiting/dark uniforms

Host Team always wears white

Winner advances to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas March 24-30

Region IX Champion

Remember 2012 regionals?

Last time WNCC hosted regionals, the Cougars fell to Casper by 2 points in the semi-finals in a heartbreaker

The last time WNCC hosted the men’s Region IX tournament was in 2012 and looking back at that tournament, it was not something that WNCC really wants to remember.

It was a tournament that WNCC opened the tournaemnt with a 76-66 win over Northeast Community College at Cougar Palace where WNCC held a slim 35-34 lead at halftime and then out-scored the Hawks 41-32 to get the win. Raul Delgado led the team with 17 points.

That put the Cougars into the quarterfinals where they faced North Platte Community in the quarterfinals and they had a heart-throbbing 58-54 win over the Knights.

The big play was at the end of the half when Du-Vaughn Maxwell stole the ball and with a tick left on the clock, hit a 3-pointer just inside the half court line for the 30-26 halftime lead.

The second half saws Alliance’s Mike Peltz hit two clutch free throws with 20.4 seconds left int he game to put the Couigars up by four.

That put the Cougars into the semifinals and in another game that went to down to the wire. This time, though, Casper had the last second luck with the Cougars lost the heart-breaker with 2.5 seconds to play on two free throws by Casper’s Deninson Burguillos. It was also a game where the Cougars didn’t score in the final two minutes of the game as Casper earned the 70-68 win.

Here is the story of that heart-breaking loss with Casper, which was a classic game between the two rivals.

WNCC end season with heartbreaking, final seconds loss to Casper 70-68

(Story from 2012) -- It was a barnburner to the final seconds of the Western Nebraska Community College and Casper College semifinal contest Monday evening at Cougar Palace in the men’s Region IX tournament.

In the end, Casper’s Deninson Burguil-

los sank two free throws with 2.5 seconds to play and the Thunderbirds held the Cougars to without a point in the final two minutes of the contest in prevailing 70-68 and a berth in the Region IX championship game Tuesday night.

Casper will face Otero Junior College, an 88-81 winner over Miles Community College for the berth at the national tournament that begins next week.

For the Cougars, they end their season at 26-7. WNCC coach Russ Beck said that it was a good game and they left everything out on the floor.

“I thought both teams really, really competed. Neither team quit,” Beck said. “It comes down to some simple things here and there, but that is how life is though. You have to do the simple things to do the great things. I am proud of our boys. We competed and had a wonderful season. They are great young men. We had some great sophomores and some of them will be really hard to replace. We have some great freshmen and we need to remain focused and we will see what kind of charac-

Continued on next page

in a photos from 2012, WNCC Raul Delgado goes up for a shot while being defended by a Casper College player in the 2012 regional tournament.

n Looking back at 2012 regionals ......

ter we have if we stay true to the principals we have to be a Cougar. I love my boys and I am real proud of them.”

Casper coach Joel Davidson said this was a classic WNCC and Casper battle in an atmosphere that was electric. Davidson said they kept believing and escaped with the win.

“This is a huge win. Western Nebraska is a great team and there was a great crowd here tonight,” Davidson said. They had us reeling all night long, but we are a sophomore-laden team. We have been in close games this year and we had guys step up. Tonight we were able to step up. Three of our better players had off nights tonight and two guys stepped up big. Dominique Lee and Burguillos hadn’t been factors lately and they had huge nights. Our depth has been our key all year. It epitomizes our season.

“Otero is a great team. They are well coached and they are sophomore heavy. They have great guards and they have all the pieces with athletic and big physical kids. They will expose our mistakes so we will have to play the best game of the tournament to advance.”

This was a slugfest from the opening tip as both teams played hard and neither team was going to give an inch. Casper opened up a 27-21 lead in the first half and led 2923 before WNCC made a furious comeback behind two 3-pointers from Sebastian Suarez to help the Cougars take a 38-31 lead before Casper got a tip-in at the buzzer to trail 38-33 at halftime.

WNCC led the entire second half except for the final 2.5 seconds. The Cougars had leads of six points on a number occasions and even led by eight, 49-41. The turning point in the contest came in the final two minutes. Suarez knocked home his fifth trey with two minutes from the corner to give the Cougars a 68-61 lead.

That was the last time the Cougars would

score as Casper’s Jerrold Brooks nailed a 3-pointer seconds after Suarez’ jumper. Both teams then turned the ball over before Tyler Larson got the T-Birds to within two, 68-66.

WNCC, again, turned the ball over in the backcourt and Larson nailed one of two free throws, but Dominique Lee got the offensive rebound and was fouled with 46.9 seconds to play. Lee nailed one of two charity shots to tie the game. The Cougars then turned the ball over again in the backcourt but Casper missed a 3-pointer with five seconds to play.

Casper’s Burguillos, however, got the offensive rebound and was fouled with 2.5 seconds to play and sank both shots for the lead. WNCC’s desperation 3-pointer was slightly off the mark sending the Casper

bench onto the floor in celebration.

The big key in the game was bench scoring, where Casper outscored the Cougars 37-4. Otherwise the contest was evenly contested as Casper shot 40 percent from the field and knocked home five 3-pointers, while WNCC shot 39.7 percent from the field with six 3-pointers.

Casper had three players in double figures. Larson led the team with 16 points followed by Darrious Curry with 13 points and Lee with 11 points.

The Cougars had four players in double digits. Suarez led the way with 20 points, including five 3-pointers. Motley and Raul Delgado each had 17 points, while Du’Vaughn Maxwell had 10 points.

— Written by Mark Rein

in another photo from the semifinal game with Casper, A Cougar player goes up for a shot. WNCC fell in the 2012 semifinals at regionals at Cougar Palace.

WNCC women ready for regionals when they face Western Wyoming

The Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team has one thing on their mind entering the Region IX women’s tournament in Casper, Wyoming, this week and that is to bring home a Region IX title.

That is the goal of every team, but for the Cougars, it is a goal to get back to the national tournament.

While that is the main goal for the team, there is a second goal and that that is the first on the agenda and that is to win their quarterfinal game against Western Wyoming Community College, a team that has beaten the Cougars four straight games.

WNCC will open regional tourney action Thursday at 12:30 p.m. against the Mustangs. It is a game the team is looking forward to.

“We have played them lots of times and I think we are ready,” red-shirt sophomore Gal-La Font said. “We need to stick to our way of playing and not let them take us out of the game.”

That is the key for the Cougar women to do well, play their game. Font said they have to leave everything out on the court over the three days of the tourney.

“Giving our everything,” Font said is the key to winning. “We need putting in the effort and playing defense. We need to play our basketball.”

Mackenzie Joseph, a true sophomore, said the key is staying together.

“Playing as a team with everyone on the same page,” Joseph said.” We would have to play three games in three days so making sure we get enough rest and play hard each day.”

The first round of the regional tournament was actually played on Friday, March 8 with for games to get to the tournament.

One of those was WNCC when they hosted Trinidad State and it was one of the best games from start to finish for the Cougar women as they beat Trinidad 100-51 behind a team effort.

Other first-round games included McCook earning a 48-43 win over Lamar Community College, Eastern Wyoming College topping Laramie County 72-66, and Gillette College taking out Northwest College 7268.

The winners from March 8 and the top two teams from the North and South, who earned a bye into the quarterfinals, will meet up in Casper, March 14-16.

Quarterfinal action gets underway Thursday when WNCC faces Western Wyoming at 12:30 p.m. and Gillette taking on South top seed Northeastern Junior College at 2:30 p.m.

Those two winners will meet in the semifinals on Friday at at 5 p.m.

The other quarterfinals will have Eastern Wyoming facing Otero at 5 p.m. and McCook taking on North top seed Casper at 7 p.m.

Those winners will battle in the semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m.

The two semifinals winners will meet for

the Region IX championship on Saturday at 4 p.m. with the winner advancing to the NJCAA national tournament March 26-April 1 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyoming.

If WNCC wants to keep winning, it is imperative that they play like they did against Trinidad where they led from start to finish, leading 25-5 after the first quarter and 55-22 at halftime.

It was a game where all the players scored and it was a balanced scoring with four in double figures and another five with seven to nine points.

That game saw Ebere Egbirika and Faith Walker led the way with 16 points followed by Amiyah Donaldson with 14 and Laura

WNCC’s Jamie Caron dribbles to the basket in a game against Lamar Community College on February 27. WNCC is in the quarterfinals of the Region IX tournament after defeating Trinidad State College 100-51 on March 8 in the first round.

n WNCC ready for women’s regionals ......

Montiel with 10.

So, what about Western Wyoming? The Mustangs defeated the Cougars twice this season including 73-56 on November 10 at Rock Springs, Wyoming, and then came back outscoring the Cougars 43-27 in the second half to top WNCC 75-67 on January 10 at Cougar Palace.

WNCC enters the tournament on a 5-game winning streak and each of those five wins a different player led the team in scoring . In the 72-61 win over McCook, Donaldson led with 21 points.

In the 68-63 win over North Platte it was Font that led the team with 15 points, while the win over Lamar (77-43) it was Joseph with a 17 point effort. In back-to-back wins over Trinidad, Walker had 19 points in the regular season meeting, while Egbirika had 16 in the playoff game.

The team says they are playing well and are locked in to what they need to do.

“We are playing decent right now,” Joseph said. “Defensively, we are getting better but we need to stay on it.”

Font said the team is getting back to where they need to be when they strung

together 10 straight wins in November and December, including topping Casper College 75-69 and then beating nationally-ranked College of Southern Idaho 82-77.

“We are doing good and getting back to our identity. Practices are going well,” Font said. “We are very locked in and excited to win.”

— Written by Mark Rein

WNCC’s Faith Walker brings the ball up the court during the Cougars’ game with Trinidad State College on March 8. WNCC is in the quarterfinals of the Region IX tournament after defeating Trinidad State College 100-51 in that game.

Play-in Games

S6 Trinidad

S3 Western NE

2024 Region IX Women’s Basketball Tournament

Casper, Wyoming

March 14-16, 2024

S3 Western NE

Game 1

Thur., 3/14 @ 12:30 p.m.

N3 Eastern WY

Game 3 Thur., 3/14 @ 5 p.m.

Play-in Games

N6 Laramie CCC

N3 Eastern WY

N2 Western WY S2 Otero

N2 Western WY

S2 Otero

BYE BYE

Game 5 Fri., 3/15 @ 5 p.m.

N5 Northwest S5 Lamar

N4 Gillette

Game 6 Fri., 3/15 @ 7 p.m.

S4 McCook

N4 Gillette S4 McCook

Game 2

Thur., 3/14 @ 2:30 p.m.

Game 4 Thur., 3/14 @ 7 p.m.

S1 Northeastern N1 Casper

S1 Northeastern

BYE

Fri., March 8 Games

Women’s Basketball

Region IX Champion Runner-Up

N1 Casper

BYE

Fri., March 8 Games

Women’s Basketball

WNCC athletic trainer Doug Jones is appreciated by all the athletes as March is Athletic Training month

Every March is Athletic Training Month and it is a month to give back to the real people that keep the athletes going, the athletic trainers.

At WNCC, that includes Doug Jones, who has been with the college since 2005 and has provided countless hours helping Cougar athletes stay healthy as well as providing support as a father figure for the athletes when they need someone to talk to or just lending an ear.

Jones, who is a Mitchell High School graduate, said he loves watching the athletes grow as students and athletes.

“My favorite part of being an athletic trainer is when an athlete who has been hurt and working with me day after day gets the chance to go back onto the field or court, and you can see the hard work they put in pay off,” he said. “I enjoy getting to watch the students grow as people and as athletes during their time with us.”

So, what made him become an athletic trainer? Well, it was Jones taking a class at Creighton that turned his major from being a physical therapist to an athletic trainer.

“I started out being a physical therapist, but I saw what the athletic trainer in college did, and I asked if I could join the program,” he said. “I was in the Intro class already, and I found the class to be super interesting. After spending some time with the athletic trainers, I really wanted to be a part of that. I started as soon as I could working in the training room, and I spent a majority of my free time in the training room in college, trying to absorb everything I could. Shadowing the docs, taking athletes to appointments, asking questions to anyone who would answer. I am very lucky to have found my passion so early in my college career.”

So, what would life be like if Jones wasn’t an athletic trainer and helping the WNCC athletes? He said he probably would be helping other people in some way.

“If I weren’t an athletic trainer, I would like to think I would be a PT, Chiroprac-

tor, or EMT,” he said. “Because I like to tinker with things, some days I wonder what it would be like to have a career as a mechanic or electrician. I think all of those sound like awesome jobs that still help people.”

But, he is an athletic trainer and he is glad he stuck with it.

So, during the month of March, look back and at all the athletic trainers and thank them for their job. That is what the month of March is all about, to bring an awareness of what athletic trainers bring to the table.

“Athletic training month was created to recognize athletic trainers and the jobs they do for their physically active populations,” he said. “Many times, athletic trainers go unnoticed because a lot of the work we do is behind the scenes. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association created National Athletic Training Month as a way to recognize their members and the work they do, and every year has a different theme. This year’s theme is “From Head to Toe” as athletic trainers deal with everything from concussions to toe injuries.

As an athletic trainer, I like the idea of the month to celebrate, but I don’t do it to get recognition.”

An athletic trainer is more than taping ankles. Oh, it is way more from the typical stereotype.

Doug Jones tapes up a women’s soccer player before a match at Landers Soccer Complex. Jones is more than an athletic trainer at WNCC, he helps out in anything that he can.

Doug Jones tapes up men’s basketball player Stephen Ovia during a game so he can get back into the game.

n March is Athletic Training Month ......

“An athletic trainer is educated to deal with physically active populations. We are versed in the prevention, recognition, evaluation, and rehabilitation of injuries,” Jones said. “We are also trained in emergency care for conditions and injuries, like CPR and other emergency situations.”

For Jones, he is just not an athletic trainer at WNCC, he is Mr. Helper. Jones is knowledgeable and helps in all facets of a game from sometimes announcing, setting up Gamechanger, helping with camps, filling the water at the end of the benches, providing music, taking water to the refs, doing laundry for soft-

ball and baseball, dancing on the sidelines, and visiting with opposing players and helping them.

“I do enjoy visiting with visiting players when they come in to get taped, and having them tell me they like the way I tape, or just being there to help them when they need it,” he said. “ I also enjoy the relationships I have with our coaches and staff members. Everyone has a part to play, and when we do, we give the athletes a great experience.”

Jones is heavily involved in athletic training organization as well as the WNCC college life.

Continued on next page

What WNCC athletes have to say about Doug Jones as athletic trainer

“Transferring from a previous college that didn’t have an athletic trainer has opened my eyes in many aspects. My previous school didn’t allow me the opportunities I have now, with Doug being my athletic trainer. I was very nervous going to him as I have problems that can’t be solved (something I’ll have to deal with the rest of my life). When I finally came to see Doug, he listened to me and have found ways to help sustain the pain from this injury, which has been a big blessing with my season starting. Having Doug as my athletic trainer has been an absolute blessing and something I will forever be thankful for. He never judges me and always puts a smile on my face. I’ll forever be grateful for Doug and all that he does for us Cougar athletes!”

Madilynn VanRiper, Softball

From Farmington, New Mexico

“First off, I would like to say he has helped me in all aspects of my life, not just taping ankles or giving me STEM, but by being a man that I can rely on or speak to about anything. From our conversations about Faith to even just the everyday dad jokes he makes; he truly has been an inspiration and a man to look up to. Mr. Doug is far more than just your everyday AT, he’s an uncle figure to me and I will greatly miss him as I leave WNCC after this year.”

Maurice Walker, Men’s Basketball From Denver, Colorado

“Doug is not only there for his athlete’s physically but also mentally. I would argue a thousand times that he goes above and beyond for the athletes at WNCC. He has helped me in more ways than one. He’s helped me with every physical injury and saved me more times than I can count when I’ve been stuck in my head. Doug always has a fun and welcoming environment in the training room and never fails to make someone laugh or feel better. He’s quick to get you treatment and the help we need whether it’s physical therapy, the chiropractor, or even connecting athletes to sports psychologist for mental health. Even if Doug is having a bad day, he does his best to make sure yours goes well or gets better. Doug has played an important part in my academic athletic career at WNCC and is one of the reasons that I am able to keep playing.”

Devyn Priselac, Softball

From Ft. Collins, Colorado

“Doug Jones goes above and beyond each day at being our school’s athletic trainer, an academic adviser, and instructor and he does it with grace and humility. Doug manages to be the trainer for all seven of the sports we have here at WNCC. All the while, he teaches numerous courses and counsels’ students on their academic ventures. Doug is a very knowledgeable trainer who is willing to put in the work

that is required to take care of every athlete at this school. However, what makes Doug special is his willingness and ability to connect with athletes. He prides himself on taking the time to get to know each student on a personal level. He is very approachable, and you know that when you go to him with a problem, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional, he is going to stop what he is doing and give you all of himself and help you in any way that he can. Speaking from personal experience, having been a member of the volleyball team here at WNCC for the past two years, Doug was one of the people that helped me through. He listened when I needed to rant, gave me advice when I needed direction, and provided a space for distraction when I simply couldn’t deal with it all. I know the role he played for me is similar to what he has done for all the athletes that have come through this school. Doug is truly the epitome of what it looks like to give all of yourself to others through his job and this school’s athletics would be lost without him. That is why, as someone who often goes unrecognized for the unbelievable amount of work he does, he deserves recognition for his multiple years of hard work and impact he has made on my life and numerous other athletes at this school.”

Megan Bewley, Volleyball

From Scottsbluff, Nebraska

n March is Athletic Training Month ......

Outside of athletic training, he teach in the Social Science/Human Performance Department. Jones said he helps out as much as he can, such as announcing at games, field maintenance, helping with baseball camps and clinics, and doing things to make sure WNCC is a great experience for the students

“I am a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association, the NJCAA representative to the Intercollegiate Council of Sports Medicine, and a member of the NJCAA Student-Athlete Welfare and Safety Committee,” he said. “I am also the Faculty Assembly chair this year, and a member of our local Education Association (NWCEA).”

He has earned many accolades during the past few years.

“I have been lucky enough to have been named Mueller Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer of the Week, and Star Herald Favorite Athletic Trainer,” he said. “I also was named Faculty Member of the Year by WNCC in 2017.”

What makes Jones tick? It is knowing that he wants to make a difference in someone’s life.

“The thing that keeps me going is knowing I can make a difference in someone’s life,” he said. “Most of the time, I know it is temporary, but I enjoy being a part of the athlete’s experience here.”

There are days that Jones regrets and those are when he has to tell an athlete their season is finished because of an injury.

“I think the hardest part of the job is when you see an athlete who has an injury that is bad enough it ends their season and there is nothing you can really do about it.,” he said. “You can care for them, and try to help them through it, but in the end, their season is done and a part of them feels like it has been taken away from them.”

Jones added that he wanted to thank everyone for their time and making WNCC a fun place to work at.

“I would like to wish a Happy NATM to all of my colleagues out there, especially those in the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Region IX athletic trainers. You are all wonderful to work with and I am lucky to have great colleagues who are willing to share knowledge and experiences.”

— Written by Mark Rein

— located at 1624

20+Questions with Tamika Eastman

WNCC freshman volleyball player Tamika Eastman will be doing something different this summer as she will take part with other girls on a trip to Germany for a once in a lifetime experience in playing a sport that she loves.

Tamika, who played at Sioux County High School in Harrison, Nebraska, is excited for the trip and said it is a lifetime opportunity to play volleyball overseas and visit a new country. She will travel in July to play in the Germanics Team Tournament with other players from around the United States. Overnight cities will include Munich and Heidelberg.

To help make the trip possible, she has a page set up to help raise money for the trip at https:// webapp.acis.com/fundraising/landing_public/ X092DOX4-IKA0-Y6PH-FAS8WCM3FQL

52GRT

In the meantime, she is still at WNCC in her second semester after making the Dean’s List her first semester. She is also working part-time and practicing with her team during the spring practice season. She is working hard to continue her playing career after WNCC.

Here is an interview I had with Tamika back in December about her time at WNCC and her upcoming trip to play volleyball in Germany.

MR: What is this trip all about and how did it come about?

TE: This trip is about giving athletes the opportunity to learn about a foreign country, its people and its culture. A couple months into volleyball, I got a text from Tom Heigham with America’s Team inviting me to play volleyball next summer in Germany.

MR: When do you leave and come back?

TE: I will leave July 15 and come back the 23rd.

MR: How long is the trip overseas and anything else about it?

TE: The trip overseas is for 9 days. The first day we fly overnight, then for the next 3 days we will stay in Munich Area then for the remainder, we will day in Heidelberg.

MR: How big is this trip to continue your playing volleyball?

TE: This trip is pretty big for me to continue

playing volleyball. I think many athletes can get burnt out, especially after the first year of college. Still, this trip shows another perspective of what athletics can bring: educational experiences and an understanding of cultures.

MR: What is the fund-raising like for you and for people to help out?

TE: The fund-raising for me is a bit harder than fundraising in my old school. The amount of money is quite a bit more but people have

been so kind to help me and give me words of encouragement. However I did make up a fundraising website to allow people to donate if they would like to help.

MR: Do you know any other players that will be making the trip?

TE: I don’t know any of the players really well going on the trip. They are from all over the United States.

20 Questions with Tamika ......

MR: From a small town in Nebraska – Harrison – to playing college volleyball and now the opportunity to continue playing overseas, what has it been like for you to continue progressing your volleyball talents?

TE: The main key to progressing throughout my transition to different athletic levels is being open-minded and always looking for ways to improve. I have followed a lot of coaches on social media and applied their techniques to my training. Having teammates who want to improve as well and will practice with you helps you improve.

MR: Anything else about the trip overseas this summer?

TE: I think that going over to Germany will ignite another passion for vb and being able to play with new girls and meet new girls will offer a new experience.

MR: What was your first year like at WNCC and what have you all learned about volleyball and college?

TE: My first year at WNCC was very different than high school. Academically, I looked forward to classes because 1. I am paying for them and 2. It makes me feel like I get stuff done during the day, as opposed to lying in bed all day. Athletically, it gave me chances to visit new towns and make great friends who would always sit with me at lunch.

MR: What kind of memories have you made at WNCC in the first semester?

TE: Some memories we made I made in the first semester were going to bonfires with my teammates, having fun and just talking at overnight hotels. One of my favorites was going to Utah and seeing more scenery. My roommates and I have probably also had more jam out sessions to music than I can count to still keep having fun in serious times.

MR: While many people talk about playing sports in college, what is it like to make new friends from all over and how valuable is that as well?

GOOD LUCK

MR: With the second semester and pre-season practice going on right now, how is everything going?

TE: The second semester is going well. We are really blessed to have coach Engel help with practices and we are excited to meet the new coach.

MR: What is the focus for spring volleyball and what kind of team should next year be like?

TE: The focus on spring volleyball is taking more risks and playing more aggressive. Also getting stronger and becoming more agile. The team is working together more and finding their love again. Some are thinking of changing positions but it is good seeing then find their own way.

MR: Is your goal to continue playing at a 4-year level and follow in the footsteps of the two sophomores that signed earlier this month?

TE: I think making new friends while in college can truly help with the transition. It was a lot easier to make friends with participating in a sport and they have helped me in indescribable ways. Not only do you have people to hang out with, but you are more comfortable going out and be involved in campus activities, like bonfires, trivia, etc. and at those places can find study partners, tutors and even more friends.

TE: My goal after next season would be to continue on to a four-year level and keep playing volleyball. I want to continue to learn and gain experience and lead the team like the sophomore from this past season.

MR: How hard have you worked this semester to improve your game?

TE: Last semester I have made sure to watch film and improve on that. Then I would watch live streams of coaches working with their students toward the end of the season to learn new drills and techniques for passing and hitting.

MR: What is the goal for the second semester to impact your volleyball game?

TE: The goal for the next semester will be to not be afraid to make mistakes. I think if I focus on taking chances is where I will really grow.

MR: Planned college major?

TE: My college major is Pre-Radiology but I might switch over to Pre-Med after more job shadowing.

MR: Anything else about playing volleyball here, overseas, or just being in college?

TE: I couldn’t be more blessed with the opportunity to play overseas, especially because I haven’t been outside the country, it will be a once in a lifetime trip.

— Written by Mark Rein

Scottsbluff’s Mariah Russel signs with WNCC women’s soccer

Scottsbluff’s Mariah Russel didn’t have a hard decision in picking where she wanted to play soccer at the college level.

After attending Western Nebraska Community College soccer camps since she was little, she had a dream of playing college soccer and now she gets to play for the Cougars for the next two years after attending their camps and working with the coaches.

Russel signed to be a Cougar earlier this month and is grateful for the opportunity and said it was an easy decision since she had her mind set on WNCC.

“I went to a lot of camps and the coaches were interested in me and I decided to stay home,” she said. “Honestly, (leaving home) is not ready for me yet and I decided to stay here for another two years. It is a good college and I like the campus a lot. I feel comfortable with everything there.”

Russel said she is elated that she gets to play the sport that she loves for another two years after high school.

I am so excited (to play college soccer). I kept thinking that this was my last year and now I am looking forward to more years playing the game that I love,” she said. “I am ready to play my last year of soccer. I am so excited for the season but I am not ready to leave here yet.”

The thing that she was attracted to the college is the coaches, the hometown

appeal, and the fact that WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said his goal is to make the players better and to find them good scholarships at a four-year university or college.

“I like that she was well coached. By the time she started playing and coming to camps, she has improved immensely. Some players start the game late and make significant improvements and I think she has done that,” Rasnic said. “She has great vision on the field and has great size. She is strong and can take a hit. She plays with a certain amount of composure. I definitely see those qualities in her and in the next couple of years we can improve on that and find her a

good place to finish at a university. For us, a lot of times, it is for us to make sure these players are moving on and getting good scholarship offers. That is our goal to bring in a kid, help her improve her game, and help her find another school.”

Scottsbluff coach Chad Larson said Russel was one of those players that stayed on course and continued getting better each year. And, because of her commitment, she earned a college scholarship.

“Mariah is one of those players when coming in here you could see she needed a little bit of work like all freshmen coming in,” he said. “She is persistent and really dedicated. She works really hard and she will be key this season. She is super coachable and she just wants to get better.”

Russel said this year’s Scottsbluff could be just as good as previous years even though they lost a lot of key seniors.

“I think we will have a pretty good team,” Russel said. “We connect really well and really grow. I think we have a strong chance of making state.”

Russel will team up with former Bearcat Kate Larson and Torrington High grad Jade Brothwell next year. Both were freshmen on the Cougars this year.

Russel is planning on majoring in Psychology at WNCC.

— Written by Mark Rein

Former Cougar coach Giovana Melo

comes back to talk at leadership conference

Former WNCC volleyball player and coach Giovana Melo came back to the Panhandle as a guest speaker for the Nebraska Panhandle Leadership Conference that was held for high school coaches and administrators at the Weborg 21 Centre and organized by Mitchell track coach and administrator Michelle Peters.

After the conference, there was a reception for Melo at Hotel 21 for WNCC players and fans to talk and meet Melo. Melo coached the team to a national title in 2010. Melo is currently the head court volleyball coach at the University of California Bakersfield. Melo said she misses all the people of Nebraska and considers Scottsbluff home. “Western Nebraska will always have a big place in my heart!” Melo said.

Future Cougars signed to play at WNCC for 2024-25, Cougar Sophomores that have signed to continue at a 4-year school

Newcomers signed for 2022-23

Volleyball

Alex Gonzalez-Orozco Gering, Neb.

Men’s Soccer

Alvaro Pou

Jeff Laguerre

Anthony Lemus

Owen Henderson

Brady Smallwood

Women’s Soccer

Mariah Russel Scottsbluff, Neb.

Marit Schelstraete

Karen Casas-Landaverde, Greeley, Colo.

Milena Montalvo-Arroyo

Alison Hernandez Aurora, Colo.

. Softball

Tina Horton

Baseball

Carter Reisig Scottsbluff, Neb.

Dalton Yaste Evans, Colorado

Cooper Wilson Riverton, Utah

Dakota Alber Commerce City, Colorado

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Where Cougar Sophomores Are Headed

Volleyball

Charlie Blackman U. of Mary (DII)

Maya Angelova Queens College (NAIA)

Men’s Soccer

Women’s Soccer

Women’s Basketball

Baseball

Shintaro Inoue Kansas State U. (DI)

Softball

Current Sophomores, please contact Mark Rein via text at 308-6310459 or email when you decide to attend a specific college.

High School seniors, if you are coming to play sports at WNCC, please send Mark Rein information on high school, hometown, height, and which sport you are planning playing.

Cougar baseball starts season strong at 8-8 before spring break trip to Arizona

The WNCC baseball team started the season off to a good start as they went 8-8 in February and first weekend of March, including a 7-game home winning streak when they took three of four from Miles Community College and swept a 4-game series with Dawson Community College.

Before the 7-game win streak, the Cougars went on the road and won 1-of-3 at New Military, taking game three 16-5. In that contest, WNCC pounded out 17 hits as six different players had more than one hit.

Kensei Oikawa led the way with a 4-for4 day with three runs scored and two RBIs. Bryce Peterson had three hits with three runs scored, two RBIs, and a double.

The next weekend, the Cougars went to Barton Community College and dropped four close contests that all four games went down to the final innings. WNCC lost to Barton 7-5, 8--5, 4-1, and 8-5.

After eight games on the road, WNCC came home and that is where the 7-game win streak started when they faced Miles February 24-25. After dropping the first game of the 4-game series 8-6, The Cougars’ offense cranked up with 52 runs in three games as they won 17-3, 16-4, and 19-6.

The following week, WNCC’s offense was just as hot as they scored 48 runs while only allowing 12 runs in wins over Dawson Community College.

WNCC started the Dawson series with a

17-4

had four RBIs with a double, while Kensei Okawa went 3-for-3 with a double and five RBIs.

The next game against Dawson was a close game tied at two after four innings and WNCC held a slim 3-2 lead after a run in the sixth. The Cougars then opened it up with three in the seventh and four in the eight for the 10-2 win. Ashton Ross led the team with two hits and four RBIs.

The third game of the series saw WNCC win 11-1 after an 8-run second inning. Valentin Blanc struck out eight in his five innings of work while scattering four hits.

Offensively, Ross had a home run while Inoue and Alex Ainsworth each had triples.

The final game of the series was a barnburner as Dawson scored four times in the seventh to take a 5-4 lead. WNCC would respond with a 6-run eighth inning to claim

Continued on next page

win as the Cougars hit four home runs from Mathieu Levesque, Shintaro Inoue, Bryce Peterson, and Garrett Dodd.. 0Odd

Valentin Blanc throws a pitch in a game against Dawson the weekend of March 1 and 2. WNCC will be back at home March 23-24 when they host Luna Community College.

Making a play at third base during the Miles Community College game back in February. WNCC took three of four from the Pioneers.

n Baseball team had a 7-game win streak ......

the 10-5 win.

Levesque had two hits for WNCC with a run scored.

The Cougars followed that win streak up with some up-and-down play on the road where they dropped a doubleheader to Northeast Community College in Norfolk 13-3 and 14-4. They then headed down to the Arizona for their Spring Break trip and lost a heartbreaker to Madison College 4-1 followed by a doubleheader to Central Arizona 8-1 and 13-0. WNCC also lost twice to South Mountain Community College 5-3 in a game the Cougars could have won before falling on March 13 to South Mountain 19-7 in a high-scoring contest, where South Mountain scored in all six innings and WNCC scored their seven runs in the fifth and seventh.

WNCC will wrap up the Spring Break trip with a game on March 14 against Mesa Community College and then Paradise Valley Community College on March 15.

After that, the Cougars will get into Empire Conference action when they host Luna Community College March 23 and 24 followed by a road trip to Trinidad State College March 29-30.

— Written by Mark Rein

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Ashton Ross makes contact with the ball in a game with Miles Community College on the turfed Cleveland Field infield in February.

Question

Athlete

Baylee Krueger

Cougar Frenzy

Cougar athletes have less than five minutes to respond to some interesting topics

Something Green

Green eggs and ham

Weirdest Food You Have Ate

What is “Gardyloo:

Octopus! The sound a frog makes when it dies

Who will win the NCAA men’s basketball title

Favorite Pie

Creighton I don’t like pie

Grape

Raw Oysters I have no idea

Tree Egg Roll A creamy green bean casserole

UConn

Apple Pie — 30 seconds in the microwave with ice cream on top

Wisconsin Pumpkin

Tree Chicken Heart A hairstyle

Tree Grasshopper

Something related to a garden

Duke Apple Pie

Cougars Pumpkin Pie

Frog

Snail Someone needs to go to the bathroom

Virginia Apple Pie

Charli Blackman Volleyball

Maria VillaGomez Women’s Soccer

Katie Vierra Women’s Basketball

Ben Firminac Baseball

Maurice Walker Men’s Basketball

Softball

WNCC softball off and running after going 2-2 at home against Dawson March 1-2

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team split a pair of doubleheades with Dawson Community College on Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2 at Volunteer Field.

On Friday in the home opener, WNCC was shut out 8-0 in the first game. The second game was thriller as WNCC led 6-0 after two innings and 12-5 after five innings. Dawson came back to plate 10 runs to take a 15-12 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

It was the seventh that gave WNCC the win with four runs and the 16-15 win. The four runs was epic, too.

It all started with Randi Mitchell and Reagan Werth leading off the inning with singles and then Bailey Legere took a twoball count and sky-rocketed a pitch over the centerfield fence to tie the game. With one out, Devyn Priselac laced a pitch up the middle for a seeing-eye single. On the next pitch, Katelyn Czerpak laid down a perfect bunt that she beat out and then the pitch went off the glove of the first-baseman and into right field and the speedy Priselac scored the winning run.

WNCC finished with 15 hits in the contest. Werth led the team with three hits, all singles, while adding two RBIs. Legere had

the big day with two hits, both home runs and six RBIs. Also collecting two hits were Czerpak, Sierra Hilgner, Kelcey Zubiate, and Mitchell. Zubiate and Mitchell each had RBIs, while Mitchell, Czerpak, and Hilgner

scored two runs while Zubiate had three runs scored. Mitchell added a double.

On Saturday, the Cougars led 6-4 before Dawson had an 8-run, fifth inning that pushed Dawson to the win 17-6.

The second game was a scoreless contest until the Cougars scored seven in the fourth to go on to the 10-2 run-ruled win in five innings.

Madi VanRiper, who had two home runs on the day including a grand slam, said they had a rough patch in the opening game on Saturday and then rebounded in the second game.

“We came out of the gate a lot more hot. We had a talk that we needed to make changes and those changes were made,” the sophomore transfer said. “We played with a lot of heart and a lot of energy (in the second game).”

The second game was where the Cougars got the big lead and didn’t let Dawson back in the game, which was something they didn’t do in game one on Saturday. VanRiper said that is the way need to play all the time.

Continued on next page

Devyn Priselac goes for a hit during a game with Dawson Community College in the team’s home-opening series March 1-2.

Madi VanRiper makes the tag on an unassisted double play to help the Cougars get a win over Dawson.

n WNCC softball gains wins to open season ......

“We definitely needed to play at full speed instead of not playing at our full potential,” she said. “

The fourth inning was the key when they entire lineup got big hits and did the little things to race to the 7-0 lead, including two home runs, first from Jenika Fuentes with a 2-run shot and then VanRiper with a monster grand slam.

“That grand slam felt amazing and knowing that I had my team behind my back the whole way was a great feeling,” she said.

But, VanRiper said the win was definitely a team win and that was shown in the win on Saturday.

“Everyone has a role on this team,” she said. “It is not only the big hits, but the little hits go a long way, too. It is the bunts get us over and then we have another person to get a hit to get us in. All hits matter with us.”

Game two was a defensive show for the first three innings as both pitchers were controlling the game. WNCC’s Jenika Fuentes had a strong outing in allowing just two runs on five hits and let her defense take care of business behind her.

Offensively, it was the Cougars’ fourth inning that was the highlight, and it was a team effort from everyone in the lineup.

The fourth started with a single by Sierra Hilgner. Fuentes then blasted a 2-run home run for the 2-0 lead. After that Bailey Legere singled, Randi Mitchell got on by an error, and Bailee Krueger walked to load the bases. With one out, VanRiper took a full-count pitch and sky-rocketed over the centerfield fence for the grand slam and the 6-0 lead. WNCC added another run when

Katelyn Czerpakd reached on an error and scored on a Hilgner double.

Dawson scored two in the fifth and the Cougar defense left the bases loaded as they minimized the damage. The Cougars built off that defensive stand and put the game away via the 8-run rule in the fifth.

It all started with Legere getting a single followed by a Mitchell walk. Legere

scored on a Krueger single and Mitchell scores on a VanRiper triple. That set up the game-ending play when Devyn Priselac had a grounder back to the pitcher and reached first on an error which saw VanRiper score the game-ending run.

WNCC finished the game with eight hits. VanRiper, Hilgner, and Legere led the

Continued on next page

WNCC’s Jenika Fuentes throws a pitch in a game against Dawson Community College. Fuentes leads the team with home runs with Madi VanRiper with five home runs.

n WNCC softball gains wins to open season ......

way with two hits each. VanRiper had a triple, home runs, two runs scored, and five RBIs in the contest, while Legere had two runs scored with two singles. Hilgner had a double.

After the Dawson home contests, WNCC hit the road for Region IX contests at Lamar Community College where they dropped the first three before winning the fouirth game 9-7 in exciting fashion, scoring six runs in the seventh take the lead.

The rally started with two outs.when Hilgner earned a walk followed by a 2-run home run by VanRiper. Legere then tripled and scored on a Baylee Krueger double. Krueger came around to score on a Fuentes double to tie the game. Fuentes scored on a Mitchell double to take the 1-run lead and then Mitchell scored on a Werth single for the insurance run.

After Lamar, WNCC took off to face Northern Oklahoma College-Enid and competed but just came up short, falling 8-5 and 10-3.

The first game was a battle between the two teams. WNCC scored first on back-to-

back walks. Madi VanRiper than singled to load the bases and Baylee Krueger walked to score the first run.

Northern Oklahoma came back to score single runs in the second and third and two in the fourth for a 4-1 lead.

WNCC came back with two in the fifth and a single run in the sixth to tie the game at four. The fifth saw Czerpak score on a sacrifice and then Fuentes had a solo home run to make it 4-3. The sixth saw Krueger start things with a single and scored on a 2-out single by Mitchell to tie the game.

The Jets came back with five in the bottom of the frame to go up 9-4. WNCC scored one in the seventh when Czerpak walked and Hilgner singled. Czerpak scored on a Fuentes grounder but that was all they could get.

WNCC had six hits in the contest, all singles, Czerpak scored twice and had a stolen base with two walks.

Bella Pacheco went six strong innings in scattering 12 hits and giving

up four earned runs while striking out one.

WNCC started off strong in game two as Hilgner walked followed by a double by VanRiper. Both came in to score on a Krueger double for the 2-0 lead.

The Jets came back with a run in the first and four in the second for a 5-2 lead. Northern Oklahoma led 9-2 before WNCC scored in the top of the sixth Krueger walked and scored on a Mitchell double to make it 9-3.

WNCC finished with six hits in game two with four coming from doubles. Czerpak led the team with two hits and a stolen base. Krueger had a double with two RBIs.

Fuentes went three innings in scattering eight hits and giving up four earned runs with a strikeout. Pacheco also tossed three innings in allowing four hits and two runs with a strikeout.

— Written by Mark Rein

Men’s Basketball sophomore day

Cougar Athletes of the Week

Female Athletes of the Week

July 20 ........................................ Megan Bewley, Vball

August 23 Lilly Zwart, Vball

September 7 Yasmin Urbina, Women’s Soccer

September 13 ............. Aileen Perez, Women’s Soccer

October 6

Lesley Vasquez, Women’s Soccer

October 20 Shanelle Martinez, Vball

November 8 .......... Helena Kuck, Women’s Basketball

November 16 Ebere Egbirke, Women’s Basketball

December 8 Mackenzie Joseph, Women’s Bballl

December 29 ..................Faith Walker, Women’s Bball

January 14 Gal-La Font, Women’s Bball

January 28

Laura Montiel, Women’s Bball

February 15 ....................

March 4

March 13

Five WNCC men’s basketball sophomores were honored on February 27 in sophomore recognition day. The five are Stephen Ovia, Maurice Walker, Daniel Bula, Travis Easterly, Jr., and JJ Harris.

Male Athletes of the Week

July 20 ...............................Paul Cerros, Men’s Soccer

August 23 Hernan Burdiles, Men’s Soccer

September 7 Isrrael Rodriguez, Men’s Soccer

September 13 ............ Eduardo Oliveira, Men’s Soccer

October 6 Roberto Rivero, Men’s Soccer

October 20 Eduardo Oliveira, Men’s Soccer

November 8 .............................. JJ Harris, Men’s BBall

November 16 Maurice Walker, Men’s Bball

December 8

Willie Wilson, Men’s Bball

December 29 ........................

January 14

January 28

Gal-La Font, Women’s Bball

Madi VanRiper, Softball

Ebere Egbirka, Women’s Bball

Daniel Bula, Men’s Bball

Kayden Nation, Men’s Bball

Willie Wilson, Men’s Bball

February 15 ................Travis Easterly, Jr., Men’s Bball

March 4

March 13

Kensei Oikawa, Baseball

Adrian Short, Baseball

Former Cougar Siqueira named head court volleyball coach at Georgia State

Flavia Siqueira has been named the head coach of the Georgia State court volleyball program. She comes to GSU after five seasons as the head coach at Auburn Montgomery and was previously a highly-successful head coach at the junior college level.

In 2023, Siqueira guided Auburn Montgomery, an NCAA Division II school, to a 24-9 mark, setting the program record for victories. AUM was ranked as high as No. 10 in the NCAA South Region rankings in 2023, the school’s first-ever appearance in the poll, and the Warhawks notched the program’s first-ever win over a ranked opponent, a 3-2 victory over then-No. 16 West Florida, under Siqueira’s direction.

With a record of 81-59, including four winning seasons in five years at AUM, Siquera led the Warhawks to three consecutive appearances in the Gulf South Conference postseason tournament, reaching the semifinals the last two years.

She coached four AUM student-athletes to all-conference honors, and Kaleigh Fitzgerald earned the program’s first-ever All-Region nod in 2023.

“Accepting the challenge to enhance a volleyball program is not just about taking a job offer; it is about embracing the opportunity to transform lives,” Siqueira said. “I would like to thank Directors Charlie Cobb and Kelcey Roegiers along with the GSU athletic staff for their immediate support and enthusiasm about the volleyball program. I am looking forward to a great journey at Georgia State University.”

Kelcey Roegiers, Georgia State’s Senior Woman Administrator and volleyball supervisor, said of Siqueira, “After conducting a national search, Flavia rose to the top with her passion, attention to detail and winning attitude. I am thrilled

to have Flavia as our next coach, as I know she will enhance this program and bring a winning culture.”

Siqueira went to Auburn Montgomery in January 2019 after two seasons as the top assistant coach at Lynn University. In her first season at the helm, she led the Warhawks to the first winning season in school history, first berth in the GSC postseason tournament and first postseason victory.

Before going to Lynn, Siqueira had tremendous success in the junior college ranks, compiling a record of 278-97 in nine seasons as a head coach in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). In 2009 she earned the ‘30 Under 30’ Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, one of two coaches from two-year programs to garner the honor.

Siqueira served as the inaugural head coach of the College of Central Florida’s volleyball program in Ocala, Fla., from 2011-16. During her tenure, the Patriots went 188-59 overall and 47-3 in the Mid-Florida Conference. The program also claimed a FCSAA State Champion-

ship, two runner-up finishes and one NJCAA District P Championship.

For her efforts she was named the league’s Coach of the Year in each of her six seasons while winning the MFC Championship six years in a row. Known for her player development, Siqueira helped produce five NJCAA All-Americans, three Mid-Florida Conference Players of the Year, two FCSAA State Players of the Year and one NCJAA National Player of the Year during her time at CCF.

Before starting the program at CCF Siqueira spent three seasons as head coach at Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., where she led the Trappers to a 90-38 overall record. While at Northwest her squad won a regional championship while also earning a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament in 2009.

She served as the head coach of Team Florida of USA Volleyball High Performance Girls Select volleyball club, which won five consecutive national titles.

Siqueira began her coaching career in 2007 as the head coach at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, N.M.

As a player, Siqueira was part of two top four national finishes at Western Nebraska Community College, where she earned All-Region and Academic All-American honors. She went on to become a NCAA Division II All-American at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., leading the program to its first ever national top-10 ranking.

A three-time All-Conference and All-Region selection in college, Siqueira played Confederation Volleyball in Brazil for Sao Paulo from 1997-1999 prior to her arrival in the U.S.

Siqueira graduated from the University of Mary with a B.S. in physical education with a minor in coaching before earning her master’s degree in college teaching.

Longtime television sports director, who covered the Cougars, now at North Platte

John Clanton, who has been in the valley covering high school and college sports signed off of the Scottsbluff television station in February after KGWN, NBC Nebraska was sold to a company out of Utah.

The move left all the sports and news people without a job.

Clanton, who came to Scottsbluff from Georgia and is a big Philadelphia Eagles fan, signed on with KNOP TV in North Platte and had his first on-air broadcast on March 13.

Clanton was the epitome of a sports broadcaster, covering several WNCC regional tournament victories, and getting highlights of all seven sports.

Clanton was also there to cover college players leaving WNCC to play elsewhere.

When it was announced that he was leaving the area, the famous sports announcer made stops at high schools around the area

to watch the local players one last time. His last time at WNCC was for the Cougar women’s playoff game with Trinidad State on March 8.

Clanton will be back in the valley on March 23 when he is inducted into the WESTCO Legion baseball Hall of Fame along

with former Cougar baseball player Joe Moran and current WNCC Residence Life Director Eric Moreno, who played for the Zephyrs and then Lamar Community College.

Clanton will be missed, but you can watch his sportscasts on KNOP-TV website.

— Written by Mark Rein

Chadron State College’s Strength and Conditioning degree program

One of nine undergraduate programs accredited by the Council on Accreditation in Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE)

WNCC fans are FANtastic!

WNCC Cougar Frontline Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors (1,500)

o Absolute Painting

o Allo Communications

o B&C Steel

o Bellevue University

o FBG

o Ideal Linen/Bluff’s Sanitary

o Kendell Henderson/ American Family Insurance

o LOGOz

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Gold Sponsors (1,000)

o Ameri-Co Carriers

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Blue Sponsors (600)

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o Intralinks

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o WESTCO

White Sponsors (400)

o Advantage Chiropractic

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Cougar Trivia

1) When was the last time the Cougar men hosted regionals?

2) Who did the Cougar men lose to the last time they hosted regionals?

3) What was the score of the WNCC and Trinidad State women’s basketball playoff game on March 8?

4) What country is Tamika Eastman going to visit this summer to play volleyball?

5) What high school is WNCC athletic trainer Doug Jones from?

6) How many men’s and women’s basketball players were recognized on February 27 during sophomore recognition night?

7) What former coach came back to WNCC to conduct a leadership conference?

8) Where is the baseball team’s spring break trip games at?

9) What former Cougar volleyball player is now the head coach at Georgia State?

10) Who ate chicken hearts?

The answers are somewhere in this issue of the Cougar Illustrated newsletter. You just need to read the stories or look at the pictures to find the correct answers.

Do you want to have your business name or your name on the gameday programs as well an ad in the WNCC Cougar Athletic Newsletter?

There are options to get that and Cougar gear just by becoming a Cougar Frontline Sponsor.

If interested, contact any of the coaches at WNCC or email WNCC athletics at: burgnerr@wncc.edu rasnict@wncc.edu hessle87@wncc.edu