WNCC Athletic Newsletter -- May 8, 2024

What’s Inside

Baseball opens regional tourney Thursday

The WNCC baseball team is the number four seed in the Region IX tournament that will take place May 9-12 at Colorado Springs. WNCC is looking for a third Region IX title.

Softball ends season short of regionals

The WNCC softball team competed hard all season but the Cougars fell one win short of participating in the Region IX tournament. WNCC split with McCook on the final regular season game as they enter next year on a winning streak

Meet interim volleyball coach Fatima Balza

Fatima Balza comes back to WNCC as the interim head coach after playing and coaching overseas in Ireland and Poland. Balza won three national titles, one with WNCC and two with Penn State.

WNCC Award Ceremony Athletic winners

WNCC held their annual WNCC Awards Ceremony on April 30 and several WNCC athletes received awards from the President Award to the Cougar Award, to academic honors. 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, May 9

BASE – AWAY – Region IX Tourney @ Colorado Springs, Colo. WNCC plays Lamar at 12 noon.

Friday, May 10

BASE – AWAY – Region IX Tourney @ Colorado Springs, Colo.

Saturday, May 11

BASE – AWAY – Region IX Tourney @ Colorado Springs, Colo. WNCC – Graduation, 10 a.m.

Sunday, May 12

BASE – AWAY – Region IX Tourney @ Colorado Springs, Colo.

Thursday, May 16

BASE – AWAY – Western District Finals @ Region 1 winner

Friday, May 17

BASE – AWAY – Western District Finals @ Region 1 winner

Saturday, May 18

BASE – AWAY – Western District Finals @ Region 1 winner

Saturday, May 25 through June 1

BASE – AWAY – NJCAA College World Series @ Grand Junction, Colo.

Saturday, June 1

WNCC – West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball Match, 3 p.m. at Cougar Palace

WNCC freshman Bailey Legere throws to first base during a softball game against NJC this season. WNCC finished the season in April.

Cougar Shorttakes

Former Cougar wraps up senior year at Bluefield

Former WNCC Cougar Bella Coffman wrapped up her senior year at Bluefield University on senior day as The Big Blue split a doubleheader with Elizabeth City State on April 26.

Coffman was a key performer in the first-game win against Elizabeth as she went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored in the 12-11 win.

Bluefield is 13-24 on the season and wrapped up their regular season on April 26.

Coffman finished the year with a .426 batting average with four home runs. She had 43 hits with 18 runs scored and 21 RBIs.

The game against Elizabeth City was a season-high for runs scored for Coffman.

She had two home runs in a game against Bluefield Rams on April 8 and three RBIs in a game on March 27 against Johnson C. Smith.

Coffman is from Aurora, Colorado, and played for the Cougars from 2020-2022

where she had a .361 batting average with nine home runs, 37 RBIs, 39 runs scored, four triples, and 13 doubles. She had 53 hits as well with an on-base average of .447.

— Information

from Bluefield athletic website.

Katie Smith PT, DPT, CLT

Koehler

Blake Wills DC, MS

Tournament Time

Baseball team wraps up regular season and will begin regionals in Colorado Springs, May 9

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team at one time was leading Region IX until the Cougars went on a slide.

Still, the Cougars are in good shape as they are sitting with a top four seed when they open up next week in Colorado Springs.

The big thing is the Cougars will be entering the regional tournament on a roll after taking the series with Northeastern Junior College over the weekend, winning all four games with excellent pitching and defense

In Saturday’s regular-season finale, WNCC’s four pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and the Cougars scored three late runs to earn the 3-2 win over the Plainsmen.

WNCC, who moves to 27-28 on the season, swept the series after taking the first game on Wednesday 6-3 at NJC and then the doubleheader at Scottsbluff on Friday 5-4 and 2-1.

It was WNCC’s fifth straight win and moves the Cougars to 18-10 in the conference, which is tied with McCook as they get ready for the Region IX tournament that begins Thursday in Colorado Springs, Colorado. WNCC will play Lamar Community College in the first round on Thursday at 12 noon. If they win, they will face No. 1 seed Southeast Community College on Friday at 12 noon.

If they lose against Lamar, they will have to play again on Thursday at 3 p.m. against the loser of the other first-round game between No. 3 McCook Community College and No. 6 Northeastern Junior College. That game is slated for Thursday at 9 a.m.

The winner of the NJC/McCook game will face the No. 2 seed Otero College on Friday. It is a double elimination tournament with the championship game slated for Sunday. The Region IX winner will qualify for the district finals in Arizona the following week.

WNCC head coach Mike Jones said the team pitched and played defense well during the NJC games.

“We pitched really good all four games and played really good defense also,” Jones said. “Offensively, we found ways to score runs. NJC’s pitcher was good and they were tough on us, but we found a way to score enough runs to win.”

It was the defense that played like a championship team during the entire series.

“Our defense was outstanding, especially this evening (Saturday night). In clutch situation we were finding the holes with guys on base and that was enough for us,” Jones said. “There were times NJC had guys in scoring position. We were really able to make some big pitches and make defensive plays to keep them from scoring.”

Now, the Cougars will be entering the Region IX tournament with some confidence like when they ran off seven straight wins in February and March.

“Right now we have confidence going and we have momentum going.” Jones said. “The guys feel really good about finishing off their season with some wins. That gives us an opportunity to go into the tournament feeling good with confidence.”

The regional tournament runs May 9-12 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the winner advancing to the district finals in Arizona the Continued on next page

Landon Lockwood throws to first base during a game with Garden City Community College back in April. WNCC will enter the regional tournament with a record around the .500 mark that begins May 9 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

n WNCC baseball ready for second season ......

following weekend. Jones said they will need to keep playing good defense to get wins at regionals.

“You get there in Colorado Springs and it is a really big field and a lot of ground you have to cover in the outfield,” he said. “We have to keep throwing strikes and you have to play really good defense behind the pitchers.”

In Saturday’s regular-season finale in Sterling, the contest was definitely a defensive contest as well as a pitcher’s duel. WNCC starter Hunter McCollum went three innings allowing just one hit with one strikeout followed by Cameryn Spence going two innings in striking out three and allowing two runs. Juliean Garza followed with two innings with one hit and three strikeouts and then Asai Nakano tossed the final two innings in getting the win in allowing one hit and striking out three.

WNCC was outhit by NJC 6-5. Mathieu Levesque led the way with two singles with a run scored and an RBI. Calvin Johnson had two RBIs.

NJC scored first with two runs in the fourth inning. WNCC finally broke through in the seventh inning with two runs to knot the score. Ashton Ross and Tyler Easter started things with back-to-back singles. Ross came in to score on a Levesque groundout and Easter scored on a Johnson single.

WNCC took the lead in the ninth inning when Levesque singled and scored on a Johnson sacrifice fly by Johnson.

WNCC then closed out the game by holding the tying run at third as Nakano got the final out to fly out to right fielder Johnson for the win.

In the other three games against NJC, WNCC played great defense and had strong pitching. In Thursday’s 6-3 win, Bryce Peterson had a career day as a Cougar as the sophomore from Brighton, Colorado, finished with three doubles and six RBIs to help WNCC earn the 11-inning win on the road.

Peterson was the big hitting star going 4-for-6 with three doubles and six RBIs. The three doubles ties a school record for most doubles in a game with Damon Brabson (2003) and Michael Felton (2021).

Ross and Dylan Harris each had two hits. Ross had two doubles while Harris had two singles with two runs scored.

NJC plated two runs in the bottom of the first on two singles, a hit batsman, and an error. After that the Cougar defense didn’t allow a run until the ninth.

Alex Ainsworth makes contact with a pitch during their game with Luna Community College earlier in the season.

WNCC couldn’t get a run across for the first six innings even though they left runners in scoring position in the fourth and sixth inning.

In the seventh, Calvin Johnson earns a walk followed by a single by Harris. WNCC loaded the bases with just one out as Hunter McCollum drew a walk for Peterson. Peterson then took the first pitch and sent it off the wall in right field to score all three runs for the 3-2 lead with this second double of the game.

WNCC took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth. That was when NJC got the tying run on a solo home run that went down the leftfield line and over the wall close to the foul pole to tie the contest.

WNCC just got one on in the 10th inning but couldn’t do anything. NJC put two runners on with just one out. With the winning run on second base, Pollock got a big strikeout after the batter had fouled off four balls for the second out and then got a line-out to leftfielder Oikawa for the final out to force a second extra

inning.

In the next inning, WNCC loaded the bases as Johnson walked, Harris gets on a bunt fielder’s choice, and then McCollum singles. With no outs, Peterson walked to the plate and scored three runs with his third double of the game to put the Cougars on top 6-3.

Ross came in to toss the 11th and got the save as he threw just six pitches and got three outs for the Cougar winner.

WNCC then topped NJC in a doubleheader at Cleveland on Friday in the same fashion with strong pitching and defense and clutch hitting.

The home doubleheader saw strong pitching from Rocco Harmon and Zane Hendrickx as the Cougars wrapped up the home portion of their schedule with an Empire Conference doubleheader sweep over Northeastern Junior College on a chilly afternoon at Cleveland Field.

The first game saw Harmon go six inning allowing just tw0 runs and striking out four as Continued on next page

n WNCC baseball ready for second season ......

the Cougars withstood a Plainsmen seventh-inning rally for the 5-4 win.

The second game saw the Cougars’ two pitchers Hendrickx and Cam Meyer combine on five hits and just one run in getting he 2-1 win.

The first game at Cleveland field was a defensive batter between the two teams. Both teams plated two runs in the first inning. NJC got both of their runs with two outs. WNCC responded in the first by manufacturing two runs. Bryce Peterson led the offense off with a walk followed by a Shintaro Inoue single. Ashton Ross followed with a run scoring single. With two outs Kensei Oikawa earned a bases loaded walk.

WNCC went up 5-2 with single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. The third saw WNCC score the run on a bases loaded hit by pitch.

The fourth inning saw Peterson get a single followed by Ross earning a walk to put runners on the corner. Peterson came racing home after Ross was caught in a pickle trying to steal second.

The Cougars plated another run in the fifth when Tyler Easter and Oikawa each singled to put runners on the corner. Once again Oikawa tried to steal second and got in a pickle and Easter slide safely at home on the steal.

NJC came back with two in the seventh and left the tying run stranded at third.

NJC outhit WNCC 9-6. Six different players had a single in the game while Peterson and Inoue each scored twice. Peterson also had three stolen bases.

Harmon got the win scattering seven hits while Gus Allred got the save, allowing two runs and two hits.

The second game saw the Cougars strike first with a run in the second and the WNCC added an insurance run in the fifth.

Asahi Nakano started things in the second with double and came in to score on a Mathieu Levesque groundout for the 1-0 lead. WNCC went up 2-0 with a run in the fourth when Arturo Montiel singles and scored on a Nakano single.

NJC plated one in the fifth, but Hendrickx got out of the pickle with just giving up one run.

The two teams combined on just nine hits. NJC outhit the Cougars 5-4. Nakano led the way with two hits including a double.

Hendrickx went six innings in allowing four hits, one run, and striking out three. Cam Meyer got the save, allowing just one hit.

— Written by Mark Rein

Rocco Harmon delivers a pitch in the first game with NJC on Friday, May 3. WNCC swept NJC at home and then swept all four games of the series.

Ashton Ross gets in a pickle and while in the pickle, WNCC scores a run from third base that proved huge in the team’s 5-4 win.

No.

5 — Lamar

Game 2

Thursday, May 9 12 Noon

No. 4 — WNCC

No.

1 — Southeast

Game 4

Friday, May 10 12 noon

Game 8

Saturday, May 11 12 Noon

No. 6 — NJC

Game 1

Thursday, May 9 9 a.m.

No. 3 — McCook

Game 5

Friday, May 10 3 p.m.

No. 2 — Otero

Loser game 1

Game 3

Thursday, May 9, 3 p.m.

Loser game 2

Game 6

Friday, May 10 6 p.m.

Lowest Seed

G4/G5 Loser

Game 7 Saturday, May 11 9 a.m.

Highest Seed

G4/G5 Loser

2024 Region IX Baseball Tournament

Game 10

Sunday, May 12 11 a.m.

Loser G8 Game 9 Saturday, May 11 3 p.m.

May 9-12 — Colorado Springs, Colorado May 16-19 — Western Plains District May 25 — JUCO World Series Begins

Game 11 if-necessary

Sunday, May 12 2 p.m.

Region IX Baseball Champions/Runnerups

Remembering the first baseball regional title

Back in 2007, WNCC baseball entered regionals and defeated Trinidad in the if-necessary game

When was the first time the baseball team won the region IX title?

The answer to that question was 2007 and it was a magical season. The last time the Cougars won regionals was just a few short years ago in 2022.

What was special about that 2007 team was because they won regionals, they got to host the district playoffs and that saw teams from Nevada and Arizona coming to Scottsbluff.

Let’s take a look at the regionals tournament from 2007 with the story write-ups from that week,beginning with a preview story and continuing until the district finals.

WNCC baseball team opens regional tourney against Otero — from Tuesday, May 8, 2007

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team set a goal to win the Empire Conference league title and host the Region IX tournament.

The team fell short of that goal, but still ride into this week’s Region IX tournament in Lamar Community College with a positive outlook. The Cougars open the regional tournament Thursday at 2 p.m. against Otero Junior College. The winner advances to a Friday, 2 p.m. meeting with Trinidad State Junior College, while the loser must turn around and face the loser of the other first-round game between McCook Community CollegeNortheastern Junior College at 5 p.m. Thursday.

“Just getting through the first two rounds will be really important,” WNCC head coach Mike Jones said. “In this conference, teams are really close together and everybody matches up well. Everybody has a couple of frontline pitchers and once you get through that, I think we will have a little bit more pitching depth than anybody else in the whole tournament. But, we have to win those first two games.”

Sophomore Chris Cuadra will get the start on the mound in the Cougars’ opener, while Phillips Orta will get the nod in game two. Jones has a lot of confidence in

his pitchers.

“We believe Chris has been throwing well for us and he has a chance to beat Otero. He throws a lot of strikes and he can keep them off the bases,” he said. “Pitching will be the key for the team to win all this. Pitching depth will be what it comes down to. Everybody has an opportunity to put up some runs. Offensively, it is us, Northeastern and Trinidad that probably score the most.”

WNCC features plenty of pitching depth with starters Jeff McDonald, Greg Crowe and Todd Stachura available after the first two games. WNCC also has had strength in the bullpen. The only question mark remains with closer Dan Bauer, who is battling an illness and has been out of practice for the past five days, while taking medication.

The Cougars, 24-26 on the season and

17-13 in conference play, are in a prime position to do something at the regional tournament. WNCC has dominated Otero this season, winning seven of eight games, outscoring the Rattlers 52-26. The only setback came at Cleveland Field when Otero won 7-0.

“We have played well against Otero and been able to score quite a few runs on their pitching staff,” Jones said. “However, they do have one big right-handed pitcher that shut us down. He came into our own ball park, didn’t walk anybody, threw a lot of strikes and threw his breaking ball for strikes. Even though we hit the ball hard and put the ball in play, they made the plays behind him. They beat us that one time. We will hook it up with them once again and we will have to control their offense, keeping them off the bases and make the plays Continued on next page

n Looking back at 2007 baseball title ......

behind our pitcher.”

Offense will be another key for the Cougars, who have been able to manufacture runs by doing the little things like sacrifice bunts, stolen bases and utilizing errors from the other team. Then, Jones said, they get the big hit and not necessarily a home run.

“We have been able to come up with a lot of big hits throughout and that has been a key for us to winning a lot of ball games,” he said. “I expect us to get guys on base, and we have been able to find a way to do that. I expect that to continue, we just need to get those big hits when need to.

“For the most part we have been doing it without the long ball. We have quite a few doubles. We will sacrifice bunt and hit and run the bases, and we will push it when I feel we need to. I am going to just rely on getting on base.”

Sophomores Richie Stewart, Pedro Suarez and JC Perez have provided the biggest clutch hits for the team this season. In Saturday’s regular season finale, Perez paced the Cougars with a 4-for-4 performance, including two home runs, eight RBIs and four runs scored in a 16-6 win against McCook.

The team also claimed a 10-8 win Saturday as Marco Moreno and Travis Lindhorst, who bat in the No. 8 and No. 9 spots, each went 3-for-4. Moreno finished with three RBIs. WNCC’s hitting should be a plus in Lamar’s ball park, the shortest in the conference.

“This time of the year, the wind blows from the south. It will play long and that really favors us because Otero is not a real powerful lineup,” he said. “They have a few guys that can [hit the long ball], but for us, seven of the nine guys that will be in the lineup will be able to hit the ball out of the ball club.”

More importantly, though, the Cougars are entering the regional tournament on a high note, after snapping a 5-game losing skid at McCook on Saturday. WNCC defeated the Indians 10-8 and 16-6 to get the team back on track.

“The team had some expectations and set some goals that we didn’t reach. There was a time at the end of the season where we had a mental letdown,” Jones said. “I believe that going into the regional tournament, we are going to put all that stuff

behind us and come out and play our best.”

Tournament Schedule

Thursday’s Games

11 a.m. – McCook (23-26) vs. NE Colorado (26-23-1)

2 p.m. – WNCC (24-26) vs. Otero J.C. (15-29)

5 p.m. – Losers of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. games

Friday’s Games

11 a.m. – Lamar C.C. (31-21) vs. winner Thursday, 11 a.m. game

2 p.m. – Trinidad State (32-24) vs. winner Thursday, 2 p.m. game

5 p.m. – Losers of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. games

The double elimination tournament continues Saturday and Sunday, with the championship game scheduled for Sunday at noon with an if-necessary game to follow.

WNCC baseball team

wins opener over Otero — from Thursday, May 10, 2007

LAMAR, Colo. — Western Nebraska Community College’s Eneldis Vazquez came off the bench and delivered a pinchhit single to lift the Cougars to a thrilling 4-3 win over Otero Junior College in the first round of the Region IX baseball tournament Thursday.

Vazquez’ came in with the bases juiced

in the bottom of the ninth inning and delivered a single to score Marco Moreno from third for the game-winner. Vazquez, though, was just one of the Cougars’ outstanding performances. The others were pitchers Chris Cuadra and Dan Bauer.

WNCC coach Mike Jones said Cuadra had a no-hitter going through four innings before giving up his first hit in the fifth. Cuadra was then rouged up with three runs in the seventh as the Rattlers tied the score. Cuadra finished the game with four strikeouts before he was pulled for closer Dan Bauer.

Bauer then came in and mowed the Rattler hitters down in collecting the win. Bauer allowed one hit, while striking out three.

“Today we did enough to get the win,” Jones said. “Chris pitched really well and controlled them until they were able to get three runs off of him. Bauer then came in and held them down to get the win.”

The Cougars opened the scoring with one run in the second and two in the third. JC Perez got things started in the second

Continued on next page

n Looking back at 2007 baseball title ......

with a walk followed by a single by Gilbert Gonzalez. After a double steal, Perez scored on a sacrifice fly.

WNCC opened up their offense in the third inning, where they recorded three of their game-high five hits. Travis Lindhorst and Daniel Martinez led off with back-toback singles. Richie Stewart followed with a 2-run scoring double to put WNCC up 3-0.

Stewart had the only extra base hit for the Cougars.

WNCC will now face Trinidad State Junior College today at 2 p.m. Jones said the Trojans are a team that has the potential to score a lot of runs. Phillips Orta will get the start on the mound for WNCC.

Other scores in the regional tournament saw Northeastern Junior College defeat McCook Community College 10-2. McCook then came back and eliminated Otero 5-1.

Otero 000 000 300 — 3 5 2

WNCC (25-26) 012 000 001 — 4 5 4 WP — Bauer; 2B — Stewart

WNCC still alive at regional tournament; defending champs eliminated from tournament — from Saturday, May 12, 2007

LAMAR, Colo. — The Western Nebraska Community College baseball showed plenty of character during the second day of the Region IX baseball tournament in Lamar, Colo., and it was the bat of sophomore Abraham Cervantes, who belted two home runs and five RBIs, to keep the Cougars title hopes alive.

The Cougars opened the day falling in a heartbreaker to Trinidad State Junior College 2-1 in the winner’s bracket on a walkoff 2-run home run. WNCC quickly regrouped by eliminating host and defending champs Lamar Community College 9-6.

WNCC will play McCook Community College today in an elimination game at 11 a.m. If they win, they will face the loser of the Trinidad State and Northeastern Junior College at 5 p.m. The championship is slated for Sunday.

“A lot of teams would have folded after they [TSJC] hit that walk-off home run, but not this group,” WNCC coach Mike Jones said. “We have a group of guys with strong character, big heart, and they came right back and put up four runs in the first inning against the next game.

“Even though we split, I don’t know if it was the best I have ever seen us play, but it might be real close. I saw us play with a lot of heart and I saw us play great defense on both games and we played as a team.

The loss to Trinidad State was a heartbreaker not only for the team, but also for starting pitcher Phillips Orta. Orta went the distance, striking out 11. Trinidad State Jones said it was the best he has seen the sophomore right-hander throw.

The only difference was a two-out walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth

that the Trinidad batter took a 1-2 count, slider out of the ball park.

“Our team was just crushed after that game,” Jones said. “But, oh my gosh, it was one of the best ball games I have seen. Their pitcher was good and ours was great.”

WNCC manufactured a run in the seventh inning. Travis Lindhorst led off with a walk and then went to second on a Daniel Martinez bunt. Lindhorst then went to third on a Pedro Suarez groundout, before scoring on a while pitch.

WNCC managed just six hits in the game – all singles. JC Perez was the only Cougar finish with two hits. Trinidad finished with four hits with two coming in the ninth inning.

WNCC quickly rebounded with authority against Lamar Community College, who lost a 12-inning thriller to Northeastern Colorado earlier in the day 8-6. Jones said his team came out hitting, collecting four hits and four runs in the opening inning.

Martinez started things by blasting a double followed by a Suarez single. Suarez Continued on next page

n Looking back at 2007 baseball title ......

then stole sec to put runners in scoring position. Perez came through with a 2-RBI single. Gilbert Gonzalez walked and then Cervantes reached base on an error to score Perez. Marco Moreno then singled in the fourth run.

Lamar came right back with three runs in the second inning to close the gap to 4-3, only to see the Cougars put up three runs in the third inning. Perez started things with a walk followed by a Gonzalez single. Cervantes then delivered a 3-run home run, the first of his two for the game. Cervantes came back with a 2-run blast in the 8th inning to put WNCC up 9-4.

“Abe was the difference in that game,” Jones said. “Abe was huge for us and those home runs carried us to the victory.”

The pitching also was stellar. Jeff McDonald picked up the win striking out eight, while Bauer took the save, while striking out two.

WNCC pounded out 10 hits on the day, led by Cervantes’ 3-for-4 day, which included five RBIs and two home runs. Also collecting extra base hits were Martinez and Suarez each with a double.

Jones said his team needs to keep the offensive cranked in today’s contest against McCook. Greg Crowe will get the start on the mound.

“We need to put up some runs on McCook and keep our offense rolling,” Jones said. “We need to have really good at bats and put up some runs, and give Crowe an opportunity to go out there and pitch.”

Jones doesn’t know what to expect from McCook today.

“I am curious who McCook is going to pitch,” he said. “Their right-hander that beat us at McCook only pitched two innings

against NJC [on Thursday] and their lefthander that beat us at McCook has thrown way too much and he is not coming back. I don’t know if he will try to bring the righthander back or throw someone else that we have beat.”

In other Cougar news, five players were named to the all-region team. Perez was a first-team third-baseman, Suarez firstteam outfielder, Richie Stewart first-team first-baseman, Gonzalez second team second baseman, and Carson Cook second team catcher.

First Game

WNCC 000 000 100 — 1 6 0

Trinidad State 000 000 002 — 2 4 0

LP — Orta.

Second Game

WNCC (26-27) 403 000 020 — 9 10 0

Lamar 030 001 011 — 6 7 1

WP – McDonald; 2B — Martinez, Suarez; HR — Cervantes (2).

Cougar baseball plays for Region IX Title

— from Sunday, May 13, 2007

LAMAR, Colo. — The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team will play for a Region IX championship after picking up two more wins Saturday in the Region IX tournament in Lamar, Colo.

The Cougars earned the right to play for the championship because of some outstanding performances. In the first game on the day, freshman Greg Crowe struck out nine in a 4-2 victory over McCook Community College. WNCC then defeated North-

eastern Junior College 11-6 behind a 13-hit attack.

The wins advance the Cougars into a matchup with Trinidad State Junior College today at noon. The Trojans beat NJC 6-5 on Saturday and are unbeaten in the tournament. WNCC will have to beat the Trojans twice today to capture the tournament title.

“These guys have big hearts and they’re going to go out and give it everything they’ve got,” WNCC coach Mike Jones said. “I know they’re going to be tired. It’s going to be tougher on us than it will be on Trinidad, but I like their attitude and I think we have a great chance.”Against NJC, the Cougars erupted for nine runs on eight hits in the third inning to break the game wide open. Richie Stewart’s three-run double was one of a number of big hits in the inning.

Stewart, who went 2-for-4, was one of four Cougar hitters that finished the game with multiple hits. Daniel Martinez led WNCC’s hitting attack with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, including a double and three runs scored. Pedro Suarez added two hits and two runs scored and Abraham Cervantes finished the game going 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored.

Todd Stachura pitched eight strong innings to earn the victory on the mound. Stachura struck out eight before Chadron’s Eric Bissonette came out of the bullpen to pitch a scoreless ninth. Against McCook, Crowe didn’t need much offensive support as he struck out a career-high nine McCook hitters in eight innings of work. Dan Bauer worked the ninth to record the save.

Offensively, WNCC scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the second. The inning was highlighted by a run-scoring tri-

Continued on next page

n Looking back at 2007 baseball title ......

ple off the bat of Gilbert Gonzalez and a RBI-single from Cervantes. Both players went 2-for-4 in the contest.

Game 1

McCook 000 002 000 — 2 6 1

WNCC 040 000 00x — 4 8 0

WP — Greg Crowe; S — Dan Bauer. 3B — Gilbert Gonzalez.

Game 2

NJC 013 001 010 — 6 8 2

WNCC (27-27) 209 000 00x — 11 13 5

WP — Todd Stachura. 2B — Daniel Martinez, Richie Stewart.

WNCC Region IX Baseball Champs — from Sunday, May 13, 2007

LAMAR, Colo. -- It’s official, the WNCC baseball team can call themselves Region IX champs after taking care of Trinidad State Junior College in two games on Sunday in the Region IX tournament in Lamar, Colo.

The Cougars earned the title by defeating Trinidad 11-3 and 14-9. It is the first Regional Championship for WNCC coach Mike Jones and the first for Cougar baseball since the program was started in 2001.

“It is a great feeling. I am extremely proud of these guys,” Jones said. “They are an excellent group of people. it shows they care so much and there is no give up in them. I am very proud of them.”

WNCC opened the day by beating the Trojans 11-3 behind the pitching of Eneldas Vasquez, who threw eight strong innings. The Cougars held a 7-0 lead after five innings.

That win pushed the Cougars into the if necessary game and they survived with a strong contest against the Trojans. WNCC led 7-3 after three innings before Trinidad sliced the lead to 1 at 10-9 after seven innings. The Cougars then scored four runs in the final innings for the win.

Chris Cuadra picked up the win. while Phillips Orta pitched the eighth and ninth innings to collect the save. The Cougars

pounded out 17 hits in the second game.

For the day, the Cougars had four home runs. Pedro Suarez had two, while JC Perez and Marco Moreno each had one.

WNCC will now host the NJCAA District playoffs this week, Thursday through Saturday. Besides WNCC, Central Arizona College and Western Nevada Community College will make their way to Scottsbluff. Western Nebraska will enter with a 29-27 record, while the other WNCC team, Western Nevada, comes in with a 36-22-2 record. Central Arizona will venture to Cleveland Field with a 42-19 mark. Full bracket and times will be announced next week.

Softball team ends season short of reaching regional tourney, will enter next year with a win streak

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team had their season come to an end after earning a split with McCook Community College on April 21.

The game was one where they needed to win both games to continue on to the regional tournament. WNCC dropped the first game 11-1, but rebounded in the second game with a heart-pounding 9-7 win to earn a split with McCook at Volunteer Field.

WNCC ends the season at 14-24 overall and 10-14 in conference play. Northeastern Junior College earned the final spot for the 4-team regional tournament after taking the fourth game of their series against Trinidad State to earn a berth into the tournament at 11-13.

With that, the Region IX tournament had semifinal games on May 4-5 with Trinidad State dropping NJC in two games and the other semifinal saw Otero need three games to take out McCook. The Region IX championship game will be May 11-12 when Otero visits Trinidad State.

The good news about the McCook game, though, was how the team responded after the loss to end the season on a winning note. For the freshmen, they will be only a handful of teams that will start 2025 with a winning streak.

For the sophomores on the team, it was a bittersweet day as the three sophomores played their last game in a Cougar uniform. The three sophomores were also recognized before the game and they were Baylie Krueger, Devyn Priselac, and Katelynn Czerpak, Krueger, who has spent three years at WNCC after a redshirt season in 21-22, said it was difficult realizing that her Cougar career was over, but she is hoping to play at the next level someplace.

“It was extremely hard knowing that I wouldn’t get to wear the jersey ever again, but I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have worn a Cougar uniform and represent this program and school,”

she said. “Having the opportunity to be a Cougar at WNCC has been a once in a lifetime experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have made the greatest of friends and the best memories being at WNCC, and it has just been such a blessing to be able to call Scottsbluff my home away from home.”

The season ended not the way the Cougars had hoped, but they battled in many games. The difference in the team making and not making the tournament came to some tough one or two run losses that ended up being crucial in the conference standings.

The Cougars went 1-3 against Otero this season and beat the Rattlers 15-10, but also lost a high-scoring contest 15-11.

WNCC also went 1-3 against Lamar, winning 9-7 but then lost some a tough game 11-6 when Krueger had four hits.

WNCC also went 1-3 against Trinidad where they won the opener of the series 7-6. The big lose was a 6-5 game at Volun-

Continued on next page

The three Cougar sophomores, Baylie Krueger, Devyn Priselac, and Katelynn Czerpak stand with some of the stuff they got on sophomore day before the game against McCook on April 21.

Jenika Fuentes delivers a pitch in the second game against McCook on April 21. WNCC on 9-7.

n Softball ends season on winning note ......

teer Field where they lost in 8 innings after having a 7th-inning lead.

Against NJC, WNCC and the Plainswoment split, each winning two games. WNCC had a chance to take three from NJC, but lost one game 11-8.

WNCC won the series against Luna 3-1, but the one loss that they had was a 7-3 contest in the fourth game of the series.

Then, in the final conference series against McCook, WNCC split the series with each winning one game at the other team’s field. On April 19, WNCC lost the first game 10-2 at McCook before winning 4-3 as Czerpak had three hits and saw freshman pitcher Kayli Cooper toss a strong contest in the win.

Two days later, WNCC split again with McCook in the final regular season game. WNCC lost 11-1 in the first game and then won the second after scoring five fourth-inning runs to win 9-7.

Krueger said she is proud of her team of they way they rebounded in the win.

“Firstly, I am so so proud of the freshmen class this year and how they have worked to make huge improvements this season,” she said. “My advice to the freshmen and the incoming players is to never take anything for granted while they are here. It goes extremely fast, so I would tell them to take advantage of every opportunity you are given and embrace all the ups and downs of being a college athlete.”

The second game was a well-played contest by the Cougars, and it saw the WNCC offense come alive as they finished with 11 hits including home runs from Bailey Legere, Randi Mitchell, and Mykah Klumpp.

The hitting attack was led by Jenika Fuentes with three hits, all singles along with two RBIs and a run scored. Mitchell and Legere each had two hits with a home run. Legere had two RBIs and two runs scored while Mitchell had an RBI and two runs scored.

Neither team scored in the first. WNCC got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the second. Mitchell started things with a 2-out single. Legere then came up and sent a pitch over the centerfield fence for the 2-0 lead.

McCook came back to tie the game with two in the third inning and took a 3-2 lead with a run in the fourth.

WNCC responded in the bottom half of the fourth with five runs on four hits. Mitchell knotted the game at 3-3 with a solo home run. Legere and Priselac followed with singles. Sierra Hilgner then earned a walk to load the bases with two outs.

Fuentes came through with a single to score two runs for a 5-3 lead. Klumpp

Continued on next page

Kayli Cooper delivers a pitch during the Cougars softball game with Luna Community College back in March. Cooper finished the year with a 6-5 record with 40 strikeouts in 18 appearances in the circle.

Bailey Legere reaches and tags the base just ahead of a head-first slide by a NJC player in their home game in April.

n Softball ends season on winning note ......

was then hit by a pitch to load the bases once again. Krueger scored another run with a fielder’s choice hit and then Fuentes scored by stealing home for the 7-3 lead.

McCook battled back to tie the game at 7-7 with four runs in the sixth all beginning with a Dean solo home run followed by four straight hits.

WNCC fought back in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Klumpp puts WNCC on top 8-7 with a solo home run. That was followed by a Krueger double. Krueger scored on a single by Reagan Werth for the 9-7 lead.

The seventh went quick for the WNCC offense as starting, and winning, pitcher Fuentes needed just seven pitches to get a line out, a pop out, and the final out a ground out to shortstop Legere to Kayli Cooper at first for the final out.

— Written by Mark Rein

The last home game was bittersweet for the players as the sophomores played their last game. In the background, Baylie Krueger is hugged by a player while Devyn Priselac covers her eyes to not show the tears as freshman Chayse Cronquest and sophomore Katelynn Czerpak get ready to hug her.

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20+Questions with Gus Allred

WNCC sophomore pitcher Gus Allred is a red-shirt sophomore from Mountain View, Wyoming, and in his one year of pitching for the Cougars, Gus has appeared in 14 games with a record of 1-2 with three saves. He has struck out 33 batters in 27.2 innings of work. Gus had five strikeouts in a game against Otero.

Gus also is strong in the classroom where on April 30, he was awarded the Highest GPA for a Male Athlete at the WNCC Awards Ceremony.

Let’s get to know Gus Allred.

MR: First off, you were recognized with an award for being the top GPA for a male athlete. What does it mean to be recognized with such an honor?

GA: It means the world to me to receive this. I pride myself on my work ethic, and to see it paying off is extremely rewarding.

MR: What is the key to succeed in the classroom like you do as well on the playing field?

GA: I’d say the main thing is just to make sure you maintain enough discipline to finish everything that needs to be done. This applies to baseball and school. You’d be surprised at how much easier it is to keep A’s as long as everything gets done.

MR: What were some of your toughest classes the past two years?

GA: I definitely struggled with Calculus quite a bit. I’ve always felt strong in math, but coming into a higher-level class like that forced me to adjust and put even more time into learning the material. Another would have to be public speaking. I feel like I’m a strong writer, but turning my writing into compelling speeches was a major challenge, and I still feel like there’s a ton of room for improvement with that.

MR: What is your major?

GA: Computer Science

MR: What are your future plans for baseball, academics, etc?

GA: I plan on completing my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and I want to take baseball as far as I possibly can. In

terms of my CS career, I want to find work in software development so I can create and problem solve in the field I love.

MR: So, how is the team doing so far as they get ready for the Region IX tournament?

GA: I feel great about where we’re at. We’ve had plenty of ups and downs this season, but I have confidence in all of our guys in the talent and effort they bring to the table. I think to win the region, we’re going to

have to stay competitive at the plate and continue to throw strikes on the mound.

MR: What does the team need to do to bring home another Region IX title like they did a couple of years ago?

GA: Our attitude is that outworking opponents and scrapping for everything we can is what will give us an edge. We just have to remember what we’re here for and our goal

Continued on next page

n 20 Questions with Gus Allred ......

as a team, and I think our guys really believe in the system.

MR: Can this team bring home a regional title and what would it mean to the team if that happens?

GA: It’s going to be a battle for sure, but I think we’ve got what it takes to pull it off. Right now, we’re solely focused on the tournament, but if we do take the title home, our sights will be set straight to the Western District tournament. We want to make this season as long as we possibly can, and we’ll do whatever we can to make that happen.

MR: How much have you improved in your time at WNCC?

GA: It’s been night and day for me. Since coming here, I’ve felt as though not only have I improved a ton on the field, but my knowledge and understanding of concepts in my degree are leaps and bounds above what they were before. I’m so grateful to have

come here, and I’m proud to be a Cougar.

MR: What memories will you have fromyour time at WNCC?

GA: There a plenty of memories that I’ll carry with me after I leave here, but of course most of those are from time I’ve spent with the team on trips, at practice, games, in the dorms, etc. These guys have become a second family to me, and it’s bittersweet finishing up here at WNCC. I won’t forget all the little things that have made this group of guys so special.

MR: What is the biggest thing to tell the younger baseball players about college baseball?

GA: The biggest thing I’d tell younger players about college ball is that it’s an absolute blast as long as you maintain a focused and positive attitude toward school and baseball. Remembering that this time is meant to be enjoyed makes grinding through lifts, practices, and long days much easier.

GOOD LUCK

SEASONS

still having the small town feel of back home.

MR: What was your high school baseball career like?

GA: In Wyoming, there is no high school baseball, so I played American Legion ball throughout middle and high school. I played in Evanston, which is about a 40 minute drive west of my hometown, so I got really used to driving a good distance for practice every day. I had a great time playing with my team, the Outlaws, and I have so many great memories with teammates and coaches. We also pulled off some pretty great feats in my time there and played some exciting games. My time with the Outlaws made a massive impact on me on and off the field.

MR: Did you play any other sports in high school? Activities?

GA: In high school, I also played football and basketball. I also did band and maintained interest in art as well.

MR: Who is your biggest influence in baseball?

MR: You are from Mountain View, Wyoming, was it a big difference coming from there to Scottsbluff, or are the towns about the same?

GA: Scottsbluff is definitely bigger than Mountain View. It’s not huge by any means, but it was definitely a difference in the conveniences. I really liked that I could go to Walmart and other places whenever I wanted while

GA: There are a few major influences for me in baseball. The main ones I can think of would be my parents who encouraged me to pursue what I loved and continue to support me through my journey, and a few of my coaches. My uncle Judd was a coach for the Outlaws when I was still in little league, and I remember him teaching me so many different things about the game that have stuck with me even today. Another that made a huge impact on me was my coach Daryl. When I first started playing Legion ball, I struggled with pitching a lot and didn’t feel like I could get any better. Daryl helped me find a new appreciation for it and worked with me so much on my mechanics and approach. I wouldn’t be the pitcher I am today without him. Finally, another of my coaches, who we call Hoover, has been a major force in my positive experience with the sport. He has been a mentor and friend to not only me but my entire family. He’s always so kind and helpful in how he teaches, and I view him as the biggest argument for the idea that coaching doesn’t need to be harsh and aggressive to

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n 20 Questions with Gus Allred ......

be effective. I have nothing but gratitude and love for everyone who has inspired me to be the best player and person I can be.

MR: Is there anything you would change about your baseball career?

GA: There are always little things that people including myself think, “I wish I would’ve been more proactive here,” or, “I wish I had known this years ago,” but I really do think that everything happened how it needed to for me. I’ve been in places of deep regret for what I wished I had done before, and I’ve become a much happier person since letting myself be happy and thankful for what I have now. I also like to remind myself whenever I think that I should’ve done something differently that I might not have experienced some of the greatest things that have happened to me since, and my path is right for me, no matter what.

MR: How has the game of baseball changed over the years?

GA: Baseball has definitely become more attention focused recently, and social media has influenced the game greatly in recent years. A lot of importance has been placed on big plays, high velos, and home runs,

but I think that the game as a whole has maintained a lot of integrity. One thing that has made me less worried about the game is when I get off of my phone and go out and play. It still feels the same to me, and I’m going to continue to play my game the way I want because my love of the game is the reason I play.

MR: What is your best pitch and what pitches do you still have to work on?

GA: I’d say my best pitch is usually my curveball, especially against lefties. I’ve been trying some things with it and of course have a long way to go with it, but I’m happy with the success I’ve had with it so far. What’s weird is the pitch I feel like I need to make the most improvement on is also one that has looked the best when I’ve made it work. My changeup has been extremely successful when I’ve made it work, but I’ve been having to continuously work to make it consistent. It’s gotten a lot better, but I have a lot to work on to get it ready for the next level.

MR: Favorite Eating Establishment:

GA: Izumi. It’s a Japanese buffet that unfortunately many won’t get to experience because it’s all the way in Jamestown, North Dakota. They have the best sushi I’ve eaten

in my life.

MR: Favorite musical artst:

GA: I’d have to say right now my favorite is Tyler Childers. This question is really hard because my music taste is so scattered across country, hip hop, rap, pop, R&B, EDM, and so many other genres.

MR: What is your Walk-p song or Walk-tothe Mound song?

GA: One of These Nights - Eagles

MR: Favorite vacation spot:

GA: So far my favorite vacation spot I’ve been to is Bear Lake. It’s on the Utah/Idaho border, and I got to spend quite a bit of time there. I’ve always loved the terrain and scenery of my region.

MR: Favorite baseball team?

GA: Colorado Rockies

MR: Anything else you want to add?

GA: I just want to remind everyone that their goals are attainable. If it’s hard, that means it’s probably the right way to go. It feels so rewarding to make progress in anything you do, no matter how small it is, so go for it.

— Written by Mark Rein

Former Cougar Fatima Balza named interim head volleyball coach

Western Nebraska Community College has hired a familiar face to serve as interim head volleyball coach as Fatima Balza returns to WNCC to guide the volleyball team.

Balza officially started her role as interim coach in late April after arriving on campus..

Balza is excited to be back at WNCC, a place where she started her collegiate volleyball career.

“Taking over the volleyball team holds significant personal meaning for me because WNCC has always held a special place in my heart,” Balza said. “Having been involved with the WNCC volleyball program as a player back in 2007/ 2008 and then as an assistant coach from 2011 to the spring 2014, to now stepping into the position of interim head coach feels like a natural progression and a return home. I am incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead the team in the upcoming 2024 season.”

Balza, who decided to return to WNCC where she helped the Cougars to their first NJCAA National Title in 2007. Balza then went and won two national titles at Penn State in 2009 and 2010.

Balza also came back to WNCC as an assistant coach under Giovana Melo for a couple years and helped Melo lead the team to a runner-up finish at the national tournament.

In Balza’s time at WNCC under the head coaching of Chris Green and Melo, the Cougars lost just four matches in two seasons. WNCC went 54-2 in 2007 under Green, earning the national title. Her sophomore year under Melo, the team went 59-4 and finished third at the national tournament. Balza was a NJCAA First Team All-American in her sophomore year after earning Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2007.

“I went to Europe where I work with multinational corporations as well as volleyball clubs,” Balza said. “First, I went to Dublin, Ireland, where my sister was living at the time. I completed a sports massage course and I was involved with volleyball from 2014 to 2018. I played and coached for Gardians women volleyball club where they played in the Irish league Division 1. This is the highest level in Ireland. I also took on coaching duties for one of the men’s team in the Irish division 1 league.

After WNCC, Balza played professionally in Ireland and Poland while also holding training sessions for players and teams in Europe. She went to Europe to play after she was left WNCC as an assistant coach.

“Taking over the volleyball team holds signif-

icant

personal meaning for me because WNCC has always held a spe-

cial

place in my heart.”

— Fatima Balza

“Additionally, I was called few times to assist with national training camps for the Irish women’s national team, focusing on both indoor and sand volleyball sessions. An exciting highlight was representing the Republic of Ireland in an international tournament as a player. In 2018, I relocated to Krakow, Poland. Initially, I played for Sunrise volleyball club while also coaching the team. Later in 2019, I transitioned to playing for Apollo volleyball club.

Balza was then faced with a life change in the covid year 2020 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Still, Balza stayed

active in coaching volleyball.

“In 2020, I faced a significant challenge when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, leading to a long stop from playing. Despite this, I remained actively involved (2020/2021) in coaching at Apollo volleyball club, running indoor drills with the head coach and taking over practices during the summer season for beach volleyball trainings. Once I was fully healthy, I continued to play for Apollo but started to coach at Dragon Balls volleyball club, coaching men and women at all levels, beginners, intermediates and advanced.

Balza said she is excited to work the talented nine players that will be returning to the Cougar program next year as well as settling in the valley. She likes what she has seen of the returners for next year.

Continued on next page

Fati Balza talks to the team in the last week of April when she arrived on campus. Balza is excited to be the interim volleyball coach.

Fati Balza when she was a freshman at WNCC back in the 2007-08 season when the Cougars were national champs.

n Meet interim head coach Fatima Balza ......

“Based on what I have seen in the last week, I can say I have a promising group of nine returning freshmen, which brings considerable talent to the team. But, talent is not everything,” she said. “Right now, the team is split into different groups, and that’s something we need to work on. My focus going into next year is to bring everyone together as one cohesive team, so we can perform at the best of our abilities as a team and not individuals. It is crucial that the returners set the example for incoming players and prioritize the team’s success over individual achievements”

Her goals are simple as the ninth head coach to lead the Cougars since the program was started back in 1974.

“My goal is to create an environment where each player can reach their full potential, both as athletes and individuals, while also striving for success as a team on the court,” she said. “This involves more than just teaching the technical/tactical aspects of the game; with the returners is very important to foster teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth among the players.”

Balza said that she wants to bring leadership to the team and have the team be good persons on the court, off the court, academically, and in the community.

“To the team, I bring structure with my coaching experience. I am here to not only boost their volleyball game but also help them master time management as student-athlete. I also bring lots of positive

vibes, a solid framework for success, and great communication skills,” Balza said. “To the college, my coaching style fits smoothly with college policies. I am big on seeing my players succeed both academically and athletically. Plus, I am super excited to be back and pitch in with the college and community activities through volunteering.”

— Written by Mark Rein

Fati Balza when she was an assistant coach at WNCC back in 2013. The picture was taken when they finished runner-up at the national tourney in 2013.

Joseph signs with DI New Orleans to continue basketball career

Mackenzie Joseph’s dream was to play Division I basketball and that dream came true as the Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball sophomore is going back to her home state of Louisiana to play for the University of New Orleans for the next two years.

“Honestly this is a dream come true,” Joseph, the 5-foot-11 shooting guard said. “I always wanted to go Division I; that was my goal for a long time. Everyone that helped me get here. I really liked playing basketball when I was younger so being here at this stage now and knowing I am going Division I is a blessing.”

Joseph had plenty of colleges to choose from and it was New Orleans that stood out. New Orleans only got into the picture of potential about a month ago and things just worked out.

“About a month ago we started to be in contact. Coach Isaac gave them my contact and we built a good relationship,” Joseph said. “I was going to go to another school in that same conference, but I felt like they (New Orleans) appreciated more and wanted me more and I built a relationship with them over a quick time. I felt like that was the place I needed to be.”

New Orleans is only four hours from her hometown of Vinton, Louisiana, and she said it will be nice to have family coming to her games.

“All through high school I had my family and my family is probably the biggest

crowd at all my games,” Joseph said. “So, just having them back, which I haven’t had that for the past two years, so just having to have them there will be a blessing.”

Joseph had a successful two years at WNCC. Joseph averaged 11.2 points a contest last season while burying 57 3-pointers. The 57 treys last season is seventh all time in a season at WNCC. She is also seventh in career 3-pointers with 98 treys.

“It definitely has been a good thing and I liked playing here for the past two years. The teammates I met and the team this year especially. This is a place I could call home,” Joseph said.

Joseph knows that to be successful, you have to adjust to what you need to do on the court from scoring to rebounding. In fact, she said her basketball IQ improved a ton under WNCC head coach Isaac Lu’s knowledge of the game and she will improve that at New Orleans.”

“Definitely I will need to work on my IQ of basketball,” she said. “I definitely think I have improved here the last two years with Coach Isaac. So, I feel definitely listening to more of my coaches and focusing on the IQ aspect will be important.

“The biggest thing for me is just knowing how I am most productive out on the court. I played a lot of position in high school from 1 to 5 and coming to JUCO where they needed me at a third position, I definitely know where I need to be.”

Joseph’s time at WNCC is nearing an end and she said she will take plenty of memories with her back to Louisiana. At the same time, it will be hard to leave her teammates.

“Definitely I have had a lot of good wins with my teammates this year along with just being in the dorms and having fun with my teammates. It has been a great two years for me,” she said. “Definitely it will be sad. I think a few tears will be shared. I definitely will miss everybody.”

— Written by Mark Rein

Donaldson signs to be a Black Bear at the University of Maine

Amiyah Donaldson spent just one season at Western Nebraska Community College and in that one year she accomplished plenty.

One of the biggest things happened Tuesday night when the 5-foot-7 guard signed to continue playing at the University of Maine.

“I am going to the University of Maine and I am going there because I believe it will give me the best opportunity possible and really help me develop as a player and person,” Donaldson said. “I am extremely excited to be going Division I. It has been a blessing, and it has been a dream of mine.”

The University of Main Black Bears are part of the American East Conference and qualified for the NCAA tournament in March. Maine fell to No. 2 seed Ohio State in the first round. Maine finished the year at 24-10 and won the conference title over the University of Vermont.

Donaldson said she wanted to go closer to home and Maine is a 14-hour drive from her home in Cleveland, Ohio.

“I wanted to go closer to home,” she said, “This happened in about a span of a week in that they reached out to me. There were other schools I was talking too, but ultimately, when I got to Maine and got to visit them, I knew that was the school I should go to.”

Donaldson only played one year at WNCC after transferring in from the University of Charleston. Donaldson played in 32 games averaging 9.6 points, 1.8 rebounds,

and 1.8 assists. She shot 36.8 percent from the 3-point arc and was a 90.2 percent free throw shooter. She knocked down 39 treys and was 37-41 from the free throw line.

Donaldson is only the second person in school history to make over 90 percent of her free throws for a season. Allysah Booth made 96.4 percent of her charity tosses (54 of 56).

Donaldson finished the year with 12 games of finishing with double figure scoring. Her best game was a 23-point contest against Miles Community College. She also had a 21-point contest against McCook Community College on February 6.

The point guard said she improved a lot in her time here, especially on the mental

aspect of the game.

“I improved a lot,” she said. “I feel like I improved my IQ more and understanding the game.”

Donaldson is the second Cougar to sign to play Division I in the past week. Mackenzie Joseph signed last week to attend the University of New Orleans. Donaldson said that shows how much players get from the program at WNCC.

“It just shows the success of the program and just how much goes into the players,” she said. “It is just the growth that is brought out.”

What makes Donaldson unique is that she is athletic. While basketball was a sport that she loved since she started playing when she was five or six years old, she also played other sports in high school from track and soccer, and at one point she did softball and gymnastics. But, she said, basketball was her main one.”

“It is my everything. It opened the opportunity that I don’t think I would have had not playing basketball,” she said. “I have meant so many great and amazing people along this journey. It has presented me with a lot of opportunities.”

This Saturday she will be graduating from WNCC with a graphics art degree, and she said leaving the friends that she met will be hard.

“It will be bittersweet, and I will be very sad,” she said. “It will be very emotional. I have great memories here.”

— Written by Mark Rein

Razo, Vasquez sign with 4-year schools to continue their soccer playing

WNCC women’s soccer players Razo, Vasquez sign to continue playing

WNCC women’s soccer players are taking their talents to the next level after Tania Razo and Lesley Vasquez signed to continue playing at four-year schools.

Razo is headed to Shaw University in North Carolina. Shaw is a Division II institution. Vasquez is head to William Carey, the NAIA national runner-ups a year ago. William Carey was 24-1 last fall.

Vasquez said she picked William Carey because it was a good school with an outstanding soccer program.

“I am going to William Carey and I think it will bring out the potential that I have,” Vasquez said. “It should be able to push me more and to be a better person and better player.”

William Carey is one of top NAIA schools in the country and Vasquez said that will push her to become even a better player.

“I know there are a lot of players out there who are potentially better than me, “ she said. “But this will help me push myself and I think I can reach those levels as well.”

Vasquez added that getting to go to a program the caliber of William Carey shows her that she can achieve things.

“It just shows I can achieve things like that in life,” she said. “I know this will push me to be better.”

Razo said she is a little bit scared to go to the east coast, but she is ready for the move.

“I am going to Shaw University, which is a DII and I think it will push me as a player more,” she said. “I decided to go there because it is in North Carolina and I wanted to

go to the east coast. And, I am scared, but I think I can do it.”

Both said they have improved their game while at WNCC and became a better person.

“I think there were good experiences and bad experiences here,” Razo said. “I think just overall it improved me as a player.”

For Vasquez, she said it shaped her as a player.

“I had good and bad experiences, but I think everything that I went through shaped me into the person I am today,” she said. “I am grateful for that.”

Both will take plenty of memories from their two years at WNCC.

“I wouldn’t change anything. I try to live life and not regret things,” Vasquez said. “Thank you to my fans and everything you Continued on next page

n Razo, Vasquez sign to colleges ......

have done for me. Thanks for giving me the opportunity.”

For Razo, it is the friends and extended family that she made while at WNCC.

“I think just overall the friendships I made and just like the family we had,” she said. Razo said she improved greatly in her two years.

“In the technical side, I improved with passing a little bit better and also my shooting,” she said.

Vasquez will major in criminal justice at William Carey University while Razo will major in business.

— Written by Mark Rein

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

Yediel Hernandez

Tomas Guzman

Women’s Soccer

Mariah Russel Scottsbluff, Neb.

Marit Schelstraete

Karen Casas-Landaverde, Greeley, Colo.

Milena Montalvo-Arroyo

Alison Hernandez Aurora, Colo

Milena Montalvo ..........................................

Rachel Riordan ............................................

Amanda Duarte de ......................................

Millie Selfe ...................................................

Dorothy Jenson ...........................................

. Softball

Tina Horton ..................................................

Kallie Stocking ............. Salt Lake City, Utah

Mia Lentz ........................... Mead, Colorado

Alyssa Albaugh ........... Torrington, Wyoming

Stevie Firkins ............... Montrose, Colorado

Isadora Salaiz Fountain, Colorado

Scarlette Ruiz Aurora, Colorado

Lydia Tibbals Springville, Utah

Baseball

Carter Reisig Scottsbluff, Neb.

Dalton Yaste Evans, Colorado

Cooper Wilson Riverton, Utah

Dakota Alber Commerce City, Colorado

Hunter Harmon

Jin Kobayaka

Jorge Anderson

Vaughn Wilson

William Ager

Marshall Forsyth

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Asia Mitchell ................................................

Arianna Myers .............................................

Where Cougar Sophomores Are Headed

Volleyball

Charlie Blackman ............... U. of Mary (DII)

Maya Angelova .......... Queens College (DII) Shanelle Martinez ........... Georgia State (DI)

Men’s Soccer

Women’s Soccer

Tania Razo Shaw University (DII)

Lesley Vasquez William Carey (NAIA) Aileen Perez Hampton University (DI)

Women’s Basketball

Mackenzie Joseph U. of New Orleans (DI) Amiyah Donaldson U. of Maine (DI)

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.

Guest Column by Doug Jones

So, what do you do?

That’s the question Doug Jones pondered

Last school year, I had a discussion one afternoon with some athletes in the training room that revolved around the question “What do you do?”

You know – when you first meet someone and, in an attempt to get to know you better, that person eventually asks you some version of the question. We discussed how they would answer that question without mentioning their sport.

This last weekend, I was fortunate enough to attend the college graduation of my daughter, and during her reception, I was introduced to the people who hosted the reception for her, one of her professors, and her supervisor from her school employment. At some point in every conversation, I got asked “So, what do you do?”.

At the time, I didn’t think much about it, but on my drive home, I was listening to a particularly interesting podcast, and the question popped into my mind, and

the conversation I’d had with those athletes just over a year ago.

Many times, we identify ourselves with our job, and particularly in sports, we reply with the sport we play. We become fully wrapped in this identity. “I’m an athletic trainer and instructor” was always my answer.

Answering the question typically leads to many follow-up questions, especially if the other person is interested. But what happens when you leave your sport, your job, your “what you do?” Then what? I thought about how I could have answered this question differently.

Ultimately, it made me realize we forget all the things we are. I think it is very important to remember you are many things other than your job, your sport, your “what you do.” You may not always see it, but its there.

It is entirely possible you don’t even know what It is. You might be someone’s reason to be happy. You might be

someone’s inspiration. You might even be someone’s competition that challenges them to be better.

With graduation upcoming, there are several student-athletes who possibly may have played their last game, and now what? How are you going to answer the question “What do you do?”

I challenge you to think about how you would answer this question without mentioning your sport.

To the athletes who will continue playing their sport, and those who have decided to hang it up for whatever reason, remember that you are so much more than your sport, and you will always be more than you realize to so many people.

You might have to think about it a little more. Know your worth; understand your value; and never underestimate the things you can and will do. Once a Cougar, Always a Cougar.

— Written by Doug Jones WNCC Athletic Trainer/Instructor

Athlete Question

Sierra Hilgner Softball

Eduardo Oliveria

Cougar Frenzy

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

What do you do for your mom on Mothers Day

Go to baseball game (Rockies)

Men’s Soccer Give her presents

Tyler Easter Baseball

Jamie Caron

Women’s Basketball

Jade Brothwell

Flowers and go out to brunch with her and write a card

Make her breakfast, pick flowers, and bible study

Women’s Soccer Get her flowers and her favorite candy

Charli Blackman Volleyball Breakfast in bed

Coaching, overseeing softball operations, play.

Go to gym and practice soccer

Hang out with friends, family, girlfriend, and get ready for college gg

Meeting really cool people Expresso A fancy way of doing something

Spend another year with teammates and friends Cookie Dough Wild animal that lives deep in the ocean

Work, get those gains, and fish I got saved by Jesus Chocolate but I’m lactose intolerant A person who is an idiot

Going to Mexico and hang out with family Eduardo de Oliveria Cookies and Cream An Animal

Summer Plans Best thing to happen to you this year Favorite Ice Cream What is Snollygoster? Earn money Committing to U. of Mary

Cougar Golf Classic set for June 8 at Monument Shadows Golf Course

Western Nebraska Community College athletics will hold their annual Cougar Golf Classic on Saturday, June 8 at Monument Shadows Golf Course in Gering.

The golf classic is a 4-person scramble with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The cost for the day of golf is $80 person and includes carts and lunch. Entry deadline is June 6, but the sooner registered is better to be guaranteed a T-shirt.

There are two divisions for the golf tournament, which is a fun and relaxed 18hole tournament. There is a men’s division along with a women’s/coed division. First place in each division will get a gift certificate to the golf course. There are also hole prizes as well.

There is also hole sponsorship opportunities and if anyone wants to donate items for prizes, contact the WNCC athletic office. Proceeds from the golf classic will benefit the WNCC athletic scholarship fund. So far, in just three weeks, three teams are registered for the classic. There are three ways to register. You can register by downloading the golf classic flyer at www.wnccathletics.com You may also register online by going to the WNCC athletics website, clicking the banner, and then the online registration link. You can also email WNCC athletic director Ryan Burgner at burgnerr@wncc. edu to register or for more details.

WNCC will over baseball camp in June,

youth soccer camp

in July

Western Nebraska Community College athletics will offer two youth sports camps this summer for baseball and soccer players.

The baseball camp is slated for June 3-6 at the 23 Club Diamonds in Scottsbluff while the youth soccer camp will be held July 22-25 at Landers Soccer Complex.

The Cougar baseball camp is for ages 7-14 and will run for four days from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. The cost is $60 per camper. The camp will be instructed by WNCC baseball coach Mike Jones along with former and current Cougar players.

The baseball camp is an opportunity for baseball players to work on their baseball skills during a fun week of instruction and games. The WNCC coaches and players take an invested interest in helping the local players learn the fundamentals of baseball and providing an opportunity to play at WNCC. The WNCC coaches and players

will be giving insight in helping the camp participant fine-tune their baseball skills in the form of offense, defense, batting, and pitching.

For more information on the camp, contact WNCC baseball coach Mike Jones at jonesm@wncc.edu or at 308-635-6198.

In July is the WNCC Cougar Soccer Skills Camp that will run July 22-25. The format is still the same in previous years as the camps are for youngsters ages 12 and below for the morning sessions and then a more competitive camp for middle school and high school players in the evening.

The morning camps will have the ages 8 and under going from 9 – 11 a.m. and the cost is $90 for participants. This camp is a recreational, fun camp.

Ages 9-12 will go from 9-11:30 a.m. and will learn more technical/tactical concepts to get them ready for the more competitive season. This camp will cost $125 per partic-

ipant. A camp T-shirt and a camp ball will be included in the registration.

The evening session will from 5-7:30 p.m. and be for competitive players, middle school and higher. This camp will help the soccer athletes to fine-tune their soccer abilities in a more competitive arena. The camp will be more intense than the morning session with fun and creative activities planned as well as small-sided games. The camp is $125 for all participants and will include a camp T-shirt and ball.

The soccer camp will be instructed by WNCC soccer coach Todd Rasnic and his assistants as well as former and current players. For more information on the soccer camp, contact Rasnic at rasnict@wncc. edu.

Camp flyers are available on the WNCC athletic website at www.wnccathletics.com and registration can also be done online on the website by clicking the camp banner.

Cougar

Monument Shadows Golf Course

2550 Clubhouse Dr. Gering, Nebraska

Four-person scramble

$80 per person

8 a.m. shotgun start

Limit of 36 teams

For more information, contact: Ryan Burgner, WNCC Athletic Director 308-635-6798 or burgnerr@wncc.edu

Entry deadline is June 6 or the rst 36 teams

Douglas, Kelly, Ostdiek, Ossian,Vogl & Snyder, P.C.

Local WNCC Soccer players through the years

MEN’S TEAM

Scottsbluff: Jerry Escamilla, Luis Martinez, Owen Parra, Jackson Thomas, Eseah Ingram,Patrick Madden,Blake Wills, Justin Becerra, Bernardo Urrea,Tyler Patrick, Jesus Duque, Morgan Wall, Shayne Tower, Geoff Critzer, Francisco Morales, Brad Nielson, Martin Linz-Soto, Aaron Hanna, Garrick Schick, Oziel Carmargo, Lincoln Frank. Jason Escamilla, Eduardo Sena

Gering: Gage Smith, Travis Mundell, Carson Wallace, Jarron Rasnic, Joey Rasnic, Mason Nab, Cody Thompson, Chris Guadarrama, Alex Ferreyra, Chris Thompson, Adam Rivera, Dustin Teahon, Cody Barge, Abe Colin, Criztian Avalos

Minatare: Juan Garfio, Kaleb Gonzales

Alliance: Tristan Stephenson, Raul Sanchez, Tim Iodence, Tanner Herian, Brad Soske, Kevin Castillo

Torrington, Wyo.: Cole Brothwell, Josh Ring, Donovan Valentine, WOMEN’S TEAM

Scottsbluff: Morgan Smith, Chloey Reifschneider, Megan Patrick, Laura Abbott, Nickole Mueller, Leah Kleager, Tera Schmid, Sondra Holloway, Brianne Feuz, Izzy Wright, Cali Wright, Kate Larson

Gering: Destiny Mueller, Brittney Spreier, Sydney Heimbouch, Leah Martin, Marissa Anaya, Brooke Satur, Dani Copsey, Chanice Blanco, Jacee Roseberry, Ashley Heimbouch, Keah Brost, Maddi Parks, Taylor Johns, Nancy Boyak, Kristen Heath, Anna Rivera,

Sidney: Janae Grund

Bayard: Sinahi Garcia, Torrington, Wyo.: Caitlyn Cummings, Jade Brothwell

Sterling, Colorado: Katelyn Pyle, Sierra Benavidez, Jessica Fast

2024 Cougar Soccer Skills Camp

Under 13 Soccer Camps — July 22-25

Ages 8-under: 9 - 11 a.m. -- Ages 9-12 -- 9-11:30 a.m.

The aim of this camp is to help competitive players ages five and up learn more about the game in a competitive environment. There will be professional instruction from WNCC coaches and players. There will be two divisions of play. Players ages 5 through 8 years of age will attend from 9-11 a.m. and the cost will be $90. Youngsters 9-12 will attend from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at $125 per player. The camp will be held at the Landers Soccer Complex, located on the corner of 5th avenue and 42nd street.

For: Youth players under 13 years of age.

Times: Ages 8-under from 9-11 a.m. -- Recreational Camp

Ages 9-12 from 9-11:30 a.m. -- Technical/Tactical Concepts Camp

Cost: $90 for 8-under; $125 for all other campers

Includes: WNCC Camp T-shirt and camp ball.

Competitive/Advanced Soccer Camp — July 22-25

5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The aim of this camp is to help players fine-tune their soccer abilities in a more competitive arena. The camp will be more intense than the morning session, with fun and creative activities planned, as well as small-sided games. There will be professional instruction from WNCC coaches and players. The camp will run from 5-7:30 p.m. each day. Evening sessions will be divided into middle school and high school-age athletes.

The camp will be held at the Landers Soccer Complex, located on the corner of 5th avenue and 42nd street.

For: Competitive players middle school and higher.

Times: 5 - 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $125 for campers

Includes: WNCC Camp T-shirt and camp ball.

2024 Cougar Baseball Summer Camp

WNCC baseball has supported local players through the years

Scottsbluff: Carlos Escamilla, Joe Moran, Ty Wilson, Beau Lofink, Tharyn Curtis, Trace Marsden, Dallas Liptac, Ty Benson, Jack Jones, Trent Richter, Trevor Garcia, Braden Lofink, Paul Panduro, Harold Baez, Cooper Buchhammer, Creighton Dike, Mo Panduro, Hunter McCollum, Hunter Garcia, Cameron Meyer

Gering: Carlos Palomo, Joe Quick, Grant Rimington, Jeff Koncaba, Nate Marquez, Esai Hernandez, Brent Barge, Austin Abbott, Riley Schanaman

Sidney: Kyle Burton

Alliance: Jayden Holman, Tre Meier, Jake Peltz,, Trevor DuBray, JJ Garza

Bridgeport: Leighton Freeze

Chadron: Eric Bissonette

North Platte: Dalton Pflughaupt, Zach Ostergard.

Valentine: Klint Brown, Justin Smith

Ogallala: Orey Fricke

Torrington: Ben Firminhac

Cheyenne: Landon Lybeck, Isaac Block, Brian Lopez, Mason Munford, Chris Nadon, Jeff Schmitt, Sean Curtis, Luke Cheever, Pat Cheever, Isaac Taylor, Lincoln Trujilo

Guernsey: David Castle

Wheatland: Anthony Apodaca, Jake Montoya, Tyler Pollock, Mytchell Pollock

DATE: Monday-Thursday, June 3-6 Scottsbluff, Nebraska

COST: $60 per camper, includes a T-shirt make checks payable to WNCC Baseball

TIME: 9 a.m. - 12 noon

AGES: 7-14

LOCATION: Scottsbluff’s 23 Club Fields

Online Registration: www.wnccathletics.com

The camp will be instructed by WNCC baseball coach Mike Jones, his assistants and current/former players.

This is an opportunity for baseball players to work on their baseball skills during a fun week of instruction and games.

The WNCC coaches take an invested interest in helping the local players learn the fundamentals of baseball and providing an opportunity to play at WNCC. The WNCC coaches and players will be giving insight in helping you fine-tune your baseball skills in the form of offense, defense, batting, and pitching.

In a pickling game of pickle ball

WNCC red-shirt baseball player Clayden Brandon participates in a game of pickle ball during an intramural tourney. WNCC athletes take part in campus events. This was the first time pickle ball was played at WNCC.

Cougar Athletes of the Week

July 20

Female Athletes of the Week

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 Gal-La Font, Women’s Bball

March 4................................... Madi VanRiper, Softball

March 13 Ebere Egbirka, Women’s Bball

March 25 Katelynn Czerpak, Softball

April 10 .................................. Mykah Klumpp, Softball

April 15 Sierra Hilgner, Softball

May 5 Jenika Fuentes, Softball

May 13 .........................................................................

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

Daniel Bula, Men’s Bball

January 14 ....................... Kayden Nation, Men’s Bball

January 28 .......................... Willie Wilson, Men’s Bball

February 15

Travis Easterly, Jr., Men’s Bball

March 4................................ Kensei Oikawa, Baseball

March 13.................................. Adrian Short, Baseball

March 25

April 10

April 15

Hunter McCollum, Baseball

................................. Shintaro Inoue, Baseball

.................................................. Arturo Montiel

May 5 Bryce Peterson

May 13

.........................................................................

Several WNCC athletes came away with awards and honors at the annual WNCC awards ceremony that was held April 30.

The award ceremony recognized students that achieved success at WNCC. For the athletes, it was on the playing surface and in the classroom as well as the community.

The award ceremony started with the presentation of the highest athletic GPAs.

The Highest GPA for a Female Athlete went to Megan Bewley of the volleball team.

The Highest GPA for a Male Athlete went to Gus Allred of the baseball team.

The Highest GPA for a team went to the women’s volleyball team.

That was followed by the Cougar Award, which went to an athlete that stood out in the classroom, community, and the playing surface. That went to Bailey Krueger of the softball team.

The nomination for Krueger read:

“Bailey has been a WNCC student for the last 3 years, coming in during her 1st year, and immediately becoming interested in athletic training. She stuck around for 3rd year due to an injury that caused her to miss her first year of softball and much of her 2nd year.

“This year, Bailey has been a great student involved with campus life going to events. She is eager to learn, willing to help, and available to help other students when she is called to do so. She does everything she is asked and maintains a 3.927 GPA while playing a varsity sport. She takes her academics very seriously. She is a leader in the classroom and her team.”

The next honor was the RA of the Year. This award is given to a Resident Assistant that had demonstrated exceptional contributions to the resident community. The winner of this award went to Sara Lourenco of the women’s soccer team.

The nomination for Sara read:

“Sara came to WNCC as an international student with the idea of attending

April

Several Cougar athletes earn awards at WNCC Awards Ceremony in

for only one year, playing soccer, and transferring out to play DI soccer elsewhere. Sara’s course shifted drastically after tearing her ACL not once, but twice, putting her soccer dreams on hold. However, this did not stop Sara from maintaining a positive outlook and attitude on life and her time here at WNCC.

“As Sara’s two years as a WNCC athlete were coming to an end, she redirected her path and recently took on a new leadership role as an RA and made the decision to stay an extra year at WNCC to solidify her academics (GPA),

build her resume, and give her body the much-needed break to heal. After becoming an RA on the third floor of Pioneer, she completely turned her community around and gave them the direction and support they had been missing. Sara goes above and beyond for her community and has created lasting impacts and connections that have only strengthened her leadership development.

“Sara is the most positive and optimistic person I’ve come to know in my life, and she embodies what I believe to

Continued on next page

Members of the WNCC volleyball team receive the Highest GPA for a Team award at the April 30 WNCC Awards Ceremony.

Randi Mitchell receives her award for outstanding business student.

Maya Angelova receives her award for outstanding social science student.

n Athletes pick up honors at Awards Ceremony ......

be the goals and values of the college as a student leader who just continues to push through each challenge she is faced with and only encourages her peers to follow her lead.”

In the category of Outstanding Achievement in Academics, two Cougar athletes earned honors.

Maya Angelova of the volleyball team received the Social Science Outstanding Student honor.

Randi Mitchell of the softball team received the Business Outstanding Student honor.

The last award winner was given to

Bewley for the Presidential Leadership Award. This award is one of the highest given. It is given to an outstanding student who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence in academics, leadership and service to the college ant the community.

According to the nomination, Bewley was one of those athletes that managed a 4.0 GPA, worked a couple jobs, did statistics at the basketball games, and was someone that would help out when needed.

The nomination for Bewley read:

“Megan has been a member of our

volleyball team, maintained a 4.0 GPA, is the president of LEAD, a member of PTK, employed as a lifeguard and at the local YMCA, as well as a float CNA at our hospital.

“In each of these endeavors, Megan’s leadership capabilities from each of the aforementioned positions are visible. Even within her friend group and study groups, many of her peers look to her as an example and consult her advice. With all of these activities, Megan has shown that you can take on many tasks and be successful.”

— Written by Mark Rein

Sara Lucerno receives her RA Award from Bethany Fuchs.

Bailey Krueger receives the Cougar Award from athletic director Ryan Burgner.

Megan Bewley receives the Presidential Award from college president Greg Dart.

20 Questions with Presidential Award winner Megan Bewley

Megan Bewley is a sophomore from Scottsbluff High School and has been a key defensive specialist/libero for the volleyball team for two seasons.

At Scottsbluff, Bewley played volleyball and tennis.

Let’s sett what makes Bewley tick as she was a big winner at the awards ceremony the last of April.

MR: First off, you were recently honors at the Scottsbluff Awards ceremony, what does it mean to be recognized by the college community and the students? What does it mean to get the President’s award as well as being recognized as the top Female GPA athlete?

MB: It feels amazing to have been recognized by the college and the community. I think the entire award ceremony and the time the college takes to put something together like this shows how much they care about the success of their students and gives us as students more motivation to put our best work forward.

MR: What kind of classes did you take the past two years and what were some of your more challenging classes?

MB: The classes I took over the last two years were prerequisite courses required by the UNMC BSN nursing program. They included everything from a humanities course to anatomy and physiology. I would honestly say the most challenging course I had was Introduction to Humanities because it challenged by usual way of thinking and required me to analyze and look at the deeper meaning of art, architecture, and literature works.

MR: What is your reason for success on the academic side of things? How do you do it?

MB: I think the biggest thing that has helped me be academically successful is knowing how to balance studying with the rest of my responsibilities. If I have learned

anything over the last two years and being an athlete with two other jobs, it is how to make the most of my time. It is much better to spend 30 minutes of time focused on studying than an hour but distracted the whole time. I think I have also found success in knowing what study habits help me learn the best and realizing that if I want to get stuff done I need to be in the right environment, such as in the library.

MR: What other activities/honors and things did you all do while at WNCC both at the college and in the community?

MB: Outside of being on the volleyball team I participated in LEAD, was a student ambassador, and worked two other jobs out in the community.

MR: What has your time at WNCC been like for the past two year?

MB: My time over the last two years here at WNCC has been some of the best two years of my life because of my roommates and the people I have had the chance

to form relationships with. At times it was very challenging, but I wouldn’t change it for the world because I have made lifelong relationships. I think I truly learned the meaning behind “it’s the people that make the place.”

MR: You have made a lot of new friends from around the area, what was it like to have those other students (and just not volleyball) as friends and how hard will it be to leave to continue your education next year without those friends from the past two years?

MB: I can’t begin to describe how hard it is going to be to leave all the friends I have made over the last two years. They have become some of my best friends and biggest supporters, but I know that they are all going on to follow their passions and do what they love. I know that we will all stay connected and talk everyday still.

MR: What was your athletic career like at WNCC the past two years?

MB: I honestly didn’t know what

Continued on next page

n Meet Presidential Award Winner Megan Bewley ......

to expect going into these past two years as far as volleyball was concerned. I went into it with an open mind and was just happy to be on the team. Looking back, I enjoyed the volleyball aspect and getting to know other people from around the world, but I think the biggest thing that came from these last two years was how much I learned about myself. I am definitely a stronger person, mentally and emotionally, and I wouldn’t change any of it.

MR: What memories will you take from your time here?

MB: There are a lot of memories that I will take from these last two years. Some of them volleyball like when we played in the national championship and won region nine my freshman year. Most of them will be with my roommates and all the fun we had living together, whether it was decorating our doors or going to late night Taco Bells runs. Its honestly the little memories that I cherish the most.

MR: The interesting question is that you are from Scottsbluff or Gering, whichever way you want to look at it, but still lived in the dorms. What was that experience like to be so close to home, but also away?

MB: I loved living in the dorms but also so close to home. Sometimes it was hard to balance being so close, but it was also great

because I got to have some independence, be home for birthdays and holidays, and free laundry of course!

MR: In high school you did several sports, do you ever go and do that other sport that you went to state in or in other words, do you miss that sport?

MB: In high school I also played tennis. Since then, I have picked up a racquet a couple of times but just for fun and not very often. I still love to play as much as I can.

MR: Is it going to be hard not having volleyball next year and just going to school?

MB: Yes, not having volleyball next year is going to be challenging. This is the first time since I was 3 years old that I won’t be a part of some kind of team or have some sort of practice to attend. I will miss the structure and being on a team, but I know that it is for the best because nursing school is challenging, and I will need all the free time I can get.

MR: Is there anything you would change about your time at WNCC?

MB: I would not change anything about my time here.

MR: You also worked at the hospital as well, what was that like as your prepare your career in nursing?

MB: Yes, I work as a float CNA for the clinics in the hospital and I have really enjoyed that job because I have gotten many different parts of nursing. I have also learned a lot about working out in “the real world” that I think no amount of studying and reading a book can teach you. I am still nervous to start nursing school, but I definitely feel more prepared because of this job.

MR: What is your future plans after WNCC?

MB: I will be attending the University Nebraska Medial Center Nursing program to get my bachelor’s in nursing.

MR: What is the one thing that you would tell younger middle school/high school/grade Continued on next page

n Meet Presidential Award Winner Megan Bewley ......

school athletes to be successful in college?

MB: One piece of advice I would tell younger people is to learn how to study while they are in high school and middle school when they have a bigger support system and more structure. This is something that a lot of people coming to college to necessarily know how to do well so it makes being successful in classes a lot harder form the beginning.

MR: The other thing you love to work out, have you always been a workout person and home many miles have you walked on the treadmill or even out sides in a day, month, year (LOL)?

MB: Yes, I do love to workout. I run about 7-10 miles a day and probably walk about 3 if I had to guess. As for the farthest I have every done I think that would be when I ran a half marathon just to see if I could do.

MR: When you graduate from WNCC, what will it be like saying goodbye to all your teammates and friends that you have made?

MB: Saying goodbye to all of my friends

and teammates it going to be super bittersweet, but we already have plans to meet up this summer and will talk every day in our group chats.

MR: Favorite Eating Establishment:

MB: Chick-Fil-A or Panera

MR: Favorite Song:

MB: Good Hands by Kylie Morgan

MR: Favorite Movie:

MB: The Longest Ride

MR: Favorite Shoe Brand:

MB: Nike

MR: Favorite Achievement

MB: I don’t really have a favorite and I am super grateful for all of them.

MR: What else do you want to add about your time at WNCC or just anything?

MB: These past two years have been amazing and I wouldn’t change a thing about them.

— Written by Mark Rein

20 Questions with Cougar Award winner Baylie Krueger

Baylie Krueger, from Swink, Colorado, received the Cougar Award at the recent WNCC Awards Ceremony. Baylie, a softball player, spent three years at WNCC after red-shirting her first year and came back and had a successful sophomore campaign as an outfielder and a second baseman.

Krueger also was highly involved in athletic trainer, assisting Doug Jones at basketball games as well as baseball games with athletic training duties.

Baylie is one of those persons that is willing to help in anything and takes part in many college activities. She recently was called onstage at the magic show that the college had and was a participant, which she is still trying to figure out how that worked.

Let’s meet the sophomore award winner Baylie Krueger with 20 questions.

MR: Tuesday you were honored with the Cougar Award. What does it mean to be recognized and what was your thoughts about what was all said about you?

BK: It felt really good to be recognized with the award, especially when I am surrounded every day by so many other awesome people and athletes here at WNCC, and I just felt really blessed to have so many people that have helped me throughout the years here, because I couldn’t have done it without them.

MR: Also, Tuesday, there was the magic show and you were called on stage, How freaky was that and what was going through your mind?

BK: The magic show was awesome, and the magic trick he did when I was on stage was crazy!! I’m still trying to figure out how he did all of that!!

MR: As a graduating sophomore, you have about 10 days left at the college, what has this past year been like for memories and how hard will it be to leave after graduation?

BK: This past year has been by

far the best year I have had at WNCC, and I have made the best of friends and memories I will hold on to forever! I’m so happy to be graduating and starting a new chapter, but I will be so sad to leave all the special people I have met here!

MR: What has been the best parts about your three years at WNCC?

BK: The best parts from my past three years at WNCC would have to be all the memories made with my friends and teammates whether it be from softball activities or campus activities!

MR: What have you all been a part of at WNCC during your time here?

BK: While at WNCC I have been apart of the softball team, PTK, and I have been learning a lot from Doug Jones in becoming an athletic trainer, so I have been helping him at other sporting events.

MR: Now, was it hard to stay here for three years and what was it like not playing your first year and having to red-shirt?

BK: Being here for three years has been a blessing in disguise! Being a redshirt my first year because of elbow surgery was pretty discouraging and frustrating, but it turned out alright because I got the opportunity to come back and have my best year at WNCC!

MR: You were close to your teammates the last couple of years along with players from other sports. How special and what will those friendships mean in future years? How often do you think you will stay connected to them?

BK: The relationships I have made here at WNCC are going to mean so much to me in the future, because I will hold onto them for as long as I can!!

We have all been through a lot together, so some of us just have a really special bond together that will keep us in touch for many years to come!

MR: What was your softball playing like at WNCC and highlights and whatever?

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n Meet Cougar Award Winner Baylie Krueger ......

BK: I honestly didn’t pay a lot of attention to stats and things like that, but in terms of softball I think I can say that I’m most proud of the improvements I made and all the lessons I learned over the past three years!

MR: What are your plans for next year?

BK: Next year I will continue my education to eventually become an athletic trainer!

MR: What made you want to become an athlete trainer?

BK: I decided I wanted to become an athletic trainer my first year here at WNCC because of my injury and all the time I spent in the training room! I have been able to learn a lot from Doug, and I have decided it will probably be a profession I will find the most joy in doing because I will be able to help people, and stay involved in athletics!

MR: When did you first start playing softball and talk about your softball career from being little through high school?

BK: I started playing softball when I was around 9 years old, and I was on the same competition team up until I graduated high school! I also played softball for a high school team as well, but I had to play for a different school because my school didn’t have a team. We were just a bunch of small town kids having fun playing ball together from all around my hometown area, and I eventually grew to love the sport!

MR: Was softball the only thing you did in high school, or were there other sports you played and other activities?

BK: In high school I also played basketball

all four years, and volleyball my senior year because COVID moved the volleyball season to the spring.

MR: If you wouldn’t have come to WNCC, where would you have gone and would you have played softball?

BK: WNCC is really the only option I had because I was very set on playing softball in college, and this is where I got an offer. If I didn’t come to WNCC I’m not sure where I would’ve ended up, but I don’t think I would’ve gotten the opportunity to play softball.

MR: So, when you take off that blue graduation gown after May 10, how hard will it be knowing that your time at WNCC as a

student has come to an end?

BK: I think it will be very bittersweet when I graduate, because although I will be sad it has come to an end, I am very excited to see what the future holds!

MR: What would you want to change about your time at WNCC?

BK: I wouldn’t change anything about my time at WNCC! It has been the most challenging three years of my life, but I know I will leave WNCC a better person than when I got here, and I am happy with that!

MR: What are your goals for the future?

BK: My goals are to continue to do well

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n Meet Cougar Award Winner Baylie Krueger ......

in school, to continue to learn more about myself and who I want to be, and become an athletic trainer!

MR: If you could have any car, what would you want and what color? Why? BK: I don’t really have a dream car at the moment!

MR: What places did you spend the most time at off campus that are non-WNCC related?

BK: My friends and I liked to go to the bowling alley sometimes, and I loved to get coffee at either Scooters or Starbucks!

MR: Favorite eating establishments from your road trips and where were they? Why?

BK: My favorite place we ate while on the road for softball was Chick-fil-A!

MR: Funniest moments from the softball team?

BK: My funniest memories from softball is probably all the funny things that happened on long bus rides!

MR: Favorite Song: BK: I can’t pick one, but I love country music!

scary movie!

— Written by Mark Rein

MR: Favorite Movie: BK: Any

MR: Favorite Doug Jones Joke: BK: I can’t pick one, he has too many good jokes!

Congrats Former Cougars On Your Graduation from College

Ashley Panem

U. of Northern Colorado played basketball at WNCC from 2020-2022

Chandler Young University of Jamestown

Major: Mechanical Engineering played baseball at WNCC from 20

Former Cougar athletes, send your graduation photo to mrein@wncc. edu or 308-631-0459 to be included. Make sure you include the college you graduated from this year and degree and major and any plans for next year.

Mackenzie Bakel

Christian Brothers University Bachelors in Psycoholgy. Played softball at WNCC from 2020-2022.

Plans on coaching for a year and then attending graduate school for school psychology.

Late-night Intramural competition

The champions of the five intramural games that were played on Friday, May 3.

Memories.

As I sit here listening to Dua Lipa’s new album and the songs “End of an Era,” “Happy For You,” and “Illusion,” I started to wonder how tough it will be when graduation hits and there is a possibility that you won’t see some of these athletes or students again.

Yes, Finals Week is the tough time as students are finalizing their classes and making plans to go home for the summer or home to head to their new colleges.

That is the hard part of this week as you get to know a lot of these athletes and soon, it is time to see them leave because their time at WNCC is over for the year.

The sophomores that are graduating have brought special memories to me. Some sophomores have been here for three years, some here for two years, and some just one year. It doesn’t matter, in some form they have brought memories.

I am sure seeing some for the last time this week and at graduation will make my eyes water a little bit -- get that, I said a little bit and it might that I have some dirt in the eye that is getting irritated and making them water (that is the excuse I use).

Still, what kind of memories were there this year. Well, there are plenty of accomplishments and it all started the first week of school back in August. Yes, I took my annual all-athletic picture the Sunday before classes begin (I usually take it in the spring,

The all-athletic group picture that was taken in August. This was an opportunity to get all the athletes together. The picture has a good share of

but I changed it up a bit). From that first photo the memories of getting to know the athletes started with their time on the court and field.

The soccer teams competed hard during the season with the men falling in the semifinals of the regional tournament. One memory of the team was getting two wins against Laramie County Community College this season, a team that seemed to have their number in the previous years.

The women’s soccer team also made the regional tournament and they fell in the first round to LCCC, but they scored goals this year.

As for the volleyball team, their memories were plenty as the sophomores pro-

them.

vided plenty of leadership on and off the field. The freshmen were fun and I guarantee I got plenty of fun candid photos from this team. The sophomores will definitely be missed and I will try to follow them of what they do at their other colleges as three of them will play.

The women’s basketball team had some big wins this season including a win over then top-10 ranked New Mexico Junior College the day after beating Region IX champions Casper College.

The women’s team came up short of winning a regional tournament, but they provided memories on and off the court. Then there is the men’s basketball team,

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n Memories of the past season ......

who had a rough first semester, but the team put it all together in the second semester, won the South Sub-region Conference, and got to host the Region IX tournament for the first time in nearly 10 years.

Yes, the Region IX tournament was held at Cougar Palace and it was over Spring Break, so hardly any students and student workers to help with the tournament.

It didn’t matter as the team played well, finishing just short of a regional title. the Cougars opened with an 84-72 win over Northwest Wyoming and then topped Casper College 82-78 in the semifinals. The finals saw the Cougars play one of their worst shooting games of the season as they fell to Trinidad State 81-56. I know the team doesn’t want to see the score and bring back those memories, but how the team battled day in and day out during the second semester to get that far is worthy to note.

The interesting thing about the Region IX final as it was on the same day as a home softball game with Trinidad State. The Trinidad State softball team was in attendance to watch their team play in two of the games. The good thing about that is there was no conflict of times between softball and basketball because I made both.

As for the softball team, they had an up and down season with too many close losses and games that they should have won and should have not lost. Those should have games, and the fact that they only took four teams into the regional tournament, had the team one game from making the regional tournament.

Then there is the baseball team and they were leading the Empire Conference for the first through the first of April. Then,

they ended up with a fourth seed for the regional tournament, which begins May 9 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Hopefully, this team can win regionals and there will be a Region IX championship story in the next newsletter.

As for individual players, it is hard to single anyone player out because they all have brought certain memories to me.

As I go through the tons of photos I have taken through the season, I sometimes just look at some of the folders of photos and think, I am going to miss this one and this one and this one and, I think you get the picture.

I am here to provide memories with my photos and I have definitely did that. I could put in here the number of photos I took this year or the number of photos

that I cropped so the athletes and even the regular WNCC students from music, theater, Kappa, etc., could see and remember their time at WNCC.

Looking back at the number of photos that I took during the first and second semester, there are some shocking numbers. The total number of photos I took of all the events that I went to included 201,542 photos from August 1 through December 31 and from January 1 through May 8 the

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n Memories of the past season ......

number was 71,783. That does not count graduation ceremony. To break that down, because I crop photos and don’t put all of them up, for WNCC athletes, I cropped 25, 023 photos for people to see and tere were 191 folders of photos on my external drive. Those photos took up to 100 Gigs of space. Now, just WNCC activities that I cropped, there were just 4,908 photos that I cropped.

Ii also shot high school events and I cropped 9,486 photos there. The fun photos that I cropped for just WNCC events, there were 1,561 photos in that group.

So what is the grand total so far of photos I took from August 1 through May 8? It looks like 272, 325 photos.

Look at all the memories of photos that I have for students. I mean just the ones that I cropped because everyone doesn’t realize that a lot of the photos I take are boring or out-of-focus and people don’t see those.

But, back to the memories. The one memory that stands out is seeing Maurice Walker in the Wal-Mart parking lot with his mom and talking to him. When he saw us, he came over and gave my mom a hug and he always gave her a hug when he saw her.

There are also all the fans and parents and athletes that thank me for taking photos and putting up the livestream so they can watch (I will keep the thoughts about the livestream to myself since I do put in steps going up to fix a livestream problem or having to troubleshoot why it isn’t working for some reason.

There is also the special players -- Baylie, Devyn, Megan, Shae, Charli -- who have become close and they go out and cheer on other teams and everything. Those five have provided so many memories and I will definitely miss those five.

Then there is Faith Walker. OK,

enough said about the memories she has brought, but she made every game fun and I am hoping she has a great Plus, there is Adelina Urtane and Keyla Cervantes. who I got to know and both of these players I always saw with their dorm parents. Keyla’s host family, the Ostdiek’s, was always at the basketball games and the two girls loved Keyla. Then Adelina’s are the Todd’s and she was always with them at some of the Gering volleyball and basketball games.

Then there is the baseball and softball team and the memories I have them are the before the game photos when players from each team would have to stop and get a posed picture. I always thought the teams play better when I get some before-thegame posed shots. When I don’t, it seems they struggle.

It was the same with volleyball, I have so many of those posed pictures.

And it isn’t just during games. It is when the athletes are watching another sport play or during a

WNCC activity.

So, my the time this newsletter is out, there will only be like three or four days to see this group of players.

But, remember I will always remember you sometime when going back through my memory photos on my Facebook or Instragram or my photo gallery site.

And, if you want or haven’t already, just send me a friend request on social media and we can be friends forever because, like the Benson Boone sings about in “Beautiful Things,” which so happens to be one of my favorites, beautiful things (or memories) last forever.

— Written by Mark Rein

ALUMNI ATHLETIC NEWS

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

WNCC held athletic banquets in 2000s

Back in the early 2000s, WNCC used to have an athletic banquet and presented all kinds of awards for their athletes and even recognize individuals in athletic training.

These are the awards from the 2006, 2007 season when the banquet was held on Monday, April 30.

The quest speaker at the banquet was former Survivor: Vanuatu contestant Chad Crittenden, who lost a foot to cancer, but was determined to keep succeeding and went on Survivor. The other Survivor contestants had no ideal until he revealed it on one of the episodes.

It shows that anyone can compete in any

As for the awards themselves, let’s take a look back at who won in each sport for the awards.

The top awards went to sophomores CJ Hampton and Bianca Rivera, and freshman Kendra Schauermann earned the top awards at the Cougar athletic banquet last week.

Schauerman, from Windsor, Colo., was given the Cougar Award, which recognizes an athlete that excels in and outside the sports arena. Nominations for this award were accepted from the entire college and not just the athletic

department.

Rivera, of Puerto Rico, and Hampton, of Chicago, earned male and female most valuable awards.

WNCC also presented its Patron of the Year award to Platte Valley Companies and president Hod Kosman.

Each team also presented their MVP and Sportsmanship awards. The winners include:

Baseball – MVP, Richie Stewart of Lincoln, Neb., and Sportsmanship, Pedro Suarez of Miami.

Men’s Basketball – MVP, Ricardo De Bem of Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, and Sportsmanship, Chance Wallesen of Bridgeport.

Women’s Basketball – MVP, Tiara Scott of Denver, and Sportsmanship, Kiki Taylor of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Men’s Soccer – MVP, Cade Mulloy, of Angora, Neb., and Sportsmanship, David Thurow, of Angora, Neb.

Women’s Soccer – MVP, Breanne Perkes, of Plain City, Utah, and Sportsmanship, Nancy Boyack, of Gering, Neb.

Volleyball – MVP, Soriana Pacheco, of Turmero, Venezuela, and

and Sportsmanship, Jessica Pexton of

Academic honors were also presented, with the softball team picking up its third straight Highest Team GPA Award. Meisner earned a second honor, collecting the Female Highest GPA Award, while Drew Oesterle, of Austin, Minn., won the Male Highest GPA Award.

Sportsmanship, Stacie Meisner, of Gering, Neb. Softball – MVP – Kara Ryman of Denver,

Douglas, Wyo.

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Cougar Trivia

1) Who won the 2006-07 male and female athlete of the year honors?

2) Who won the last two Region IX baseball tournaments?

3) What two WNCC athletes received awards for social science and business as outstanding students?

4) Total number of photos Mark took during the 2023-24 year from August 1 through May 7?

5) When is the WNCC soccer camps?

6) How many sophomores so far are moving onto a Division I school next year to play?

7) Where did Fatima Balza coach and play overseas?

8) What is Gus Allred’s favorite song?

9) Who did WNCC beat to win their first Region IX title in baseball back in 2007?

10) Who doesn’t like ice cream?

Bonus: What years did Fatima Balza all win a national title?

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.

Become a WNCC Cougar Frontline Sponsor

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

Courtney Medina Softball

Billy Engel Basketball

Mike Jones Baseball

Todd Rasnic Soccer

Binny Canales Volleyball

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from WNCC Cougar Athletics

Isaac Lu Basketball

Doug Jones Athletic Trainer

Mark Rein Sports Information

Peggy Hessler Athletic Secretary

Assistant Coaches

AJ M. Cory Hill

Adia Sherbyne

Shawn Hergenreder

Esiah Ingram

Back Page

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Platinum Sponsors (1,500)

Absolute Painting

B&C Steel

Bellevue University

FBG

Ideal Linen

Kendell Henderson/American

Family Insurance

LOGOz

Peerless Tire

Pepsi Platte Valley Bank

Regional West

Runza

Scottsbluff Screenprinting

Steel Grill

TEAM Chevrolet/Toyota US Bank

Gold Sponsors (1,000)

Ameri-Co Carriers

Bluff’s Chiropractic

Bluff’s Sanitary Supply

Douglas, Kelly, Ostdiek, Ossian, Vogl, and Snyder, P.C

Inland Truck

Reganis Auto

Blue Sponsors (600)

Back-a-racks

Bid-It-Bob Bluffs Vision

Chadron State College

Elite Physical Therapy

First National Bank of Omaha

Floyd’s Truck Service

Hampton Inn & Suites

Holyoke, Snyder, Longoria, Reichert, Rice Law

Intralinks

JBC, Inc.

Monument Smiles

Panhandle COOP

Pinnacle Bank

Quick Care

R & C Welding

Riverstone Bank

Roosevelt Public Power

Safetyline Consultants

Sandberg Implement

Sherman-Williams

Simmons-Olsen Law Firm

Scottsbluff Star-Herald WESTCO

White Sponsors (400)

Advantage Chiropractic

Carr-Trumbull Lumber

Dominos

Frontier Basement Solutions

Johnson Cashway

Rusch’s General Contracting

Sports Racquet (Tim Hurst)

Baseball, softball alumni photos

The softball and baseball teams held alumni games in September and here are all the alumni players (minus a few) that showed up to play in the Sunday afternoon events. It was a good showing and the coaches are hoping for a bigger turnout next year.