Northland Pioneers: Winter 2015-16 Athletics Media Guide

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TABLE OF CONTENTS National Affiliation:

National Junior College Athletic Association

Conference:

Region 13 Athletic Conference, Minnesota College Athletic Conference

MCAC Conference Members President’s Welcome & College History Athletic Director Richard Speas Support Staff & All-Sports Standings Athletic Facilities

Nickname:

Pioneers

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Colors:

Navy Blue and Scarlet

2015-16 Season Preview Coaching Staff 2015-16 Schedule 2015-16 Team Roster Meet the Pioneers - Men’s Basketball Men’s Basketball History PIONEER INSIDER: John Jenkins

ATHLETIC STAFF Richard Speas Athletic Director .......................................................218-683-8547 Abdul Chamma Head Volleyball Coach.............................................218-683-8680 Scott DCamp Head Wrestling Coach................................................218-689-1014 Barry Dowers Head Baseball Coach...............................................218-686-6433 Travis Martin Head Football & Softball Coach................................218-683-8554

Rick Nikunen Head Men’s Basketball Coach..................................218-683-8707 Paul Peterson Athletic Coordinator.................................................218-683-8556

HISTORY OF THE NJCAA The movement to form a unique sports association dedicated to America’s two-year colleges arose in 1937 when several track and field coaches gathered in Fresno, California. A year later, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rejected a petition from 13 two-year colleges in California to grant their teams and athletes permission to compete at the NCAA Track & Field Championships.

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2015-16 Season Preview Coaching Staff 2015-16 Schedule 2015-16 Team Roster Meet the Pioneers - Women’s Basketball Women’s Basketball History Women’s Basketball Records PIONEER INSIDER: Haley Gehrtz

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WRESTLING 2015-16 Season Preview Coaching Staff 2015-16 Schedule 2015-16 Team Roster Meet the Pioneers - Wrestling PIONEER INSIDER: Nate Harms

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FEATURES Northland Spotlight with Jason Pangiarella How Well Do You Know Allyson Dahl?

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northlandpioneers.com

Shannon Nelson Head Women’s Basketball Coach...........................218-683-8696

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NORTHLAND QUICK FACTS

CREDITS The 2015-16 Winter Media Guide is a publication of the Northland Community & Technical College Marketing & Communications Department.

In the spring of 1938, following the NCAA’s rejection, those same 13 two-year colleges gathered again in Fresno to organize and form an Design/Layout/Content/Advertising: Katie Jones, Chad Sperling, Matthew Brenden, and Richard Speas association that would promote and supervise a national athletics program exclusively for junior and community colleges…and the Printed By: Amity Graphics - Bemidji, MN rest is history.

A huge thank you to all of the faculty and staff at Northland for all of On May 14, 1938, the first constitution of the National Junior College their hard work and dedication to our students!

Athletic Association was accepted by its charter members and the organization held its first national championship event a year later in May 1939.

Northland Community & Technical College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator.

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NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

MCAC CONFERENCE MEMBERS

MCAC CONFERENCE MEMBERS

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Anoka Ramsey Community College

Minnesota West Community & Technical College

Location: Coon Rapids, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 311 miles Mascot: Golden Rams Arena: Anoka-Ramsey Gymnasium Women’s Sports: basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, soccer

Location: Worthington, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 348 miles Mascot: Blue Jays/Lady Jays Arena: Minnesota West Gymnasium (1,000) Football Stadium: Worthington High School (3,000) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, wrestling

Central Lakes College

Minnesota State Community & Technical College

Location: Brainerd, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 194 miles Mascot: Raiders Arena: Central Lakes Gymnasium Football Stadium: no information Women’s Sports: basketball, golf, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, golf

Location: Fergus Falls, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 150 miles Mascot: Spartans Arena: Spartan Gymnasium (1,000) Football Stadium: Spartan Field basketball, softball, volleyball Women’s Sports: Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, golf

Fond Du Lac Tribal & Community College

Northland Community & Technical College

Location: Cloquet, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 234 miles Mascot: Thunder Arena: No Information Football Stadium: No Information Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball

Location: Thief River Falls, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 0 miles Mascot: Pioneers Arena: NCTC Gymnasium (1,549) Football Stadium: Lowell T. Swenson Field (2,200) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, wrestling

Hibbing Community College

Rainy River Community College

Location: Hibbing, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 196 miles Mascot: Cardinals Arena: Activities Building (750) Women’s Sports: basketball, golf, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, golf

Location: International Falls, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 190 miles Mascot: Voyageurs Arena: Rainy River College Gym (500) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball

Itasca Community College

Ridgewater College

Location: Grand Rapids, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 188 miles Mascot: Vikings Arena: No Information Football Stadium: No Information Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball

Location: Willmar, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 250 miles Mascot: Warriors Arena: Swanson Gym (800) Football Stadium: Hodapp Field (3,500) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, wrestling

Mesabi Range Community & Technical College

Riverland Community College

Location: Virginia, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 218 miles Mascot: Norsemen/Lady Norse Arena: Activity Building (1,000) Football Stadium: Ewen’s Field (4,000) Women’s Sports: basketball, golf, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, golf

Location: Austin, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 415 miles Mascot: Blue Devils Arena: Riverland Gym (700) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, soccer

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MCAC CONFERENCE MEMBERS Vermillion Community College

Location: Distance from Thief River Falls: Mascot: Arena:

Location: Ely, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 277 miles Mascot: Ironmen/Ironwomen Arena: No Information Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball

Rochester, MN 415 miles Yellow Jackets Riverland Gym (700)

Women’s Sports: basketball, golf, soccer, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, football, golf, wrestling

St. Cloud Technical College Location: St. Cloud, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 254 miles Mascot: Cyclones Arena: No Information basketball, softball, volleyball Women’s Sports: Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball

MCAC CONFERENCE MEMBERS

Rochester Community College

MCAC North Dakota Institutions: (Football Only) Dakota College

North Dakota State College of Science

Location: Bottineau, ND Distance from Thief River Falls: 245 miles Mascot: Lumberjacks/Lady Jacks Arena: Thatcher Hall (1,000) Football Stadium: No Information Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, hockey

Location: Wahpeton, ND Distance from Thief River Falls: 150 miles Mascot: Wildcats Arena: Bilkre Activities Center (3,500) Football Stadium: Bute Stadium (2,500) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, basketball

northlandpioneers.com

d owne y l l a c !

Lo rated e p O &

CONVENIENCE STORE & TOUCHLESS CARWASH! Pennington Main

220 Main Ave S, Thief River Falls 218-681-8888 Open 24 Hours

Pennington Square

1st St & Pennington Ave, Thief River Falls 218-681-4552 Open 6 AM - 11 PM

ATM ATM Available!

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NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME/HISTORY

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME & HISTORY COLLEGE HISTORY Northland Community & Technical College has been in existence in one form or other since 1949, when the Minnesota State Board of Education approved an area vocational school for Thief River Falls. The school would later move to its present location and merge with two other institutions of higher learning: first with Thief River Falls State Junior College and later with the East Grand Forks campus of Northwest Technical College, to form Northland Community & Technical College. Each institution brought a long history of serving the needs of area students and employers, and with the advent of online education, expanding its reach far beyond the Red River Valley and northwestern Minnesota.

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome to Pioneer Country! You’re soon to discover why athletics has such a prominent presence here at Northland Community & Technical College.

Our commitment to developing these young men and women into competitive student athletes will be obvious in their effort on the field, court or arena. We take great pride in how our players demonstrate teamwork, sportsmanship and work ethic, giving it their all through the end of each contest.

It’s also important to recognize that our student athletes excel off the field as well, making certain that achieving their academic goals is a priority.

Northland’s athletes are routinely among the NJCAA’s highest performing scholars, boasting a graduation / transfer rate of nearly 100%!

So enjoy today’s event and feel good about being part of a great Pioneer tradition that’s now entering its’ 50th year of competitive college athletics.

Dennis Bona President

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Thief River Falls Campus

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

East Grand Forks Campus

HEADLINE MEET THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR TITLE RICHARD SPEAS

Director of Student Life & Athletics

Speas spent nine years as a successful college coach at William Penn University in Iowa, where he served numerous roles in addition to coaching; assistant director of admissions, assistant athletic director, and HPER faculty. As the head assistant baseball coach, the Statesmen went 21578 (.734) during his tenure, including nationally ranked teams that qualified for the NCAA and NAIA regional playoffs.

Assuming the role as the head men’s and women’s cross-country and track programs; Speas was named conference coach of the year in 2004 and 2005, crosscountry coach of the year in 2004, and NAIA region cross-country coach of the year in 2004.

With family health issues, Speas returned to Iowa in 2012 to assume the position of Executive Director at Oskie Prep, a nonprofit start up. Oskie Prep focused on education, job creation and community service.

Speas earned a social science composite bachelor’s degree from William Penn University (IA) and a Master’s degree in athletic administration from Truman State University (MO). Richard and his wife Karma have eight children, Staci, Shawna, Jentrian, Tierney, Elijah, BrookeLyn, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Richard and Karma Speas reside in Thief River Falls, Minnesota with their six youngest children. ■

northlandpioneers.com

A native of Union, Iowa, Richard Speas comes to Northland Community and Technical College with a wealth of experience in intercollegiate athletics.

Speas has over thirty years of experience in interscholastic athletics, sports marketing, and intercollegiate athletics.

Assuming the role of Director of Athletics at Northland, Speas also serves as the Director of Student Life at the college.

Moving into the NJCAA ranks as the Director of Athletics at Western Texas College in 2008, Speas oversaw 15 intercollegiate athletic programs in the highly competitive Western Junior College Athletic Conference. The Westerners captured a national championship in men’s rodeo. Making a change in a perennially week volleyball program, Speas hired Sheldon Carvalho who brought the volleyball program to the big dance in his second year in the program.

In addition, the athletic program captured fourth place national finishes in women’s rodeo, women’s golf, and women’s track and field. Six teams held national rankings during the Speas tenure, including men’s cross country, men‘s golf, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer. The men’s cross country team was also named academic national champions of the NJCAA in 2007 and 2008. The community was energized when a $260,000 donation helped to fund the renovations of the 4,000 seat indoor facility (The Coliseum). In 2011, Speas took the helm of one of the premier NJCAA programs in the nation, Blinn College. The Buccaneers would capture

a national championship in volleyball in 2011. The football program held the number 1 ranking in the nation during the 2011 season before falling to Mississippi Gulf Coast in the Mississippi Bowl. The softball program garnered fourth place finishes at the NJCAA Division I national championships in 2011 and 2012. Baseball also held top ten national rankings, but before being eliminated in regional play.

Long noted for its athletic excellence; 26 national championships (four in football), 127 baseball players drafted since the inception of the baseball program in 1966, and 38 professional football players including Cam Newton, Blinn is widely recognized as one of the top academic junior colleges in the nation.

MEET THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

implemented 16 intercollegiate athletic teams. During this time, SVU witnessed a 400% percentage growth in enrollment.

During his tenure at Peru State College (2006-2008) Speas oversaw a seven million dollar renovation to the Al Wheeler Activity Center which served as the hub for Bobcat athletics and student activities.

Prior to his arrival into the juco athletic administration ranks, Speas served as the Director of Athletics at four year schools, Southern Virginia University and Peru State College in Nebraska. As the inaugural Director of Athletics at Southern Virginia University (1997-2000), he

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2015 PIONEER FOOTBALL

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NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SUPPORT STAFF & STANDINGS

SUPPORT STAFF & ALL-SPORTS STANDINGS

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Richard Speas

Paul Peterson

Abdul Chamma

Barry Dowers

Director of Student Life & Athletics

Athletics Coordinator

Head Coach Volleyball

Head Coach Baseball

Scott DCamp

Travis Martin

Shannon Nelson

Rick Nikunen

Head Coach Wrestling

Head Coach Football Head Coach Softball

Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Head Coach Men’s Basketball

NJCAA ALL-SPORTS STANDINGS The National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) released the winners of the 2014-2015 NATYCAA Cup. The NATYCAA Cup represents the most successful overall college athletic programs in the nation for two-year institutions. This program recognizes excellence in two-year college athletics based on success in championship competition.

2014-2015 NATYCAA Cup NJCAA Scholarship Final Standings:

2014-2015 NATYCAA Cup NJCAA Non-Scholarship Final Standings:

Standing

Institution

Score

Standing

Institution

Score

1

Iowa Central Community College

169.5

1

Herkimer County CC (NY)

152

2

Iowa Western Community College

160.5

2

Nassau County CC (NY)

148

3

Tyler Junior College (TX)

141.5

3

Suffolk County CC (NY)

135.5

4

South Plains College (TX)

129

4

Mohawk County CC (NY)

129.5

5

Central Arizona College

117.5

5

Rowan College at Gloucester (NY)

127.5

6

Monroe (NY)

100.75

6

SUNY Dehli (NY)

107.5

7

Darton College (GA)

100.5

7

Harper College (Illinois)

95

8

Coffeyville (KS)

96

8

Fashion Institute of Technology (NY)

93

9

Monroe Community College

90

9

Ocean County College (NJ)

83

10

Pima Community College (AZ)

89

10

Rock Valley College (Illinois)

78

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

PATRICK MORIARTY, MD

BRUCE PIATT, MD

KEVIN BALLARD, DNP

J. ADAM HAMILTON, MD

BRIAN DIX, DPM

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NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

ATHLETIC FACILITIES

ATHLETIC FACILITIES

Lowell T. Swenson Field

Lowell T. Swenson Field is home to Northland Pioneers football team. The field was dedicated in 2004. Seating capacity is 2200.

Pioneer Field

MEC Complex

The Pioneer Baseball Field opened in the Fall of 1974. It is home to the Northland Pioneer’s Men’s Baseball team.

The MEC Complex is home to the Northland Pioneer Women’s Softball. It opened in 2001.

WRESTLING ROOM

ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM

Wrestling started at Northland in 2013. Last year two national championship appearances came out of this room.

FITNESS CENTER

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Northland Gymnasium

The Northland Gymnasium is home to volleyball and both Men’s and Women’s Basketball. The gymnasium opened in 1990.

Seating capacity is 1549.

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LOCKER ROOMS

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www.visittrf.com | 218-686-9785

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NORTHLAND AEROSPACE

northlandaerospace.com

2015 MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Nikunen also looks to 11 newcomers to contribute to this year’s team. Freshmen guards Jake Joppru (Thief River Falls, MN) and Austin Moss (LaPorte, MN) come in with some glossy credentials. Joppru finished his high school career at Lincoln High School with over 1,200 points, while Moss finished with over 2,100 total points at the interscholastic level.

The Pioneers open the season on November 10th when they travel to Mayville, North Dakota to take on the Mayville JV squad. Following several road games, the Pioneers return home for their opener on November 17th when they host Minnesota State Fergus Falls.

DATE

OPPONENT

RESULTS

RECORD

11/1

Canadian Mennonite Univ.

W 86-65

1-0

11/2

University of Winnipeg

W 73-58

2-0

11/18

@ Minn. State FF

L 63-55

2-1

11/21

@ Dakota College

L 83-74

2-2

11/22

Turtle Mountain CC

W 83-66

3-2

11/25

Mayville State JV

W 91-45

4-2

12/3

Jamestown College JV

W 79-71

5-2

12/5

@ Western Tech

W 81-77

6-2

12/6

@ Rochester CC

L 97-66

6-3

12/12

St. Cloud Tech

L 78-75

6-4

12/13

Minn. State FF

W 82-69

7-4

1/2

Bismarck State

L 72-69

7-5

1/3

Dakota College

L 72-58

7-6

1/7

Itasca CC

L 81-72

7-7

1/10

Fond du Lac Tribal CC

W 70-67

8-7

1/14

@ Rainy River CC

L 77-54

8-8

1/17

Hibbing CC

W 86-62

9-8

1/23

@ Vermilion CC

L 81-71

9-9

1/24

@ Mesabi Range CC

W 78-77

10-9

1/28

Central Lakes CC

L 68-50

10-10

1/31

Mesabi Range CC

L 76-64

10-11

2/4

@ Hibbing CC

W 78-71

11-11

2/7

Rainy River CC

L 72-63

11-12

2/13

@ Fond du Lac Tribal CC

W 74-62

12-12

2/14

@ Central Lakes CC

L 73-63

12-13

2/18

@ Itasca CC

W 77-61

13-13

2/21

Vermilion CC

L 74-49

13-14

RECORD

PCT.

CONFERENCE

PCT.

AWAY

NEUTRAL

13-14

.462

6-8

.429

5-6

2-0

GAMES

PTS. PER GAME

FG%

3PT%

REB PER GAME

AST PER GAME

26

70.7

44.6

36.5

33.6

12.6

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

northlandpioneers.com

“We are a lot more talented then we have been for a while,” assessed Pioneer skipper, Rick Nikunen, “We are very athletic and have great depth.” The league favorites heading into 2015-2016 will be the previous year’s co-champs in the northern division, Central Lakes and Vermilion. Look for the Pioneers to continue to play hard-nosed man-to-man defense, and push the ball up the floor on offense. Perineal power Rochester, along with Anoka-Ramsey look to be the league favorites in the southern division of the MCAC.

2014-2015 Men’s Basketball Results

MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

The Pioneers look to improve on last year’s fifth place finish in the MCAC northern division standings (6-8). Back is last year’s leader scorer, Steve Clark, averaging 11.2 points per game. A 6’5” Forward from Romulus, Michigan, Clark also finished second on the team in rebounds with 123 caroms. Also back is all-conference performer Owen Ellefson (Argyle, MN). Elllefson, a 6’4” off guard averaged 10.4 points per game. Also returning are 6’ guard Seth Moise (Glendale, AZ), and 5’10” guard John Jenkins (Maplewood, MN). Both Moise and Jenkins saw considerable playing time last season.

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MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING

MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF Prior to arriving at Northland, Nikunen served as the head men’s basketball coach at McCook Community College (NJCAA, Division I) in McCook, Nebraska.

Prior to Nikunens arrival, the men’s basketball program had not won a conference title in 15 years.

The Indians captured a conference championship during the 19881989 season, then would go on to add another conference title, also under Nikunen’s tutelage, during the 1990-1991 campaign.

RICK NIKUNEN NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Head Coach

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Versatile is the word that might come to mind when considering Rick Nikunen’s tenure at Northland Community and Technical College. Entering his 24th year at the college, Nikunen has served as an assistant football coach, head men’s golf coach, head women’s golf coach, head softball coach, and head women’s basketball coach.

Nikunen assumed the role of head men’s basketball coach in 1998. In 17 seasons at the helm, Nikunen has recorded the second most wins (230) in the programs history.

Nikunen’s capstone season at Northland came during the 20062007 season when the Pioneers advanced to the NJCAA Division III national championship game where they were defeated 74-68

by Sullivan County Community College (NY). The 2006-2007 team also set the school record for victories in a season, going 29-5 on the season.

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

Also included on Nikunen’s coaching ledger, was a stint as the assistant men’s basketball coach at the University of Mary. Nikunen served in the role from 1984-1987.

Nikunen’s first collegiate coaching experience came as an assistant at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.

An NCAA Division II institution during his tenure there, Nikunen held an assistant position in the program from 1981-1984.

Coach Nikunen received his bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Mayville State University in 1979. He would go onto earn a master’s degree in education from North Dakota State University in 1984.

A native of Biwabik, Minnesota, Rick Nikunen resides in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. His wife, Shari Olson currently holds the president’s position at South Mountain Community College in Arizona. Rick and Shari, have one son, Willie. ■

CHRIS MCLEAN Assistant Coach

Chris McLean enters his fourth year as the assistant men’s basketball coach for the Pioneers. McLean, who works with the development of the post players at Northland, previously served as the head basketball coach at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. During his 10 years as the head of the Lincoln High School boys’ basketball program, McLean enjoyed a significant amount of success. Capturing two section 8AA championships, he led the Prowlers to 21 consecutive wins during the 2003-2004 season, finishing with a 24-1 record on the campaign.

A Northland graduate, the Grygla, Minnesota native served as a graduate assistant in men’s basketball at Northern State in Aberdeen, South Dakota. McLean earned a master’s degree in physical education and health while at Northern State.

M. BASKETBALL ASSISTANT COACH

MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF

McLean, who earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Bemidji State University, lives in Thief River Falls, Minnesota with his wife Kelsey and children Chloe, Kora, and Owen.

northlandpioneers.com

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2015-16 MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

2015-16 M. BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION

TIME

11/19

Mayville State JV

Mayville, ND

7:00 PM

11/13

Lake Region State College

Devils Lake, ND

TBA

11/14

Lake Region State College

Devils Lake, ND

TBA

11/17

MN State Fergus Falls

HOME

8:00 PM

11/20

Jamestown University JV

HOME

8:00 PM

11/23

Concordia College JV

HOME

8:00 PM

12/1

MN State Fergus Falls

Fergus Falls, MN

8:00 PM

12/4

Ridgewater Comm.

College

Willmar, MN

8:00 PM

12/5

MN West Comm. & Tech College

Worthington, MN

3:00 PM

12/11

Riverland Comm.

College

HOME

8:00 PM

12/12

Anoka-Ramsey Comm.

College

HOME

3:00 PM

1/2

Bismarck State College

HOME

7:00 PM

1/3

Gogebic Comm.

College

HOME

5:00 PM

1/8

Itasca Comm. College

Grand Rapids, MN

8:00 PM

1/9

Fond du Lac Comm.

College

Cloquet, MN

3:00 PM

1/13

Rainy River Comm.

College

HOME

8:00PM

1/16

Hibbing Comm.

College

HOME

3:00 PM

1/22

Vermilion Comm.

College

Ely, MN

8:00 PM

1/23

Mesabi Range Comm.

College

Virginia, MN

5:00 PM

1/27

Central Lakes Comm.

College

HOME

3:00 PM

1/30

Mesabi Range Comm.

College

HOME

5:00 PM

2/3

Hibbing Comm. College

Hibbing, MN

8:00 PM

2/6

Rainy River Comm.

College

International Falls, MN

3:00 PM

2/10

Fond du Lac Comm.

College

HOME

8:00 PM

2/13

Central Lakes Comm.

College

Brainerd, MN

3:00 PM

2/17

Itasca Comm. College

HOME

8:00 PM

2/20

Vermilion Comm.

College

HOME

5:00 PM

Celebrating 50 years of athletics!

15

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

2015-16 MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER

NAME

POS.

HEIGHT

HOMETOWN

YEAR

1

Terrell Crawford

G

6’4”

Detroit, MI

Freshman

2

Tracy Freeman

G

6’1”

Detroit, MI

Freshman

3

Christian Oakley

G

5’11”

Cleveland, OH

Freshman

4

Jujuan Johnson

G

5’9”

Southfield, MI

Freshman

5

Chandler Rigdon

G

5’9”

Savannah, GA

Freshman

10

Jordan Bellamy

G

5’11”

Phoenix, AZ

Freshman

11

Steven Clark

F

6’5”

Romulus, MI

Sophomore

20

John Jenkins

G

5’9”

Maplewood, MN

Sophomore

21

Emmanuel McCullough

F

6’7”

Canton, OH

Freshman

22

Seth Moise

F

6’4”

Glendale, AZ

Sophomore

23

Ryan Holthusen

G

5’10”

Red Lake, MN

Freshman

24

Raheim Page

G-F

6’3”

St. George, UT

Freshman

30

Austin Moss

F

6’3”

LaPorte, MN

Freshman

33

Jake Joppru

G

6’1”

Thief River Falls, MN

Freshman

40

Simone Simon

F

6’5”

Mt. Dora, FL

Freshman

41

Ed Brown

F

6’6”

Columbia, SC

Freshman

HEAD COACH Rick Nikunen ASSISTANT COACH Chris McLean

PHONETIC ROSTER Terrell Crawford Jordan Bellamy Jajuan Johnson Raheim Page Jake Joppru Seth Moise Ryan Holthusen Simone Simon Rick Nikunen

northlandpioneers.com

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(Te-rell Crawford) (Jordan Bell-a-me) (Ja-whan Johnson) (Ra-He-m Page) (Jake Jopp-RU) (Seth Moise- rhythms with noise) (Ryan Holt-a-sin) (Si-moan Cy-mon) (Rick Nick-a-nin)

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

16

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2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

MEET THE PIONEERS Position: F

41

20

John Jenkins Position: G

Height: 6’6”

Height: 5’9”

Year: Freshman

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Columbia, SC

Hometown: Maplewood, MN

Previous Schools: C. A. Johnson HS, Chabot College

Previous School: Tartan Senior HS

Steven Clark Position: F

11

04

Jajuan Johnson Position: G

Height: 6’5”

Height: 5’9”

Year: Sophomore

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Romulus, MI

Hometown: Southfield, MI

Previous School: Romulus HS

Previous Schools: Southfield Lathrup HS

Terrell Crawford Position: G

01

33

Jake Joppru Position: G Height: 6’1”

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN

Previous Schools: River Rouge HS, Albion College

Previous School: Lincoln Senior HS

Position: G

02

Emmanuel McCullough Position: F

21

Height: 6’1”

Height: 6’7”

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Hometown: Canton, OH

Previous School: River Rouge HS

Previous School: Crookston HS

Ryan Holthusen Position: G

23

northlandpioneers.com

Height: 6’4”

Tracy Freeman

MEET THE PIONEERS

Ed Brown

22

Seth Moise Position: F

Height: 5’10”

Height: 6’4”

Year: Freshman

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Red Lake, MN

Hometown: Glendale, AZ

Previous School: Red Lake HS

Previous School: Kellis HS 2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

18

NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

MEET THE PIONEERS - MBB

MEET THE PIONEERS - MBB Austin Moss Position: F

30

40

Simone Simon Position: F

Height: 6’3”

Height: 6’5”

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: LaPorte, MN

Hometown: Mount Dora, FL

Previous Schools: LaPorte HS, Bemidji State Univ.

Previous School: Mount Dora HS

Christian Oakley Position: G

03

10

Jordan Bellamy Position: G

Height: 5’11”

Height: 5’11”

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Cleveland, OH

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Previous School: Charles F. Brush HS

Previous School: Mountain Pointe HS

Raheim Page Position: F

24

05

Chandler Rigdon Position: G

Height: 6’3”

Height: 5’11”

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: St. George, UT

Hometown: Savannah, GA

Previous School: Dixie HS

Previous School: Chickasaw HS

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2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

PIONEER MEN’S BASKETBALL HISTORY 1978

1991

2004

1966

1979

1992

2005

1967

1980

1993

2006

1968

1981

1994

2007

1969

1982

1995

Record: 0-11 Coach: Al Adams Record: 5-14 Coach: Al Adams Record: 8-14 Coach: Al Adams Record: 6-16 Coach: Al Adams Record: 6-16 Coach: Al Adams

1970

Record: 3-19 Coach: Chet Engelman

1971

Record: 13-12 Coach: Chet Engelman

1972

Record: 7-15 Coach: Chet Engelman

1973

Record: 20-5 Coach: Chet Engelman Record: 25-1 Coach: Chet Engelman

1975

Record: 19-5 Coach: Chet Engelman

Record: 17-9 Coach: Chet Engelman Record: 19-7 Coach: Chet Engelman Record: 13-10 Coach: Chet Engelman Record: 18-4 Coach: Chet Engelman

1983

Record: 14-9 Coach: Chet Engelman

1984

Record: 21-4 Coach: Chet Engelman

1985

Record: 22-3 Coach: Chet Engelman

1986

Record: 14-12 Coach: Chet Engelman

1987

Record: 6-16 Coach: Chet Engelman

1988

Record: 6-16 Coach: Chet Engelman

Record: 16-11 Coach: Chet Engelman Record: 4-18 Coach: Mark Danhoff Record: 8-14 Coach: Mark Danhoff Record: 7-15 Coach: Mark Danhoff Record: 15-10 Coach: Mark Danhoff

1996

Record: 10-12 Coach: Mark Danhoff

1997

Record: 1-21 Coach: Ted Krize

1998

Record: 0-22 Coach: Rick Nikunen

1999

Record: 6-16 Coach: Rick Nikunen

2000

Record: 8-18 Coach: Rick Nikunen

2001

Record: 14-10 Coach: Rick Nikunen

1976

1989

2002

1977

1990

2003

Record: 16-6 Coach: Chet Engelman Record: 13-9 Coach: Chet Engelman

Record: 16-9 Coach: Chet Engelman Record: 16-6 Coach: Chet Engelman

Record: 15-17 Coach: Rick Nikunen

Record: 18-11 Coach: Rick Nikunen Record: 9-16 Coach: Rick Nikunen Record: 17-12 Coach: Rick Nikunen Record: 29-5 Coach: Rick Nikunen (Region XIII Champs, National Runner-Up)

2008

Record: 16-12 Coach: Rick Nikunen

2009

Record: 22-7 Coach: Rick Nikunen

2010

Record: 19-9 Coach: Rick Nikunen

2011

Record: 18-12 Coach: Rick Nikunen

2012

Record: 5-22 Coach: Rick Nikunen

2013

Record: 12-17 Coach: Rick Nikunen

2014

Record: 13-14 Coach: Rick Nikunen

northlandpioneers.com

1974

Record: 16-7 Coach: Chet Engelman

M. BASKETBALL HISTORY

1965

Record: 10-13 Coach: Rick Nikunen

COACHING RECORDS COACH

YEARS

RECORD

WINNING %

Rick Nikunen

1998-2015

231-233

.497

Ted Krize

1997-1998

1-21

.045

Mark Danhoff

1992-1997

44-69

.389

Chet Engelman

1970-1992

330-195

.629

Al Adams

1967-1970

20-46

.303

Totals

1967-2015

625-564

.526

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

20

2015 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW DATE

Nelson’s team returns three starters in Allyson Dahl (New Folden, MN), Tori Mekash (Greenbush, MN), and Haley Gehrtz (Ada, MN) along with Cheyenne Woods (Bemidji, MN) a part time starter who logged a significant amount of playing time. “Returning six of our top eight players from last season, we will lean heavily on our sophomores experience early in the season,” assessed Nelson. Dahl, a 5’10” shooting guard averaged 15.1 ppg last season and was named to the first team All-Northern Division MCAC team.

A 5’8” guard, Mekash (Greenbush, MN) averaged 13.2 ppg for the Pioneers, and averaged 6 rebounds per contest while being named All-Northern Division Honorable Mention. Gehrtz, a 5’9” forward from Ada, Minnesota was second on the team with 6.1 rebounds per game while holding an 11.3 scoring average. Woods, a 5’6” guard from Bemidji, Minnesota, was second in the northern division with 5.36 assists per game, and also contributed 2.43 steals per game.

The Pioneers will continue to stress defense. “We stress ball pressure on the perimeter and physical, active post defense,” lamented the Pioneer skipper. “Offensively, we focus on an up-tempo style of play and a balanced offensive attack.”

“I am very excited about the 2015-2016 season and the team that we’ve put together,” stated Nelson. We are1268844_15770 projecting a balanced offensive attack with multiple players who can3.5x2 consistently put up some significant numbers on the point ledger.”

4C The Pioneers only two regular season losses last season came to NJCAA Division I scholarships programs, Bismarck State (North Dakota) and NDSCS (North Dakota). The Pioneers open the season on November 14th at Devil’s Lake North Dakota when they square off with NJCAA Division I opponent, Lake Region State College.

RESULTS

RECORD

11/15

Gogebic CC

W 73-54

1-0

11/18

@ Minn State FF

W 80-45

2-0

11/21

@ Dakota College

W 83-79

3-0

11/22

Turtle Mountain CC @ Dakota College

W 72-58

4-0

11/25

NDSCS

L 62-54

4-1

12/3

Jamestown College JV

W 90-45

5-1

12/5

@ Western Tech

W 70-42

6-1

12/6

@ Rochester CC

W 70-53

7-1

12/12

St. Cloud Tech

W 73-56

8-1

12/13

Minn State FF

W 88-57

9-1

1/2

Bismarck State College

L 83-59

9-2

1/3

Dakota College

W 75-73 (OT)

10-2

1/7

Itasca CC

W 69-50

11-2

1/10

Fond du Lac Tribal CC

W 75-30

12-2

1/14

@ Rainy River

W 76-49

13-2

1/17

Hibbing CC

W 61-38

14-2

1/23

@ Vermilion CC

W 91-82

15-2

1/24

@ Mesabi Range CC

W 80-61

16-2

1/28

Central Lakes CC

W 79-53

17-2

1/31

Mesabi Range CC

W 71-39

18-2

2/4

@ Hibbing CC

W 82-55

19-2

2/7

Rainy River CC

W 91-46

20-2

2/13

@ Fond du Lac Tribal CC

W 105-73

21-2

2/14

@ Central Lakes CC

W 58-48

22-2

2/18

@ Itasca CC

W 78-49

23-2

2/21

Vermilion CC

W 79-40

24-2

2/28

Fox Valley Tech (Regional)

W 84-62

25-2

3/1

Mesabi Range CC (Regional)

L 77-75

25-3

RECORD

PCT.

CONFERENCE

PCT.

HOME

AWAY

NEUTRAL

25-3

.893

14-0

1.000

13-3

11.0

1-0

GAMES

PTS. PER GAME

FG%

3PT%

REB PER GAME

AST PER GAME

28

76.5

44.2

32.8

44.8

22.0

northlandpioneers.com

Coach Nelson will look to some key newcomers to contribute to the Pioneer cause. Freshmen ShaRon Miller (Blaine, MN), Emily Hestekind (Newfolden, MN), and Myesha Caldwell (Mounds View, MN) all bring some impressive prep credentials to the scene. ShaRon, a 6’ post averaged 19 points a game for Blaine High School, and was named to the All-Northwest Suburban Conference team in the Twin Cities. A versatile athlete, Miller was also named all-state in track where she finished fourth in the state class 5-A shot put. Named to the All-North Border Conference team, Hestekind led her Northern Freeze team in assists, seals, and blocks last year. Caldwell, a four-time team defensive MVP, was selected to the All-Northwest Suburban Conference Honorable Mention list.

OPPONENT

2015 W. BASKETBALL PREVIEW

2014-2015 Women’s Basketball Results

Following the 2014 NJCAA Division III national championship, the Pioneers entered Region XIII B play in 2015 as the number one ranked team in the nation. An upset victory by Mesabi Range in the Region final leaves the Pioneers hungry for a return to the national tournament where they qualified for five consecutive appearances (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) prior to last season.

Always a winner

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2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

8/10/15 2:47 PM

24

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF

SHANNON NELSON

NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Head Coach

25

Shannon Nelson was named the ninth head basketball coach in the history of the women’s program in 2010. During the span of five seasons, the Marshall, Minnesota native has become the winningest coach in program history, in both total wins (116) and winning percentage (.794).

Under Nelson’s guidance, the Pioneers reached the pinnacle of success in 2014 as they captured the school’s first national championship in any sport. Taking home the 2014 national championship trophy for the NJCAA (Division III) women’s basketball tournament, the Pioneers held the national ranking during the following season (2014-2015) before falling to Mesabi Range in regional play, 77-75, and finishing the season at 25-3.

Nelson has received numerous coaching honors. She was named the MCAC Northern

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

Division Coach of the Year in each of her five seasons at Northland. In addition, Nelson was named Region XIII B Coach of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Nelson received the national NJCAA Division III women’s basketball Coach of the Year award in 2014.

defensive team her junior and senior seasons.

Also a clinician, Nelson has worked the Nike High School All-American camp. Nelson now operates the Northwest Minnesota Girls Basketball Skills Clinics in the area, providing quality instruction for players in grades 4 through 12.

Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota in 2006 and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Capella University in 2009.

Prior to her arrival at Northland Community and Technical College in 2007, Nelson served as an assistant coach in the girls’ basketball program at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis during the 20062007 season. The Islanders finished as the Minnesota state class 3-A runner-up in girls basketball during that season.

A 2006 graduate of the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities, Nelson lead the Gophers to four straight NCAA tournament appearances, including three appearances in the Sweet Sixteen, and a final four appearance in 2004. A three-year starter and two time team captain for the Gophers, Nelson was the defensive stalwart on the Gophers, claiming the Defensive Player of the Year Award three times.

In addition, Nelson was named to the Big Ten Conference all-

As a prep, Nelson won the coveted title of Ms. Basketball for Minnesota in 2002. A twotime class 3-A player of the Year, Nelson scored 2,143 points during her interscholastic career.

In addition to her duties as the head basketball coach, Shannon Nelson also serves as a business instructor at Northland Community and Technical College. She currently resides in Thief River Falls, Minnesota with her husband Travis. ■

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BETH TVEDT Assistant Coach Hometown: High School: College:

Thief River Falls, MN Lincoln High School, graduated in 2009 Associate degree from Northland (May 2012); Bachelor’s degree in University Studies from Mayville State University (Dec. 2015)

2009-2012 2009-2010 2010-2012

Played for NCTC Tore ACL and took a medical redshirt Two-year captain and starter; 2012 First Team All Northern Division; 2012 First Team All MCAC; Two-time National Tournament participant (5th in 2011, 7th in 2012); 438 career points, 269 career rebounds

Coaching:

Volunteer assistant coach during 2013-14 National Championship season; assistant coach starting in fall of 2014; 52-4 record as an assistant coach at Northland.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF

Currently lives in Plummer, MN

KRISTA MARTIN Assistant Coach

Thief River Falls, MN Huron High School (SD), graduated in 2009 Associate degree from Lake Area Technical Institute (May 2011); Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from Rasmussen College (December 2012); Masters of Business Administration from University of Phoenix (April 2015)

Coaching:

Women’s basketball assistant coach at Dakota College at Bottineau from 2013-2015; Volleyball assistant coach at DCB during 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Currently works at DigiKey and lives in Thief River Falls with her husband Travis (NCTC football coach) and their daughter Khloey.

Come see the Verizon Experts!

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Hometown: High School: College:

Thief River Falls 1775 Hwy 59 SW (218) 681-7525

CONNECT to COMMUNICATE.

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

26

2015 W. BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

2015 PIONEER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION

TIME

11/14

Jamestown Univ. JV

Devils Lake, ND

1:00 PM

11/15

Lake Region State College

Devils Lake, ND

3:00 PM

11/17

MN State Fergus Falls

HOME

6:00 PM

11/20

Jamestown University JV

HOME

6:00 PM

11/23

Concordia College JV

HOME

6:00 PM

12/1

MN State Fergus Falls

Fergus Falls, MN

6:00 PM

12/4

Ridgewater Comm.

College

Willmar, MN

6:00 PM

12/5

MN West Comm. & Tech College

Worthington, MN

1:00 PM

12/9

NDSCS

Wahpeton, ND

6:00 PM

12/12

Anoka-Ramsey Comm.

College

HOME

1:00 PM

1/2

Gogebic Comm.

College

HOME

4:00 PM

1/3

Canadian Mennonite

HOME

3:00 PM

1/8

Itasca Comm. College

Grand Rapids, MN

6:00 PM

1/9

Fond do Lac Comm.

College

Cloquet, MN

1:00 PM

1/13

Rainy River Comm.

College

HOME

6:00 PM

1/16

Hibbing Comm.

College

HOME

1:00 PM

1/22

Vermilion Comm.

College

Ely, MN

6:00 PM

1/23

Mesabi Range Comm.

College

Virginia, MN

1:00 PM

1/27

Central Lakes Comm.

College

HOME

6:00 PM

1/30

Mesabi Range Comm.

College

HOME

3:00 PM

2/3

Hibbing Comm. College

Hibbing, MN

6:00 PM

2/6

Rainy River Comm.

College

Rainy River, MN

1:00 PM

2/10

Fond du Lac Comm.

College

HOME

6:00 PM

2/13

Central Lakes Comm.

College

Brainerd, MN

1:00 PM

2/17

Itasca Comm. College

HOME

6:00 PM

2/20

Vermilion Comm.

College

HOME

3:00 PM

* Minnesota College Athletic Conference contest (MCAC)

Celebrating 50 years of athletics!

27

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

2015-16 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER 2015-16 wOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER

NAME

POS.

HEIGHT

HOMETOWN

YEAR

3

Emily Hestekind

F

5’8”

Newfolden, MN

Freshman

10

Courtney Amirayan

F

5’10”

Thief River Falls, MN

Sophomore

12

Myesha Caldwell

G

5’5”

Mounds View, MN

Freshman

14

Kendra Brasel

G

5’6”

Pine River, MN

Sophomore

15

Rachel Lindsay

G

5’4”

Grand Forks, ND

Freshman

20

Tori Mekash

G

5’7”

Greenbush, MN

Sophomore

24

Cheyenne Woods

G

5’6”

Bemidji, MN

Sophomore

30

Haley Hovde

F

5’5”

Minto, ND

Freshman

31

Haley Gehrtz

F

5’9”

Ada, MN

Sophomore

32

Allyson Dahl

G

5’10”

Newfolden, MN

Sophomore

53

ShaRon Miller

C

6’0”

Blaine, MN

Freshman

HEAD COACH Shannon Nelson ASSISTANT COACHES Beth Tvedt Krista Martin

PHONETIC ROSTER Emily Hestekind Courtney Amirayan Myesha Caldwell Kendra Brasel Rachel Lindsay Tori Mekash Cheyenne Woods Haley Hovde Haley Gehrtz Allyson Dahl ShaRon Miller

northlandpioneers.com

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(EH-mih-lee HEST-a-kin-d) (KORT-nee a-MARRY-in) (My-EE-shuh KALD-wel) (KEN-druh BRA-zil) (RAY-chull LIN-zee) (TOR-ee Me-KASH) (shy-AN Woods) (HAY-lee HUV-dee) (HAY-lee Gurts) (A-lih-suhn Dahl) (shay-RON MIH-lur)

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

28

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2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

MEET THE PIONEERS Position: F

10

Position: F

Height: 5’10”

Height: 5’5”

Year: Sophomore

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN

Hometown: Minto, ND

High School: Lincoln HS

High School: Minto HS

Kendra Brasel Position: G

14

30

Haley Hovde

15

Rachel Lindsay Position: G

Height: 5’6”

Height: 5’4”

Year: Sophomore

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Pine River, MN

Hometown: Grand Forks, ND

High School: Pine River-Backus HS

High School: GF Central HS

Myesha Caldwell Position: G

12

20

Tori Mekash Position: G

Height: 5’5”

Height: 5’7”

Year: Freshman

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Mounds View, MN

Hometown: Greenbush, MN

High School: Irondale Senior HS

High School: Greenbush-Middle River HS

Allyson Dahl Position: G

32

Position: C

Year: Sophomore

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Newfolden, MN

Hometown: Blaine, MN

High School: Marshall County Central HS

High School: Blaine HS

Position: F

31

24

Cheyenne Woods Position: G

Height: 5’9”

Height: 5’6”

Year: Sophomore

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Ada, MN

Hometown: Bemidji, MN

High School: Ada-Borup High School

High School: Bemidji HS

Emily Hestekind Position: F

northlandpioneers.com

Height: 6’0”

Haley Gehrtz

53

ShaRon Miller

Height: 5’10”

MEET THE PIONEERS - WBB

Courtney Amirayan

03

Height: 5’8” Year: Freshman Hometown: Newfolden, MN High School: Marshall County Central HS

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

30

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HISTORY

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HISTORY 1974

1985

1996

2007

1975

1986

1997

2008

1976

1987

1998

2009

1977

1988

1999

2010

1978

1989

2000

2011

1979

1990

2001

2012

1980

1991

2002

2013

1981

1992

2003

2014

1982

1993

2004

1983

1994

2005

1984

1995

2006

Record: 6-6 Coach: Deb Jacobson Record: 8-6 Coach: Deb Jacobson Record: 7-10 Coach: Deb Jacobson Record: 16-6 Coach: Deb Jacobson Record: 5-15 Coach: Deb Jacobson

NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Record: 4-16 Coach: Deb Jacobson

31

Record: 5-15 Coach: Deb Jacobson Record: 5-15 Coach: Deb Jacobson Record: 8-11 Coach: Deb Jacobson Record: 7-12 Coach: Deb Jacobson Record: 4-12 Coach: Deb Jacobson

Record: 7-15 Coach: Tom Neibauer Record: 9-10 Coach: Tom Neibauer Record: 15-7 Coach: Tom Neibauer Record: 10-12 Coach: Kevin Stuckey Record: 4-15 Coach: Sue Barnd Record: 11-12 Coach: Sue Barnd Record: 9-13 Coach: Sue Barnd Record: 9-13 Coach: Rick Nikunen Record: 11-14 Coach: Rick Nikunen Record: 8-15 Coach: Rick Nikunen Record: 9-13 Coach: Rick Nikunen

Record: 16-8 Coach: Rick Nikunen Record: 10-12 Coach: Rick Nikunen Record: 8-14 Coach: Mike Zachow Record: 8-15 Coach: Mike Zachow Record: 9-15 Coach: Mike Zachow Record: 28-3 Coach: Mike Zachow Record: 11-15 Coach: Mike Zachow Record: 8-16 Coach: Mike Zachow

Record: 20-10 Coach: Guy Finstrom Record: 18-12 Coach: Guy Finstrom Record: 20-14 Coach: Guy Finstrom Record: 15-13 Coach: Shannon Nelson Record: 22-9 Coach: Shannon Nelson Record: 27-4 Coach: Shannon Nelson Record: 27-1 Coach: Shannon Nelson Record: 25-3 Coach: Shannon Nelson

Record: 16-12 Coach: Missy Majerus Record: 3-19 Coach: Missy Majerus Record: 15-18 Coach: Guy Finstrom

COACHING RECORDS COACH

YEARS

RECORD

WINNING %

Shannon Nelson

2010-2015

116-30

.795

Guy Finstrom

2006-2010

73-54

.575

Missy Majerus

2004-2006

19-31

.380

Mike Zachow

1998-2004

73-78

.483

Rick Nikunen

1992-1998

63-75

.457

Sue Barnd

1989-1992

24-39

.381

Kevin Stuckey

1988-1989

10-12

.455

Tom Neibauer

1985-1988

24-17

.585

Deb Jacobson

1974-1985

82-139

.371

Totals

1974-2015

484-475

.498

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RECORDS Leading Free Throw Percentage (minimum 2 attempts per game)

RANK

NAME

YEAR

GP

TOTAL

AVERAGE

RANK

NAME

YEAR

GP

FTM

FTA

FT%

1

Sarah Durand

2012-2014

59

1,131

19.2

1

Candice Solie

2000-2002

49

121

149

81.21%

2

Rhonda Rochschadal

1990-1992

45

946

21.0

2

Val Noel

1991

22

56

69

81.16%

3

Janelle Lundin

1987-1988

42

910

21.7

3

Crystal Amundson

2013-2015

56

174

215

80.93%

4

Whitney Langen

2008-2010

59

868

14.7

4

Brooke Conely

2007-2008

30

86

109

78.90%

5

Jenna Lundon

2012-2014

59

859

14.6

5

Bethany Tharaldson

2003-2004

19

44

56

78.57%

6

Crystal Amundson

2013-2015

56

833

14.9

6

Becky Perreault

1998-1999

22

50

65

76.92%

7

Casey Engelstad

2006-2008

60

813

13.6

7

Jackie Fossum

2006-2007

29

82

108

75.93%

8

Jody Pahlen

1986-1987

41

765

18.7

8

Sarah Durand

2012-2014

59

280

369

75.88%

9

Georgine Torska

1978-1979

41

732

17.9

9

Diane Anderson

1977-1978

39

69

91

75.82%

10

Kim Jenkins

1989-1990

41

731

17.8

10

Ashley Kujawa

2004-2006

35

60

81

74.07%

Leading Three-Point Percentage

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RECORDS

Leading Scorers

Leading Rebounders

(minimum 2 attempts per game)

RANK

NAME

YEAR

GP

3PM

3PA

3P%

RANK

NAME

YEAR

GP

TOTAL

AVERAGE

1

Candice Solie

2000-2002

49

98

224

43.75%

1

Whitney Langen

2008-2010

59

719

12.2

2

Kim Jenkins

1988-1990

41

93

221

42.08%

2

Karen Sovde

1984-1985

35

569

16.3

Susan Satre

2006-2007

29

33

80

41.25%

3

Casey Engelstad

2006-2008

60

540

9.0

Danielle Hernandez

2013-2014

25

53

131

40.46%

4

Jacki Nelson

1980-1981

39

534

13.7

5

Jodi Berdahl

2010-2011

28

55

140

39.29%

5

Sarah Durand

2012-2014

59

516

8.7

6

Alisa Costin

2004-2005

28

84

216

38.89%

6

Crystal Amundson

2013-2015

56

488

8.7

7

Jenny Weiss

2001-2002

28

53

145

36.55%

7

Shanna Keskitalo

1998-2000

45

479

10.6

8

Jenny Johnson

1998-1999

22

40

112

35.71%

8

Sara Rindahl

2006-2008

61

455

7.5

9

Tressta Ralston

2007-2009

56

100

285

35.09%

9

Julie Easton

1980-1981

40

447

11.2

10

Beth Burger

1999-2000

16

21

60

35.00%

10

Jenyne Beehler

1984-1985

33

409

12.4

Leading Field Goal Percentage

Leading Steals

(minimum 4 attempts per game)

RANK

NAME

YEAR

GP

FGM

FGA

FG%

RANK

NAME

YEAR

GP

TOTAL

AVERAGE

1

Janelle Lundin

1987-1988

42

369

562

65.66%

1

Tressta Ralston

2007-2009

56

214

3.8

2

Rayette Benke

1988-1989

40

180

294

61.22%

2

Misten Hoie

2000-2002

50

202

4.0

3

Sheila Jaeger

1987-1988

18

48

87

55.17%

3

Brenda Dahl

1984-1985

35

165

4.7

4

Kamae Larson

2004-2005

27

155

291

53.26%

4

Georgine Troska

1978-1979

41

165

4.0

5

Whitney Langen

2008-2010

59

337

638

52.82%

5

Eva Lampert

2011-2013

61

158

2.6

6

Crystal Amundson

2013-2015

56

321

618

51.94%

6

Shammara Christian

2013-2015

47

153

3.3

7

Angie Enerson

1987-1988

21

117

226

51.77%

7

Jacki Nelson

1980-1981

39

143

3.7

8

Sarah Durand

2012-2014

59

423

843

50.18%

8

Julie Easton

1980-1981

40

142

3.6

9

Shammara Christian

2013-2015

47

95

189

50.26%

9

Sara Gross

2001-2003

57

135

2.4

10

Jenna Lundon

2012-2014

59

325

650

50.00%

10

Casey Engelstad

2006-2008

60

133

2.2

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RECORDS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RECORDS Leading Assists RANK

NAME

YEAR

GP

Leading Blocked Shots TOTAL

AVERAGE

RANK

NAME

YEAR

GP

TOTAL

AVERAGE

1

Shawna Rogalla

2007-2009

60

378

6.3

1

Karen Sovde

1984-1985

35

91

2.6

2

Shammara Christian

2013-2015

47

369

7.9

2

Sara Jensen

2001-2003

57

85

1.5

3

Eva Lampert

2011-2013

61

340

5.6

3

Casey Engelstad

2006-2008

60

65

1.1

4

Paula Wilkens

1985-1986

57

289

5.1

4

Rhonda Rothschadl

1990-1992

45

57

1.3

5

Becky Jenson

1988-1989

40

263

6.6

5

Sarah Durand

2012-2014

59

53

0.9

6

Alicia Halvorson

2002-2004

44

214

4.9

6

Nicole Nordin

1999-2001

47

51

1.1 0.7

7

Whitney Langen

2008-2010

59

180

3.1

7

Whitney Langen

2008-2010

59

42

8

Brenda Dahl

1984-1985

35

176

5.0

8

Julie Anderson

1979-1980

38

41

1.1

9

Misten Hoie

2000-2002

50

176

3.5

9

Shanna Keskitalo

1998-2000

45

30

0.7

10

Tressta Ralston

2007-2009

56

155

2.8

10

Candice Solie

2000-2002

49

29

0.6

NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

National Championship Appearances: 2013-2014 2012-2013 2011-2012 2010-2011 2009-2010 2006-2007 2001-2002

National Champions Seventh Place Finish Seventh Place Finish Fifth Place Finish Seventh Place Finish Seventh Place Finish Second Place Finish

Coach Shannon Nelson Coach Shannon Nelson Coach Shannon Nelson Coach Shannon Nelson Coach Guy Finstrom Coach Guy Finstrom Coach Mike Zachow

Regional Tournament Appearances: 2014-2015 2013-2014 2012-2013 2011-2012 2010-2011 2009-2010 2007-2008 2006-2007 2001-2002

Runner-up Regional Champions Regional Champions Regional Champions Regional Champions Regional Champions Regional Runner-up Regional Champions Regional Champions:

Coach Shannon Nelson Coach Shannon Nelson Coach Shannon Nelson Coach Shannon Nelson Coach Shannon Nelson Coach Guy Finstrom Coach Guy Finstrom Coach Guy Finstrom Coach Mike Zachow

Northland Community & Technical College

FOUNDATION nctcfoundation.com E A S T G R A N D F O R K S & T H I E F R I V E R FA L L S , M N

Awarding scholarships to Northland’s students for 40 years. nctcfoundation.com

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2015-16 WRESTLING SEASON PREVIEW

The Pioneers will look to replace the production of three 2015 national qualifiers. Craig Williams led the trio of national qualifiers by recording four wins by fall on his way to a seventh place finish at 197 pounds. Also qualifying were Sam Twistol, 149, and Austin Hjelle, 141.

The 2015-16 Pioneer wrestling team features 22 new faces. Like other years, the roster is stocked with wrestlers from Minnesota (15) and North Dakota (4), but this year’s squad also features wrestlers from Florida, Iowa and Utah.

Between them, the 2015 recruiting class qualified for 24 state tournaments and earned 14 state medals.

The expanded roster will create competition for starting spots for the first time ever. The Pioneers filled all 10 weights for just three of the 13 duals last season, but never put more than nine wrestlers on the mat after Christmas break. The team’s depth was razor thin all year and in the end just six wrestlers made the trip to Worthington for the North Central District Tournament.

Twistol is the only returning national qualifier but he returns in a different role as an assistant coach. He replaces Travis Peralta, who enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the conclusion of the 2015 season. Originally expected to return for a sophomore campaign, Twistol was forced to medically retire due to a knee injury that grew progressively worse during the 2014-15 season.

Also joining the Pioneer wrestling staff this year is Kyle Jensen, Thief River Falls. Jensen brings more than a decade of coaching experience at the high school level to the Pioneers. He was a state place-winner for nearby Oklee High School and he wrestled collegiately at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Minn., before embarking on a successful mixed martial arts career.

Jensen is married to wife Teria and has three children, Kevin, Teagan and Connor.

LOCATION

OPPONENT

RESULTS

Jamestown

Univ. of Jamestown

24-15

Jamestown

Univ. of Regina

43-12

Home

Itasca CC

26-18

Rochester

Augsburg College JV

4-44

Rochester

Rochester CC

6-50

Itasca

Itasca CC

30-18

Home

Ridgewater College

39-11

Region Duals Mason City

Ellsworth

0-48

Region Duals Mason City

Iowa Central

0-60

Region Duals Mason City

Iowa Lakes

4-46

Region Duals Mason City

North Iowa Area CC

0-59

Region Duals Mason City

Iowa Western

0-53

Home

Minnesota West

30-16

North Central District at MN West, 8th of 9 teams, 45 points, three national qualifiers NJCAA Nationals, 24th of 39 qualified teams, 15.5 points 2014-15 STATS Win-Loss (win by fall) Sam Twistol 14-13 (2) Austin Hjelle 14-18 (2) Craig Williams 14-16 (5) Mathew Totay 8-13 (1) Blake Yensen 8-20 (2) Garrett Litzinger 7-16 (1) Chris Kucera 4-8 (4) Brendan Edner 4-17 (0) Logan Stiller 3-6 (0) Bennett Sauve 3-15 (0) Santos Reyes 1-1 (0) Kyle Sather 1-21 (0) Jon Erickson 0-2 (0) TAKEDOWNS 1. Sam Twistol 30 2. Mathew Totay 24 3. Austin Hjelle 21 4. Garrett Litizinger 17 5. Craig Williams 15 6. Logan Stiller 14 7. Blake Yensen 13 8. Brendan Edner 3 8. Jon Erickson 3 10. Chris Kucera 2

ESCAPES 1. Austin Hjelle 33 2. Blake Yensen 28 3. Sam Twistol 26 4. Craig Williams 25 5. Mathew Totay 21 6. Bennett Sauve 15 7. Brendan Edner 14 8. Garrett Litzinger 14 9. Chris Kucera 10 10. Logan Stiller 9 11. Kyle Sather 4 REVERSALS 1. Craig Williams 12 2. Austin Hjelle 10 3. Sam Twistol 7 4. Chris Kucera 5 5. Garrett Litzinger 4 6. Mathew Totay 4 2-POINT NEARFALLS 1. Craig Williams 6 2. Sam Twistol 6 3. Austin Hjelle 4 4. Garrett Litzinger 3 5. Brendan Edner 1 6. Blake Yensen 1

northlandpioneers.com

This year, the Pioneers will wrestle their most challenging schedule yet. In addition to their usual schedule, Pioneer wrestlers will be making the trek east to Nassau County, New York to compete in the Long Island Open and for a triangular meet that will include a head-to-head dual with defending NJCAA non-scholarship champion Nassau Community College.

2014-2015 Wrestling Results

2015-16 WRESTLING PREVIEW

Optimism is high within the Northland Community and Technical College wrestling room as the Pioneers gear up for their third season since the program was reinstated in fall 2013. Sophomore Garrett Litzinger is the lone returning starter from the 2014-15 Pioneer Wrestling squad that finished 6-7 overall in duals, 4-1 in MCAC duals (second place), recorded a seventh place finish among non-scholarship schools and 24th place overall finish at the NJCAA tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.

3-POINT NEARFALLS 1. Sam Twistol 8 2. Austin Hjelle 5 3. Craig Williams 4 4. Jon Erickson 3 5. Mathew Totay 3 6. Garrett Litzinger 2

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WRESTLING COACHING STAFF

WRESTLING COACHING STAFF Entering the third year of the program with over twenty wrestlers, DCamp has seen steady progress in growing a quality intercollegiate program.

The Iowa native has a rich background in wrestling. DCamp has been featured twice on nationally syndicated “Take Down Radio” during the past year.

Active in the youth and amateur wrestling community, DCamp instructs in traveling clinics and also serves on the board of the Take Down Club in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

SCOTT DCAMP NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Head Coach

37

Following a 43-year absence of a wrestling program, Scott DCamp was chosen to reinstate the wrestling program at Northland Community and Technical College during the 2013-2014 school year.

A native of Altoona, Iowa, and graduate of Buffalo High School, Buffalo, Minnesota, DCamp opened the inaugural season of the restored wrestling program with eight grapplers. During that season, Craig Williams (184 pounder) and Jordan Engen (157 pounder) each qualified for nationals with Engen earning All-American honors for his seventh place finish. The 20142015 season saw the team grow to 13 wrestlers, with Sam Twistol (149), Austin Hjelle (141), and Craig Williams (197) qualifying for the national championships.

Williams would finish seventh and capture All-American honors.

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

Prior to coaching intercollegiate wrestling, DCamp served as an assistant for 10 years at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota (2003-2013). During his time at Lincoln, the team won the 2009 team championship of the individual state tournament, and featured three individual state champions, 26 state place winners, and thee section dual championships (2007, 2010, 2011).

DCamp wrestled collegiately at NCAA Division II Minnesota State University (Moorhead).

Competing at the heavy weight division, DCamp wrestled for four years (1999-2003) for the Dragons. During his freshman year, DCamp came within one victory of qualifying for the NCAA Division II national championships.

Success at the interscholastic level was also a trademark for DCamp, who competed for Buffalo High School in Buffalo, Minnesota. A three year letterwinner, DCamp was a state qualifier at heavyweight his senior year.

Scott DCamp his wife April, and son Storm (4) live in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. DCamp also serves as a reporter for the Thief River Falls Times. ■

802 3rd Street West Thief River Falls, MN 56701

(218) 681-2660

WRESTLING COACHING STAFF Assistant Coach

Kyle Jensen begins his first year as an assistant wrestling coach at Northland Community and Technical College. Prior to his coaching duties for the Pioneers, Jensen served as an assistant coach for 11 years at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. During his tenure at Lincoln High School, the Prowlers wrestling team qualified for state in 2007, 2009, and 2010.

Originally from Goodrich, Minnesota, Jensen wrestled collegiately for Itasca as a 174 pounder. His scholastic wrestling experience includes wrestling for Oklee High School in Oklee, Minnesota.

Jensen lives in Thief River Falls with his wife Teria and their children Kevin, Konner, and Teagan.

WRESTLING COACHING STAFF

KYLE JENSEN

SAM TWISTOL Assistant Coach

A NJCAA national wrestling qualifier in 2015, Sam Twistol now brings his wrestling expertise to the Pioneers as an assistant coach. Twistol, a national qualifier at 149 lbs, competed at the nationals in Des Moines, Iowa despite injuries that would have shut down many athletes.

Currently completing his degree at Northland, Twistol plans to enroll in the University of North Dakota and pursue Industrial engineering.

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Twistol left an impressive set of credentials at the interscholastic level. Wrestling for Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, he ranked 10th in the state at 119 pounds during the 2009-2010 season where he qualified for the state wrestling tournament as a freshman. A series of injuries cut Twistol’s high school career short during his sophomore season. He concluded his high school career with an impressive 59-8 record that still ranks as the sixth highest win-percentage in Thief River Falls wrestling history. Last year, Twistol returned to the mat for one final season after going four years between matches.. He also holds the sixth highest all-time winning percentage for the Prowlers.

38

2015-16 WRESTLING SCHEDULE

2015-16 WRESTLING SCHEDULE

NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION

TIME

10/17

Legends Dual

HOME

7:00 PM

11/1

Yellow jacket Open

Rochester, MN

9:00 AM

11/6

MN West Dual

Worthington, MN

6:00 PM

11/10

Univ. of Jamestown

HOME

6:00 PM

11/14

Bison Open

NDSU

10:00 AM

11/21

Finn Grinaker Open

Moorhead, MN

9:00 AM

12/5

Dragon Open

Moorhead, MN

9:00 AM

12/9

Itasca Dual

HOME

7:00 PM

12/11

Ridgewater Dual

Willmar, MN

7:00 PM

1/2

Nassau CC Triangular/Glouster CC

Garden City, NY

1/7

Rochester/ Concordia JV

HOME

6:00 PM

1/16

Minnesota West Open

Worthington, MN

9:00 AM

1/28

Itasca Dual

Grand Rapids, MN

7:00 PM

1/30

MCAC Conference

Willmar, MN

9:00 AM

2/14

Iowa Western

Council Bluffs, IA

2/26

NJCAA Nationals

Council Bluffs, IA

2/27

NJCAA Nationals

Council Bluff, IA

* Minnesota College Athletic Conference contest (MCAC)

Celebrating 50 years of athletics!

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2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

2015-16 WRESTLING ROSTER 2015-16 WRESTLING ROSTER

NAME

HOMETOWN

YEAR

125

Ryan Peters

Mound, MN

Freshman

125

Stephen Holecek

Thief River Falls, MN

Freshman

133

Kyle Caputo

Crookston, MN

Freshman

133

Kyle Michalek

Blackduck, MN

Freshman

141

Jacob Barton

South Jordan, UT

Freshman

149

Brett Jerome

Roseau, MN

Freshman

149

Jake Magnell

Oklee, MN

Freshman

149

Tanner Schreifels

Kimball, MN

Freshman

149

Blake Kaercher

Cavalier, ND

Freshman

149

Garrett Litzinger

Grand Forks, ND

Sophomore

157

Nate Harms

Des Mones, IA

Freshman

165

Alex Giese

Kenmare, ND

Freshman

165

Mitchell Zachman

Albertville, MN

Freshman

174

Eri Gonzalez

Plymouth, MN

Freshman

174

Trevor Smith

Blackduck, MN

Freshman

184

Hunter Durand

Buffalo, MN

Freshman

184

Brek Laducer

Belcourt, ND

Freshman

197

Tyshaun Brown

Thief River Falls, MN

Freshman

197

Phillip Jackson

Pembroke Pines, FL

Freshman

285

Nick Cervantes

Thief River Falls, MN

RS

285

Tanner Schreifels

Kimball, MN

Freshman

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WEIGHT CLASS

40

MEET THE PIONEERS

NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

MEET THE PIONEERS

Jacob Barton

41

Alex Giese

Weight Class: 141

Weight Class: 165

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: South Jordan, UT

Hometown: Kenmare, ND

High School: Bingham HS

High School: Kenmare HS

Tyshaun Brown

Eri Gonzalez

Weight Class: 197

Weight Class: 174

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN

Hometown: Plymouth, MN

High School: Lincoln HS

High School: Robbinsdale-Armstrong HS

Kyle Caputo

Nate Harms

Weight Class: 133

Weight Class: 157

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Crookston, MN

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

High School: Crookston HS

High School: Urbandale HS

Nick Cervantes

Stephen Holecek

Weight Class: 285

Weight Class: 133

Year: RS

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN

Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN

High School: Lincoln HS

High School: Lincoln HS

Hunter Durand

Phillip Jackson

Weight Class: 184

Weight Class: 197

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Buffalo, MN

Hometown: Pembroke Pines, FL

High School: Buffalo HS

High School: West Broward HS

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

MEET THE PIONEERS Brett Jerome

Kyle Michalek Weight Class: 165

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Roseau, MN

Hometown: Albertville, MN

High School: Roseau HS

High School: Michael-Albertville HS

Blake Kaercher

Ryan Peters

Weight Class: 157

Weight Class: 125

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Cavalier, ND

Hometown: Mound, MN

High School: Cavalier HS

High School: Mound-Westonka HS

Brek Laducer

Tanner Schreifels

Weight Class: 184

Weight Class: 149

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Belcourt, ND

Hometown: Kimball, MN

High School: Turtle Mountain HS

High School: Kimball HS

Trevor Smith

Weight Class: 157

Weight Class: 174

Year: Sophomore

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Grand Forks, ND

Hometown: Blackduck, MN

High School: Grand Forks Central HS

High School: Blackduck HS

Jake Magnell

northlandpioneers.com

Garrett Litzinger

MEET THE PIONEERS

Weight Class: 149

Mitchell Zachman

Weight Class: 149

Weight Class: 165

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Oklee, MN

Hometown: Albertville, MN

High School: Red Lake County HS

High School: Michael-Albertville HS

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

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NORTHLAND SPOTLIGHT NORTHLAND SPOTLIGHT

A native of Erskine, Minnesota, Jason Pangiarella has a rich background in higher education. Prior to his arrival at Northland, he served as a college recruitment specialist at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. Prior to his appointment at SMU, he worked in admissions at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Q: How did you end up becoming the Success Coordinator at NCTC?

A: My work is to assist students in realizing their academic goals, and in particular, assist students who have a gap between their performance and the expectations of their instructors. It’s one part coach, one part advocate, one part big brother, and one part compliance officer – all rolled into one.

A: Coming to Northland Community and Technical College was a bit of luck, I have to admit. I had been working in Dallas, TX for about 3.5 years before coming to NCTC. After several years away, I began to want to return to Minnesota. I grew up here, and graduated from WinE-Mac High School in 1997. This position opened just as I had returned to Minnesota, and it was a natural fit. I have been here since 2007 and have valued every minute here.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about your position and what you do at NCTC?

A: In my line of work, you can get your heart broken a great deal. Working with students means having to deal with forces well outside both my and the student’s control. But every year at commencement, we see the fruits of our labor. Student success is very much a team effort but people should know that at Northland we are a top to bottom institution committed to helping our students achieve their professional goals. I am very fortunate to work in an atmosphere that is so studentcentric.

Q: What do you find most challenging about your position?

A: In terms of challenges, there are so many forces outside our control that can negatively impact our students. In a rural area like ours, students find transportation and child care a substantial barrier.

We have great partnerships with our local county and municipal stakeholders that help address that. But helping student negotiate these barriers can certainly be time-consuming.

Q: What do you see as the future of NCTC?

A: Northland certainly confronts some serious challenges in the future. The structural nature of Minnesota’s population is heavily weighted to the seven-county metro area surrounding the Twin Cities, which means in rural areas, the services we offer are often crafted with urban environments in mind. But we have some firepower of our own. Students who transfer to us often remark that our community at Northland is unlike anything they experience elsewhere – our faculty go more than an extra mile to help our students learn and grow, and our staff bring a sense of passion and dedication to each student with whom we work. Parents of students that arrive are often amazed at how welcoming and gracious Northland is. This is part of our niche, and if we are able to continue to offer that kind of learning environment, we will be wellpoised to confront the future challenges and thrive.

2015-16 WINTER MEDIA GUIDE

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Q: Tell us what a Success Coordinator is, and what a Success Coordinator does.

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Experience our warm and friendly atmosphere.

We look forward to serving you whether you are in the Midwest on a family vacation or a business trip.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY AT www.cmoninn.com/thiefriverfalls 1586 Hwy 59 South • Thief River Falls, MN 56701 (800) 950-8111 or (218) 681-3000