Thank you for coming out to support our Tabor College Bluejays! We warmly welcome you to our campus and hope you have a wonderful experience here. As we cheer on our teams, may our attitudes and behaviors be filled with love, hope, joy, and peace, reflecting our decidedly Christian intent. I pray that our players, coaches, staff and fans will model excellence and character as we strive to do our best as unto the Lord.
Have fun, come often, and be safe. Go Bluejays!
David Ediger Director of Athletics
Dr. David Janzen President of Tabor College
Tabor College welcomes each of you to another exciting year of Bluejay athletics! We are so excited for the season and to have each of you join us on our beautiful campus. Your support plays an integral role in the success and atmosphere for our student-athletes and their experience, as well as to those around you. We ask that only the highest level of sportsmanship be on display as you cheer on the Bluejays. We want your experience to be first class. If you see something that can be improved, let one of the administrators know. Athletics, coupled with the learning in the classroom, being a member of one of the many groups on campus, dorm life, supporting other teams and activities on campus, etc. are just a few of the factors that contribute to the shaping of the individual that Christ calls our student-athletes to be. May we all set a positive example as we cheer loud for our team and not against the opponent. This year’s campus theme is “Press On”, taken from Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Please join us as we “Press On” in all that we do.
David Ediger Director of Athletics
TABOR’S NEW FIGHT SONG
FLY TO VICTORY
Composed by Dr. Christopher Teichler
Wings up, Tabor Bluejays, and fly to victory!
Your foes will fear, but we will cheer, our Tabor Loyalty!
We're behind you, Bluejays, forever true we'll be,
So go and fight with all your might, and fly to victory!
Tabor
Creating an environment for studentathletes that supports learning, promotes excellence and stimulates Christian growth.
Tabor Athletics Vision
To see God expand our sphere of influence in keeping with the prayer of Jabez from 1Chronicles 4:10.
Tabor Athletic
WHAT’S INSIDE
Our cover art includes student-athletes that represent each of our winter sports. From left; Kade Hemmert (Men’s Basketball), Sasha Wasinger (Women’s Indoor Track & Field), JJ the Mascot, Alicia Baker (Women’s Basketball), Ali Cannon (Men’s Indoor Track & Field).
Cover art designed by senior Taryn Lawler.
Fri, Oct 27
Tues, Oct 31
Sat, Nov 4
Fri, Nov 10
Sat, Nov 11
Wed, Nov 15
WINTER SPORTS CALENDAR
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Mo. 5:00 PM
Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb. 5:30 PM
Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa 2:00 PM Tabor College Classic
UHSP in Saint Louis, Hillsboro 6:00 PM
USAO, Hillsboro 3:00 PM
Evangel University, Springfield, Mo. 5:30 PM
Sat, Nov 18 York University, Hillsboro 5:00 PM
Sat, Nov 25 Fort Hays State University, Hays 5:00 PM
Wed, Nov 29 Avila University, Hillsboro 6:00 PM
Sat, Dec 2
Wed, Dec 6
Sat, Dec 9
Sat, Dec 30
Wed, Jan 3
Sat, January 6
Wed, Jan 10
Sat, Jan 13
Sterling College, Sterling 5:00 PM
Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Hillsboro 6:00 PM
Bethel College, North Newton 5:00 PM
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg 1:00 PM
Friends University, Wichita 6:00 PM
Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina 5:00 PM
McPherson College, Hillsboro 6:00 PM
Bethany College, Lindsborg 5:00 PM
Wed, Jan 17 Ottawa University, Hillsboro 6:00 PM
Sat, Jan 20 University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth 5:00 PM
Wed, Jan 24
Southwestern College, Hillsboro 6:00 PM
Sat, Jan 27 Evangel University, Hillsboro 2:00 PM
Wed, Jan 31 York University, York, Neb. 6:00 PM
Sat, Feb 3 Avila University, Kansas City, Mo. 2:00 PM
Mon, Mar. 4 Men’s KCAC Championship, Park City TBD
JV MEN’S BASKETBALL
Mon, Oct 30 McPherson College, McPherson 8:00 PM
Fri, Nov 3 Sunrise Christian Academy, Wichita 7:00 PM
Tues, Nov 7 Hesston College, Hesston 7:30 PM
Thurs, Nov 9 Central Christian College, McPherson 8:00 PM
Fri, Nov 17 Haskell Indian Nations University, Hillsboro 7:00 PM
Mon, Nov 20 Friends University, Wichita 8:00 PM
Thurs, Nov 30 Ottawa University, Ottawa 7:30 PM
Sat, Dec 2 Sterling College, Sterling 2:45 PM
Tues, Dec 5 Central Christian College, Hillsboro 7:00 PM
Sat, Dec 9 Bethel College, North Newton 2:45 PM
Wed, Jan 10 McPherson College, Hillsboro 3:45 PM Sat, Jan 13 Bethany College, Lindsborg 2:45 PM
Wed, Jan 17 Ottawa University, Hillsboro 3:45 PM
Mon, Jan 29 Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina 7:00 PM
Wed, Feb 7 Sterling College, Hillsboro 3:45 PM Wed, Feb 14 Bethel College, Hillsboro 3:45 PM
Sat, Feb 17 Friends University, Hillsboro 2:45 PM
Wed, Feb 21 Kansas Wesleyan University, Hillsboro 3:45 PM Sat, Feb 24 McPherson College, McPherson 2:45 PM
INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Sat, Dec 2
* = Senior Day
Washburn University Invite, Topeka Fri, Jan 13 Scott Nisely Memorial Classic, Crete, Neb. Fri, Jan 20
Fri, Jan 26-Sat, Jan 27
Fri, Feb 2-Sat, Feb 3
Washburn Rust Buster, Topeka
Herm Wilson Invite, Wichita
Washburn University Invite, Topeka
Mon, Feb 12-Tues, Feb 13 KCAC Indoor Championships, Omaha, Neb. Thurs, Feb 29-Sat, Mar 2 NAIA Indoor National Championships, Brookings, S.D.
BLUEJAY BACKERS
At Tabor College, our approach to caring for our student-athletes is distinct.We believe they deserve the best. However, as the costs of both higher education and athletic competition continue to rise, so does the challenge to compete at a championship level. Private contributions become increasingly important to supplement the rising costs of equipment, supplies, travel and facility upgrades. The Bluejay Backers are committed to helping the Tabor College Athletic Department meet these challenges by providing a foundation of success that can be relied upon for decades to come.
The purpose of the Bluejay Backers is to support the athletic department in its mission to create an environment for student-athletes that supports learning, promotes excellence and stimulates Christian growth. It is our vision that this focus on the student-athlete’s collegiate experience will result in an ever-expanding sphere of Christian influence.
Your contribution to the Bluejay Backers is an investment in the tradition of excellence that is Tabor College Athletics. The Bluejay Backers are dedicated to the continued development and enhancement of Tabor’s athletic programs. Your membership demonstrates your commitment to partnering with us to provide our student-athletes with the best that intercollegiate athletics has to offer. Bluejay Backers are alumni, businesses, friends and parents. These supporters form a network that is determined to assist the athletic department in meeting the challenges of the future while ensuring our tradition of excellence continues to grow.
Gifts to the Bluejay Backers are tax deductible and go to assist with projects that are outside of the general athletic budget. The Bluejay Backers operates under the direct supervision of the Director of Athletics, David Ediger.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance, and thank you again for your continued support of Tabor College Athletics.
Membership Levels
Varsity - $50
Includes a membership card and website recognition
First Team - $100
Includes a membership card and website recognition
Captain - $250
Includes a membership card and website recognition
All American - $500
Includes a membership card and website recognition
Bluejay - $1,000
Free admission into all home contests (with the exception of any post-season play)
Champion - $2,000
Free admission into all home contests (with the exception of any post-season play.)
All gifts are tax deductible to the full amount given.
To sign up for Bluejay Backers, please visit taborbluejays.com and click the ‘Donate’ tab. We welcome all Bluejay Backers to stop by campus to catch a game, pick up a media guide, get a tour of our facilities, watch practice, visit with our staff.
WINTER SPORTS STAFF DIRECTORY
David Ediger Director of Athletics davidediger@tabor.edu xt. 1630
David Loomis Sports Information Director david.loomis@tabor.edu xt. 1606
Katelyn Newton Head Athletic Trainer katelynnewton@tabor.edu xt. 1307
Dr. Karol Hunt Assoc. Athletic Director Senior Woman Leader karolh@tabor.edu xt. 1633
Nathan Howard Sports Information GA nathan.howard@tabor.edu xt. 1632
Dr. Jim Moore Asst. Athletic Trainer jimm@tabor.edu xt. 1639
Dr. Amy Ratzlaff Asst. Athletic Director amyr@tabor.edu xt. 1310
Allison Crist Sports Information GA Strength & Conditioning GA allisoncrist@tabor.edu
Nick Peters Asst. Athletic Trainer
Jeff Brewer Asst. Athletic Director jeffreybrewer@tabor.edu xt. 1640
Brianna McGinnis Sports Information GA Strength & Conditioning GA brianna.mcginnis@tabor.edu
Jason Schroeder Facilities Coordinator & Custodial Manager jasons@tabor.edu
Tia Granger Coor. of Athletic Auxiliary Services tia.granger@tabor.edu xt. 1313
Jean Paul Fort Strength & Conditioning GA jeanpaulfort@tabor.edu
Katelyn Newton MBA, LAT, ATC Head Athletic Trainer
Newton is in her sixth year serving on the Tabor College athletic training staff; two as a graduate assistant and four as a full-time employee. Originally from Mulvane, Kan., she graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelors in Athletic Training in 2018 and graduated from Tabor College with a Masters of Business Administration in 2020. Katelyn and her husband, Matthew, reside in Hillsboro and are expecting their first child later this fall.
Kate Brickell MS, LAT, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Prior to coming toTabor College, Brickell received her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Sterling College in 2016. She then received her master’s degree in health and human performance through Fort Hays State University in 2018. While completing her master’s degree, she was an athletic trainer at Sterling College for the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.
Brickell began working at Tabor College in the fall of 2018 as an assistant women’s basketball coach. Brickell is in her fifth year serving as an athletic trainer and teaching in the health and human performance department at Tabor College.
Dr. Jim Moore
EdD., L.A.T., A.T.C., C.S.C.S.
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Associate Health and Human Performance Professor
Dr. Moore begins his 22nd year at Tabor College. He is a professor in Health and Human Performance and serves as the chair of the department. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College and his master’s and doctorate degree from the United States Sports Academy.
Before coming to Tabor, Moore taught junior and senior high school science and physical education at Calvary Baptist Christian School for 19 years. He was the athletic director for 10 years and coached a variety of sports as well.
Jim and his wife, Donna, reside in Hillsboro. Their oldest son, Justin, is an elementary school principal at Royal Valley and has a son, Bennet. Their youngest son, Luke, is a college football coach in Iowa.
Nick Peters Assistant Athletic Trainer
Peters has been a certified athletic trainer for 14 years. He received his Bachelors degree in Athletic Training in 2008 from Fort Hays State University. Nick then went on to get his masters degree from Northwest Missouri State University in 2010 and worked there full time until May of 2021. He now resides near Hillsboro on the family farm.
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STRENGTH TRAINING
COACHING STAFF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Shawn Reed Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Shawn Reed begins his 13th season at the helm of the Tabor women’s basketball program. Since taking over the Bluejay program prior to the 2011 season, Reed has led a transformation of the women’s basketball program at Tabor both on and off the court.
Reed’s Bluejays have won three KCAC regular season titles, five KCAC tournament championships, and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament seven times. Reed’s teams advanced to the “Elite Eight” in both 2015 & 2016, which are the two highest finishes in school history. The Bluejays also advanced to the “Sweet Sixteen” in 2017. Reed is also the winningest coach in Tabor women’s basketball history with 246 victories.
A three-time Lonnie Kruse KCAC Coach of the Year at Tabor (2015, 2016, & 2019), Reed has guided his teams to seven 20+ win seasons. During Reed’s tenure, seven different players garnered KCAC First Team All-Conference recognition, and two players named KCAC “Player of the
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Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:00am
Year”
(Nikki Lewis-2014 & Janelle Rust-2013).
In Reed’s twelve previous seasons at Tabor, he has coached six different NAIA All-America players with two of those players earning All-America honors twice and one player (Zoe Rust) earning that distinction three times. Reed has also seen eight different players selected to the KCAC AllFreshman Team, including two KCAC “Freshman of the Year (Morgan Ediger in 2015-16 and Alyvia Owens in 2020-21).
In the classroom, Tabor has made consistent improvement during Reed’s tenure. Tabor Women’s Basketball has posted the highest overall team GPA in the KCAC five of the last seven years.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Bluejays were named to the WBCA 2022-23 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll. Tabor finished the 2022-23 season with the 4th highest GPA in the NAIA. Tabor is the only team in the KCAC to be ranked in the WBCA’s Academic Team Honor Roll Top 15 for four consecutive years. The Tabor women’s basketball team has also been named a NAIA Scholar Team each of the past 10 seasons. Twice during Reed’s tenure, the Women’s Basketball team has been named KCAC Team of Character. Reed was named the KCAC Champions of Character Coach of the Year for all sports for the 2018-19 academic year.
Reed has also actively been involved in basketball leadership at both the KCAC and NAIA levels. Since 2015, Reed has served as the KCAC national rater for women’s basketball. His responsibilities have included putting together a bi-weekly KCAC ranking of women’s basketball teams throughout the season, rating teams for both the ARC (Area Ratings Committee) and NAIA national poll and serving as the KCAC representative on ARC and NAIA conference calls related to ratings. For the past three seasons (2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23), Reed has also served on the NAIA Women’s Basketball AllAmerica Selection Committee.
Prior to coming to Tabor, Reed served as an assistant basketball coach at Sterling College for nine years where he helped coach a perennial NAIA and KCAC power under the leadership of legendary NAIA Hall of Fame coach Lonnie Kruse. During a nine-year span, Reed helped guide the Warriors to an overall record of 230-55 compiling an 81% winning percentage. Reed also helped guide the Warriors to three KCAC regular season titles, four KCAC tournament championships, and made six trips to the NAIA Division II National Tournament with two Elite Eight appearances and one Fad Four appearance.
Reed earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Sterling College in 1995. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Reed earned a Master of Education from Wichita State University Shawn and his wife Miranda have been married 28 years and have three children: Tristan, Makenna and Maren.
Erin Barocio Assistant Coach
Erin Barocio begins her 15th season as an assistant coach for the Bluejays. Barocio has been instrumental in helping revive the Tabor College women’s basketball program. During her tenure, the Bluejays have made consistent improvement both in the classroom and on the court.
Coach Barocio served as a student assistant at Tabor for two years, after injuries ended her playing career in 2007. Barocio joined the women’s basketball staff as a Graduate Assistant in 2010 before becoming a full-time assistant in 2012.
Coach Barocio works with Tabor’s forwards and posts, in addition to her responsibilities of spring workouts, film breakdown, the annual team free-throw-a-thon fundraiser and equipment. During her tenure, Barocio has seen forward Janelle Rust (2013) and post players Tena Loewen (2016, 2017) and Zoe (Shieldnight) Rust (2021, 2022, 2023) earn NAIA All-America honors.
In addition to her basketball duties, Barocio serves the athletic department in a variety roles and duties. Her responsibilities include working as a liaison between athletics and faculty to communicate leave times for teams and updating the master calendar. Erin also organizes the online ticketing for athletic events.
“Coach Erin brings expertise and skill to our coaching staff,” said Tabor College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Shawn Reed. “Erin has a great basketball mind, and she has a real passion for mentoring and coaching young women. Her work with our posts and forwards is tremendous, and her organizational skills and scouting are vital to our program’s success. She has been such a consistent presence and key part of the turnaround and continued excellence of our program at Tabor.”
Prior to attending Tabor, Coach Barocio was a starting forward at Newton High School where the Railers won the Kansas Class 5A State basketball championship in 2006.
She has bachelor degrees in English and Communication Studies from Tabor College and also completed an MBA from Tabor College.
Erin is married to Manny Barocio and they have three children: Elle, Judah and Daphne.
Kate Brickell Assistant Coach
Kate Brickell begins her sixth season with the Tabor College Women’s Basketball team. Brickell earned her bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Sterling College in 2016. After her time at Sterling, she earned her master’s degree in Health and Human Performance in 2018 from Fort Hays State University.
Brickell was a four-year member of the Sterling College women’s basketball team from 2012-2016, before joining the Warrior staff as a Graduate Assistant from 2016-2018. During her time at Sterling, she played point guard all four years, helping the team reach the KCAC Tournament all four seasons, reaching the semifinals once. Brickell finished her Lady Warrior career with 162 assists.
Her duties with the basketball team include working with the junior varsity program, scouting, recruiting and helping coach the perimeter players.
“Coach Kate has been a fantastic addition to our staff,” said Tabor College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Shawn Reed. “She (Kate) has done a fantastic job building players in our junior varsity program, working with our guards and especially recruiting. I also appreciate Kate’s ability to form strong relationships with our players off the court and invest in their lives.”
Central National Bank is
to Support Tabor College Academics & Athletics
Kate is also a certified athletic trainer, and she works with a couple of sports at Tabor in addition to teaching courses in the Health and Physical Education department and working with Project Search.
Coach Brickell attended Jefferson County North High School in Winchester, Kansas where she was the starting point for a 2A State Championship team her senior year in 2012.
Teegan Werth G 5’8 JR Hillsboro, Kan. Hillsboro HS 2
Tayton Smith F 6’2 FR Elbing, Kan. Berean Academy 35
Sally Wine F 5’10 SO Elbing, Kan. Dordt University 32
Allie Stone G 5’6 FR Galva, Kan. Elyria Christian School 34
Katie Woodruff F 5’9 FR Eufaula, Okla. Canadian HS 40
Jenna Uehling G/F 5’9 SO Maize, Kan. Maize South HS 20
Grace Wright G 5’6 SO Bird City, Kan. Cheylin HS 21
Veer G 5’9 FR Newton, Kan. Berean Academy 11
Woolston JR Wichita, Kan. Andover HS Manager
Lillie
Mallory
COACHING STAFF MEN’S BASKETBALL
Matt Warren Men’s Basketball Head Coach
Matt Warren enters his second season as head men’s basketball coach at Tabor College.
Warren became the head coach of the Tabor Bluejays after serving as the associate head coach at Warner University for the previous five seasons.
In his first season with the Bluejays, Coach Warren established a culture of toughness on and off the floor. Freshman Thatcher McClure was named to the all-freshman team and earned honorable mention KCAC selection. McClure averaged 13 ppg and 5.8 rpg on 50.6% from the floor, 42.2% from three and 74.4% from the free throw line. Tabor also landed nine student athletes on the KCAC all academic team as well as seven on the NAIA all-academic team. Finally, Coach Warren brings in a talented recruiting class which includes the 2023 KHSAA 3A Player of the Year as well as the 2022 KHSAA 4A Player of the Year.
Coach Warren was a part of three Sun Conference regular season championships including back to back in 2020-2021
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Supermarket
and 2021-2022. The Royals saw fifteen players make the allconference teams, six student athletes be recognized as on the all-academic team, and had four players earn NAIA All American honors in his time in Lake Wales, FL.
Warren joined the Royals after serving as the General Manager of Combine Academy of Orlando, Fla., a post graduate basketball academy. While at Combine Academy, Coach Warren sent a majority of his student athletes to college during his year in Orlando in conjunction with his prior year in Charlotte, NC at Combine’s headquarters. Coach Warren also was heavily involved in Pro training during his summers at Combine including multiple NBA players and numerous euro league players.
Prior to Combine, Coach Warren was the top assistant at Indian River State College, a division one junior college in Fort Pierce, Florida, which was his second stint there. Warren worked for Coach Joe Sanchez at IRSC on two different occasions which included a 24-7 record and a trip to the region 8 tournament after a Southern Conference tournament championship.
Prior to his return to IRSC, Warren was a student manager at the University of North Florida under the tutelage of Head Coach Matthew Driscoll for two seasons where he gained a plethora of knowledge and experience. At UNF, Warren was able to learn a vast amount of skills at the NCAA D-I level including video editing, player development, game preparation/scouting, academics and the day-to-day operations.
Coach Warren also has experience in the AAU circuit as an assistant coach for PrimeTime basketball that in a fouryear stretch accumulated eight tournament championships and a runner up spot at the prestige Peach State tournament. Warren graduated from the University of North Florida in 2014 with a degree in Sports Management along with an Associate of Arts degree from Indian River State College. Coach Warren also received his Masters of Science from Warner University in the fall of 2019. Matt and his wife, Caitlin, reside in Hillsboro with their two year old son, Mason.
Adam Giger Assistant Coach
Adam Giger enters his 2nd year as an Assistant Coach for the Tabor College Bluejays.
In his first season with the Bluejays, Coach Giger assisted with scouting, recruiting, and player development within the Tabor College Program. In his 1st year, the Bluejays added one player to All-Conference Honors and one player to the AllFreshman Team: Thatcher McClure.
Adam Giger had a two-year stint at Warner University as Assistant Coach for the Varsity team, and Head Men’s Coach for the developmental team for the 2020-2022 Seasons.
In his second season with the Royals, Coach Giger assisted the Royals to back-to-back Regular Season Conference Championships. The Royals added three more players to All-Conference honors. The Royals earned another National Championship berth for consecutive seasons.
In his first season with the Royals, Coach Giger aided the Royals to another Regular Season Conference Championship. The Royals got off to a rocky start but rebounded quickly and concluded with a 15-5 record in the TSC. Being the Regular Season Conference Champions the Royals earned a NAIA National Tournament berth. The Royals were able to rally back in the National Tournament opener against Tennessee Wesleyan in the first round with the help of three 1st team all-conference players.
Before beginning his coaching career, Giger played collegiate basketball for three institutions: Concordia University of Chicago (2014-2015), State College of FloridaManatee (2015-2016), and Warner University (2016-2018). Throughout his college career, Giger was coached by individuals with astounding resumes. Head Coach Tyler Jones at CUC had previous experience coaching in the CBA, along with a plethora of NBA level talent including Kevin Ollie, Rick Brunson, and Adrian Griffin. Head Coach Elliot Washington was the starting point guard for a 26-9 University of Alabama team that had several players continue into the NBA. Washington was a previous FHSAA Coach of the year at Southeast High School as well.
Giger was also assistant coach at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. In 2020 their season concluded as the Mid-Florida Conference Tournament Runner-up.
Giger graduated from Warner University in 2018 with a degree in Business Management.
Ethan Gager
Graduate Assistant Coach
Before arriving at Tabor, Coach Gager was a Student Manager for the UTSA Men’s Basketball team (2019-2022), Team Attendant for the San Antonio Spurs (20212023), and a Volunteer Assistant Coach at Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas during the 2022-23 season.
During Coach Gager’s lone season at Reagan, he assisted the Rattlers to a 31-6 record, along with a 16-0 District Championship. Additionally, the team went on to win Bi-District and Area Championships that same season. The Rattlers’ overall record was second best in school history, with their district record being the best in school history.
During his time with the San Antonio Spurs, Coach Gager assisted in several aspects of the organization, such as game preparation and management of equipment while working directly with the staff and players of the San Antonio Spurs and various other NBA teams. Coach Gager assisted in the preparation of the Spurs’ Alamodome game last season, which broke the NBA all-time attendance record, as well as helped the organization prepare for their double-header in Austin, Texas, which broke the attendance record of the Moody Center in back-to-back games.
Coach Gager worked with the UTSA Men’s Basketball team for three and a half years, being promoted to Head Student Manager after his first season with the program. During his first two seasons at UTSA, Coach Gager worked directly with Jhivvan Jackson and Keaton Wallace, who now are the first and second-all-time leading scorers in school history. Additionally, they have the second most career points by a duo in NCAA history. Coach Gager helped coordinate individual workouts for the pair, along with several players in the program. Additionally, Coach Gager assisted with other aspects of the program such as film breakdown, hiring of Student Managers, game and practice preparation, and various other responsibilities.
Coach Gager received his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from UTSA in May 2023 and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration with a focus in Sports Management at Tabor College.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Back Row: Shan Williams, Drew Wertenberger, Jordan Maxfield, Jack Voth, James Aboaba, Kenyon Holcombe, Thatcher McClure, Kade Hemmert, Joao Pereira, Creighton Kukula, Hayden Lucas Middle Row: Aaron Grimm, Cole Kimble, Leon Srisamutr, Kam Kaniper, Graduate Asst. Coach Ethan Gager, Asst. Coach Adam Giger, Head Coach Matt Warren, Student Asst. Tristan Reed, Jake Proctor, Kalep Crane, Brett Buckingham Jordy Dolloff Front Row: Langston Taylor, Demarcus Harris, Luke Buckingham, Jaiden Miller, Jackson Baer, Zach Hiebert, Kreeland Avery, Fate Thiel, Xzavia McArthur, Davier Carr
PLAYER PROFILES
James Aboaba F 6’6 SR United Kingdom 13
Kalep Crane G 6’1 JR Simsboro, La. Xavier University of Louisiana 0
Kenyon Holcombe F 6’8 JR Tomball, Texas Cameron University 15
Kreeland Avery G 6’0 SO Lubbock, Texas Estacado HS 3
Jordy Dolloff G 6’0 FR Wichita, Kan. Classical School of Wichita
Kam Kaniper G 6’5 FR Perry, Kan. Perry-Lecompton HS 31
Jackson Baer G 6’1 FR Jupiter, Fla. Jupiter HS 20
Aaron Grimm G 5’10 FR Santa Fe, Texas Santa Fe HS
Cole Kimble G 6’1 FR Stilwell, Okla. Stilwell HS
Brett Buckingham G 6’1 FR Wichita, Kan. Classical School of Wichita
Demarcus Harris G 5’8 FR Atlanta, Ga. Georgia Cyber Academy
Creighton Kukula G 6’4 FR Elbing, Kan. Berean Academy
Luke Buckingham G 5’11 JR Wichita, Kan. Classical School of Wichita 22
Kade Hemmert G 6’4 SR Oakley, Kan. Oakley HS 11
Hayden Lucas G 6’ 2 FR Leander, Texas Leander High School
Davier Carr G 5’7 FR Ringling, Okla. Ringling HS
Zach Hiebert G 6’1 SO Bakersfield, Calif. Bakersfield Christian HS 21
Jordan Maxfield F 6’5 JR Fullerton, Neb. Fullerton High School
Xzavia McArthur G 5’8 FR Springfield, Mo. Parkview High School
Langston Taylor G 5’10 SO Lancaster, Calf. Quartz Hill High School
Thatcher McClure F 6’7 SO McKinney, Texas McKinney HS 10
Fate Thiel G 5’9 FR Hinton, Okla. Hinton High School
Jaiden Miller G 6’0 FR Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Palm Beach Prep 5
Jack Voth G 6’6 FR Wilmington, N.C. Hoggard HS 2
Joao Maria Serra Pereira F 6’5 JR Portugal
Drew Wertenberger G 6’1 FR Wichita, Kan. Trinity Academy
Jake Proctor G 6’3 FR Hesston, Kan. Hesston HS 4
Shan Williams Jr. G 6’1 SO Chanute, Kan. Chanute High School
Leon Srisamutr G 6’3 SR Manchester, UK OnPoint Hoops Academy 23
Tristan Reed Student Assistant Coach SR Hillsboro, Kan. Hillsboro High School
COACHING STAFF INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
David Kroeker Head Coach
Dave Kroeker is entering his 23nd season as the head Track and Field coach for the Bluejays. A 1978 graduate of Tabor College, Kroeker earned his B.A. in Business Administration/ Economics from Tabor. He later earned his M.B.A. from the University of Kansas in 1986.
Kroeker was a multi-sport athlete during his time as a Bluejay, competing in football, basketball, and baseball. He has also coached football, cross country, men’s basketball, and serves as a professor in the business department at Tabor. Kroeker has several years of high school coaching under his belt as well, coaching several different sports including football, basketball, track and field, and softball.
Kroeker is a USATF Level II Coach in the throws and multis. During his time leading the Bluejays, Kroeker has been named the KCAC Track and Field Coach of the Year on seven occasions (men: 2004, 2012, women: 2003, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2021).
He has coached a number of talented athletes in his tenure at Tabor including many conference champions and NAIA AllAmericans in the 800m, 1000m, high jump, 400m hurdles, shot put, discus, javelin, triple jump, and the 60m hurdles.
Kroeker’s goal in coaching is to help athletes improve, both athletically and spiritually, challenging them to get better and to grow spiritually in their understanding of who they are in Christ. Kroeker covets the times that he gets to share with his athletes, especially being able to talk about the Bible, God, and how those things make a difference in his life and can make a positive difference in their lives.
Kroeker and his wife, Kim, have been married for 45 years. They have four adult children, all who graduated from Tabor College and all were four-year athletes at Tabor. They are also the proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren.
Ken Christensen Assistant Coach
Ken Christensen begins his 21st season coaching Tabor’s hurdlers, sprinters, and relays. Coach Christensen has enjoyed both a storied track career personally as well as coaching two Olympians: Blaine Lindgren, 1964 Silver Medalist in the 110M hurdles, and Tiffany Lott, 2004 Olympic Heptathlete.
Christensen’s personal track accomplishments include equaling the world record in the 100-yard dash at 9.3 seconds in 1957 and winning three gold medals in the 100-meter dash at the three different World Senior Games.
He has coached many national champions and has been a guest speaker at track and field clinics. He retired in the Hillsboro area from his home state of St. George, Utah.
Andy Shewey Assistant Coach
Shewey begins his 22nd season coaching the Bluejay high jumpers. He is a native of Fairview, Okla., and a Tabor College graduate. All of the current indoor and outdoor school records in the high jump were achieved by men and women that Shewey coached. He has had both men and women NAIA AllAmericans as well as numerous KCAC conference champions in his coaching career at Tabor.
Andy has been married to his wife Kerry for 37 years. They have two adult sons, Clay and Grant.
Rylan Hincher Assistant Coach
Rylan Hincher is entering his fifth year as an assistant track coach for the Bluejays, working with the middle and distant runners. Hincher is also the head coach for the Bluejay men and women’s cross country teams. He came to Tabor from Montreat College in Montreat, N.C., where he was a four-year letterwinner and three-year captain.
Hincher was named to the Appalachian Athletic Conference all-freshmen team and selected as an All-Conference performer in 2016 and 2017. During the 2018 season, Hincher was a national qualifier in cross country for Montreat. In his first year as a graduate assistant, Hincher helped lead Tabor women’s cross country to a third-place finish at the KCAC Cross Country Championship, while qualifying two women for nationals.
An Exercise Science major, Hincher graduated with his B.S. in May 2019 and is a USATF Level I Certified Coach.
Rylan married Lindsay in October 2020 and they continue to live in Hillsboro.
Jeff Penner
Graduate Assistant Coach
Jeff Penner grew up in Ingalls, Kansas. He played for and graduated from Tabor College in 2002 with a degree in Secondary Social Science Education. He also was a student assistant coach during the 2001 football season. After a few seasons, Coach Penner joined Coach Gardner’s staff for the 200405 seasons. During this time Tabor College won its first Conference Championship and first Playoff game in its history. Over the last fifteen years, Coach Penner lived in Kansas, North Carolina, and Oklahoma working several different occupations in teaching, coaching, and agriculture. Coach Penner returns to Tabor College to pursue a Master’s Degree and return to coaching at the collegiate level.
LEARN MORE
Back Row: Kaitlyn Drake, Andelyn Johnson, Sarah Miser, Ali House, Sonya Zimmerman, Windi Holmes, Julianna Maxfield, Hannah Grover, Kaylee Deangelis Middle Row: Andrea Serrano, Allison Johnson, Asst. Coach Rylan Hincher, Head Coach Dave Kroeker, Asst. Coach Ken Christensen, Asst. Coach Andy Shewey, D’myla Cox, Aubrey Bahner Front Row: Sydnee Gardner, Adrienne Selzer, Brooke Wiebe, Sasha Wasinger, Danielle Allison, Allie Von Leonrod, Sarah Dark, Adelia Janssen
PLAYER PROFILES
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Danielle Allison SR Oakley, Kan. Oakley HS Mid-Distance
Sydnee Gardner SO Wichita, Kan.
Wichita Northwest HS Mid-Distance
Andelyn Johnson JR Oakley, Kan. Oakley HS Throws
Sasha Wasinger JR Hays, Kan.
Thomas More Prep-Marian HS Throws
Aubrey Bahner JR Topeka, Kan. Silver Lake HS Distance
Hannah Grover FR Valley Center, Kan. Valley Center HS Mid-Distance
Serrano JR Garden City, Kan. Garden City Community College Distance
Kaitlyn Drake FR Moran, Kan. Marmaton Valley HS Jumps
Allison Johnson JR Wichita, Kan. Wichita North HS Distance
Von
FR Dighton, Kan. Dighton HS Jumps/Sprints
Andrea
Allie
Leonrod
Back Row: Brandon Geyer, Darren Klukas, Ryan Stade, Xavier Lee, Vance Shewey, Caleb Wehrman, Joshua Garcia, Trevor Brokar Middle Row: Apostolo Zuniga, Taegan Gallagher, Nicholas Green, Asst. Coach Rylan Hincher, Head Coach Dave Kroeker, Asst. Coach Ken Christensen, Asst. Coach Andy Shewey, Justin Morwood, Lane Hargrove, Matthew Veloz Front Row: Jerah Schmidt, Chase Nash, Ryan Villarreal, Logan Dybowski, Tyrel Haynes, Nick Montoya, Dillon Callaway, Ali Cannon, Tyler Seeley,
Darren Klukas FR Chapman, Kan. Chapman HS Distance
Seeley JR New Deal, Texas New Deal HS Distance
Joshua Garcia JR Tomball, Texas Klein Cain HS Throws
Xavier Lee SO Sherman, Texas Sherman HS Jumps/Sprints
Shewey JR Meade, Kan. Meade HS Jumps/Sprints
www.prudenttours.com Email: hank@prudenttours.com
Jerah
Tyler
Vance
INTEGRITY Know and do what is right.
RESPECT Treating others the way you want to be treated.
RESPONSIBILITY Embrace opportunities to contribute.
SPORTSMANSHIP Bring your best to all competition.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP Serve the common good.
The vision of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character program is to change the culture of sport. Its mission is to provide training to instill the values that build character so students, coaches and parents know, do and value the right thing on and off the field.
Research shows that the longer a student spends in sports, their social reasoning – sacrificing for the good of the team – rises.
The Champions of Character program helps participants find the balance by keeping five core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership – at the heart of the athletics experience. Students learn to understand how the values play out in both practice and competition. Coaches are taught how to intentionally define, model, shape and reinforce the values through their coaching and mentoring. Parents learn how their behavior is key to supporting their athletes.
For more than a decade, Champions of Character has been making a difference in developing athletes, coaches and parents of character.
Tabor College is committed to partnering with the NAIA to advancing character-driven athletics.
www.flickr.com/photos/taborcollege/albums
CHEERLEADING
Back Row: Asst. Coach Rylee Yoder, Riley Collins, Megan Jost, Victoria Kaiser, Haley Peake, Gracie Kidd, Head Coach Krista Matlock Front Row: Brooklyn Schroeder, Hadley Clark, Lexi Milne, Hayli Foland, D’Myia Cox, Megan Buerger, Melissa Salazar, Casira Angel
Krista Matlock
Head Coach
Matlock moved to Hillsboro from Southern California seven years ago and brings 15 years of cheer and dance experience to the Bluejay squad. Matlock has coached two different high schools, worked with competitive cheer, and also served as a choreographer for other cheer squads. She has also had the opportunity to consult overseas for cheer and dance as well.
Matlock currently owns Studio 23, located in Hillsboro. The studio allows her the opportunity to build relationships through teaching dance. She has been married to her husband, Jeremy, for 15 years and they have four children, Ashtyn (12), Graham (11), Claire (9), and Pierce (6 months).
Rylee Yoder
Assistant Coach
Yoder has extensive cheer experience, cheering at both Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University. She graduated from Wichita State University Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (B.S.D.H) and Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Yoder also competed at UCA Nationals with Pratt Community College. She started her own gymnastics program in high school and she has coached tumbling and cheer classes in several different gyms over the last decade.
Rylee and her husband, Jacob, have been married for ten years and are very active members of the Hillsboro community. They currently reside outside of Peabody with their children Ryker, Tanynn, Asher and Archer.
Casira Angel Base 5’1 Jr. Clovis, Calif.
Mount San Jacinto College HS
Megan Jost Back Spot 5’7 Jr. Hillsboro, Kan. Hillsboro HS
Megan Buerger Flier 5’3 So. Hondo, Texas Hondo HS
Victoria Kaiser Back Spot 5’7 Sr. Derby, Kan. Rose Hill HS
KCAC Coach of the Year Rylan Hincher Women’s Cross Country
118 Academic All KCAC Selections
19 Teams made Tabor College a NAIA Champion of Character Gold Star Institution
13 National Championship Appearances
6 All Americans
1
87 Scholar Athletes CSC Athlete
1Nathan Heilig Player of the week
3.190 is the 2022-23 cumulative GPA for all Tabor athletes
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