2015 athletic newsletter may 1 2015

May 1, 2015 – Issue 1

COUGAR

BULLETIN Newsletter The Latest in Cougar Athletic News

All-American

After outstanding season, Havili becomes one of 17 Cougars to be NJCAA all-American

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NCC’s Lille Havili never thought about being an NJCAA all-American.

And she was surprised when her teammates congratulated her on being an NJCAA second team all-American. When she went looking herself, sure enough Havili, the 5-foot-1 post player from Salt Lake City, Utah, found her name on the all-American list.

Havili becomes the third straight women’s basketball player to earn all-American honors.

Ashley

Stevens was named honorable mention last year and Gritt Ryder was named second team in 2013.

The honor definitely caught Havili off guard.

“Being named second team All-American this year was super exciting to hear about,” she said. “I would have never thought I could have been that good to be named an All-American. I honestly did not hear about any of it until I heard it from my teammates. I wasn’t expecting it at all so it did catch me by surprise.”

Havili becomes the 17th player in Cougar women’s basketball history to be all-American. Tatiana Conceicao (200304) and Shana Coleman (2002-03) were first team selections. Havili joins just five players from WNCC to be second team.

Havili had quite a season, leading the team in points (13.4) and rebounds (7.4).

Havili was 18th in the country in field goal percentage at 57.4. She scored in double figures in 25 of the 33 games she played in, helping the Cougars to a 31-3 record and a third straight regional title.

Havili’s shooting range was varied, who could knock down not only the shots inside the paint, but also step out and hit buckets by the key. Still, Havili knows that her strength lies with her inside game.

“I felt more of a threat inside than I did outside because I think I have strength that other posts do not have and that is a big advantage for me,” she said. “I also like the inside more because it gives me a better opportunity to rebound in a better position than if I were to be playing outside. I did like playing outside sometimes but not as much as playing inside.”

Her dominance in the

WNCC All-Americans 1st Team All-American Tatiana Conceicao (2003-04) Shana Coleman (2002-03) 2nd Team All-American Lile Havili (2014-15) Gritt Ryder (2012-13) Simone Santos (2004-05) Thais Celeberto (2001-02) Renee Rayton (1992-93) 3rd Team All-American Melantha Herron (1999-2000) Honorable Mention All-American Ashley Stevens (2013-14) Shaquilah Davis (2008-09) Thais Celeberto (2001-02) Carissa Goeglin (2000-01) Corrissa Johnson (1998-99) Becky Maclennan (1997-98) Audrey Flageolle (1995-96) Shannon St. Martin (1994-95) Chalae Collard (1993-94) paint was a big reason for the Cougars’ success the past two years. Havili finishes her career at WNCC with 836 points, which ranks fifth all-time just two points behind Stormye Everett. She also pulled down 453 boards, ranking seventh.

“I think I have had a great two years,” she said. “ I didn’t think I was going to start as a freshman so that was also a surprise for me last year.”

Havili carries many memories with her the last two seasons.

“Last year’s memories that I can remember is losing two games we could have won,” she said. “I think that [those two losses] helped us as a team to realize to never underestimate another team. I do

Continued on next page

After outstanding season, Havili becomes one of 17 Cougars to be NJCAA all-American Continued from previous page think that taking those losses brought us together better and helped us end our season successfully.” `The biggest memory for her through, during her freshman year, was winning the first-round game at nationals against State Fair Community College.

“Coming back and taking that win was one of the greatest memories I will ever have playing basketball for WNCC,” she said.

As for this year, it was the two wins against NJC, especially after the Plainswomen topped the Cougars on a buzzer-beater on the Cougar’s home court.

“One of the greatest memories I will remember from this year is playing NJC the second time on their floor to see who will host the regional tournament,” she said. “Taking that win was a great success we made as a team because I felt that we wanted it more.

Not only did we take that win from them to host the region tournament, we had to take another win from them in the championship game of the tournament. So that was a great memory to have from this year.”

Havili will now take her talents to the next level, signing to play Division I ball with University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (currently Texas-Pan American).

“I loved that I got to be here these last two years,” she said. “I loved being able to take region with my team both years.”

Havili was one of three Region IX players to make all-American. Otero’s Celia Garcia and Sheridan’s Tiana Hanson were both tabbed honorable mention selections.

All in the Numbers

12

Region IX titles that the women’s basketball team has won since 1993. This year’s title was the second time the team has 3-peated twice.

18

The 18 runs the baseball team scored on April 25 against Miles is the most runs the team as scored in a game since 2006 and that was 21 runs.

Staying warm

49

is the number of Region IX championships the Cougars have won in the seven active sports. Volleyball leads the pack with 17 titles followed next by men’s and women’s basketball with 12 each.

106

WNCC men’s basketball coach Russ Beck captured his 100th career victory this past year.

Beck now has 106 in his six years at WNCC.

All bundled up to stay warm while watching the Cougar baseball game with Colorado State University on April 1. The Cougar men defeated CSU Club 5-0 on the cold evening.

On the Cover:

WNCC softball player Lindsay Guymon gives her dorm daughter Taylor Klein a hug during dorm parent recognition during the April 22 home game.

Number of walks the baseball team has through games played April 26.

739

121

The total amount of wins that women’s basketball caoch Dave Harnish as accumulated during his 27 years at WNCC.

20

Questions

with Hannah Gonzales

Hannah Gonzales is a sophomore catcher from Pueblo, Colo. Gonzales was excited for her sophomore season and had hopes to making a positive contribution. That all ended on the first road trip when she ended up with a break in her leg. To say the least, she couldn’t make that and has been sidelined ever since mending her broken leg. She plans to attend the University of Colorado State-Pueblo next year and not play softball next year.

Gonzales is one of those players that will do anything on and off the court. Take a read to what makes Gonzales standout as well as her experience of coming back from that early February leg injury to what she thinks of WNCC and the Cougar softball program in the first installment of 20 Questions.

First off, you are coming back from an injury, how is that coming along?

HG: The injury sucks because it is my sophomore year and I choose not to play after this year. No, my last year of playing is kind of over without it even starting.

It was a freak accident, too?

HG: No one would ever have predicted that I would break my leg getting on a bus.

It was a freak accident and you can’t really describe it any other way.

You are making great strides coming back from the injury right now, too?

HG: I am trying to work out and do what I can to play before the end ofthe season.

As of right know, the way it looks with the doctors, they don’t want me to push too hard. They don’t think I will be able to play at all, but I am going to do my best to maybe get one game or one at bat in.

One of the biggest things happened to you on sophomore recognition. Talk about the surprise that you had to start and catch one pitch. How special was that?

HG: It was really special for me because I went in under the impression that I wasn’t going to be able to play because of what the doctor said. So, coach allowing me to play was a big surprise and huge for me personally because this is my last year of playing ball and I didn’t think I was going to get on the field.

So, you still are involved, but you are stuck with doing stats on Gamechanger and announcing. What do you enjoy the most between the those two?

HG: Neither. I guess stats because I have a really raspy voice so announcing sucks. It is hard because I can’t be very loud. I have a very unigue voice, so trying to be loud without squeaking is hard to do.

And, you were hoping to be contributing a lot this year, too?

HG: I worked really hard in the fall and in the winter to work for a starting spot. I really thought I had improved. What happened put all that to an end.

Next year you won’t be playing but just attending Colorado State-Pueblo, right?

HG: I got into the athletic training program over there and I am just going to go to school.

There is no chance of helping out the softball team at CSU-Pueblo?

HG: Originally, I kind of wanted to, but I have to get a job, so will see how that goes.

I applied for a job at a physical therapy office. If I get that i don’t know if I will have the time for school and work. But, as of right know, I am planning on helping out.

Were you planning on going into athletic training when you came here?

HG: When I first game here, I wanted to be an engineer and go into engineering.

When I got here, I had a lot of problems with my knees and I was in the training

Continued on next page

20 Queations with Hannah Gonzales Continued from previous page room a lot. So, being around Doug [Jones] and being around the training room and learning all that stuff changed my interest and made me want to go into athletic training.

So Doug is your inspiration to go into athletic training?

HG: Doug is the influence of why I want to do it.

What are your plans with being an athletic trainer?

HG: I kind of want to go a little bit higher.

My ultimate goal is I want to do an NFL team because I like football and I think it would be really cool to be around those types of injuries, because those are like freak accidents. But, being a female that is kind of smaller, I don’t think they will higher a 5-foot-2 girl as an athletic trainer on a NFL team. If I don’t get that, I would want to do something with college sports, but more inline with Division I. Any NFL teams you would like to be a part of?

HG: Any. It doesn’t matter. I just like the sport.

What is the best part of being a part of the Cougar softball program?

HG: I really like the team atmosphere this year. All of us sophomores are really close from last year, but the relationships among the team, I feel, is close. That has a lot ot do with the team chemistry on the field.

The softball program is very demanding but it helps you in regular life, too?

HG: Coach Winn does a really good job of preparing us for life and being a good person. I really like that. That really helps me understand things that maybe I don’t understand coming in.

What have been some of the funniest

In a special start, Hannah Gonzales got to start and catch the first pitch in the game with North Platte Community College on April 19 during sophomore recognition day. things that has happened on the team this year?

HG: Andy’s [Hancock] laugh is kind of funny. That gets a chuckle out of everyone.

TV I watch ever.

How many sports did you play in high school?

HG : I just played softball.

Have you enjoyed your two years here?

HG: Yes. I am excited to be moving on but I am sad that I am leaving because this has been my home for the last two years. I have made really good relationships with a lot of my teammates. It is going to be different not seeing them every day and having those close relationships.

Do you have any hobbies?

HG: I like to read.

What is your favorite book?

HG. I like “Rose Madder” by Stephen King.

What are you reading know?

HG: I am reading “Mind Gym.” Favorite TV Show?

HG: [Without hesitation] Law and Order: SVU. That is all I watch. That is the only

Favorite movie?

HG: The Sandlot.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in the two years here?

HG: I broke my leg and I had to learn to use crutches. And, when I was on the crutches, I slipped on the ice and fell and a lot of people saw it. It was really embarrassing. I just walked outside and down I went.

Any story ideas, pictures, or updates on former Cougar athletes, send the information to Mark at mrein@wncc.net. Cougar athlete alumni, also send updates what you are doing.

Gering’s Palomo signs to play at WNCC Mitchell’s Bo McVay also signs letter of intent after a gray-shirt season with WNCC last year WNCC’s men’s basketball coach Russ Beck started off his recruiting by signing two local products on April 8, the first day high school basketball players could sign.

Gering’s Joses Palomo and Mitchell’s Bo McVay made it official as both were given letter of intents to play for the Cougars next year. Palomo was a two-year starter for the Bulldogs, while McVay Bo McVay used a gray-shirt season at the college last year, where he practiced with the team to get a grip on college basketball.

Beck said both will be instrumental in the rebuilding of the Cougar program.

“It is really important for the community to see these young men step into this level of basketball,” he said. “I want the community to support them. We feel like we got two of the better basketball players that have been in the area the past years.

We are excited about their growth and their opportunity they have to be a part of the Cougar tradition.”

Both players picked WNCC because it is a good starting point for them.

“Ever since I was young and moved here to Nebraska, I always wanted to come and be a Cougar,” Palomo said. “I like the way they get to shoot and pass the ball around.

They work as a team, I like the coach, and I know I can fit in here as a player.”

Palomo was looking at two other schools, including Trinidad State Junior College. But after talking to Beck, Palomo made the decision easy, especially since it was close to home.

“I had to think about [going away to school] and I talked to my dad about it,”

Gering’s Joses Palomo signs a letter of intent to play basketball for the Cougar men’s basketball team on April 8. he said. “I think it was a good decision and I am glad I will be here and be a Cougar.”

Palomo helped Gering to an 12-11 record this past year and he had a number of games where he poured in over 20 points a game. In a game against Mitchell in December, Palomo connected on seven 3-pointers. Palomo is excited about getting better as a player and playing with other basketball starts to help his game.

“It will be fun [playing up here],” he said. “I know Bo and I played against him in high school. I watched a lot of the other guys here that will be returning and I know they will be good team and it will be fun to get on the court with them.”

Palomo, who plans to major in criminal justice, said while he will miss all of his high school basketball teammates, he is looking forward to the next level of competition.

“I will miss all the guys I played with and the guys were fun to play with. I also will miss being a high school student,” he said. “I know there is more time to put in for men’s basketball an up because this is no kids basketball anymore. You have to man up and grow up more and I am ready to do that.”

McVay spent last season as part of the Cougar basketball program as a gray-

shirt player this past season. McVay was a standout player for Mitchell two years ago.

The 6-foot-3 McVay said taking that year off and just working with the team paid dividends for him.

“I think I learned a lot by sitting out a year,” he said. “The tempo is so much different from high school. That year sitting out helped me adjust a lot and I am happy that I spent a year sitting out to get better.

It is night and day from high school to college.”

Not playing last year helped him to adjust and he understands the system and what Beck wants from his players.

“I gray-shirted this year so I got to spend a lot of time with the team. I made some good bonds and learned the system really well,” he said. “I know the coaches want what is best of us and I really learned what we can do as a team and a unit.”

At Mitchell two years ago, McVay was a 3-sport star playing football, basketball, and golf. He weighed whether to do basketball or golf in college, and it came down to where his heart was.

“Basketball has always been one of my favorite sports,” he said. “I kind of went back and forth between golf and basketball . Once I looked deep down and looked into my heart, my heart has always been in basketball.”

WNCC offering several camps this year The WNCC athletic department will be offering several camps this spring, starting the end of April and running through July.

WNCC started the camp season with a softball camp on Sunday, April 26, where 45 girls participated.

The camps will pick up in May with four mini basketball camps that the men’s program will put on. Each camp costs $25 and runs for two hours. The first camp is for youngsters in grades Kindergarten through third grade and will be held Friday, May 22 from 4-6 p.m.

The second camp is for youngsters in the 4th-6th grades and will be held Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. - noon.

The third game is for individuals in the 7th-9th grades and will be held Friday, May 29 from 4-6 p.m.

The final camp will be held Saturday, May 30 for individuals in the 10-12th grades and will be held from 10 a.m. to noon.

The camps will be located at Cougar Palace and there will be different prizes each day. The camp will be instructed by WNCC head coach Russ Beck, assistant coach Louis Truscott, and former and current men’s bas-

Spring and Summer Athletic Camps

May 22, 23, 29, 30 -- basketball Camps, 4-6 p.m. and 10 a.m.-12 noon. See flyers.

May 26-29 -- Baseball Camp at 23 Club Fields. Ages 7-14 from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. Cost is $50.

June 15-18 -- Girls Basketball Camp at Cougar Palace. Grades 1st through from 9 to 12 noon. Cost is $50.

July 6-7 -- Volleyball Team Camp at Cougar Palace. Varsity and Junior Varsity teams. Cost 30 per participant.

July 8 -- Little Kids Volleyball Camp at Cougar Palace. 3rd - 5th grades. Cost $70.

July 13-14 -- Individual Skills Volleyball Camp for 6th-8th grades. Cost is $70 July 15-16 -- Setters/Hitters Camp for 7th-9th grades. Cost is $100.

July 20-21 -- Individuals Skills Camp for 9th-12th grades. Cost is $70.

July 22-23 -- Setters, Hitters, & Liberos Camp for 10-th-12 grades. Cost is $100.

July 27-31 -- Soccer Camp 1 for recreational players at Landers Soccer Complex. Cost is $90 ($70 for ages 8 and under). Camp runs from 9-12 noon.

July 27-31 -- Soccer Camp 2 for advanced, competitive players at Landers Soccer Complex. Cost is $90 and runs from 5-8 p.m.

ketball players.

For more information on the camp, email Coach Beck at beckr@wncc.edu.

Another camp in May will be a baseball camp. This camp will run Tuesday through

Continued on next page

Cougar Athletes of the Week

Female Athletes of the Week

Aug. 31..... Steph Massanet, vball Sept. 7.... Raeann Sanchez soccer Sept. 14........Kylie Fa’amoe, vball Sept. 21........... Leticia Silva, vball Sept. 28... Fabiana Andrade, vball Oct. 5.............. Ciara Nice, soccer Oct. 12... Aiyanna Grubac, soccer Oct. 19....Kennedy Lawes, soccer Oct. 26..........R. McCracken, vball Nov. 2..........Lyndie Puckett, bball Nov. 9...... Fabiana Andrade, vball Nov. 16................ Abi Lujan, bball Nov. 23................Lile Havili, bball Nov. 30.................................... NA Dec. 7........ Teesh Richards, bball Dec. 14........Lyndie Puckett, bball Jan. 11..... Kalli Fedderesen, bball Jan. 18.................. Lili Havili, bball Jan. 25............. Angela Vigil, bball Feb. 1..........Lyndie Puckett, bball Feb. 8.............. Angela Vigil, bball Feb. 15........ Jessica Ball, softball

Feb. 22............ Yeliz Dogan, bball March 1...............Lile Havili, bball March 8............... Abi Lujan, bball March 15... Jordan Smith, softball March 22..... Jessica Ball, softball March 39.Whitney Fields, softball April 5.........Alysa Linford, softball April 12...Kelsey Bernhardt, softball April 19...... Kenzie Sawyer, softball April 26..... Courtney Cloud, softball May 3...............................................

Male Athletes of the Week

Aug. 31.Sage Pemberton, soccer Sept. 7.............Isac Block, soccer Sept. 14......... Ivan Sakou, soccer Sept. 21.... David Hernandez, soccer Sept. 28......... Ivan Sakou, soccer Oct. 5... David Hernandez, soccer Oct. 12..... Mark Campbell, soccer Oct. 19......Omar Guzman, soccer Oct. 26.. Sage Pemberton, soccer Nov. 2.. Preston Christensen, bball

Nov. 9..... Damion Rashford, bball Nov. 16.. Preston Christensen, bball Nov. 23........Diante Mitchell, bball Nov. 30.......... Tyler Crosbie, bball Dec. 7............. Davis Carter, bball Dec. 14... Damion Rashfrod, bball Jan. 11.........Diante Mitchell, bball Jan. 18........... Tyler Crosbie, bball Jan. 25.......... Jalen Griffiths, bball Feb. 1..... Damion Rashford, bball Feb. 8........... Chase Mason, bball Feb. 15.. Preston Christensen, bball Feb. 22......... Jalen Griffiths, bball March 1.. Damion Rashford, bball March 8.......Diante Mitchell, bball March 15.Matt Maestas, baseball March 22..... Joe Moran, baseball March 39.Jayden Holman, baseball April 5...Austin Michaud, baseball April 12........ Luke Popp, baseball April 19. Landon Lybeck, baseball April 26..... Oscar Perez, baseball May 3............................................

WNCC offering camps this year including softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball and soccer Continued from previous page Friday May 26-29 at the 23 Club Baseball fields in Scottsbluff. The camp is for ages 7-14 and runs from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost of the camp is $50 and includes a T-shirt.

For more information on the camp, contact baseball coach Mike Jones at jonesm@wncc.edu.

The girls basketball camp will be held June 15-18 at Cougar Palace. This camp will for girls in grades 1st through 9th. The cost of the camp is $50 per camper and includes a T-shirt and pizza on Thursday. The camp will run form 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Last year’s camp had nearly 60 girls taking part in the camp.

For more information on this camp, contact women’s basketball coach Dave Harnish at dharnish@wncc.edu.

The final camps will be several volleyball camps in the month of July.

The first camp will be a Team Camp on July 6 & 7, where varsity and junior varsity teams will play games. Cost is $30 per participant.

The second camp will be a Little Kids Camp for individuals from 3rd - 5th grades on July 8. The time of the camp will be from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. Cost of the camp is $70 and includes a T-shirt.

The third camp is a Individual Skills Camp July 13-14 for 6th8th grade students. This camp is $70 and includes a T-shirt. It also runs from 8:30-11:30 and 12:30-3:30 both days.

Cougar Culture

Real definition of Gargalesis is “heavy tickling to parts of the body that causes extreme laughter and jumpiness.

Austin Michaud

Alysa Linford

The next camp will be a Setters and Hitters Camp on July 15-16.

This camp is for students in the 7th-9th grades and costs $100 per camper. This camp will also focus a lot on setting and hitting. Time is from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m.

There will also be an Individuals Skills Camp for students in the 9th-12th grades on July 20 & 21. The came is $70 and runs the same time as the other individual camps.

The last volleyball camp is a Setters, Hitters, and Liberos camp for 10th-12th grade students on July 22 & 23. Cost is $100 per participant and runs the same time as previous camps.

For more information on the volleyball camps, contact volleyball coach Binny Canales at canalesa@wncc.edu.

The last set of camps will be soccer camps July 27-31. Soccer coach Todd Rasnic will hold two camps that week. The first is for recreational players from 9 a.m. to noon and costs &90 for ages 9 and older and $70 for 8-under.

The second camp runs from 5-8 p.m. and is for advanced and competitive players. This camp costs $90 for all players. Also, if players sign up for both camps, the cost is just $160. The camps will take place at Landers Soccer Complex.

For more information on the soccer camps, contact soccer coach Todd Rasnic at rasnict@wncc.edu.

All camp registration forms can be found online at WNCC. edu and then Cougar Athletics.

Brett McPhail

Kelsey Bernhardt

Beth Beeston

Favorite Movie of all Time

Hercules (Disney version)

Remember the Titans

The Sandlot

Wreck It Ralph

Kung-Fu Panda

What does Gargalesis mean

A Fruit Salad

Gargling Salt Watter

An Overweight Hippo

Vomiting

When you gargle water

Favorite Baseball Player

Alex Gordon

Jackie Robinson

Corey Dickerson

Todd Hilton

Who will be the next President of the USA

Brett McPhail

Not Hilary Clinton

Doug Jones, ATC

Hillary Clinton

Troy Tulowitski

Mitt Romey

T

Remembering Brittany

he evening of April 9 was an emotional night for the WNCC soccer players and other students who paid respect to former teammate from 2013 Brittany Scadlock, who passed away over Spring Break while serving a Mormon mission in Argentina.

Scadlock, who was the leading scorer her freshman season in 2013, had plans on returning to WNCC to finish her soccer career. That, unfortunately, won’t be the case after the 19-year-old Utah native suddenly passed away. WNCC coach Todd Rasnic said that her No. 28 jersey will be retired because of the person that Scadlock was on and off the field.

While Scadlock’s memorial service was held in Utah on March 30, many of her teammates still wanted to pay respect. So, Thursday night, April 9, the players got together with a large banner to sign and pay respect for a teammate that they respected and cared deeply for.

During the evening get together, after everyone signed the banner, those in attendance sat motionless, quiet where one could hear a pin drop, as they reflected back on when Brittany at WNCC her freshman year 2013-14.

Many of the soccer players remembered her with emotional writings on the sixfoot banner that featured pictures of Brittany when she played her. Some of the comments included, “Thank you for making my stay on my visit enjoyable. Thank you for all your selfless acts in Argentina. Hope you are playing up on God’s field in Heaven!”

Other comments that were wrote on the banner include “I was so luck I got to call you a friend. I’ll always look to your example. Love you Britt!”

And another one read “Britt, it was an honor to know you!! We sure do miss you!

We love you so much. You’re amazing.”

A couple of others include “I love you and miss you more than you will ever know. I don’t know what I am going to do without you. Love you buddy.”

Another one read, “Some Angels fall, but you were one to rise above the rest.”

Brittany was a star on the soccer field, a star off the field, and she will be a star shining bright above. And, one last message sums up what she meant to her teammates. “We love you Britt! Look after everyone else up there for me! A star shines brighter every night because of you.”

(top) WNCC students, including many of her former teammates and also some freshman players, sit quit as they reflect on what Brittany Scadlock meant to them. (middle right) Jordyn Siedel lays her head on Sydnee Edwards’ shoulder as they look at the Brittany banner. (botton) Mark Campbell was one to write a message.

Three WNCC basketball sign to go DI The Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball’s Lile Havili, Abi Lujan, and Yeliz Dogan achieved their goals on April 15 when the three sophomores all signed letter of intents to play at the NCAA Division I level.

Havili, who was a second team NJCAA All-American, is headed to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, while Dogan will be taking her talents to Rider University in New Jersey. Lujan will be staying closer to WNCC, staying in Nebraska, inking with the University of Nebraska Omaha.

All three are excited for their step up to the Division I level and have their dreams come true of playing at the Division I level.

“It is huge [that us three are going to play Division I],” Lujan said. “Coming here our dreams was Division I and people would ask what schools were looking at you. We would say we want to go Division I and that was our dream right from the beginning. We knew that if we won regionals and went on to nationals we could make those other dreams come true. That is why you work so hard with each other every day.”

The dream has come true for these three. The other two sophomores, Lyndie Puckett and Angela Vigil are also looking to play next year, too. The five sophomores have compiled a 62-8 two-year record.

Havili, Lujan, and Dogan said they worked hard the last two years to make that dream of playing at the Division I level come true.

Lujan, who played at Highlands Ranch and was coached my former Gering High and University of Nebraska player Brooke Schwartz, said when she visited UNO, it felt just like WNCC. “UNO was my very first visit and when I went there, it was home and I felt the same way when I visited here,” the Brighton, Colo., native said. “I knew right away where I want to spend my next two years at. It just felt right.”

Havili said her decision to go to the Texas school was the fact that the coach has sent 40 players overseas to play basketball and is one of her dreams.

“I choose to go there because I want to

WNCC women’s basketball players players Lile Havili, Yeliz Dogan, and Abi Lujan all sign their Division I papers. Havili will head to Texas Pan American, Dogan to Rider University, and Lujan to Nebraska Omaha. play overseas and I believe this coach will really help me get there,” she said. “I was looking at some other schools (some other Division I and Division II) but I felt like this was the best one for me.”

For Dogan, who came to WNCC from Turkey, she said she has improved a lot in her two years at WNCC. She is going to Rider not only for basketball but also to get an education.

“I decided to go there because of the education,” the sports psychology major said. “When I went on the visit, I liked it there. I was looking at other schools (some DIIs and a couple other D1s). That was my first visit to the school.”

Another big factor in Dogan’s decision is Rider watched her at nationals and they were interested in her services even though she sprained her ankle at the national tournament and didn’t play a lot.

“They were the only team that watched me actually right before I rolled my ankle while practicing,” she said. “I believe everything happens for a reason. I am a believer and I feel that [me rolling my ankle] was a sign to go with Rider.”

Lujan, who was named to the Region IX All-region defensive team, said her time here was special. She said playing with Dogan and Havili really helped her mold her game.

“Playing with them helped me a lot be-

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Puckett signs to play at Colorado Christian Lyndie Puckett, who holds the 3-point record for treys in a season, career, and a game, will also be taking her shooting skills to the next level after signing with Colorado Christian University, a Division II school in Denver in late April Puckett said she picked CCU because of its nursing program and its small school atmosphere.

“I chose CCU because it has a really good nursing program and it’s a smaller college which I like because there’s more one on one interaction,” she said. “I also like the environment of a Christian college to help me grow, not only in academics and sports, but in my faith as well. I am really excited

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Watching and waiting ...

Puckett signs to play at Colorado Christian Continued from previous page

A WNCC batter watches the pitch to make contact, while the two on-deck batters watch, in unison, the pitch so they know what kind of pitches to expect when they get to the plate during the McCook game on April 28.

to continue playing basketball and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me in the next two years at CCU.” Puckett finished last season with 82 treys, including nine in a game against Otero in December, that broke the school record.

“Setting all of the 3-point records at WNCC is a big accomplishment for me,” she said. “I never imagined that I would’ve done this going into my sophomore year but at the beginning of the season I made a personal goal to be ranked number one in the nation for 3-point percentage.”

In her two seasons at WNCC, Puckett helped the Cougars to back-to-back Region IX championships. What she will take from her two years at WNCC is the friendships that she built.

“Some things I’m going to miss about WNCC are the relationships I’ve made both on and off the court,” she said. “I will also miss the small community that supports us night in and night out.”

Havili, Dogan, Lujan ink with D1 schools Continued from previous page cause I could give them a ball and get me an assist,” she said. “Playing with them really prepared me a lot because they are bigger bodies and playing against taller bodies you have to adjust your shot and learn to shoot so they don’t block your shot.”

Lujan was a consistent performer on the court for the Cougars last season. She averaged 6.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and turned in 119 assists and 60 steals. Her tenacity on the court, however, showed not with her scoring, but doing the other things. That is why she said her biggest thrill was getting a rebound over scoring.

“Everyone will get mad at me, but I would rather have a rebound,” she said. “I mean, anybody can score at any time, but not a lot of people want to get rebounds.

Rebounding is a desire, honestly. I feel ac-

complished, especially at nationals, in getting rebounds over bigger 6-foot-2 girls.

That is the biggest feeling because they are four inches taller than me. Out-working someone is just a good feeling.”

Havili, the team’s leader in points (13.4) and rebounds (9.7), will be joining a Division I program that is changing their name next season. Texas-Pan American will be known as the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and will also include a new mascot and colors. For Havili, though, she said the coaches were instrumental in helping her get better as a player.

“Playing here has helped me. I would say if you can play for Coach Harnish, you can play for anyone,” she said. “I will take with me just being a good teammate and supporting your teammates. Off the court, you have to be there for your teammates and getting your school work done.

Dogan, who averaged around nine points and seven rebounds a game her sophomore season, is also thankful for her time at WNCC, especially her coaches in helping her get better. She was one of the players that improved the most from her freshman to sophomore season.

“My first year here was hard for me with injuries and also hard for me to get used to American style of basketball,” she said. “After a year and I understood what the coaches wanted from me, it was hard but it works. Once you get there and put in the work, it all works out.

“I definitely have improved because I was not tough when I came here. In Turkey, the game is physical but more mental, so here I improved in being more physical on the court. I made myself tougher. Lile helped me a lot in getting me tougher and my coaches helped me.”

Seven Cougars make OWH All-Nebraska Teams Several WNCC basketball earned honors by the Omaha World Herald’s All-Nebraska JUCO team recently.

Three Cougar men and four women’s players were recognized.

The all-Nebraska JUCO women’s basketball team was led by caption of the team Lili Havili. Havili averaged 13.4 points and 7.6 rebounds a game for the Cougars in leading them to a third straight national tournament appearance.

Other WNCC Lady Cougars making the teams included Abi Lujan on the second team, and Yeliz Dogan and Lyndie Pucket as honorable mention.

The women’s first team, along with Havili, included Southeast’s BreAnna Grant and Chelseah Savage, McCook’s Chante Church, and Northeast’s Megan Trinder.

The second team consisted of Lujan,

McCook’s Lucia Archuleta, Central-Columbus’ Adrianna Beck, Northeast’s Yasmin Miller, and North Platte’s April Stull.

Honorable mention members McKenna Rossmeier, Montrese Weller, of Central-Columbus; Kendra Baucom of McCook; Janea Bunn and Ena Viso of Northeast; Aliyah Brown and Sarah Mahr of North Platte; Dionne Martin and Veshae Wilkinson of Southeast; and Yeliz Dogan and Lyndie Puckett of WNCC. The men’s basketball Omaha World Herald All-Nebraska JUCO team consisted of three Cougars.

Preston Christensen, who signed to play at Minnesota State-Mankota, earned a first team selection. Christensen averaged 17.6 points a game last season.

Diante Mitchell, who averaged 15.2 points, earned All-Nebraska JUCO second team honors.

Damon Rashford earned honorable mention status.

The men’s caption of the team was North Platte’s Cam Williams, who inked with Eastern Kentucky after the season.

Also making the first team along with Christensen and Williams were Northeast’s Buay Tuach and Jalen Bradley, and North Platte’s Marco Pascolo.

Second team members along with Mitchell included McCook’s Clint Thomas and Trey Moore, Southeast’s Altez Davis, and Northeast’s Chima Moneke.

Players making honorable mention included Thomas Johnson and Shawn Robinson of Central-Columbus; Isaac Burnham and Dominic Cain of McCook; Kevin Metoyer of Northeast; Snyder Cenecharles and Josh Stroud of Southeast; Shyquinn Dix, Riley Rice, and Matt Thomas of North Platte; and Damion Rashford of WNCC.

Future Cougars, Cougar Sophomores Headed To Other Schools Volleyball Kaylee Spreier..........................Gering, Neb. Kennedy Cyza........................Alliance, Neb. Boogie Tiumalu..................Keneohe, Hawaii Lara Picht............... Brandenburg, Germany Venirez Vazquez..........Caguas, Puerto Rico Barbara Rabanal.........................Lima, Peru Maraea O’Connor......................Hilo, Hawaii Jady Andrade Gerotto....... Sao Paulo, Brazil Men’s Soccer Tyler Robinson........................Columbia Mo. Daniel Becerra.........................Aurora, Colo.

Delroy Miller................ Manchester, England Travis Mundell..........................Gering, Neb. Gage Smith...............................Gering, Neb. Blake Bacon.................................................

Zach Clemmons...........................................

Renan Carvalho............................................

Joao Perdo Santos.......................................

Nana Amayke...............................................

Ibrahim Meite................................................

Ademiju Oshikoya.........................................

Omar Guerro................................................

Sergio Moreno..............................................

Alfredo Velasquez.........................................

Women’s Soccer Karrigan Hansen............. West Jordan, Utah Sierra Benavidez................... Sterling, Colo.

Jesse Michel............................. Logan, Utah Eden Washington.........................................

Emily Henshaw.............................................

Janie McAmis...............................................

Allie Green....................................................

Shelby Neubert.............................................

Softball Bailey Anderson............ Salt Lake City, Utah Brittany Bigge.......................... Laport, Colo.

Peyten Davies................ West Jordan, Utah Dhyanne DeVille..................... Pueble, Colo.

Cassie Jones............................... Erie, Colo.

Marisa Kennedy..............Westminster, Colo.

Lauren Oxford..................... Las Vegas, Nev. Emily Selby.............Colorado Springs, Colo.

Hallie Weber.......................Longmont, Colo.

Jasmine Wessel.................. Thornton, Colo.

Celyn Whitt....................... Broomfield, Colo.

Baseball Ty Benson...........................Scottsbluff, Neb. Stuart Eurich........................Elizabeth, Colo.

Isaac Taylor....................... Cheyenne, Wyo. Landon Urban......................... Denver, Colo.

John Grasser...........................Aurora, Colo.

William Weber.....................Elizabeth, Colo.

Men’s Basketball Joses Palomo...........................Gering, Neb. RJ Palmer.................................. Tampa, Fla. Tyrell Williams............................. Miami, Fla. Women’s Basketball Mikayla Gonzales........... Castle Rock, Colo.

Bryanna Paulson.............. Broomfield, Colo.

Myriam Garcia.....................................Spain Aspen Reifschneider.............. Mitchell, Neb.

Where Sophomores Are Headed Volleyball CiCi Silva..........................Auburn University Kylie Fa’amoe........Texas A&M-International Softball Jessica Ball........................... Louisiana Tech Courtney Cloud..................... Carroll College Kelsey Bernhardt.................. Doane College Lindsay Guymon................... Doane College Madison Davis......... New Mexico Highlands Jordan Smith........................... Utah State ** Hannah Gonzales................. CSU-Pueblo ** Macy Child........................ Colorado State ** Alysa Linford...............North Dakota State ** Women’s Soccer Whitney Parker........U. of Louisiana-Monroe Men’s Soccer Ivan Sakou.............. Virginia Commonwealth Women’s Basketball Abi Lujan..................U. of Nebraska-Omaha Yeliz Dogan.........................Rider University Lile Havili......U. of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Lyndie Puckett................ Colorado Christian Men’s Basketball Preston Christensen...Minnesota State Mankato ** indicates player is attending the college, but not playing sports Players, please contact me when you decide to attend a specific college.

ALUMNI ATHLETIC NEWS

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

Bianca Duran powers Louisiana Tech softball

Former Cougar softball player wrapped up senior home season by helping the Techsters to an 8-4 win over Stephen F. Austin on April 28.

Duran started on the mound and went just four innings, but it was her bat that big for the Techsters as she went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a big 2-run double in the fifth to spear the comeback.

Duran’s senior season is outstanding as she leads the team in batting average at .379. Duran has hit 11 doubles and nine home runs while collecting 38 RBIs and scored 22 runs.

In the circle, Duran is 14-11 with a 2.64 earned run average. Duran has struck out 47 in her 154 innings worked.

Louisiana Tech will close out the regular season May 2-3 when they travel to face Texas San Antonio before heading in the conference tournament May 7-9 in Miami.

Shepherd key contributor to Oklahoma Wesleyan softball

Mariah Shepherd is playing a key role in the success of the Oklahoma Wesleyan softball program.

The former Cougar has started all 47 games for the Eagles. Oklahoma Wesleyan is 28-22 on the season, but Shepherd is batting .315 on the season with 21 runs scored and 26 RBIs. Shepherd also has 13 doubles and three home runs.

Oklahoma Wesleyan is currently playing in the MCAC Conference Tournament.

Three former baseball players providing punch to 17th-ranked Bellevue U.

Former WNCC baseball players Osvaldo Gonzalez, Gabriel De La Rosa and John Timmons are seeing plenty of action for the 17th-ranked Bellevue Bruins baseball team.

In their last game on Sunday, April 26, the Bruins beat Briar Cliff 9-0. All three players saw action. De La Rosa walked twice and had an RBI, while Gonzales

they beat Ottawa University 5-2.

Friends, 30-17 on the season, in playing in the conference tournament this week.

Spencer has seen action in 21 games this season and has a .154 batting average with two runs scored. Shiels-Brophy, who played just one year for the Cougars, has started three games and played in 13. She is batting .300 with five RBIs and two doubles.

Rowson is batting .345 with eight RBIs and 16 runs scored.

Bianca Duran (right) stands with her senior teammate Janine Godwin.

Duran played her last home game of the year against Stephen F. Austin. went 1-for-4. Timmons tossed one scoreless inning in striking out one.

Gonzales is leading the Bruins with a .432 batting average. he has played in 53 games with 28 doubles, 13 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 27 runs scored.

De La Rosa is second on the team in hitting with a .385 average with 14 doubles, two home runs, 37 runs scored, and 41 RBIs. Timmons has thrown 10 innings on the mound with an ERA of 2.7. Timmons has stuck out 10 and allowed just three runs in his appearances.

Bellevue is int he MCAC conference tournament the first weekend in May and then the NAIA opening round will be played May 12. The NAIA World Series will be held May 22-29 in Lewiston, Idaho.

3 former Cougars part of Friends University conference championship team

Former softball players Madison Spencer, Melanie Rowson, and Lindsey Shiels-Brophy were all part of the Friends University KCAC regular season championship when

Gritt Ryder on senior night at CSU.

Gritt Ryder closes Colorado State career with a bang

When Gritt Ryder enrolled at Colorado State two years ago, she never could have dreamed of the season that she and her Ram teammates would have this past season.

Ryder led the team in points scored (11) Assists (131), and steals (35) in leading the Rams to a 23-8 record and Mountain West regular season champions.

The Ram’s 23-win campaign was the 11th in program history with 20 or more victories, and the first time that the Rams posted back-to-back 20-win campaigns since an eight-year run from 1995-96 to 2002-03.

Ryder finished her career with impressive credentials on and off the court. Ryder was named to the Mountain West all-conference team and earned a spot on the Capital One Academic All-district team.

She was also the Mountain West Co-Player of the Year.

Ryder tallied eight games in double figures with a Mountain West-best 24 points vs. Boise State. She also played the entire 40 minutes in two games. She ranks in the top 10 in four categories, with a sizeable lead in assist to turnover ratio (2.3). She posted 76 assists in just 33 turnovers in 17 games.

What former athletes are doing after WNCC Volleyball Players

Agata (Rezende) Durnil — Agata played at WNCC in 2002 and 2003.

After which, she went on to star at Kansas State University. Agata said that she met her husband somewhere around her junior year, finally getting married in 2008.Agata currently lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and two boys. She works weekends at the YMCA as a sports referee/wellness attendant.

She said, “I am basically living the dream.”

Lisa (Schmidt) Schaar — Llisa played at WNCC from 1990-1992. Lisa moved to Coolisge, Arizona 15 years ago with her son, Trevor Fink and has been teaching first grade during that time. Lisa said in 2015-16 year, she will be teaching PE. On Oct. 14, 2006, Lisa mar-

ried Pete Schaar. In addition to her son, Trevor, Lisa has been the legal guardian to Alyissa Reyes since 2004 and has two step-children, Austin and Alexsis Schaar. Lisa adds that she is about to become a first-time grandma.

Men’s Soccer Players

Seedy Ali Sarr — Seedy played soccer at WNCC from 2010-12. Seedy was honored to captain the team during his playing days. Today, Seedy is working on being a Registered Nurse at Regional West Hospital. Seedy said he continues to follow Cougar sports, particularly the soccer program which continues to evolve in a great path. Seedy said, “I hope I can one day join the great coaching staff to continue to offer valuable service to the institution that made me what I am today. #wnccproudalumni.”

Manolo Garcia — Manolo played soccer from 2010-12. After two years at WNCC, Manolo went on to play soccer at Belmont Abbey College, which is an NCAA Division II school just

Looking back in photos ...

So, anyone remember these former athletes? These photos are from the 1990s and 2000s and newer. If you have any old photos, please email them to mrein@wncc.net that you want to share.

ou t of Charlotte. At Belmont Abey, Manolo was team captain his senior year and graduated last May with a BA in Business Management. Now, he is doing his Masters in Sports Management at West Virginia University while working as a grad student manager with the women’s soccer program and as Premium Seating Operations staff member with the Mountaineer Athletic Club (athletics development-fundraising). The M.S in sports management program is ranked No. 3 in the nation and he will be graduating this may from his masters. he added that he just got hired to work in the U.S. (Golf) open with the golf operations department. he is hoping to get a fulltime job after graduation in college athletics or professional sports.

Any former players please let me know what you are up to know and how you are doing after playing at WNCC. You can email the information to Mark at mrein@wncc.net, text the information to 308-631-0459, or send the information via Facebook to Mark Rein.

Clippings of stories from past years ...

from May 2, 1994 Spectator from May 2, 1994 Spectator

around early 1960s (from the Arrow)

from May 2, 1994 Spectator

Back Page 2007 Baseball Champs

2008 Women’s Soccer Champs

WNCC ATHLETIC INFORMATION FACTS

NJCAA National Champions Volleyball --- 2007, 2010 Region IX Champions Volleyball -- 1988, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Men’s Basketball -- 1979, 1981, 1982, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 Women’s Basketball -- 1993, 1995, 1998 , 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015 Softball -- 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 Baseball -- 2007 -- Men’s Soccer -- 2003 ~~ Women’s Soccer -- 2003, 2008

A look back in photos