Panther Athletics

York College Athletics

NCCaa All-Americans

Seven All-American Outdoor Track Performances

York College Panthers had seven NCCAA All-American performances at the National Christian College Athletic Association's Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Greenville, Ill. The women were led once again by Maria Geesaman, (SR/Greeley, CO) running the 3000-meter Geesaman steeplechase in 11:34.67 and defending her title as NCCAA National Champion. She shaved more than 20 seconds off last year’s mark and qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Makayla Dinkler (SO/Silver Lake, NE) repeated as an AllAmerican, taking third in the heptathlon. Amber Dominguez (SR/Odessa, TX) was another repeat All-American in the hammer throw, finishing third, and added All-American status Dinkler in the discus this year with a Dominguez bronze medal.

There were three individual performances that just missed the All-American podium with fourth place finishes: Kamrie Dillan (FR/ Imperial, NE) — heptathlon, Hannah DeHart (JR/York, NE) — 5000 meter, and Candice Jones (SO/Arlington, TX) — shot put. The 4x400 relay team of Dillan, Geesaman, Dinkler, and Tynika Irvin (SO/Fort Lauderdale, FL) also took fourth. The men’s top finisher was All-KCAC Jarod Belden (SO/Ontario, CA) who repeated with silver in the decathlon. Placing third and earning bronze for the Panthers were Alphonse Jackson (SO/Fort Smith, AR) — shot put and Connor Cogswell (SR/McCool Jct., NE) — hammer. Belden and Jackson both qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships. Anthony Hodson (SO/ Belden Fresno, CA) just missed the top three with a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.78. The York College women’s team finished sixth out of the 21 schools represented and the men were seventh. n

Senior Maria Geesaman won the 3000-meter steeplechase by over five seconds to become the newest York College track athlete to claim NCCAA National Champion.

KCAC Champs

Competitive Dance Wins Championship

The dance team’s hard work in the off season paid off as they began their competitive schedule with wins at both the Bethany College Classic and the Kansas Wesleyan Invite. Three weeks later, they were in the spotlight again at the KCAC Dance Championships in Newton, Kans., where they earned the top spot with a near-flawless routine in which they scored Davis 61.567. The Panthers were more than one point better than second-place Bethel College. The victory vaulted them into competing in the NAIA Southwest Qualifier, and the Panthers were able to host the competition at home in the Freeman Center—the winner would move on to the NAIA Dance Championships. This marked the first time York College has hosted an NAIA qualifying event in any sport. The ladies had two great performances and finished fourth out of the nine teams represented.

Riley Brown (JR/Lincoln, NE) was named 2nd Team All-KCAC, and Dominique Edwards (SO/Kansas City, MO) and Aubri Plummer (FR/Vichey, MO) were named AllKCAC Honorable Mention. Sixth-year head coach Bailey Davis ’15 was named the KCAC Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. n Brown

After winning the KCAC Championship, competitive dance had two great performances at home in the NAIA Southwest Qualifier.

Competitive cheer under coach Davis was awarded the KCAC Team of Character for how they displayed exemplary character and sportsmanship on the court, on campus, and in the community.

Leadership Appointment

Miller named Senior Woman Administrator

The York College Athletic Department announced this spring that Roni Miller ’01 has been promoted to Senior Woman Administrator, in addition to her duties as head softball coach. "I am grateful Roni agreed to take on this additional role," said director of athletics Garrett Schwarz. "In many ways, Coach Miller is already a key player within the Miller Athletic Department at York College. Since my arrival in July, she has been a resource to me and a valuable voice within our Athletic Leadership Team. Coach Miller has earned this role due to her many years of leadership and service to York College."

The Senior Woman Administrator, a designation initiated by the NAIA this past summer, promotes meaningful representation of women in the leadership and management of intercollegiate sports on NAIA campuses.

President Smith had this to say about Roni Miller. "Roni possesses a very unique combination of gifts and skills which makes her a great leader and a great developer of leaders. Coach Miller is determined to keep our campus focused on our mission, transforming students, generating outstanding athletes in all sports, and ensuring students graduate. We will be a stronger institution with Coach Miller serving as a senior woman leader on our campus." "I'm both humbled and honored to serve York College in this way," said Miller. "It's been an honor to serve on the Athletics Leadership Team this school year. Thank you to President Smith, Garrett Schwarz, and all the members of our Senior Leadership Team for this opportunity to be a leader in the athletics department."

Miller already serves as the Director of Athletic Alumni. Her main duties include organizing the Athletic Hall of Fame luncheon, electing its members and the Lifetime Lettermen's Association, of which she is also a member. Miller is the athletic representative on the Academic Assessment Committee which is a college requirement for the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the YCS Task Force, which organizes the curriculum for a required freshman course here at York College. n