Leyton graduate joins WNCC volleyball coaching staff

There will be a new coach roaming the sidelines for Western Nebraska Community College as Leyton High and Eastern Wyoming College graduate Lindsey (Winkelman) Gonzales will be serving as head coach Giovana Melo’s assistant this year.

Gonzales, who played against Melo for one year in college, is excited to be teaming up with her for the coming year.

“I am very excited to be helping Gi,” Gonzales said. “We became friends at the beginning of the year and things just progressed. We played against each other when I was a sophomore and she was a freshman in college at WNCC. That was the first experience against her. This year we ended up being on a YMCA women’s team together through mutual friends and I was able to see her competitive fire on the court inspired me.”

Gonzales, who also works for Regional West Medical Center, said she is ready to learn a different side of volleyball.

“I am ready to learn, that is for sure,” she said. “It will be a totally different side to the sport then playing it. I helped Gi with camp this summer and that was even different then just getting out and playing. You have to be there to teach and coach and help. I am excited to start something new, learn and I am looking forward to using my experience to help the players.”

The two youthful coaches bring plenty of success to the sidelines as Melo and Gonzales were top-notch setters for their collegiate teams in the early 2000s.

Gonzales sparkled on the court at Leyton high school, graduating in 2000, where she participated in volleyball, basketball, and track and field. She was a member of the West team in the West Nebraska All-star Volleyball Match and Panhandle Prep all-star basketball game. She also helped the Warriors to the state volleyball tournament her freshman (1996) and junior year (1998). She was also one of the top hurdlers in the state, finishing second at the Nebraska state championships in the 100 high hurdles (15.55) and the 300 low hurdles (48.28) her senior year.

Gonzales elevated her game at the collegiate level, helping the Lancers to two runner-up finishes at the Regional tournament in 2000 and 2001. The 2000 team finished 31-19, while the 2001 team went 37-20. Both teams fell one match short of the national tournament, falling to Northwest Wyoming in the title contest.

Gonzales excelled both on the court and the classroom at EWC. Her sophomore year, she was selected to the all-tournament team at regionals, was a NJCAA distinguished academic all-American with a 3.8 GPA, and was academic all-region and all-conference.

She played in all 106 matches and all 328 games over her two seasons as a Lancer. She ranks fourth in Lancer volleyball history as a setter with a 97.2 setting percentage, 10^th overall in serving at 94.2 percent and served 673 points. She also had 2,118 career setting assists and finished with 768 career digs.

She said it was a big switch going from Leyton, a Class D-2 school to junior college volleyball, but she embraced the challenges and succeeded.

“The sport is a lot quicker and is more competitive. It forces you to become better and work harder,” she said. “I got a good foundation playing volleyball at Leyton and I gained a love for the game.”

Gonzales said that she became a different player in college and is thankful for her time at EWC.

“When I played at EWC, I saw how competitive it was immediately,” she said. “Coach Petsch and Lance helped me become better, and I learned so much from them about playing the game differently." She said it will be different when WNCC faces the Lancers and she is wearing blue and gold instead of EWC’s colors.

“I am not sure what it will be like, but I think Coach [Verl] Petsch will be happy, and I hope to get a smile from him,” she said. “I have come to games here and have seen him so he knows I am still in the area. I look forward to seeing them again and that I enjoyed playing for them, and I am thankful for that opportunity.”
Gonzales is not wasting time in getting her feet wet with helping the Cougars. She already has some assignments lined up and can’t wait until the first day of practice in August.

“I am very excited to get started,” she said. “I already have my assignments and here we go.”

Gonzales is married to Isaac, a graduate of Minatare High School who played one year of basketball at WNCC, and they have a 4-year son, XayVian.

Kistler headed to Concordia University to play basketball

Amber Kistler accomplished many goals while attending Western Nebraska Community College the past two years while playing for the Cougar women's basketball team. The one goal she didn't accomplish, though, was playing in the national tournament.

Kistler will try to accomplish that goal next year as she will take her skills on and off the court to Concordia University where she will play basketball. Concordia is located in Seward.

The Bayard High School 3-sport star was also looking at Kentucky Wesleyan, Metro State and a couple of places where she was considering walking on, before deciding on Concordia.

"I choose Concordia because Coach [Drew] Olson really sold his program to me, and he recruited me hard," Kistler said. "I wanted to be a part of a winning program right away and I can do that there. Also I can get an amazing education there and continue to play basketball, of course. Also, I will be closer to my family that lives up north [in South Dakota] and some friends who live in that area."

Kistler becomes a part of a Concordia team that finished last season 21-11 before falling in the first-round of the NAIA Division II National Tournament to Indiana Wesleyan. It was the Bulldogs' third straight appearance at the national tournament.

Kistler's goals at Concordia is to continue improving on the court and in the classroom.

"I want to excel in the classroom and I want to be an All-American," she said. "I want to continue to grow as a student and a ball player."
Kistler definitely made strides on the court at WNCC, where she was a key sixth player during her freshman year and then started every game her sophomore year, while being one of the team leaders on and off the court. Kistler averaged 10 points and four assists a game last season for the 24-8 Cougars.

Kistler said coming to WNCC was one of the best choices that she could have made.

"I can say that being with Coach [Dave] Harnish for two years could not have been any better," she said. "He taught me so much and I would not be the player I am today without him. It's quite the change going from high school ball to college ball and in order to play, I had no option but to get better. I think I owe a lot to the coaches and my teammates for the athlete I am today."

Kistler came to WNCC as a decorated athlete from Bayard, where she was all-conference in volleyball, basketball and track and field. She said couldn't imagine what she would be doing now if she wouldn't have came to WNCC.

"Wow, I can't even imagine what I would be doing," she said. "I probably would be working, wishing I would have went to school and regretting not playing basketball."

Well, she doesn't have to worry about that. Kistler not only excelled on the court, but she was successful in the classroom as well. She also was active in WNCC activities, serving as a Resident Assistant in the dorms as well as being a Student Ambassador. She also worked on the college newspaper, The Spectator, as well as earning a Phi Theta Kappa academic all-American honor.

Kistler said that being involved in activities outside of sports helped her shine as a person. She said academics is more important than being a good player.

" Being academically strong will get me and most other student-athletes farther than any sport could ever take them," she said. "Your education is something no one can ever take away from you. I really enjoy helping my teammates and others when they need it with class work or anything. In 10 or 20 years, people are not going to remember how many points I scored in a game, but they will remember my character and what I have done off the court."
Kistler said she never gives up and battles through all down times that she experiences. It is that mentality that makes Kistler a role model to the younger kids

"I want to say I lead by example, but I am not perfect," she said. "I'll be the first to admit I make mistakes, but it is how I get back up when I fall down that matters. I try to be my own role model and live up to my own expectations and if I inspire people along the way then that's awesome."
Kistler said it is difficult to say goodbye to her WNCC friends and the community, but she is ready to begin a new chapter in her life. Kistler will major in pre-optometry at Concordia.

"I will miss Coach Harnish, Coach Jennifer Pedersen, all the rest of the coaches," she said. " Also all the instructors because they worked so much with my teammates and myself to make everything work, they are truly amazing. I will miss everyone because you cannot go to WNCC without getting close to all the faculty, it is like a big family.
"I just really want to thank everybody at WNCC and everyone in the community for supporting Cougar athletics. They are a huge part of the program."

Groves named NFCA first team all-American

Western Nebraska Community College's Katie Groves had an impressive sophomore season this past spring and because of her success, the Cougar infielder was recognized by the other junior college coaches by being named to as a Louisville Slugger National Fastpitch Coaches Association First Team All-American.

Groves is the school's first two-time softball all-American. The Cougar firstbaseman helped the Cougars to the national tournament this past season and a 43-21 season record. Groves was humbled by the honor.

"To be named to the NFCA first team all-American list is a huge honor," the Bluffdale, Utah, native said. "It is an honor especially since I am being recognized by other coaches around the country for what I have accomplished at WNCC."
The NFCA all-American list is voted on by the two-year coaches and the coaches noticed what Groves accomplished during her sophomore season at WNCC. Groves, who will be attending Central Missouri State next year, couldn't have asked for a better two years.

"Looking back on my time at WNCC I think it went pretty well," Groves said. "The only way it could have went better is with two trips to the national tourney. Still, I had an amazing experience at WNCC and I contribute that to my coaches, my teammates, and the people in the community.

"The coaches at WNCC truly care about the success of their athletes both on the field and in the classroom. The community takes the time to appreciate what athletes do and some of them took me in. I met some amazing people in Scottsbluff and Gering that I will never forget."

Groves finished her sophomore season as one of the best in the nation, hitting .492 on the year. She also led the team in RBIs (86), runs scored (89), home runs (15), hits (97), and singles (56). In her two seasons at WNCC, Groves finished with 32 home runs, 166 runs scored, 165 RBIs, 193 hits, 118 singles and 35 doubles.

As a freshman, Groves was named Region IX freshman of the year and was a NJCAA third team all-American and a third team NFCA third-team pick. Groves becomes the school's first two-time softball all-American selection after being named to the NFCA first team earlier this month.

Groves is joined on the first team by 15 talented players. Also making the NFCA first team include pitchers Erika Bennett, Miami Dade College, Kelsey Dennis, Wallace State-Hanceville, and Hope Bitzer, Seminole State-Florida; catchers Cyd Allen of Salt Lake Community College and Melina Trujilo of Pima Community College; infielders Sienna Miller of Navarro Community College, Jamie Holmes of Crowder Community College, Saige Wright of Wallace State, Katie Campbell of Seminole State, and Kaity Ingram of Pima Community College; outfielders Veronika Fukunishi of Miami Dade, Katie Pierce of Wallace State; Erika James of Salt Lake, Jessica Soria of Arizona Western College, and designated player Gabby Hernandez of Midland College.

Groves said her coaches and the Scottsbluff-Gering community can share in the honor.

"Coach Maria Winn took a chance on me and honestly I have to give a lot of credit to the coaching staff for my success," she said. "They provided me with all the tools I needed to succeed. I can't tell you how many hours I spent with Coach Molly [Bonuchi] and taking extra cuts after practice. They saw my drive and willingness to work hard and helped me every step of the way to make the work a little easier."
Groves said she found a second home in Scottsbluff.

"Attending WNCC was one of the best decisions I could have made," she said. "Coach Winn took a chance on me when no one else wanted me and for that I will always be grateful. The people of Scottsbluff and Gering, the WNCC community, and my teammates made the past two years of my life very special. I will never forget the friends I have made, and the new family I have in Nebraska.
Groves will continue her collegiate playing days at the University of Central Missouri with hopes of bringing the same success to their softball program.

"My goal at UCM is to obtain my bachelors degree in marketing, but other than that, my goals are the same as they were at WNCC, to win. My ultimate goal is to win a National Championship, I think that's what any athletes goal is at the college. I just want to get a degree and help their team achieve greatness."

The one thing that stands out about Groves is her community involvement. Groves was honored with the college's Cougar Award in May, which honors an athlete that achieves success on and off the playing field, as well as the playing field.
"Really, I just want thank all the people that I got to know over my time at WNCC and those ALL the people that supported me doing what I love," she said.

Ryan Burgner named interim athletic director

Ryan Burgner is ready to step into a new role at Western Nebraska Community College.

Burgner, the assistant baseball coach and assistant athletic director, has been appointed interim athletic director, taking over for Jennifer Pedersen, who resigned the position in April. Pedersen’s last day at WNCC was June 4 and Burgner’s first day as athletic director was June 7.

The new assistant to the athletic director will also come from within the department. Todd Rasnic, men’s and women’s soccer coach, will take on those duties on an interim basis.

The positions will be considered for regular appointment next year.

Burgner’s goal is to keep building the Cougar athletic program in a winning direction.

“I am excited for the opportunity to keep leading the athletic department in the direction that Coach Pedersen has established in the classroom, on the field, and in the community,” he said. “She has done a great job of getting Cougar athletics back on the map. We will miss her greatly.”

Burgner knows firsthand what the role of an athletic director is, having worked as Pedersen’s assistant over the last five years.

“I have worked pretty close with Coach Ped on everything we have done,” he said. “There are a few things I will have to learn and get better at. But I know I am up to the challenge of progressing Cougar athletics into the future.”

The one thing that will remain constant in the athletic department is the Cougar’s positive visibility in the community. Burgner cites the community and WNCC administration support as a huge part of its success as an athletic department.

“We want the community to take pride in our athletic department. I know that our student athletes appreciate the support they receive from the community and school.”

Both men have been at the college for awhile. Burgner came to WNCC in 2002 as an assistant coach for baseball. Burgner graduated from Manzano High in Albuquerque, N.M. in 1994, and played baseball at Dodge City Community College under current WNCC baseball coach Mike Jones. Burgner earned All-Jayhawk West Conference as a pitcher.

After Dodge City, he went on to play at Iowa State where he got his degree in sports management. He was also with the Albuquerque Dukes, a Triple A affiliate to the LA Dodgers as the director of ticket operations and assistant general manager. He came to WNCC after spending a year and a half as pitching coach at Northeastern Junior College.

Rasnic took over the men’s soccer program in 2005 and then the women’s program in 2006. Rasnic has over 33 years of soccer experience and has instilled good discipline and integrity to the program.

Rasnic was an NACA all-American in soccer in 1983, leading his team to both a state and national tournament victory recording 28 goals and 17 assists. In 1992, he joined the American Youth Soccer Organization and has volunteered coaching and referring for the past 15 years. He holds coaching licenses from AYSO and the NSCAA.

In his five years at WNCC, Rasnic has a 27-46-3 record with the men’s team in five years, including nearly capturing the Region IX title last fall. He has experienced more success on the women’s side. In four years, Rasnic has a 35-28-5 record, including winning the Region IX title in 2008. Last season, the women’s team lost the regional championship game in a shootout.

Rasnic is excited about his new position.

“I think it will be a good change of focus for me. I have spent the last few years setting up community education classes and working with community coordinators,” he said. “It will be an interesting switch to be involved directly in the athletic department. I think it will be better, in a sense, because I can be more visible to my students. I think things will continue to move in a positive direction because we’re all focused on the overall success of the athletic program here.”

Burgner and Rasnic said they have big shoes to fill in filling Pedersen’s accomplishments.

“I would suspect that we could have hired six people to fill Ped’s shoes,” Rasnic said. “There are a lot of people on my list that I admire for their work ethic and their overall success in the program, and Ped has done an absolutely fabulous job with the athletic department. Ryan and I have big shoes to fill. We are just going to do the best we can. Obviously there will be a learning curve and hopefully we will hit the ground running and continue to provide excellent game activities, concessions, and everything in between, including the department’s fundraising efforts. Our goal is to continue the traditions that Ped established.”