Hawryluk signs with Iowa State

                Western Nebraska Community College's Sarah Hawryluk will be taking her softball playing to the Division I level after signing with Iowa State University.

                Hawrlyuk, who leaves WNCC as the season and career stolen base leader, wanted a school that was similar to WNCC. When she visited the Big 12 school in Ames, Iowa, she fell in love.

                "When choosing my new school, I was looking for that 'feeling' I found when I first arrived in Scottsbluff," she said. "I was looking for the hometown feeling, somewhere where I could see myself making a second home for myself. Not only did I have the warm feeling when I visited Iowa, I genuinely fell in love with the program. Everything the softball team and the coaching staff believe in is what I want to be a part of. Ultimately, it just felt right and that was my deciding factor."

                Hawryluk is the fifth of the six sophomores off of this past season's Region IX championship team that went 45-26 to sign with four-year schools. The other sophomores that inked include Aria Agle to BYU-Hawaii, Amanda Jones to Glenville State University (West Virginia), Mariah Faifer to the University of the Southwest (New Mexico), and Jocelyn Stubbs to Chadron State College.

                Hawryluk, however, is the only one that is headed to the Division I level and she is excited to be stepping up to the next level. Hawrlyuk said she is not afraid of the challenges of facing a Oklahoma pitching staff that finished runner-up at the NCAA softball championships to Alabama last month.

                "I am excited and nervous at the same time. It is a huge step for me but I am ready to take on a new challenge and really see how far I can push myself," she said. "When speaking with Coach [Jamie] Pinkerton (Iowa State Assistant coach) he asked me how I felt facing big name pitchers such as some of the girls from Oklahoma, and when I responded with, 'who is that?' He laughed and said ignorance is bliss. So I might not know fully what to expect when I step on the field for the first time but it makes me that much more excited to see what is in store for me."

                Hawryluk is expected to vie for an outfield position, but really is open to helping out the team in any way she can.

                "Coach G [Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler} has informed me that in their past season, she did not have a set outfield and it changed almost every game," she said. "She said that she expects me to come in and demand a position, as all newcomers should. She said that this is a great year for outfielders to come in because there is so much opportunity to earn a spot. Along with the outfield, I will be expected to put the ball in play and run, just as Coach Winn has always asked."

                Hawryluk's success on the field was spectacular. The Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada, product came to WNCC and molded her game into one of delight. Last season she batted .382 with 82 singles, 66 runs scored and 79 stolen bases. The 79 stolen bases is a school record for a season. She also holds the record for career stolen bases with 124. Hawryluk finished her career with a career batting average of .408. She also holds the school record for career singles with 153 and is third in career runs scored with 123.

                "I was a completely different player coming into WNCC than what I was when I left," she said. "These records mean a lot to me because it shows that hard work does pay off. It is also nice to know that these records are not only for me as an individual, but each personal record from all members on the roster has a positive impact on the rest of the team. The singles record, for example, is beneficial because it helped the team in close games, and my stolen base records is beneficial because it helped hitters drive someone in more often. In the end, it is all for the outcome of the games, and that means a lot to me."

                Hawryluk, who was also looking at the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Texas at San Antonio, said it feels great that all six of the sophomores will be continuing their education at the four-year level.

                "It is great to know that our sophomores are going on to pursue softball at a higher level," she said. "I believe it shows a lot for Coach Winn in that she develops her players in two years to be able to go onto a different school and be wanted because of their skills and experience gained from the program at WNCC."

Stubbs headed to Chadron State, five softball players headed on to play at four-year schools

                The Western Nebraska Community College softball team enjoyed plenty of success this past season as they captured their third straight Region IX championship. Because of that success, five of the six Cougar sophomores will be moving on to play softball at the next level.

                Sarah Hawryluk is the only one that is headed to the Division I level after signing with Iowa State University. The other four are headed to Division II and NAIA levels. Jocelyn Stubbs is headed just 90 miles north of Scottsbluff after signing with Chadron State College. The other three signed to play in different parts of the United States. Aria Agle is headed to BYU-Hawaii, Amanda Jones is headed to Glenville State University in West Virginia, and Mariah Faifer is headed to the University of The Southwest in New Mexico.

                Stubbs, who originally was planning on attending BYU-Hawaii, changed her mind and decided she wanted to stay closer to home. She is excited to be attending Chadron State to finish her playing career. Plus, she has grown to love this area, especially being around her WNCC dorm parents Lance and Shari Rogers.

                "I choose to go to Chadron because I believe they have a good program and a good coach that will help me progress in both softball and in school," the Roosevelt, Utah, native said. "The community definitely grew on me. I love how supportive they were of WNCC softball no matter what kind of season we were having. I also loved the dorm parent program, but I think that's because I had terrific dorm parents (Shari and Lance Rogers)."

                Stubbs will be following in the footsteps of other WNCC players that have played for the Eagles. Stephanie Townsend and Brittany Chacon, who both graduated this year at CSC, were members of the Cougars. Also, Chelsie Townsend spent one year at WNCC as did Blair McEndaffer. Stubbs said that knowing those players love the Eagle program made the decision much easier for her.

                "I feel as if they have set traditions and standards at Chadron as former WNCC players and I am excited to be a part of that," she said. "I have talked with them multiple times about going to school there and after hearing how much they love it I knew I would love it, too."

                Stubbs, who was a steady force behind the dish for the Cougars the past two seasons, finished her career with 23 career home runs (second behind Katelyn Groves) and 106 career runs batted in. Stubbs sees herself in the Chadron lineup as an offensive player as well as being a leader.

                "I believe my role on the team this next year will be seen more in the batting line up," se said. "I will have to work hard to earn a spot on the field but I think I will be able to come in and make an impact in their hitting rotations."
                Just like Stubbs, Agle was also unsure of her decision to play until after the national tournament in May. Agle said she was looking at Whittier College in California, Lesley University in Boston, and Southern Virginia, but decided she wanted the Latter Day Saints experience of attending BYU-Hawaii.

                "I wanted to go to BYU-Hawaii because I wanted the LDS environment, I want to help build the program, the school has the major I want to do, and who doesn't want to live in Hawaii?," she said. " am so excited to go play in Hawaii, I really can't wait."
                For Agle, she came to WNCC as a pitcher, but in her two seasons for the Cougars, has become one of Region IX's fierce outfielders. And, when she goes to BYU-Hawaii, she will settle in most comfortably in the outfield.

                "The coach wants me to stay with my forte of being an outfielder, and I am ready to come fill in that role," she said. "I know the outfield is my strength now, so I am excited to be able to keep playing the position I fell in love with at WNCC."
                One of the biggest throws of Agle's season came in the Region IX tournament when she gunned down the go-ahead run in the sixth inning against Trinidad State Junior College. WNCC went on to win the game 1-0 in 10 innings. She said that thrill of making a pin-point throw to Stubbs behind the plate will live forever in her mind.

                "My throw against Trinidad was an opportunity I will always remember," she said. "I hope to relive the moment through having more chances to be able to replicate that play. However, I know that circumstances like that won't always come my way, but when they do I'll be ready for them just like I was with Trinidad."
                As for the Jones and Faifer, they are also excited to be continuing their playing career.

                "I chose the school because it is a bit closer to home, only five and hours away isn't too bad," she said. "I am majoring in biology and they have a really good biology program the coach played against my high school coach, and my high school coach said I would love him and her opinion is important."

                Faifer leaves WNCC not only as a fine softball player, but as one of the top academic students. Faifer earned the award for highest GPA from a female student. She said academics come easier to her than softball.

                "If I was to be honest, I think softball is harder for me than academics," she said. "It wasn't hard to maintain both, you just have to prioritize correctly and if you can do that, you can excel in both."
                Faifer said coming here was a good choice, as she, too, became close to her dorm parents Rudy and Angie Hernandez.

                "This has been an experience that I would never trade for anything in the world," she said. "I played for a very good coach and I played for a very good program."
                Jones also said that she enjoyed her two years here. She, too, has special bond to her dorm parents Mike and Nancy McKee.

                "I will miss the people; they are un-replaceable," she said. "I will remember them, especially Dingus [Mike McKee]. He has made a huge impact. It has been enjoyable having him at all of our games and his support."

                Jones, who hails from Las Vegas, is going further away to Gleville State College, a Division II school that is very similar to WNCC in its size.

                "Glenville is just a little bit bigger than here with 1,400 students and it is a close community and small-town atmosphere just like here," the Cougar pitcher said. "I really didn't know of the school until the coach contacted Coach Winn and asked about me. I looked into it and it turned out to be a good opportunity for me."

                Jones came into her own in the circle this season. Jones finished the season with a 20-10 record with a 2.62 earned run average. Jones struck out 102 batters this season and walked just 46. Jones won her last eight starts in the circle while striking out 23 batters.

                All the sophomores have made two straight appearances at the national level and for Stubbs, playing in St. George, Utah, at the national tournament twice is remarkable. The six sophomores leave WNCC with a combined 96-41 record.

                "I know that playing in the national tournament once is special but getting the opportunity to play there twice is remarkable," she said. "I am proud to be able to say I got that remarkable opportunity. Playing with and against the best teams in the country was an awesome humbling experience."

Twenty-two teams take part in Cougar Golf Classic

               Twenty-two teams took to the greens at Monument Shadows Golf Course for the 11th annual Western Nebraska Community College Cougar Golf Classic on Saturday.

               The tournament saw Harnish's Heroes capture first place with a 50.95 handicapped score to nearly defeat Rich Jackson's team, who had a 52.30 score. Third place went to the team of Loretta's Boys with a 53.60 score to just finish ahead of the fourth place team of Roy's Plumbing and Heating (53.90). Fifth place went to Logoz (53.95).

               Team members of the winning team included WNCC women's basketball coach Dave Harnish, Doug Koob, Eric WIlcox and John Schlothauer. The second place team members included Jackson, Randy Williams, Kimmie Moore, and Ricky Rein. Third place team members included Brady Uhrich, Dave Groshans, Tom Uhrich, and Pat Heath.

               Winners of the hold prizes include longest putt on hole 2, Kimmie Moore; longest drive on hole 4, Russ Knight; closest to the pin in 2 on hole 5, Eric Wilcox; shortest drive on hole 8, Henry Urdiales; closest to the water on hole 9, Brady Uhrich; longest drive on hole 10, Kathy Reynolds; closest to the sand on hole 12, Doug Rupp; closest to the pin (tee shot) on hole 13, Russ Knight; shortest drive on hole 15, Becky Randall; and longest putt on hole 18, Greg Sell.

              

WNCC's Peltz inks with St. Thomas University

                 Western Nebraska Community College’s Mike Peltz took his time in selecting which college he was going to play at for the next two seasons.

                And, after weighing interest from many Division I, Division II and NAIA schools, Alliance’s Peltz locked in his decision and signed to play at St. Thomas University out of Miami, Fla., St. Thomas is a successful NAIA school that moves many of its players onto the pro leagues in Europe.

                “During this recruiting process, I had the opportunity to play at every division,” the Alliance native said. “I had a couple walk-on opportunities from Nebraska and Creighton, as well as five or six Division II offers. I liked St. Thomas because my next goal is to play professionally overseas and I believe with the other offers I had, St. Thomas is the best opportunity for me to reach that goal. They send quite a few guys overseas and they have a good pipeline for what I want to do. And, they also play at a very high level of basketball.”

                St. Thomas had its most successful season last year, setting school records with 23 wins and a 14-game winning streak. The Bobcats finished the season ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Division II Coaches Poll after advancing to the second round of the national championship.

                “Going there will give me an opportunity, as a goal to say that you won a national championship regardless of whatever level,” he said. “That was another reason I choose to go there. I also did research on the different levels of basketball, and yes, it is NAIA, but I am getting my education paid for which is important, and I am going to be in Miami.”

                Peltz, who plans on majoring in engineering or business administration, said he is ready to close the chapter at WNCC and start a new one in Miami.

                “As one door closes, another opens,” he said. “My next goal is to experience playing professionally overseas, and that is what I will be working towards.”

                Beck said that Peltz will do well at St. Thomas.

                “I am extremely proud of Mike and what he had done here for the last two years,” Beck said. “St. Thomas is getting a D1 point guard in Mike that is capable of leading them to a championship. Mike has become a true point guard and for a lot of ways. He had to sacrifice his own abilities in order to run our team. He will be missed here and I am proud to have been Mike’s coach.”

                Peltz, who was a standout basketball player at Alliance High School, came to WNCC to improve his skills and get the chance to move onto a high-end four-year program no matter what level. And that is what he did, excelled not only on the court, but in the classroom.

                Peltz was among the top five assist leaders in the nation this past year averaging 6.2 assists a game. Off the court, Peltz kept is studies in sight, earning the college’s award for Highest GPA for a male athlete with a 3.83 grade point average.

                “Getting that academic award shows a lot about the person I am,” he said. “Basketball is just as important, but academics has to be important, too, to be successful. I know I won’t play basketball forever and I will need a good education to be successful and that is what I want to position myself to be at.”

                On the basketball court, Peltz improved his skills on the court as far as his game and the leadership that he portrays.

                “I have improved a great deal,” he said. “I bought into what Coach [Russ] Beck asked me to do these two years and it helped expand my game as far as being a better leader and facilitator. I know I am not going to score wherever I go, and that wasn’t asked by me here. Look at the team here where we had four guys that signed Division I, and that speaks a lot about Coach Beck and his recruiting. It was a great opportunity to be here and I am thankful for that.”

In fact, all six men’s basketball sophomores are headed to play athletics at the next level. The four that will play basketball include Raul Delgado at Brigham Young University, Du’Vaughn Maxwell at Hampton University, Marko Kovacevic at the University of Montana, and Terrance Motley at Sam Houston State. Brady Mason will continue his athletic career playing football for the University of Utah.

                 While Peltz wasn’t counted on with his scoring, what he was looked to was his defense and his ability to share the ball. Peltz said it was an honor to be recognized nationally for being one of the top assist leaders in junior college basketball.

                “It is a great feeling to be ranked that high in assists and you put in a lot of hard work. That is what Coach Beck asked me to do, to be a facilitator and do whatever to make our team better. I felt like I did a good job at that.”

                Peltz said he is expecting his role with the Bobcats will be similar to WNCC.

                “I know from the first time I stepped on campus and from what the coaches have told me, they want me to come in and be a leader,” he said. “They need that leadership and I basically need to take over the team in a sense and set a good example. The goal is to win a national championship.”