WNCC volleyball team earns No. 1 ranking in preseason poll

               The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team will begin this season the same way it ended the last one — ranked No. 1.
               The defending national champion Cougars received the top spot in this year’s NJCAA Division I Preseason Poll, which was released on Wednesday afternoon.
               For fourth-year WNCC coach Giovana Melo, the initial ranking wasn’t a surprise based on last year’s successful finish.

               “I am not shocked because we finished first [last year] and have some pretty good returning players,” Melo said. “But I didn’t expect to be first.”

               Melo said the ranking puts a bit of added pressure on her young and talented squad as it continues to prepare for the upcoming season.

               “That ranking does put a lot of pressure on us, but it is good pressure,” Melo said. “They have showed [so far in practice] that we can be a talented team, but now they have to show how they will do after seeing that they are ranked No. 1. That national ranking definitely puts some pressure on them.”

               Being ranked No. 1 is nothing new for the Cougars. However, this is the first time in history that WNCC has been ranked No. 1 entering a season. The Cougars were preseason ranked No. 2 in 2009 and No. 3 in 2005. Last year the Cougars entered the season at No. 5.

               WNCC held the No. 1 ranking during the regular season on a couple of different occasions under former coach Chris Green before winning the school’s first national championship in 2007.

               WNCC sophomore Dani Grace, who transferred in last spring after playing a semester at Lamar Community College, said many of the team members were elated and cautious when they first learned of the No. 1 ranking after the conclusion of Wednesday’s practice.

               “I was actually shocked and I didn’t know that we would be that high. But at the same time, it is exciting,” the sophomore from Hawaii said. “I believe we can do it [win another national title] again with the way our team is progressing right now.”

               Two other Region IX teams joined WNCC in the top 15 of the preseason rankings. Western Wyoming Community College is No. 3 and Northeastern Junior College is ranked No. 13. Casper College received honorable mention votes.

               Western Wyoming, which is from the Region IX North Sub-Region, finished third at the national tournament last year. The Mustangs were one of the few teams to hand WNCC a loss last season. That took place last September during the Wyo-Braska Shootout in Scottsbluff.

               Sandwiched between WNCC and Western Wyoming at No. 2 in the national rankings is Miami Dade College. Iowa Western Community College is No. 4 and College of Southern Idaho is No. 5.

               Rounding out the top 10 is Blinn College at No. 6, Salt Lake Community College at No. 7, Midland College at No. 8, San Jacinto College at No. 9 and Eastern Arizona College at No. 10.

               The Cougars beat Blinn, Salt Lake and San Jacinto on its way to the national championship last year.

               WNCC has won 12 straight Region IX South Sub-Region titles and has advanced to the national tournament 12 years in a row. The Cougars have finished in the top four at nationals in four of the past seven seasons.

               While being recognized as a national power is a nice honor, Melo said it makes it that much tougher to stay near the top every year.

               “Obviously, to be a national power is something fun to be part of. But every team is different and every year is a different year, so we have to take it one step at a time to stay up there,” Melo said. “It is great to be a national power, but you never know what the next year will turn out like and it is harder to stay a powerhouse every year.”

               WNCC opens its regular season Aug. 26-27 at the Iowa Western Classic in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Cougars’ first home match will be on Sept. 8 against Eastern Wyoming College.

NJCAA Division I Volleyball Pre-season Poll

1.       Western Nebraska Community College (43-4)

2.       Miami Dade College

3.       Western Wyoming Community College (40-7)

4.       Iowa Western Community College

5.       College of Southern Idaho

6.       Blinn College

7.       Salt Lake Community College

8.       Midland College

9.       San Jacinto College-Central

10.    Eastern Arizona College

11.    Arizona Western College

12.    Florida State College at Jacksonville

13.    Northeastern Junior College (30-8)

14.    Temple College

15.    Jefferson College

16.    Barton Community College

17.    North Idaho College

18.    Seward County Community College

19.    Seminole State College

20.    Yavapai College

21.    Wallace State Community College-Hanceville

22.    Hillsborough Community College

23.    Panola College

24.    Snow College

25.    State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

WNCC soccer teams open preseason practices Tuesday with plenty of talent

 Western Nebraska Community College soccer coach Todd Rasnic was impressed with what he saw from his men’s and women’s team on Tuesday after the first practices of the season.

                “So far so good,” Rasnic said. “We have good numbers this year and it looks like we have players that are a little more technically skilled then what we had the past couple years. Obviously it is pretty early in the preseason to have any discussions further than that. The first day out, they did a nice job and they certainly worked hard and that is what I am looking for at this point.”

                But, what Rasnic loves about the two teams is the talent level that they process.

                “Both teams have good talent,” he said. “Right know we have a few players on both teams that come from lower elevations so it might take a couple weeks for them to get adjusted to the air here. We will see here as practices progress in the next couple weeks just how good the teams will be.”

                The Cougar men will have a roster of 25 players and the women will have 18 players and the two squads definitely have key players returning from last year.

The women’s team returns eight players from last year’s Region IX runner-up team, including the team’s top four leading scorers. They include Brittany McNeil, who chipped in 12 goals last season, and Kristi Blicharz, who had 10 goals, followed by Ashley Gleason and Leticia Lopes. Also returning for the Cougar women include Fernanda Acorinte, Quincy Jackson, Alex-Rachelle Tekler, and Tiffany Snethen.

                The men return nine players from a year ago, including a couple of the team’s leading scorers in Jose Netto and Manolo Garcia-Oronoz. The other six returning sophomores include Luis Tapia, Riley Mathis, Seedy Ali-Sarr, Jesus Alvarado, Corban Sipfle, Brian Ramirez, and Ricardo Marropulia.

                The Cougar men also recruited four former Nebraska high school players for the coming year. They include Gering’s Mason Nab, Joey Rasnic and Cody Thompson, and Lincoln Northeast’s Armando Lezamo.

                The major issue for the 43 players so far is the heat and humidity as they practice at the Landers Soccer Complex.

                “Obviously they will be battling the heat in the games as well as practice and we certainly want them to train in game situations,” Rasnic said. “So, they will have to come out and be in this heat for the next 17 days just to get used to playing in the heat when the season starts. We hope to get them well-versed in the art of hydration because it is real easy to get dehydrated out here.”

                WNCC will have several scrimmages before they open the season on Aug. 27. Both teams will have alumni scrimmages on Saturday with the women going at 10 a.m. and the men at 6 p.m. After that they will have scrimmages against Midland Lutheran College, Metro State and Regis University.

                The Cougar men will then open the season Aug. 27 when they travel to Cheyenne, Wyo., to face Northwest (Kan.) Tech before their home-opener Sept. 2 against Dodge City Community College.

                The Cougar women will wait until September to open the regular season when they host Dodge City Community College on Sept. 2 followed by Pratt Community College on Sept. 3.

WNCC volleyball begins preseason practice with hopes of winning back-to-back national titles

The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team’s bid for back-to-back national titles started Monday with the Cougars opening preseason practices with just four players returning from last year’s NJCAA national championship team.

               Even with just four players back, this year's squad packs plenty of punch, enough to make the coaches eying the talent with eagerness.

               "The first day of practice went pretty good. We got to see them compete against each other," WNCC fourth-year head coach Giovana Melo said. "I think we have some pretty athletic girls and we [the coaches] are really excited."

               Lais Soares, one of the returning sophomores, said practices are going well with a lot of expectations riding on their shoulders.

               “Practice has been going good. There are different freshmen and sophomores and it has been going better then I think,” she said. “We are working together right know and we have high expectations to win a national championship again.”

               There is no doubt there was plenty of talent that took to the Cougar Palace floor for Monday's opening practice. For the freshmen, they are walking onto a volleyball program that has been one of the elite teams in the nation the last 10 years, including capturing national titles in 2007 and 2010, a runner-up finish in 2006, and third-place finishes in 2008 and 2009.

               Abbey Wade, a freshman outside hitter from Roseville, Calif.,  is excited to see all this talent on one court.

               “I am excited for this upcoming next [afternoon] practice because we will practice together for the first time and I think we will do pretty good,” Wade said. “I think there is a lot of talent on that court and we are going to mesh well together.“

               Melo said, however, said while there is plenty of talent, there still is work that needs to be done.

               "There is some pretty good talent but also a lot of work that we have to do," she said. "I think the freshmen coming in is a good group and some of them are coming in from playing a lot of volleyball with club teams year round."

               The Cougars will endure two-a-days for the next 12 days, including some team-bonding activities. For the first day, it has been pretty light in the morning and then more intense in the afternoon. The team even expects the practices to get more intense as the preseason workouts continue.

               “It has been easier than I thought it would be,” Wade said. “We have been focusing on the little things, like passing a lot for today. We also ran some. The sophomores keep telling us that practices will definitely get hard so be ready.”

               The Cougars’ four returners include Soares, along with Scottsbluff High’s Jodi Huddleston. They also return Debora Araujo and Fernando Goncalves. Goncalves was the NJCAA tournament MVP last season and a first-team NJCAA all-American. Aruajo was a second team NJCAA all-American.

               The other sophomore is Dani Grace, a 5-foot-11 hitter from Alea, Hawaii, who played last season at Lamar Community College.

               The freshmen along with Wade, include Gordon’s Alyssa Ostrander, a 6-0 rightside/outside hitter. The other newcomers include 5-9 Danika Youngblood of Bingham, Utah; 5-9 Alyssa Olson of Longmont, Colo.; 5-6 Alex Rivera of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico; 5-8 Tasha Meyer of Honolulu, Hawaii; 6-1 Taylor Vanderwerff of New Orleans, La.; and 5-11 Megan Johnson of Sandy, Utah.

               Wade said she is not scared coming onto a national championship team. In fact, she welcomes the challenges.

               “I am excited for the pressure [to win back-to-back national titles," she said. "I think that is what everybody wants -- to go to a really good team and have that expectation of winning a title. Coach says we already have a target on our back now because everyone wants to beat us. Everybody on this team wants to win that national championship again for 2011 so we are going to work hard to do that."

               WNCC will have two scrimmages on Aug 19 at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and then a home scrimmage against WNCC alumni on Aug. 20. The Cougars will open the season on Aug. 26 and 27 when they compete in the Iowa Western tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Cougars first home match is slated for Sept. 8 against Eastern Wyoming College.

WNCC volleyball camps begin next week

The Cougar volleyball camps that start next week provide a good way for the college volleyball staff to interact with the community and to offer valuable instruction to local youth, WNCC’s head volleyball coach said Thursday.

                “I think summer camps are a very important part of Cougar volleyball because we are here to help those younger girls succeed in the sport and help them get better at it,” said coach Giovana Melo, who was recently selected as the Omaha World Herald’s Midlands Coach of the Year. “The state of Nebraska lives and breathes volleyball and we have the opportunity to show those kids what we do in our gym.

“It is very important that our players interact with the campers as much as they possibly can because they have been in their shoes before and they know how excited each camper is to be here. They will have lots of fun in our camp as well as learn a lot from it.”

                The first of the many Cougar volleyball camps begin Monday, July 11 with a 2-day Little Cougars camp for girls in 4^th through 6^th grade. The camp runs July 11 and 12. The camp will run from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with an hour lunch break at 11:30 a.m.

                The second camp will be July 13 and 14 will be an individual skills camp for 7^th and 8^th graders from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with an hour break for lunch.

                Former Cougar and Gering High volleyball players Whitney Roth and Brooke Blomenkamp, along with Melo and assistant coach Cesar Benatti, will help instruct these two camps.

                The second week of camp will include a setters and hitters clinic on July 18 and 19 for girls in sixth through ninth grades from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. , followed by an individual skills camp for girls in the night through 12 grade July 20-21.

                These camps will be taught by Melo, Benatti, assistant coach Lindsey Gonzalez and former Cougar and Scottsbluff volleyball star Mackenzie Westphal.

                The final week of camps will be July 25 and 26 with a setters and hitters camp and then a team camp on July 28 and 29. The setters and hitters camp is for girls in the 10^th through 12^th grade. The team camp is open to junior varsity and varsity high school teams.

Fatima Balza, who won three national volleyball titles during her collegiate career, will help instruct the camp. Balza won a national title for WNCC in 2007 and then helped Penn State win national titles in 2009 and 2010. Balza will also serve as an assistant coach for the Cougars this coming season.

                Melo encourages pre-registering for the camps, but will take registrations the first day of each camp. Individuals can register online at www.wnccvolleyball.com or download a camp flyer off the Cougar website at sports.wncc.edu.

                For more information, contact Melo at  melog@wncc.edu or at 308-635-6028.

5 WNCC Cougar athletes earn NJCAA Acadenic Honors

            Five Western Nebraska Community College athletes received NJCAA academic honors for the past year.

                WNCC volleyball players Kathryn Stock and Emily Hoehn earned Superior Academic honors. Stock earned a grade point average of 3.95, while Hoehn had a 3.83 GPA.

                Hauns Brereton and Preston Eaton from the men’s basketball team, and Tim Beard from the baseball team all earned Exemplary Academic Achievement recognition. Beard had a 3.75 GPA, Brereton a 3.76 GPA and Eaton a 3.6 grade average.  Over 1,470 NJCAA student-athletes met the requirements for individual academic honors and more than 370 teams qualified for academic team accolades.

                The honor is a tremendous accomplishment for the five athletes since they juggled sports and academics.

                “Being named Academic All-American is a huge privilege. It is such an honor to have my passion for learning and sports commemorated on a national level,” said Hoehn, who will be attending C.W. Post-Long Island on a volleyball scholarship. “The secret to juggling sports and academics lies in your priorities. After a day filled with classes and a strenuous practice, it is hard to focus and study properly for your classes. You have to be persistent and tenacious.”

                Eaton credits his parents for instilling in him the importance of hard work.

                “My parents taught me the importance of hard work at an early age because without hard work you can't accomplish much in life,” the freshman from Mapleton, Utah, said. “Being named to academic All-American means a lot to me because it is a public recognition and approval of one of my priorities in my life and that is the pursuit of excellence. It makes me feel good about all the work I have done and grateful for all the people who helped me along the way.”

                The five athletes said the coaches at WNCC put a huge emphasis on grades. Beard, a communications major from Australia, credits his academic success to his pitching coach Ulysses Roque.

                “Coach Roque really drilled into us pitchers how important grades are if, one, we want to play Division One baseball and, two, If we wish to ensure a financially successful future,” he said. “I really don’t think there’s any secret to juggling sports and school. The trick is to go to class and do your work as soon as you can. It is nice to be recognized for performance off the field.”

                Hoehn said the volleyball coaches, Giovana Melo and Cesar Benatti, underscored the importance of academics with mandatory study hall.

                “Every night for four nights a week, we had a two-hour mandatory study hall,” the Kearney Catholic High School graduate said. “This helped me limit my distractions and dedicate two solid hours to studying. It’s nice to know that my coaches are concerned not only with my present, but also with my future.”
                Hoehn, who is majoring in environmental science, said she learned the value of an education from her parents.

                “From a young age,” she said, “my mom taught me the importance of having an education, especially as a woman. She always told me in order to have a strong foundation for life, I need a strong education to support myself. My father taught me the value of passion and diligent effort. He never let me quit and through his examples has taught me that if you don’t push yourself to excel in every aspect of your life, you are cheating yourself from achieving your ultimate abilities.”

                Like Hoehn, Beard said the hours the baseball team put in during study hall paid off.

                “Coach [Mike] Jones definitely had a strong influence on this achievement. He is very big into making sure we get our school work done, and the hours he made us do in study hall really helped,” Beard said. “Coach Jones and Coach [Ryan] Burgner really policed our hours in study hall during the spring. Their consistency of making sure we were getting our work done helped.”

                Eaton, who is planning to major in psychology, said one of the rules that the men’s basketball team had was to attend study hall throughout the year. He added getting good grades comes down to one thing – one’s desire to succeed.

                “The secret to juggling sports and school work is managing your time effectively,” he said. “It also comes down to desire. If you want something and desire it, you will make time and do all that is necessary to obtain it. That is why I credit my parents for most of my academic success because they taught me the importance of hard work at an early age. Without hard work you can't accomplish much in life.”

Hoehn, who won a national title with the Cougar volleyball team last November, said that coming to WNCC was like a second home.

“I really would like to thank all of the fans, teachers and coaches at WNCC because you really made coming to Scottsbluff feel like a second home,” she said. “Without you, I wouldn’t have succeeded so well at WNCC.”

The 2010-2011 season marks the 28th year the NJCAA has recognized the success of its student-athletes in the classroom. With minimal changes, the NJCAA academic awards program has been in place since 1983.

Delgado invited to tryout for Mexico National Team for World University Games

               When Western Nebraska Community College sophomore Raul Delgado heads back home to Mexico he will not only be visiting family, he will also be trying to make the Mexico National basketball team alongside longtime friend and former Cougar basketball player Francisco "Paco" Cruz.

               Cruz is also a former WNCC Cougar who will be a senior at the University of Wyoming next year.

               Delgado and Cruz will have the opportunity to make the Mexico World University Games roster when they compete for a spot June 24-30 in Mexico. The World. University Games are organized by the International University Sports Federation and are held every other year. The games are open to amateur men and women between the ages of 17 and 24, who have been a college student within the past year.

               WNCC third year coach Russ Beck said it shows the talent of the players on the Cougar basketball team.

               "It is an honor for us to have two our Cougars that will have the chance to compete in representing their home country against the top amateur players across the globe," Beck said.

               Delgado said it is an honor to be competing for a chance to represent his country.

               "Mexico has a tons of talent; lots of people who can play the game," he said. "To be asked to be a part of the Mexican team has been one of my dreams. It's always good to play for your nation and wear the Mexican jersey. Also, playing with Paco is going to be an amazing experience because the last time we played together was in 2006 when we went to Brazil for the NBA camp. So, it's good to know we are going to be back on the same court."

               Cruz and Delgado will train with the top-60 Mexican players. The top 18 players will then remain in the country for a three-week practice period, including four games.

               After that, the team will be trimmed to a final roster of 12 player and three reserves. That group will play a four game stretch against other national teams in Chihuahua, Mexico, from July 27-30, and one of the scheduled games will be against the United States. The final roster will then compete in the World University Games August 13-23 in Shenzhen, China.

               Mexico will be in the same pool at the World University Games in August as the United States, Israel, Finland, South Korea and Hungary. All in all, there will be 24 teams taking part in the games

               Delgado said this is a good place to showcase just how much he has improved has a basketball player.

               "When I got asked the first thing that came through my head was what a great opportunity to show Mexico how much my basketball level has increased the last two years," he said. "Right now, is when I'm playing probably the best basketball that I've ever played, so it's the perfect time. All this time of hard work will show in the basketball court."

               Making the Mexico National Team won't be easy, but it would mean a lot to him and his family to play with and against some of the best players in the country.

               "To make the national team would mean a lot to me as much to my family as well," he said. "I want my nation to be proud of me and I want my family to feel the same way as well."

               Delgado is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, but graduated from Springville High School in Utah. Cruz is also from Chihuahua, but graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Denver.

               This past season for the Cougars, Delgado had an outstanding, where he averaged nine points and four rebounds a game. Delgado, though, played his best down the stretch in February, where he averaged nearly 16 points and six rebounds a game. Delgado said he is glad he decided to be a part of the WNCC family.

               "Being a cougar means a lot for me, especially for the support that they provide for us," he said. "I'm also exited for this coming up year. We have a lot of talent and we should be a better team than last year. We have a packed team with a lot of big bodied guys who are strong. Coach Beck and [assistant coach Yahosh] Bonner have been helping everyone on the team to get better and get that chemistry that we need to have success in the upcoming season"

WNCC men's basketball signs 6-10 Cody Johnson

                Western Nebraska Community College men’s basketball coach Russ Beck is adding some beef the roster with his latest signing of Cody Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah.

                Johnson, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound center, has been referred to one of the most under-rated big man in the state of Utah during his high school playing days. Johnson, visited the WNCC campus on Wednesday and signed his letter of intent that same day, said WNCC has a lot to offer in his quest to play NCAA Division I basketball.

                “I loved the coaching staff and the campus was perfect of what I am trying to do,” he said. “I liked the small town and I liked how the city supports the basketball team.”

                Johnson played last year at Air Force Prep where he developed into an all-around player from the inside and outside, averaging a double-double for the Huskies last season. But, he decided that the prep school wasn’t for him. Besides WNCC, Johnson also had interest from Division I schools Utah, Weber State and St. Mary’s.

                Johnson’s decision to attend WNCC ended up being a pretty simple one considering that he has family in the area. His sister, Jamie, is on the Equestrian team at Laramie County Community College, and his mom lives in Sheridan, Wyo. Plus, the fact that WNCC coach Beck is originally from Utah helps with that family feel.

                “The coach is from Utah and my family is pretty close and they all support me pretty well,” he said. “My sister is in Cheyenne right now going to school, so she is pretty close.”

                Johnson spent his middle school years in northern Wyoming before playing his high school years in Utah. He played three years at Juan Diego, a small catholic school, and then his senior season at Alta, where they won the 5A state title last season. He was second team all-state his senior year.

                Johnson said his senior season went OK, considering he was still coming back from a knee injury he suffered his junior year.

                “I played OK considering I was injured and had knee surgery my junior year, which I wasn’t fully healed going into my senior year,” he said. “I started, but nothing every clicked and then the academy gave me a shot and I took it. I then really developed into a pretty good player.”

                His goal at WNCC is to improve and move onto a Division I program. He also wants to bring a national title to the college.

                “The main goal is a national title which I think, if we come in and really work together as a team, we can accomplish,” he said. “I won 5A state in high school which was a good feeling, one of the better feelings that I had, and I just want to create that feeling here.

                “The main reason I am here is to play basketball and to further expose myself to college coaches and move onto a DI program.”

                In high school, he was primarily an inside player, averaging five points and six rebounds a game. He also had a double-double his senior season at Alta of 14 points and 14 rebounds. At Air Force Prep, he said he widened his game, knocking down about 20 3-pointers.

                “I play big, but I also can shoot the ball and drive from the outside,” he said. “I am a diverse player. I had around 20 threes last season.”
                Johnson is looking to get into physical therapy and also major in psychology. Outside of basketball, he loves to golf, fish with his day to get away from the grind of basketball, and just relax.

                Johnson is the eighth incoming players that Beck has signed for next year. The others include Du’Vaughn Maxwell, 6-7, 210 from Petersburg, Virg.; Marcus Johnson, 6-10, 235 of Grantsville, Utah; Tahir Little, 5-10, 175 of Richmond, Virg.; Mason Smith, 6-5, 175 from Alpine, Utah; Sebastian Suarez Garcia, 6-4, 210 of Ancud, Chili; and Raaquim Brown, 6-9, 225, and Cal McCoy, 5-9, 180 of Omaha Benson High School out of Omaha.

WNCC boy's basketball camp's early registration ends this week

                Individuals interested in participating in next week’s Western Nebraska Community College Summer Boy’s Basketball Camp have until the end of this week to sign up at the early registration rate of $50. The cost increases to $55 the day of the camp.

                The camp will be held June 27-30 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon at Cougar Palace. The camp is open to boys from kindergarten through 12^th grade.

Russ Beck, the Cougar’s third-year basketball coach, said the camp is designed to give campers a competitive opportunity to develop the fundamental skills of basketball. The camp will teach and focus on basic skills of basketball. The camp will involve different stations with individuals going through drills to mold and enhance their game. Beck will instruct the camp along with assistant coach Yahosh Bonner, and former and current Cougar players.

For more information on the camps, contact Beck at 308-635-6151 or beckr@wnc.net. Registrations forms can be downloaded from the WNCC athletic website at sports.wncc.edu.

33 teams competed in Cougar Golf Classic, Winnelson captures title

               The Winnelson team came out on top in the Western Nebraska Community College Cougar Golf Classic that was held Saturday at the Monument Shadows Golf Course in Gering.

               Winnelson shot a 49.75 to capture first place over 32 other foursomes. The 33 teams in the tournament was the largest field in the history of the golf classic.

               Members of the winning Winnelson team include Darren Duncan, Jeff Dunn, Russ Knight and Shane Reynolds. Second place went to the Rich Jackson team of Jackson, Gary Null, Kim Moore and Rick Rein with a 49.8 score. Third pace, with a 51.2 score, was the foursome of Dave Harnish, Eric Wilcox, Ty Yeager, and Terry Yeager.

               Fourth place, with a score of 52.0 went to Shane Hays, Jeremy Jackson, Bob Klein and Chris Klein, while fifth place, with a score of 52.05, went to Dave Groshans, Brady Uhrich, George Taylor, and Pat Heath.

               Hole winners included Trish Lacey, longest putt (woman) on hole 2; Nate Nolen, longest drive (man) on hole 4; Pat Heath, closest to the pin in 2 on hole 5; James Rameriz, shortest drive (man) on hole 8; Brooke Blomenkamp, closest to the water on hole 9; Kim Moore, longest drive (women) on hole 10 ; Cory Voight, closest to the sand on hole 12; Bob Hodges, closest to the pin (tee shot) on hole 13; Devon Hadden, shortest drive (women) on hole 15; and Tim Propp, longest putt (man) on hole 18.

               The best dressed team honors went to the Randalls (Becky and Rod Randall, Cathy Reynolds, and Steve Schwab: and Runza WNCC Volleyball Alumni (Brooke Blomenkamp, Sierra Schmidt, Emily Hoehn, and Whitney Roth).

               Proceeds from the tournament go to WNCC athletic scholarship fund.

Cougar softball team ends season with 7-5 loss at nationals

St. GEORGE, Utah – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team’s history-making season came to an end Friday at the National Junior College Athletic Association softball tournament in St. George, Utah, Friday morning.

                But, it didn’t end without the Cougars putting up a fight in falling 7-5 to Central Alabama Community College, which was the continuation of a game that was started Thursday before rain halted the game.

                “I thought we started out rocky and not many people believed we could do it, not even ourselves,” sophomore Jacqui Cappuccilli said. “We just ended coming together once the season came around and we just came up short.”

                The Cougars finished the season at 51-15 and were the second team in school history to notch 50 or more wins. The team also scored the most combined runs at the national tournament of the three qualifying teams, scoring seven runs in the two games.

                “I thought we played OK. When you come down here you can’t make any errors,” sophomore Megan Bourdon said. “I think that first game [against Salt Lake] we came out kind of nervous. But, I am really proud of this team. I thought we accomplished a llot. At the beginning of the year I didn’t think we could. Getting here is a lot for this team. I am really proud of everybody.”

                Cappuccilli and Bourdon were the big hitters on the day along with freshman Sarah Hawryluk. Hawryluk went 2-for-4 with two singles, but Cappuccilli and Bourdon each delivered home runs to help jumpstart a Cougar offensive that had trouble adjusting to the national tournament-type of pitching.

                The Trojans led the Cougars 2-1 after two innings when rain stopped lay on Thursday. When the two teams resumed play on Friday, both teams offenses caught fire. Central Alabama went up went up 3-1 on a solo home run from Jade Sasser. WNCC cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the fifth as Bourdon smacked her 19^th home run of the season over the left field fence.

                CACC came right back in the bottom of the frame with two runs on two walks and a costly error for a 5-2 lead. The Trojans added two more suns in the sixth on a Shanice Hudson home run over the right field fence.

                WNCC, as they have done n the past, fought back scoring three times in the top of the seventh. Amanda Saldivar led off the inning with a single followed by Bourdon earning a walk. Cappuccilli then delivered the big b low with a 3-run shot over the left field fence. That was the closest they would get to finish their season.

                Ashton Hughes went two innings on Thursday, giving up two runs on three hits. Amanda Jones threw on Friday for an injured Hughes. Jones went four innings, five runs and five hits.

                Bourdon went 2-for-2 with two runs scored with a double, home run and two walks. Cappuccilli went 1-for-2 with a home run.

                Cappuccilli said that her two years at WNCC was filled with a lot of memories.

                “It was a good two years,” Cappuccilli said. “It was a good tournament and good life experiences. Maybe next year the girls will win one. I think they will have a chance. It was a good season because we won 51 games and we learned from our losses.”

                Bourdon, who is undecided of where she will be going next year, leaves WNCC as the season home run leader with 19 bombs this season.

                “I think I did OK this season. she said. “I think our sophomores did really well. I am really proud of them and I will miss them a lot.”

WNCC (51-14)                    100 010 3 – 5 6 2

CACC                                     110 122 x – 7 11 0

LP – Ashton Hughes; 2B – Megan Bourdon; HR – Bourdon, Jacqui Cappuccilli.