Boone, Iowa – The North Platte Community College Knights softball team finished their 2017 season on Sunday, May 7, losing the first two games of the District G playoffs in Boone, Iowa, to the Des Moines Area Community College Lady Bears 6-0 and 7-0.

In game one, the Lady Bears scored one run in the second inning. The Knights held the Lady Bears scoreless in the next inning. In the fourth inning, the Lady Bears opened up the game by scoring five runs. The Lady Bears pitcher, Molly Jacobsen held the Knights in check, scattering three hits and striking out 11. Erin Renwick took the loss in the first game. Renwick struck out one Lady Bear in seven innings.

In the second game, the Lady Bears scored runs in each of the first three innings, the big inning for the Lady Bears was the second inning when they crossed the plate five times. Ashley Sicard, the pitcher for the Lady Bears pitched a complete game and allowed five hits. Sicard struck out six Knight hitters in her seven innings

Samantha Foster took the loss in game two. Foster struck out six Lady Bear hitters.

The Lady Bears now 46-7, advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association National Division II softball tournament in Clinton, Miss.

The Knights end the season at 30-28. The 30 wins set a record for most wins in a season for the Knights.

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team will enter the College National Finals Rodeo as the number one men’s team in the Great Plains Region.

MPCC has been sitting at the top of the leaderboard in the men’s team standings since September. It won its first rodeo ever as a team during the MPCC Stampede and consistently placed high at subsequent competitions.

That includes wins at Hastings in April and at Dickinson, N.D. on Saturday – which ultimately secured the year-end championship.

“I’m probably most proud of the fact that while we’ve been doing well all along, at the end of the season, the team didn’t let the foot off the gas – it was mashed to the floor the whole time,” said Dustin Elliott, MPCC Rodeo Team rough stock coach. “That winning mentality is what it takes to be successful in a career and throughout life in general.”

MPCC is also leading the region in a handful of individual events. Rowdy Moon, of Sargent, is the Great Plains Region bareback riding champion. Garrett Wickett, of Norfolk, is number one in the bull riding, and Chandler Comfort, of Gem, Kan., is the top team roping heeler.

“Rowdy has been consistent all season, and that hard work has paid off,” said Elliott. “I think he’s ready for whatever nationals throws at him. He qualified last year and finished 19th. He rode all three of his horses, but had some things to work on technique-wise. That experience is going to help him this time around. He’s been there, done that.”

Wickett didn’t qualify for nationals last year, but is a sophomore, so also has an extra year of competition experience.

“Wickett impressed me a lot this year,” said Elliott. “He has been going to professional rodeos as well as to college rodeos and is borderline next level ready right now. I wouldn’t put it past him to go into Casper and really shine.”

Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach, said Comfort is one of the most focused and dedicated freshmen he’s ever been around.

“He’s fun to work with, and he takes care of business,” said Nokes. “I don’t know anyone who has a rope in his hand more hours of the day than Chandler. He’s good for a reason, and I expect him to do great things.”

Altogether, MPCC is sending seven contestants to nationals. That’s four more than went last year. The other qualifiers include Wyatt Killion, of Ainsworth, who is sitting second in the regional team roping heeler standings, and Kris Rasmussen, of Riverdale, who is second in the region in steer wrestling.

Steer wrestler Cyler Dowling, of Newell, S.D., and saddle bronc rider Lane Kennedy, of Orleans, are also headed to the CNFR. They are both ranked third in the region in their events.

“Overall, we’ve had a great year,” said Nokes. “We’ve had a lot of fun in the practice pen and are lucky to have a group of kids who not only want to win really bad, but also mesh well. They practice for one another, not just for themselves, and it shows in how high they placed. Their attitude and support of each other makes them tough to beat.”

The public will have a chance to meet the MPCC Rodeo Team members who qualified for nationals during a send-off from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 at Schmick’s Market in McCook.

North Plattte – The North Platte Community College Knights softball team will continue their season in the District G Playoff Series in Boone, Iowa on Sunday, May 7 and May 8.

The Region IX Division II champion Knights will face the Region XI-A champions, the Des Moines Area Community College Lady Bears in a best of three series.

The Lady Bears, 44-7, are ranked fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Softball poll.

The Lady Bears have a team batting average of .400 and 49 home runs on the season.

Abby Gehringer leads the Lady Bears in hitting with a .459 batting average. Gehringer also has eight home runs and a slugging percentage of .793. Kenzi Sutton leads the Lady Bears with nine home runs and 67 runs batted in.

In the ring, the Lady Bears are led by Molly Jacobsen. Jacobsen is 23-3 on the season with a 1.02 earned run average with 242 strikeouts. She has allowed 22 earned runs on the season and has given up five home runs. Ashley Sicard is 18-3 with a 2.12 earned run average with 103 strikeouts. As a team the Lady Bears have a 1.46 earned run average.

The Knights are 30-26 on the season and are batting .409 with 41 home runs on the season.

Sarah Beaton, going into the Region IX tournament, led the Knights in hitting with a .482 batting average. Beaton has nine doubles and three home runs. Sami Gill is next in hitting with a .475 batting average. Gill has 12 doubles and eight home runs. Samantha Foster leads the Knights with 12 home runs. Foster is batting .472.

In the ring, Foster has a 3.29 earned run average with 94 strikeouts. Erin Renwick has a 3.76 earned run average with 64 strikeouts.

The games will be broadcast on ESPN 1410 or on the Internet at www.northplattepost.com. The games will not be livestreamed, but will be available for viewing at a tape delay. The link will be posted at www.npccknights.com when it is available.

Game times are at 1 pm and 3 pm on Sunday. If game three is necessary, the deciding game will be held Monday at noon.
The winner of the playoff will advance to the NJCAA National Tournament in Clinton, Miss.

North Platte – Two members of this past season Region IX Division II champion Lady Knights are taking their basketball abilities to Huston – Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. Thomesha Wilson and Aljahnay Duncan will remain teammates in the 2017-18 season, as they both signed a national letter of intent for the National Association of Incollegiate Athletics Division I university.

Wilson, a 5’10” forward from Omaha, was the leading scorer for the Lady Knights this past season with a scoring average of 13.6 points per game and leading rebounder with 8.6 points per game.. Wilson was named to the All-Region IX Division II team and the All-Region IX Division II Tournament team, as well as a first team selection of the Omaha World Herald All-Nebraska team.

The environment was a big factor for me”, Wilson said, “The campus was great, the coaches were great and the team was great.”

Duncan, a 5’ 10” guard from Sherwood, Ark, led the Lady Knights this past season in steals with 52. Duncan averaged 6.5 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game.

Huston-Tillotson are looking for Duncan to play point guard.

“They made me feel very welcome and at home.” Duncan said, I love the intensity of the game. The coaches are amazing, the campus was amazing with a lot of activity going on.”

Both Wilson and Duncan said that playing at NPCC prepared them physically and mentally for the next level of competition.

Lady Knights assistant coach Ashley Bell also played at Huston-Tillotson.

SCOTTSBLUFF—The players have been selected for the East and West teams for the 33rd annual West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball Game. The 13 members of each all-star volleyball team were selected by the All Star coaches from nominations by their respective high school coach.

The rosters for both teams are subject to change.

Natalie Wood from Hemingford High School will be the Head Coach for the West. This past season Hemingford finished with a record of 27-5, losing to Centura in the finals of the C2-7 District. This is Coach Wood’s first appearance as a coach in the West Nebraska All Star game.

Bill Wilson from Dundy County High School will be the assistant coach for the West squad. This will be the second appearance for Wilson as a coach in the West Nebraska All Star Game. He served as the Head Coach for the West team in 1998.

Leading the East volleyball team is Margo Kent from Cambridge High School. This past season Kent led Cambridge to a record of 23-10, losing to Southern Valley lost in the finals of the C2-8 District. This is Coach Kent’s first appearance as a coach in the West Nebraska All Star Volleyball Game.

Marcus Ehrke from Alma High School will serve as the assistant coach for the East squad. Coach Ehrke will be coaching in the game for the first time.

The 2017 West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball Game will be played Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Cougar Palace on the campus of Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff. Game time is 2 p.m. MDT.

A portion of the proceeds from the West Nebraska All-Star Games benefit local organizations. In 2016, a total of $2,750 was donated to three local organizations.

ROSTERS

North Platte – It was a few days later, but the North Platte Community College Knights softball team are Region IX Division II champions, defeating the Central Community College Lady Raiders on Tuesday 7-2 and 5-4.

The championship series was originally scheduled for this past weekend, but because of cold, rainy weather in the forecast, the series was rescheduled for today.
It was the best of three series and the Knights won the first two games to win the championship.

In the first game, Ana Kaniho homered to put the Knights on the board in the second inning. Going into the bottom of the sixth inning, the score was tied at two and the Knights scored runs by Kaniho, Alex Baldner, Alyiah Franco, Sarah Beaton and Samantha Foster in the sixth to secure the win. Erin Renwick pitched a complete game to get the win for the Knights.

In game two, the Lady Raiders held a 4-3 lead going into the sixth inning. Renwick had a two-rbi single, scoring Baldner and Kaniho for the game winning rbi.

The Knights, who are 30-26 on the season will advance to the District G playoff this weekend. They will travel to the Region 11A champion for a best two out of three series. The winner of that series will advance to the National Junior College Division II National Tournament, May 17-20 in Clinton, Miss.

Location and times of the District G playoff are yet to be determined.

North Platte – The Omaha World Herald has announced the 2016-17 All-Nebraska Two-Year College Basketball teams.

Six North Platte Community College Knights and Lady Knights were named to the teams.
On the men’s side, Diontae Champion was named as honorary captain. Samuel Kearns was a member of the second team and Mike Amius was named honorable mention.

On the women’s team, a pair of Lady Knights were named to the first team, Jessica Lovitt and Thomesha Wilson. Allison Tichy was named honorable mention.

Champion, a sophomore from Arlington, Texas, averaged 14.8 points per game for the Knights and was a first team All-Region IX player and Most Valuable Player of the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference. Champion is the 21st leading scorer in the history of Knights basketball with 930 points. Champion has signed to continue his college career at the University of New Orleans.

Kearns, a freshman from San Antonio, Texas averaged 12.8 ppg for the Knights this past season and led the Knights in assists with 93. Kearns also broke the school record for three-point percentage in a season at 53.4 percent, which was the fourth best percentage in the nation. Kearns was also an All- NCCAC selection.

Amius, a sophomore from Lake Worth, Fla., averaged 11.8 ppg and six rebounds per game. Amius broke the Knights record for career field goal percentage at 68.0 percent. His 70.1 field goal percentage this season was the sixth best in the nation. Amius will continue his playing career at Western Carolina University next season.

Lovitt, a sophomore from Mullen, played both volleyball and basketball for the Lady Knights. Lovitt averaged 12.4 ppg in basketball. She was named to the All-Region IX Division II team, the All-Region IX Division II Tournament team and the All-NCCAC team. She was also an All-Region IX Volleyball player the past two seasons. Lovitt was also an All-Nebraska honorable mention in volleyball. Lovitt has signed to play basketball at Chadron State College next season.

Wilson, a sophomore from Omaha averaged 13.6 ppg and 8.6 rebounds per game for the Lady Knights this past season. Wilson was also named to the All-Region IX Division II team, the All-Region IX Division II Tournament team and the All-NCCAC team.

Tichy, a freshman from Bellevue, averaged 8.8 ppg this past season. Tichy was also named to the All-Region IX Division II team, the All-Region IX Division II Tournament team and the All-NCCAC team.

The complete list of All-Nebraska teams can be found at www.omaha.com.

North Platte – The Region IX Division II Softball tournament scheduled for Saturday and Sunday April 29 and 30 has been postponed until Tuesday, May 2.

The best of three series will be: Game one at 3 pm.  Game two will be at 5 pm, and the if necessary game three will be held at 7 pm.

There will be a $5.00 admission charge.  No season passes will be accepted.  Only North Platte Community College faculty, staff, and students will be admitted free with their college ID’s

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Knights softball team will play the Central Community College Lady Raiders April 29-30 for the Region IX Division II championship at the Dowhower Softball Complex.

It is a best of three series, which is a new format for determining the Region IX champion.

The Knights are the number one seed in the tournament with a regular season Region IX Division II record of 10-2, and earned the right to host the championship series. The Lady Raiders, who were 4-8 in Region IX Division II play, hosted Southeast Community College, also 4-8, to see who would face the Knights. After losing to Southeast, the Lady Raiders battled back in the second game to win 3-2, and took the deciding game 12-2.

The Knights are 28-26 overall and have a.408 team batting average, with 40 home runs hit on the season. Individually the Knights are led in hitting by Sarah Beaton at .477 in 172 at bats. Beaton also has nine doubles, three triples, and three home runs with 34 runs batted in. Following Beaton in the team lead for average is Samantha Gill at .475 in 181 at bats. Gill has 12 doubles and eight home runs with 39 runs batted in. Samantha Foster leads the Knights in home runs with 12 and runs batted in with 64. Foster has a .472 batting average in 193 at bats with 20 doubles and 2 triples.

In the ring, Foster has a 3.29 earned run average with 94 strikeouts. Foster has had 29 appearances and an 11-14 record. Erin Renwick also has appeared in 29 games and has a 16-11 record. Renwick has a 3.76 earned run average and has struck out 64 opposing batters.

The Lady Raiders are 16-31 overall and has a team batting average of .351 with 26 home runs.

Danica Schaefer leads the Lady Raiders in hitting with a .427 batting average in 143 at bats. Schaefer also has 16 doubles, two triples, five home runs, and 35 runs batted in. Maddi Kucera has a .403 batting average in 159 at bats. Kucera has nine doubles, five triples, one home run and 29 runs batted in. Katelyn Keene leads the Lady Raiders in home runs with eight, followed by Antonia Rodriguez with six home runs. Rodriguez has 45 runs batted in to lead the Lady Raiders.

Carsen Nelson leads the Lady Raiders in the ring with a 5.46 earned run average. Carson has pitched in 29 games and has an 8-16 record with 78 strikeouts. Keene has a 5.47 earned run average in 24 games. Keene has a 7-7 record with 61 strikeouts.

Game times for the series are: Game one is Saturday, April 29 at 3 pm. Game two follows at 5 pm on Saturday. If game three is necessary, it will be played Sunday, April 30 at 1 pm.

All games will be broadcast on the radio at ESPN 1410 and on the Internet at www.northplattepost.com. They will also be livestreamed at www.npccknights.com.

The winner of this series will represent Region IX in the District G playoff series at the Region 11a champion to secure a bid in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament in Clinton, Miss. On May 17-20.

North Platte – The North Platte Community College held their second annual athletic banquet in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

Brice Kesler, sports director for ESPN Radio 1410, was the master of ceremonies for the evening.

After the meal, NPCC Vice President Dr. Jody Tomanek opened up the program portion of the banquet with a few words of welcome to the crowd and some of the highlights she experienced with the athletic teams.

Kesler introduced each coach, who gave a recap of the past season for each sport.

Alexa McCall, head volleyball coach, introduced each of her players and mentioned athletic awards given out to various players. Jessica Lovitt and Megan Chintala, were awarded All Nebraska Community College Conference honors. Lovitt, Chintala, and Josie Palmer were named to the All-Region IX and All Region IX Division II Tournament Teams.

McCall also recognized the members of the volleyball team that were named to the Dean’s list and President’s list for the first semester. McCall said that the volleyball team, during the first semester had a 3.74 grade point average cumulative.

Next to speak was Richard Thurin, the recently retired Lady Knights basketball coach. Thurin introduced the members of the team this past season. Jessica Lovitt, Thomesha Wilson and Allison Tichy were recognized for their postseason athletic awards. All three of them were named to the All-NCCAC, All-Region IX Division II and All Region IX Division II Tournament teams.

After recognizing the academic achievements of various players, Thurin thanked all those who supported him throughout his 16 years at NPCC and his 51 total years in the coaching field.

As Thurin left the podium, the crowd gave him a standing ovation for his service to the college.

Janelle Higgins, NPCC head softball coach, called the players up to the front and had them introduce themselves.

Since the season is not completed yet, no athletic awards were given out. Higgins gave a recap of the season so far. The Knights are the number one seed in the upcoming Region IX tournament and will host the Region IX Division II championship series on April 29-30.

Higgins also recognized the softball players who were named to both the Dean and Presidents list.

Kevin O’Connor, athletic director and men’s basketball coach was the last coach to speak. O’Connor had the players introduce themselves and come up front. O’Connor handed out All Conference certificates to Samuel Kearns, Mike Amius, and Diontae Champion. Champion and Kearns were both first team selections and Amius was named to the second team. In addition, Champion was named most valuable player of the conference.

O’Connor also recognized the members of the basketball team that were named to the Dean and Presidents lists.

Thurin was presented a plaque and a statuette by the college for his 16 years of coaching.

To end the evening, O’Connor gave a charge to the student athletes, saying that when you get knocked down, and you will, that you will respond like a solid rock and not a marshmallow.