THE OFFICIAL MEDIA GUIDE OF NORTHLAND PIONEER ATHLETICS
SPRING 2016
2015
MINNESOTA COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
BASEBALL CHAMPIONS
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Digi-Key Electronics is an electronic component distributor located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. With annual global sales exceeding $1.7 billion, Digi-Key is continuing to add to our workforce of 3,400+ employees.
In addition to world-class career opportunities, our employees receive competitive compensation; an outstanding benefits program; a comfortable, stable, friendly work environment; and the many benefits of living in a smaller community.
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JOIN OUR TEAM!
Relocation Incentive! Digi-Key is now offering up to $850 in relocation assistance to any newly hired full-time employee who resides outside of a 60-mile radius of Thief River Falls, MN, and relocates to within that 60-mile radius in conjunction with new employment. Competitive Compensation Digi-Key offers competitive compensation. Pay is reviewed annually. Health Plan Digi-Key’s Health Plan has no deductible, modest co-pays on prescriptions, and includes a vision care benefit. Single coverage is FREE to the employee, and it is $27 biweekly for family coverage. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan Employee contributions are matched by Digi-Key dollar-for-dollar up to 3%. Historically, Digi-Key has also made a profit sharing contribution of 4% of the employee’s annual earnings. Dental Plan Employees have the option of participating in Digi-Key’s Dental Plan, which features a low deductible. The employee cost is $5 biweekly for employee coverage and $15 biweekly for family coverage. Flexible Spending Account Digi-Key’s Flexible Spending Account enables participants to pay for health plan premiums, unreimbursed medical and dental expenses, as well as dependent care expenses out of pre-tax funds. Vacation, Personal Time, and Paid Holidays Employees receive two weeks of vacation, 48-hours of personal/medical time, and six holidays in their first year of employment. Work Environment Digi-Key provides a clean, comfortable, climate-controlled work environment for its employees. Advancement Opportunities Digi-Key offers employees the ability to advance their careers through its internal posting system, acquiring positions that fit their individual talents and abilities or roles of greater responsibility. Additional Benefits Additional benefits include a life insurance plan, a long term disability insurance plan, employee purchase discounts, and educational reimbursement through the Digi-Key University program. ©2015 Digi-Key Electronics. Digi-Key is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS NORTHLAND QUICK FACTS National Junior College Athletic Association
Conference:
Region 13 Athletic Conference, Minnesota College Athletic Conference
Nickname: Pioneers Colors:
Navy Blue and Scarlet
ATHLETIC STAFF RICHARD SPEAS Athletic Director .............................................................. 218-683-8547 ABDUL CHAMMA Head Volleyball Coach ..................................................218-683-8680 SCOTT DCAMP Head Wrestling Coach .....................................................218-689-1014 BARRY DOWERS Head Baseball Coach .....................................................218-686-6433 TRAVIS MARTIN Head Football & Softball Coach .....................................218-683-8554 SHANNON NELSON Head Women’s Basketball Coach .............................. 218-683-8696
PAUL PETERSON Athletic Coordinator .......................................................218-683-8556
HISTORY OF THE NJCAA The movement to form a unique sports association dedicated to America’s two-year colleges arose in 1937 when several track and field coaches gathered in Fresno, California. A year later, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rejected a petition from 13 two-year colleges in California to grant their teams and athletes permission to compete at the NCAA Track & Field Championships. In the spring of 1938, following the NCAA’s rejection, those same 13 two-year colleges gathered again in Fresno to organize and form an association that would promote and supervise a national athletics program exclusively for junior and community colleges…and the rest is history. On May 14, 1938, the first constitution of the National Junior College Athletic Association was accepted by its charter members and the organization held its first national championship event a year later in May 1939.
2-3 4 5 6 8
BASEBALL 2016 Schedule Coaching Staff - Baseball 2016 Pioneer Baseball Roster 2016 Pioneer Baseball Preview 2015 Pioneer Baseball Schedule & Results Pioneer Baseball History NJCAA Baseball Championship History Meet the Pioneers - Baseball
10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18-19
SOFTBALL 2015 Pioneer Softball Results 2016 Pioneer Softball Schedule Coaching Staff - Softball 2016 Pioneer Softball Preview 2016 Pioneer Softball Roster 2014-2015 MCAC Standings Meet the Pioneers - Softball Pioneer Softball History
23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31
FEATURES Northland Spotlight: Lars Dyrud
32
CREDITS The 2016 Spring Media Guide is a publication of the Northland Community & Technical College Marketing & Communications Department. Content/Advertising: Chad Sperling, Matthew Brenden and Richard Speas
northlandpioneers.com
RICK NIKUNEN Head Men’s Basketball Coach ..................................... 218-683-8707
MCAC Conference Members President’s Welcome & College History Athletic Director Richard Speas Support Staff & All-Sports Standings Athletic Facilities
TABLE OF CONTENTS
National Affiliation:
Design/Layout/Printing: Amity Graphics - Bemidji, MN A huge thank you to all of the faculty and staff at Northland for all of their hard work and dedication to our students!
Northland Community & Technical College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator.
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
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NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
MCAC CONFERENCE MEMBERS
MCAC CONFERENCE MEMBERS
2
Anoka Ramsey Community College
Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Location: Coon Rapids, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 311 miles Mascot: Golden Rams Arena: Anoka-Ramsey Gymnasium Women’s Sports: basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, soccer
Location: Worthington, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 348 miles Mascot: Blue Jays/Lady Jays Arena: Minnesota West Gymnasium (1,000) Football Stadium: Worthington High School (3,000) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, wrestling
Central Lakes College
Minnesota State Community & Technical College
Location: Brainerd, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 194 miles Mascot: Raiders Arena: Central Lakes Gymnasium Football Stadium: no information Women’s Sports: basketball, golf, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, golf
Location: Fergus Falls, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 150 miles Mascot: Spartans Arena: Spartan Gymnasium (1,000) Football Stadium: Spartan Field Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, golf
Fond Du Lac Tribal & Community College
Northland Community & Technical College
Location: Cloquet, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 234 miles Mascot: Thunder Arena: No Information Football Stadium: No Information Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball
Location: Thief River Falls, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 0 miles Mascot: Pioneers Arena: NCTC Gymnasium (1,549) Football Stadium: Lowell T. Swenson Field (2,200) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, wrestling
Hibbing Community College
Rainy River Community College
Location: Hibbing, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 196 miles Mascot: Cardinals Arena: Activities Building (750) Women’s Sports: basketball, golf, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, golf
Location: International Falls, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 190 miles Mascot: Voyageurs Arena: Rainy River College Gym (500) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball
Itasca Community College
Ridgewater College
Location: Grand Rapids, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 188 miles Mascot: Vikings Arena: No Information Football Stadium: No Information Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball
Location: Willmar, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 250 miles Mascot: Warriors Arena: Swanson Gym (800) Football Stadium: Hodapp Field (3,500) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, wrestling
Mesabi Range Community & Technical College
Riverland Community College
Location: Virginia, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 218 miles Mascot: Norsemen/Lady Norse Arena: Activity Building (1,000) Football Stadium: Ewen’s Field (4,000) Women’s Sports: basketball, golf, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, baseball, basketball, golf
Location: Austin, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 415 miles Mascot: Blue Devils Arena: Riverland Gym (700) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, soccer
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
MCAC CONFERENCE MEMBERS Vermillion Community College
Location: Rochester, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 415 miles Mascot: Yellow Jackets Arena: Regional Sports Center (1,500)
Location: Ely, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 277 miles Mascot: Ironmen/Ironwomen Arena: No Information Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball
Women’s Sports: basketball, golf, soccer, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, football, golf, wrestling
St. Cloud Technical College Location: St. Cloud, MN Distance from Thief River Falls: 254 miles Mascot: Cyclones Arena: No Information Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball
MCAC CONFERENCE MEMBERS
Rochester Community College
MCAC North Dakota Institutions: (Football Only) Dakota College
North Dakota State College of Science
Location: Bottineau, ND Distance from Thief River Falls: 245 miles Mascot: Lumberjacks/Lady Jacks Arena: Thatcher Hall (1,000) Football Stadium: No Information Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports:football, baseball, basketball, hockey
Location: Wahpeton, ND Distance from Thief River Falls: 150 miles Mascot: Wildcats Arena: Bilkre Activities Center (3,500) Football Stadium: Bute Stadium (2,500) Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, volleyball Men’s Sports: football, basketball
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d owne y l l a Loc ted! a r e p &O
CONVENIENCE STORE & TOUCHLESS CARWASH! Pennington Main
220 Main Ave S, Thief River Falls 218-681-8888 Open 24 Hours
Pennington Square
1st St & Pennington Ave, Thief River Falls 218-681-4552 Open 6 AM - 11 PM
ATM ATM Available!
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
3
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME/HISTORY
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME & HISTORY
Thief River Falls Campus
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
4
Welcome to Pioneer Country! You’re soon to discover why athletics has such a prominent presence here at Northland Community & Technical College. Our commitment to developing these young men and women into competitive student athletes will be obvious in their effort on the field, court or arena. We take great pride in how our players demonstrate teamwork, sportsmanship and work ethic, giving it their all through the end of each contest. It’s also important to recognize that our student athletes excel off the field as well, making certain that achieving their academic goals is a priority. Northland’s athletes are routinely among the NJCAA’s highest performing scholars, boasting a graduation / transfer rate of nearly 100%! So enjoy today’s event and feel good about being part of a great Pioneer tradition that’s now entering its’ 50th year of competitive college athletics. Dennis Bona President
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
East Grand Forks Campus
COLLEGE HISTORY Northland Community & Technical College has been in existence in one form or other since 1949, when the Minnesota State Board of Education approved an area vocational school for Thief River Falls. The school would later move to its present location and merge with two other institutions of higher learning: first with Thief River Falls State Junior College and later with the East Grand Forks campus of Northwest Technical College, to form Northland Community & Technical College. Each institution brought a long history of serving the needs of area students and employers, and with the advent of online education, expanding its reach far beyond the Red River Valley and northwestern Minnesota.
MEET THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
RICHARD SPEAS
Director of Student Life & Athletics
Speas spent nine years as a successful college coach at William Penn University in Iowa, where he served numerous roles in addition to coaching; assistant director of admissions, assistant athletic director, and HPER faculty. As the head assistant baseball coach, the Statesmen went 215-78 (.734) during his tenure, including nationally ranked teams that qualified for the NCAA and NAIA regional playoffs. Assuming the role as the head men’s and women’s cross-country and track programs; Speas was named conference coach of the year in 2004 and 2005, cross-country
Moving into the NJCAA ranks as the Director of Athletics at Western Texas College in 2008, Speas oversaw 15 intercollegiate athletic programs in the highly competitive Western Junior College Athletic Conference. The Westerners captured a national championship in men’s rodeo. Making a change in a perennially week volleyball program, Speas hired Sheldon Carvalho who brought the volleyball program to the big dance in his second year in the program. In addition, the athletic program captured fourth place national finishes in women’s rodeo, women’s golf, and women’s track and field. Six teams held national rankings during the Speas tenure, including men’s cross country, men‘s golf, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer. The men’s cross country team was also named academic national champions of the NJCAA in 2007 and 2008. The community was energized when a $260,000 donation helped to
With family health issues, Speas returned to Iowa in 2012 to assume the position of Executive Director at Oskie Prep, a non-profit start up. Oskie Prep focused on education, job creation and community service. Speas earned a social science composite bachelor’s degree from William Penn University (IA) and a Master’s degree in athletic administration from Truman State University (MO). Richard and his wife Karma have eight children, Staci, Shawna, Jentrian, Tierney, Elijah, BrookeLyn, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Richard and Karma Speas reside in Thief River Falls, Minnesota with their six youngest children.
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
northlandpioneers.com
A native of Union, Iowa, Richard Speas comes to Northland Community and Technical College with a wealth of experience in intercollegiate athletics. Speas has over thirty years of experience in interscholastic athletics, sports marketing, and intercollegiate athletics. Assuming the role of Director of Athletics at Northland, Speas also serves as the Director of Student Life at the college.
Prior to his arrival into the juco athletic administration ranks, Speas served as the Director of Athletics at four year schools, Southern Virginia University and Peru State College in Nebraska. As the inaugural Director of Athletics at Southern Virginia University (1997-2000), he implemented 16 intercollegiate athletic teams. During this time, SVU witnessed a 400% percentage growth in enrollment. During his tenure at Peru State College (2006-2008) Speas oversaw a seven million dollar renovation to the Al Wheeler Activity Center which served as the hub for Bobcat athletics and student activities.
fund the renovations of the 4,000 seat indoor facility (The Coliseum). In 2011, Speas took the helm of one of the premier NJCAA programs in the nation, Blinn College. The Buccaneers would capture a national championship in volleyball in 2011. The football program held the number 1 ranking in the nation during the 2011 season before falling to Mississippi Gulf Coast in the Mississippi Bowl. The softball program garnered fourth place finishes at the NJCAA Division I national championships in 2011 and 2012. Baseball also held top ten national rankings, but before being eliminated in regional play. Long noted for its athletic excellence; 26 national championships (four in football), 127 baseball players drafted since the inception of the baseball program in 1966, and 38 professional football players including Cam Newton, Blinn is widely recognized as one of the top academic junior colleges in the nation.
MEET THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
coach of the year in 2004, and NAIA region cross-country coach of the year in 2004.
5
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
SUPPORT STAFF & STANDINGS
SUPPORT STAFF & ALL-SPORTS STANDINGS
6
Richard Speas
Paul Peterson
Abdul Chamma
Barry Dowers
Director of Student Life & Athletics
Athletics Coordinator
Head Coach Volleyball
Head Coach Baseball
Scott DCamp
Travis Martin
Shannon Nelson
Rick Nikunen
Head Coach Wrestling
Head Coach Football Head Coach Softball
Head Coach Women’s Basketball
Head Coach Men’s Basketball
NJCAA ALL-SPORTS STANDINGS The National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) released the winners of the 2014-2015 NATYCAA Cup. The NATYCAA Cup represents the most successful overall college athletic programs in the nation for twoyear institutions. This program recognizes excellence in two-year college athletics based on success in championship competition. 2014-2015 NATYCAA Cup NJCAA Scholarship Final Standings Standing
Institution
2014-2015 NATYCAA Cup NJCAA Non-Scholarship Final Standings Score
Standing
Institution
Score
1
Iowa Central Community College
169.5
1
Herkimer County CC (NY)
152
2
Iowa Western Community College
160.5
2
Nassau County CC (NY)
148
3
Tyler Junior College (TX)
141.5
3
Suffolk County CC (NY)
135.5
4
South Plains College (TX)
129
4
Mohawk County CC (NY)
129.5
5
Central Arizona College
117.5
5
Rowan College at Gloucester (NY)
127.5
6
Monroe (NY)
100.75
6
SUNY Dehli (NY)
107.5
7
Darton College (GA)
100.5
7
Harper College (Illinois)
95
8
Coffeyville (KS)
96
8
93
9
Monroe Community College
90
Fashion Institute of Technology (NY)
10
Pima Community College (AZ)
89
9
Ocean County College (NJ)
83
10
Rock Valley College (Illinois)
78
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
PATRICK MORIARTY, MD
BRUCE PIATT, MD
KEVIN BALLARD, DNP
J. ADAM HAMILTON, MD
BRIAN DIX, DPM
DON’T ACCEPT PAIN AS PART OF LIFE. WE CAN HELP. At Sanford Thief River Falls, our dedicated team of experts all have the same goal in mind – find the best solution to eliminate your pain. We have a large team of podiatrists, orthopedic specialists, surgeons and therapists that offer a wide-range of treatment options. Our entire team is focused on your needs, so you can start living the life you want. Choose the Experts. Choose Sanford Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Call (218) 681-4747 for an appointment.
038029-00208 8/15
MARK YUSKA, DPM
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
ATHLETIC FACILITIES
ATHLETIC FACILITIES
LOWELL T. SWENSON FIELD
Lowell T. Swenson Field is home to Northland Pioneers football team. The field was dedicated in 2004. Seating capacity is 2200.
PIONEER FIELD
MEC COMPLEX
The Pioneer Baseball Field opened in the Fall of 1974. It is home to the Northland Pioneer’s Men’s Baseball team.
The MEC Complex is home to the Northland Pioneer Women’s Softball. It opened in 2001.
WRESTLING ROOM
ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM
Wrestling started at Northland in 2013. Last year two national championship appearances came out of this room.
FITNESS CENTER
8
NORTHLAND GYMNASIUM
The Northland Gymnasium is home to volleyball and both Men’s and Women’s Basketball. The gymnasium opened in 1990. Seating capacity is 1549.
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
LOCKER ROOMS
urself o Y e r u t ic P Falls! r e iv R f ie in Th ADVERTISEMENTS
Contact the Thief River Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau for a FREE Visitors Guide to plan your trip today!
www.visittrf.com | 218-686-9785
www.evergreenimplement.com
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2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
9
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
2016 BASEBALL SCHEDULE
2016 PIONEER BASEBALL SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
LOCATION
3/4
North Arkansas College
Harrison, AR
1:00 PM
3/4
North Arkansas College
Harrison, AR
3:00 PM
3/6
Rock Valley College
Dallas, TX
1:00 PM
3/6
Rock Valley College
Dallas, TX
3:00 PM
3/7
North Lake College
Irving, TX
1:00 PM
3/7
North Lake College
Irving, TX
3:00 PM
3/25
Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD
12:00 PM
3/25
Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD
2:00 PM
3/25
Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD
4:00 PM
3/29
University of Minn (Crookston)
Crookston, MN
2:00 PM
3/29
University of Minn (Crookston)
Crookston, MN
4:00 PM
4/7
University of Minn (Crookston)
Crookston, MN
1:00 PM
4/7
University of Minn (Crookston)
Crookston, MN
3:00 PM
4/9
Minnesota State (Fergus Falls)
Fergus Falls, MN
1:00 PM
4/9
Minnesota State (Fergus Falls)
Fergus Falls, MN
3:00 PM
4/10
Minnesota State (Fergus Falls)
Thief River Falls, MN
1:00 PM
4/10
Minnesota State (Fergus Falls)
Thief River Falls, MN
3:00 PM
4/16
Minnesota West CC
Worthington, MN
1:00 PM
4/16
Minnesota West CC
Worthington, MN
3:00 PM
4/17
Minnesota West CC
Worthington, MN
1:00 PM
4/17
Minnesota West CC
Worthington, MN
3:00 PM
4/20*
Itasca Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
1:00 PM
4/20*
Itasca Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
3:00 PM
4/23*
Vermilion Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
1:00 PM
4/23*
Vermilion Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
3:00 PM
4/24*
Vermilion Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
1:00 PM
4/24*
Vermilion Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
3:00 PM
4/30*
Rainey River Community College
International Falls, MN
1:00 PM
4/30*
Rainey River Community College
International Falls, MN
3:00 PM
5/1*
Hibbing Community College
Hibbing, MN
1:00 PM
5/1*
Hibbing Community College
Hibbing, MN
3:00 PM
5/2
University of Minn (Crookston)
Thief River Falls, MN
1:00 PM
5/2
University of Minn (Crookston)
Thief River Falls, MN
3:00 PM
5/7*
Mesabi Range Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
1:00 PM
5/7*
Mesabi Range Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
3:00 PM
5/8*
Mesabi Range Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
1:00 PM
5/8*
Mesabi Range Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
3:00 PM
5/13
MCAC Northern Division Playoff
TBD
TBD
5/14
MCAC Northern Division Playoff
TBD
TBD
5/15
MCAC Northern Division Playoff Raindate (if needed)
5/19
Region 13 (Division III) Tournament
*MCAC Northern Division Games 10
TIME
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
TBD St. Cloud, MN
TBD
PIONEER BASEBALL COACHING STAFF Northland Head Baseball Coach
The Dowers coaching resume also includes serving as an assistant coach at Bemidji State University in 1998, where he focused on outfield play and hitting. As the head coach of the Bemidji VFW team in 1997, Dowers led the team to a third place state finish. Also a noteworthy baseball camp instructor and clinician, Dowers has been a featured coach with Triple Crown camps in Omaha, Nebraska, the Elite Baseball Academy, and various local clinics and camps. An outfielder during his collegiate playing career, Dowers played for the Pioneers in 1994 before transferring to University of Wisconsin (Superior) where he played, then onto Bemidji State University where he finished his career as the leadoff hitter for the Beavers. Dowers hit .398 for the Beavers as he led them to the NIC conference championship. Coach Dowers and daughter Hallie Mae (9), reside in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Dowers is also an owner of Legends Sporting Goods in Thief River Falls.
Prior to taking the reins of the baseball program at Northland, the Thief River Falls native served in the role
XAVIER GONZALES Assistant Coach
TERRY WISETH Assistant Coach
northlandpioneers.com
NCTC head coach Barry Dowers enters his seventh season at the helm of the Pioneers baseball program. The 2015 season marked a major milestone in the Pioneers program when Dower’s club captured the first Minnesota Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) title in school history. The Pioneers also reached the Region XIII championship game where they were defeated by Century College for the right to advance to the NJCAA Division III national championship series. Dowers enters the 2016 season as the head pioneer baseball coach with the second most career wins, trailing only former head coach, Terry Wiseth in that category. The Pioneers also completed back to back twenty plus win seasons in 2014 and 2015; the first time since 2008 and 2009 that the program featured back to back seasons with twenty or more wins. Dowers teams have been characterized by strong pitching and defense.
of assistant softball coach at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota for two years before taking the head varsity softball job during the 2008-2009 school year. As the head coach in 2008-2009, Dowers was named the conference Coach of the Year for softball.
BASEBALL COACHING STAFF
BARRY DOWERS
CHRIS NELSON Pitching Coach
COREY POOLE Assistant Coach
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
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NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
2016 BASEBALL ROSTER
2016 PIONEER BASEBALL ROSTER
12
NO.
NAME
POS.
B/T
HT.
YEAR
HOMETOWN
PREVIOUS SCHOOL
1
Dominick De La Cruz
OF/3B
R/R
6’1”
Soph
San Antonio, TX
John Paul Stevens HS
3
Josh Davila
C
R/R
5’8”
Soph
Lytle, TX
Lytle HS
4
Joey Koening
IF
R/R
6’0”
Fresh
Crookston, MN
Crookston HS
5
Gabe Cavasos
P/3B
R/R
5’8”
Soph
San Antonio, TX
John Paul Stevens HS
6
Josh Arriaga
IF/P
R/R
5’8”
Fresh
San Antonio, TX
John Paul Stevens HS
9
Zach Landman
IF/OF
R/R
5’8”
Soph
Red Lake Falls, MN
Lafayette HS
10
Jared Rushing
P
R/R
6’2”
Fresh
San Antonio, TX
John Paul Stevens HS
12
Peyton Mills
P
R/R
5’10”
Fresh
Stephen, MN
Stephen Argyle HS
13
Nick Vig
OF
R/R
5’10”
Soph
Fosston, MN
Fosston HS
14
Alex Erickson
OF
R/R
5’8”
Fresh
Red Lake Falls, MN
Lafayette HS
15
Brandon Harrell
3B/P
R/R
6’2”
Fresh
San Antonio, TX
St. Anthony HS
17
Landon Sanders
C/3B
R/R
5’10”
Soph
Thief Rivers Falls, MN
Lincoln HS
19
Owen Ellefson
P/IF/OF
R/R
6’3”
Soph
Argyle, MN
Stephen Argyle HS
22
Gilberto Rodriguez
IF/P
R/R
5’6”
Fresh
San Antonio, TX
John Paul Stevens HS
23
Matt Howell
OF/P
R/L
6’0”
Fresh
Badger, MN
BGMR HS
24
Gunnar Olson
OF/C
L/R
6’0”
Soph
Luverne, MN
Luverne HS
25
Logan Felch
1B/P
R/R
6’2”
Soph
Canyon Lake, TX
Clarendon College
27
John Haakenson
OF
R/R
5’9”
Soph
Oslo, MN
WAO HS
28
Lucas Sandsmark
Util/P
L/R
6’0”
Fresh
Thief River Falls, MN
East Grand Forks, ND
29
Matt Woodson
P
R/R
6’4”
Fresh
Newark, NJ
Home School
HEAD COACH: Barry Dowers ASSISTANT COACH: Corey Poole ASSISTANT COACH: Terry Wiseth
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
PHONETIC ROSTER Dominick De La Cruz Gabe Cavasos Josh Arriaga Brandon Harrell Owen Ellefson Gilberto Rodriguez Gunnar Olson John Haakenson Lucas Sandsmark
Dom-i-nick Del-La-Cruise Gabe Ca-Vos-Sos Josh Air-E-awe-ga Brandon Hair-L Owe-n L-F-Son Gilbert-O Rod-ree-gez Gun-er Olson John Hawk-en-son Luke-us Sands-mark
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800.856.3488BSNSPORTS.COM
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2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
13
PIONEER BASEBALL PREVIEW
2016 PIONEER BASEBALL PREVIEW After winning the first Minnesota Collegiate Athletic Conference title in school history, Coach Barry Dower will have a lot of holes to fill on the 2016 edition of Pioneer baseball. Gone from the conference championship team are the entire infield and two outfield positions. The return of the battery will help give the NCTC squad a foundation upon which to build. The Pioneers return both catchers, Josh Davila (Lytle, TX) and Landon Sanders (Thief River Falls, MN) along with pitching aces Gave Cavahos (San Antonio, TX) and Owen Ellesfon (Argyle, MN). Look for the Pioneer offense to be built around returning centerfielder Gunner Olson (Laverne, MN) and incoming
transfer Logan Felch. Felch, a transfer from Clarendon College in Texas, is projected to play first base and hit in the cleanup spot. The Pioneer defense still has a lot of question marks with new starters in seven of the nine positions on the field. “Look for Itasca and Mesabi Range, a couple of perineal rivals, to engage in the struggle at the top of the northern division of the MCAC,” speculated Dowers. “The southern division of the MCAC should match up ranked St. Cloud Tech against Riverland and Rochester for the top spot. The favorite division III program in Region XIII should still be Century College,” assessed Dowers.
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
2015 NORTHLAND BASEBALL HITTING STATISTICS
14
Player
G
AB
R
H
2b
3b
HR
RBI
BB
K
SB
Avg
Chris Gonzales
36
108
34
49
19
0
2
44
16
14
0
.454
Preston Brown
36
105
50
47
12
1
5
35
13
15
38
.448
Easton Lopez
35
108
41
47
11
1
2
40
22
10
8
.435
Dominck De La Cruz
20
41
13
16
2
0
0
8
6
0
2
.390
Gunnar Olson
32
102
18
37
12
2
4
40
14
23
6
.363
Zack Spence
34
97
21
33
5
1
1
14
10
9
3
.340
Riley Soderstrom
32
105
28
34
2
0
0
17
12
17
6
.324
Gabe Cavasos
11
33
2
10
2
0
0
9
5
6
0
.303
Lars Brevik
16
50
10
15
1
0
0
5
4
8
0
.300
Landon Sanders
22
55
1
15
5
0
0
7
9
10
0
.273
Evan Kroke
11
19
3
5
1
0
0
1
2
4
0
.263
Josh Davila
20
52
4
13
2
0
1
11
7
13
0
.250
Zach Landman
23
31
15
7
0
0
0
4
7
8
12
.226
Nick Hoffard
12
15
9
3
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
.200
Taylor Cantrell
24
66
8
12
1
0
1
9
8
16
0
.182
Ian Lund
9
19
2
3
0
1
0
2
1
3
0
.158
John Haakenson
6
8
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
5
0
.125
Robert Lukkason
7
9
4
1
0
0
0
1
1
5
0
.111
Conner Brown
10
29
4
3
0
0
0
5
5
8
0
.103
Owen Ellefson
5
10
3
1
1
0
0
0
3
6
0
.100
Joseph Santos
5
11
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
5
0
.091
Nick Vig
7
14
2
1
0
0
0
1
1
4
0
.071
Cody Hess
6
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
0
.000
Totals
39
1091
273
354
77
6
16
255
152
190
79
.324
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
2015 PIONEER BASEBALL SCHEDULE & RESULTS OPPONENT
SITE
RESULTS
3/6/15
Southeastern CC (NE)
Beatrice, NE
L, 11-1
3/6/15
Southeastern CC (NE)
Beatrice, NE
L, 19-8
3/12/15
Northlake CC
Irving, TX
L, 11-1
3/14/15
Eastfield CC
Mesquite, TX
W, 8-6
3/14/15
Eastfield CC
Mesquite, TX
L, 12-6
3/14/15
Brookhaven CC
Dallas, TX
L, 6-1
3/20/15
Dakota Wesleyan JV
Mitchell, SD
W, 8-2
3/20/15
Dakota Wesleyan JV
Mitchell, SD
W, 2-0
3/30/15
Rainy River CC
Mitchell, SD
W, 15-2
3/30/15
Dakota Wesleyan JV
Mitchell, SD
W, 5-3
4/1/15
Lake Region State
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 11-3
4/1/15
Lake Region State
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 8-0
4/3/15
Moorhead State (Club)
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 7-6
Moorhead State (Club)
Thief River Falls, MN
L, 8-4
Concordia College JV
Moorhead, MN
L, 19-17
4/12/15
Concordia College JV
Moorhead, MN
L, 8-6
4/15/15
Rainy River CC
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 11-1
4/15/15
Rainy River CC
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 3-2
4/18/15
Vermilion CC
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 6-1
4/18/15
Vermilion CC
Thief River Falls, MN
L, 4-0
4/19/15
Vermilion CC
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 13-3
4/19/15
Vermilion CC
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 15-5
4/23/15
Bemidji State Univ. JV
Bemidji, MN (9 innings)
W, 9-8
4/25/15
Mesabi Range CC
Virginia, MN
W, 16-6
4/25/15
Mesabi Range CC
Virginia, MN
L, 10-0
4/26/15
Vermilion CC
Ely, MN
W, 15-1
4/26/15
Vermilion CC
Ely, MN
W, 12-5
4/29/15
Hibbing CC
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 10-5
4/29/15
Hibbing CC
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 7-2
5/2/15
Itasca CC
Grand Rapids, MN
L, 14-7
5/2/15
Itasca CC
Grand Rapids, MN
L, 18-4
5/3/15
Itasca CC
Grand Rapids, MN
L, 6-0
5/3/15
Itasca CC
Grand Rapids, MN
W, 10-9
5/8/15
Vermilion CC*
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 7-0
5/8/15
Vermilion CC*
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 8-6
5/15/15
Riverland CC #
St. Cloud, MN (Putz Field)
W, 3-1
5/15/15
Minnesota State FF#
St. Cloud, MN (Putz Field)
W, 5-3
5/16/15
Century College #
St. Cloud, MN (Putz Field)
L, 4-0
5/17/15
St. Cloud Tech#
St. Cloud, MN (St. Johns U)
W, 4-3
5/17/15
Century College ##
St. Cloud, MN (St. Johns U)
L, 13-3
northlandpioneers.com
4/3/15 4/12/15
2015 BASEBALL SCHEDULE
DATE
*MCAC Conference Tournament# Region XIII tournament ##Region XIII tournament championship game 2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
15
PIONEER MEN’S BASEBALL HISTORY BASEBALL HISTORY
MCAC Championships: 2015 - Coach Barry Dowers
2015 MCAC NORTHERN DIVISION STANDINGS (Regular Season Standings)
Region Runner Up: 2015 - Coach Barry Dowers 2009 - Coach Brad Evans
SEASON SEASON WINS LOSSES
TEAM
DIVISION LOSSES
Itasca
29
20
9
1
Mesasbi Range
25
15
7
3
Northland
25
15
7
3
Vermilion
13
23
3
7
Rainy River
18
24
3
7
Hibbing
1
31
1
9
Best Single Season Record: Winning % .641 - Coach Barry Dowers - 2015 - (25-14) Most wins in a single season: 27 - Coach Steve Gust - 2008 (27-18) Career Win Leaders: 121 - Terry Wiseth 89 - Barry Dowers 88 - Steve Gust 68 - Chet Engleman
DIVISION WINS
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
2014-2015 Northland Community and Technical College Baseball Results
16
OVERALL RECORD
%
CONFERENCE
%
HOME
AWAY
NEUTRAL
25-15
.625
7-3
.700
10-1
11-10
4-4
SEASON
RECORD
COACH
SEASON
RECORD
COACH
20 15
25-15
Barry Dowers
1993
11-16-1
Terry Wiseth
2014
21-24
Barry Dowers
1992
13-13
Terry Wiseth
2013
11-23
Barry Dowers
1991
12-12
Terry Wiseth
2012
13-27
Barry Dowers
1990
14-10
Terry Wiseth
2011
11-18
Barry Dowers
1989
6-18
Terry Wiseth
2010
8-30
Barry Dowers
1988
9-17
Terry Wiseth
2009
17-15
Brad Evans
1987
5-16
Rick Nelson
2008
27-18
Steve Gust
1986
6-13
Rick Nelson
2007
20-18
Steve Gust
1985
3-17
Rick Nelson
2006
21-20
Steve Gust
1984
2-14
Chet Engelman
2005
20-19
Steve Gust
1983
12-7
Chet Engelman
2004
11-22
Guy Finstrom
1982
6-14
Chet Engelman
2003
11-22
Guy Finstrom
1981
3-13
Chet Engelman
2002
14-16
Guy Finstrom
1980
12-8
Chet Engelman
2001
12-20
Guy Finstrom
1979
2-10
Chet Engelman
2000
5-26
John Ott
1978
5-9
Chet Engelman
1999
1-19
John Ott
1977
4-10
Chet Engelman
1998
8-18
Chris Mills
1976
2-18
Chet Engelman
1997
14-17
Terry Wiseth
1975
5-11
Chet Engelman
1996
8-18
Terry Wiseth
1974
6-5
Chet Engelman
1995
13-15
Terry Wiseth
1973
9-6
Chet Engelman
1994
21-11
Terry Wiseth
1973-2015
459-708-1
Nine Coaches
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
DIVISION II Champion
Year
DIVISION I Champion
1992
Essex CC (MD)
1993
Yavapai College (AZ)
1993
Massasoit CC (MA)
1994
Galveston CC (TX)
1994
Lincoln Land CC (IL)
1995
Middle Georgia State (GA)
1995
Potomac State College (WV)
1996
Northeast Texas CC (TX)
1996
Grand Rapids CC (MI)
1997
Cowley CCC (KS)
1997
Grand Rapids CC (MI)
1998
Cowley CCC (KS)
1998
Jefferson Davis CC (AL)
Year
Grayson CC (TX)
1999
Kishwaukee CC (IL)
Grayson CC (TX)
2000
Lincoln Land (IL)
2001
North Central Texas (TX)
2001
Delaware Tech & CC (DE)
2002
Central Arizona (AZ)
2002
Parkland College (IL)
2003
Community College of So. Nevada (NV)
2003
Grand Rapids CC (MI)
2004
Dixie State College (UT)
2004
Grand Rapids CC (MI)
2005
New Mexico JC (NM)
2005
Grand Rapids CC (MI)
2006
Walters State CC (TN)
2006
Louisiana State Univ. (LA)
2007
Chipola College (FL)
2007
Longview CC (MO)
2008
Grayson CC (TX)
2008
Louisiana State U.-Eunice (LA)
2009
Howard College (TX)
2009
Parkland College (IL)
2010
Iowa Western CC (IA)
2010
Louisiana State U.-Eunice (LA)
2011
Navarro College (TX)
2011
Western Oklahoma State (OK)
2012
Iowa Western CC (IA)
2012
Louisiana State U.-Eunice (LA)
2013
Central Alabama (AL)
2013
Murray State College (OK)
2014
Iowa Western CC (IA)
2014
Mesa CC (AZ)
2015
Northwest Florida State (FL)
2015
Louisiana State U.-Eunice (LA)
DIVISION III
DIVISION III
Year
Champion
Year
Champion
1992
Gloucester CC (NJ)
2004
Richland College (TX)
1993
Gloucester CC (NJ)
2005
Gloucester CC (NJ)
1994
Joliet Junior College (IL)
2006
Eastfield College (TX)
1995
Madison Area Tech. C. (WI)
2007
Tyler Junior College (TX)
1996
Madison Area Tech. C. (WI)
2008
Joliet Junior College (IL)
1997
Madison Area Tech. C. (WI)
2009
Richland College (TX)
1998
Norwalk Comm. & Tech C. (CT)
2010
Gloucester CC (NJ)
1999
Gloucester CC (NJ)
2011
Eastfield College (TX)
2000
Gloucester CC (NJ)
2012
Joliet Junior College (IL)
2001
Eastfield College (TX)
2013
Gloucester CC (NJ)
2002
Richland College (TX)
2014
Tyler Junior College (TX)
2003
Richland College (TX)
2015
Tyler Junior College (TX)
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
northlandpioneers.com
1999 2000
NJCAA CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
NJCAA NATIONAL BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
17
MEET THE PIONEERS
MEET THE PIONEERS - BASEBALL
19
17
24
3
1
5
13
15
10
15
OWEN ELLEFSON Height: 6’3” Hometown: Argyle, MN High School: Stephen Argyle HS Position: P/IF/OF
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
GUNNAR OLSON Height: 6’0” Hometown: Luverne, MN High School: Luverne HS Position: OF/C
18
DOMINICK DE LA CRUZ Height: 6’1” Hometown: San Antonio, TX High School: John Paul Stevens HS Position: OF/3B
NICK VIG Height: 5’10” Hometown: Fosston, MN High School: Fosston HS Position: OF
JARED RUSHING Height: 6’2” Hometown: San Antonio, TX High School: John Paul Stevens HS Position: P
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
LANDON SANDERS Height: 5’10” Hometown: Thief Rivers Falls, MN High School: Lincoln HS Position: C/3B
JOSH DAVILA Height: 5’8” Hometown: Lytle, TX High School: Lytle HS Position: C
GABE CAVASOS Height: 5’8” Hometown: San Antonio, TX High School: John Paul Stevens HS Position: P/3B
LOGAN FELCH Height: 6’2” Hometown: Canyon Lake, TX Previous School: Clarendon College Position: 1B/P
BRANDON HARRELL Height: 6’2” Hometown: San Antonio, TX High School: St. Anthony HS Position: 3B/P
MEET THE PIONEERS - BASEBALL
22
14
2
23
28
6
4
27
29
ZACH LANDMAN Height: 5’8” Hometown: Red Lake Falls, MN High School: Lafayette HS Position: IF/OF
ALEX ERICKSON Height: 5’8” Hometown: Red Lake Falls, MN High School: Lafayette HS Position: OF
JOSH ARRIAGA Height: 5’8” Hometown: San Antonio, TX High School: John Paul Stevens HS Position: IF/P
JOHN HAAKENSON Height: 5’9” Hometown: Oslo, MN High School: WAO HS Position: OF
PEYTON MILLS Height: 5’10” Hometown: Stephen, MN High School: Stephen Argyle HS Position: P
LUCAS SANDSMARK Height: 6’0” Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN High School: East Grand Forks, ND Position: Util/P
JOEY KOENING Height: 6’0” Hometown: Crookston, MN High School: Crookston HS Position: IF
northlandpioneers.com
MATT HOWELL Height: 6’0” Hometown: Badger, MN High School: BGMR HS Position: OF/P
GILBERTO RODRIGUEZ Height: 5’6” Hometown: San Antonio, TX High School: John Paul Stevens HS Position: IF/P
MEET THE PIONEERS
9
MATT WOODSON 6’4” Hometown: Newark, NJ High School: Home School Position: P
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
19
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NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
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CONNECT to COMMUNICATE.
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
ATE: ROJECT NO.:
Š Hay Dobbs Architects
Exterior Improvements Option 2 11/25/2015 13013.001
Northland CTC Thief River Falls Student Housing
SK. 21
DEVELOPING HOUSING THAT CAMPUSES NEED Thief River Falls, MN
HAY DOBBS P.A. , ORB MANAGEMENT, CAMPUS ADVANTAGE
& BUILDING WHAT STUDENTS CAN AFFORD. As student housing development experts, we understand that your students need more than a pillow and mattress. Colleges and universities or developers attempting to identify a housing solution independently can be futile. Today, institutions see value in developing student housing through collaboration. This past year the Northland Community & Technical College and Foundation collaborated with ORB to create a successful student housing project by delicately balancing the project cost and student needs. Together, we redeveloped an existing community asset into a financially feasible student housing complex as well as a pleasing and functional home for students. Congratulations to the Northland Community & Technical College and Foundation for your forward-thinking approach in solving campus housing challenges!
320.762.2077 Alexandria, MN │ St. Paul, MN
orbmgmt.com
2015 PIONEER SOFTBALL RESULTS SITE
RESULTS
3/17
Southwestern (IA)
Orlando, FL
L, 10-0
3/17
Iowa Lakes CC
Orlando, FL
L, 13-5
3/18
Highland CC (IL)
Orlando, FL
L, 8-6
3/18
Oakton CC (IL)
Orlando, FL
W, 13-7
3/20
Waubonsee (IL)
Orlando, FL
L, 13-0
3/20
Muscatine CC (IA)
Orlando, FL
L, 26-4
3/21
Dakota County Tech (MN)
Orlando, FL
L, 11-0
4/9
Rainy River CC
Thief River Falls, MN
L, 11-7
4/9
Rainy River CC
Thief River Falls, MN
W, 5-2
4/11
North Dakota SCS
Whapeton, ND
L, 6-2
4/11
North Dakota SCS
Whapeton, ND
W, 7-2
4/13
Rainy River CC
International Falls, MN
L, 13-0
4/13
Rainy River CC
International Falls, MN
L, 24-0
4/16
Dakota College
Thief River Falls, MN
L, 4-0
4/16
Dakota College
Thief River Falls, MN
L, 8-7
4/18
Central Lakes CC
Brainerd, MN
L, 12-2
4/18
Central Lakes CC
Brainerd, MN
L, 6-4
4/19
Itasca CC
Thief River Falls, MN
L, 9-6
4/25
Hibbing CC
Hibbing, MN
W, 9-6
4/25
Hibbing CC
Hibbing, MN
L, 10-4
4/26
Vermilion CC
Ely, MN
W,11-9
4/26
Vermilion CC
Ely, MN
W, 9-8
4/28
Mesabi Range CC
Thief River Falls, MN
L, 5-4
4/28
Mesabi Range CC
Thief River Falls, MN
L, 9-1
4/30
Itasca CC
Grand Rapids, MN
L, 5-2
5/2
Hibbing CC
Virginia, MN (Conference Tourney)
L, 5-2
5/2
Central Lakes CC
Virginia, MN (Conference Tourney)
L, 11-0
OVERALL RECORD: 6-12, MCAC Record: 3-9 TOTAL RUNS SCORED: 114 (4.2 per game) TOTAL RUNS SCORED BY OPPOSITION: 252 (9.3 per game)
northlandpioneers.com
OPPONENT
2015 SOFTBALL RESULTS
DATE
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
23
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
2016 SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
2016 PIONEER SOFTBALL SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
SITE
TIME
3/7-3/12
Spring Break Trip
TBA
TBA
3/17
Minnesota Classic
Rosemont, MN (Dome)
TBA
3/18
Minnesota Classic
Rosemont, MN (Dome)
TBA
3/25
RCTC Crossover Tournament
Rochester, MN (Dome)
TBA
3/26
RCTC Crossover Tournament
Rochester, MN (Dome)
TBA
4/9
McBride Tournament
Grand Rapis, MN
TBA
4/13
Itasca Community College
Thief River Falls, MN
4/16
Central Lakes CC
Brainerd, MN
4/17
Fond Du Lac CC
Cloquet, MN
4/20
Rainy River CC
International Falls, MN
4/22
Dakota College
Bottineau, ND
4/23
Vermillion CC
Thief River Falls, MN
4/24
Mesabi Range CC
Thief River Falls, MN
4/27
Hibbing CC
Thief River Falls, MN
4/30
MCAC tournament
Grand Rapids, MN
5/1
MCAC tournament
Grand Rapids, MN
5/6
Region XIII (North) Tourney
@ highest seed
5/7
Region XIII (North) Tourney
@highest seed
5/19
NJCAA Div. III National Championships
Rochester, MN
5/20
NJCAA Div. III National Championships
Rochester, MN
5/21
NJCAA Div. III National Championships
Rochester, MN
218-681-0413
802 3rd Street West• Thief River Falls, MN 56701 24
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
PIONEER SOFTBALL COACHING STAFF Northland Softball Head Coach
Travis Martin opens the 2015-2016 school year as the first year head coach for the Pioneers. Martin served as an assistant softball coach during the prior season at Northland. Martin will have a formable task ahead in generating a winning tradition at Northland, considering the program has only experienced nine winning seasons in their 42 year history. “We will need to be aggressive on the bases this year, and force other teams into mistakes,� noted Martin on the upcoming season.
CASSIE GUNDERSON Northland Softball Assistant Coach
Prior to his arrival at NCTC, Martin assumed the reins of the baseball program at Dakota College in Bottineau, North Dakota during the 2013-2014 year. Martin increased the squad size from 11 to 25 players, and tripled the wins from the previous season. While at Dakota College, Martin also served as an assistant football coach. During the summer of 2015, Martin was also involved in the youth baseball programs in Thief River Falls, coaching a 15 year old in the Babe Ruth league. The team qualified for the Minnesota State Babe Ruth tournament. In addition to serving as the head softball coach, Martin is also the head football coach at NCTC and teaches in the physical education program.
NORTHLAND SOFTBALL COACHES
TRAVIS MARTIN
Coach Martin, wife Krista, and daughter Khloe live in Thief River Falls.
KATHY HUSCHLE Northland Softball Assistant Coach
northlandpioneers.com
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
25
The Pioneer softball team comes off a 6-21 season in 2015. The good news is they hit an impressive .304 as a team; the bad news is, the opposition hit .412 against NCTC pitching. First year head coach, Travis Martin must replace pitcher Crystal Amundson and Kala Schmitz who figured in all decisions for the Pioneers last season. The NCTC season opened with a seven game spring trip in Florida where the Pioneers were outscored 88-28, returning home with a 1-7 ledger. After returning home, the team would split doubleheaders with Rainy River, North Dakota State College of Science, and Hibbing. The highlight of the season came on April 26th where the Pioneers swept a doubleheader from Vermilion.
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
2016 SOFTBALL PREVIEW
2016 PIONEER SOFTBALL PREVIEW
26
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
Returners for the Pioneers include Hannah Hoglo (New Folden, MN), Megan Hass (Grand Forks, ND), and Ruth Hjeldness (East Grand Forks, MN). Hoglo, a versatile player, filled in at multiple positions while Hjeldness and Haas played the outfield. Haas also spent time behind the plate with catching duties. Martin looks to newcomers Alexis Folmer (Bismark, ND) to help at the third base position, and Thief River Falls (Lincoln High) product Avery Azure to contribute in the outfield. “Alexis Folmer is a solid defensive player,” noted Martin, “and Avery Azure gives us a player with excellent arm strength in the outfield.”
2016 PIONEER SOFTBALL ROSTER 2016 SOFTBALL ROSTER
NO.
PLAYER
POS
B/T
HEIGHT
YEAR
HOMETOWN
HIGH SCHOOL
2
Rachel Fleisher
3B
R/R
5’6”
FR
Waubun, MN
Waubun HS
3
Hannah Hoglo
SS/C
R/R
5’5”
SO
Newfolden, MN
Marshall County Central HS
5
Ruth Hjeldness
SS/OF
R/R
5’7”
SO
East Grand Forks, MN
East Grand Forks Sr. High
6
Torri Smithee
SS/OF
R/R
5’9”
FR
Rector, AR
Rector High School
7
Brittni Wellen
SS
R/R
5’7”
SO
Baudette, MN
Lake of the Woods HS
8
Megan Olson
OF
R/R
5’5”
FR
Roseau, MN
Roseau High School
9
Hannah Rolf
OF
R/R
5’10”
FR
McIntosh, MN
Win-E-Mac High School
21
Avery Azure
C/OF
L/R
5’6”
FR
Thief River Falls, MN
Lincoln High School
30
Brittney Bray
P/1B
L/R
5’5”
SO
Oklee, MN
Red Lake Country Central HS
northlandpioneers.com
Row 1 (L to R) Hannah Hoglo, Ruth Hjeldness, Megan Olson, Rachael Fleisher Row 2 (L to R) Kathy Huschle, Cassie Gunderson, Brittney Bray, Brittni Wellen, Torri Smithee, Hannah Rolf, Avery Azure, Travis Martin
Head Coach: Travis Martin Assistant Coaches: Cassie Gunderson, Kathy Huschle
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
27
Northern Division TEAM
OVERALL WINS
OVERALL LOSSES
Mesabi Range
28
20
10
2
Hibbing
15
16
7
5
Itasca
22
19
7
5
Central Lakes
8
20
6
6
Rainy River
17
18
6
6
Vermilion
8
28
5
7
Northland
6
21
3
9
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
2014-2015 MCAC STANDINGS
2014-2015 MINNESOTA COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
DIVISION DIVISION WINS LOSSES
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Northland Community & Technical College
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2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
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2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
29
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
MEET THE PIONEERS - SOFTBALL
MEET THE PIONEERS - SOFTBALL
30
21
3
4
20
30
34
2
33
7
24
5
7
AVERY AZURE Height: 5’6” Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN High School: Lincoln High School Position: C/OF
KATIE BOHN Height: Hometown: Park River, ND High School: Position: OF
BRITTNEY BRAY Height: 5”8” Hometown: Red Lake Falls, MN High School: Red Lake Country Central High School Position: P/1B
RACHEL FLEISHER Height: 5’6” Hometown: Waubun, MN High School: Waubun HS Position: 3B
EMILY HESTEKIND Height: 5’8” Hometown: Newfolden, MN High School: Marshall County Central HS Position: INF
RUTH HJELDNESS Height: 5’7” Hometown: East Grand Forks, MN High School: East Grand Forks Sr. High Position: SS/OF
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
HANNAH HOGLO Height: 5’5” Hometown: Newfolden, MN High School: Marshall County Central Position: SS/C
KATIA KJELLAND Height: Hometown: Park River, ND High School: Position: INF
CHELSEY LIMESAND Height: 5’5” Hometown: Gatzke, MN High School: Goodridge-Grygla HS Position: OF
SHARON MILLER Height: 6’ Hometown: Blaine, MN High School: Blaine High School Position: P/3B
SARA RAMIREZ Height: 5’8” Hometown: St. Thomas, ND High School: St. Thomas HS Position: 3B/OF
BRITTNI WELLEN Height: 5’7” Hometown: Baudette, MN High School: Lake of the Woods HS Position: SS
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE RECORD
COACH
YEAR
RECORD
COACH
2015
6-21
Kathy Huschle
1992
0-17
Sue Barnd
2014
12-16
Kathy Huschle
1991
6-16
Sue Barnd
2013
0-12
Kathy Huschle
1990
1-9
Sue Barnd
2012
13-19
Merle Johnson
2011
13-20
Merle Johnson
1989
Jodi Bendickson
2010
6-26
Guy Finstrom
No team due to lack of players
2009
24-19
Kathy Huschle
1988
16-11
Patty Chiodo
2008
12-20
Kathy Huschle
1987
13-9
Patty Chiodo
2007
6-20
Kathy Huschle
1986
10-8
Paul Williams
2006
19-23
Kathy Huschle
1985
Deb Jacobsen
2005
24-15
Kathy Huschle
No team due to lack of players
2004
11-20
Kathy Huschle
1984
2-14
Deb Jacobsen
2003
16-15
Kathy Huschle/Dan Zubich
1983
3-15
Deb Jacobsen
2002
7-14
Kathy Huschle/Dan Zubich
1982
12-10
Deb Jacobsen
2001
8-19
Rick Nikunen
1981
9-10
Deb Jacobsen
2000
16-16
Rick Nikunen
1980
7-17
Deb Jacobsen
1999
11-17
Rick Nikunen
1979
3-5
Deb Jacobsen
1998
25-13
Rick Nikunen
1978
11-13
Deb Jacobsen
1997
17-15
Rick Nikunen
1977
12-10
Deb Jacobsen
1996
12-14
Rick Nikunen
1976
No records
Deb Jacobsen
1995
10-17
Rick Nikunen
1975
No records
Deb Jacobsen
1994
4-17
Rick Nikunen
1974
No records
Deb Jacobsen
1993
1-15
Rick Nikunen
PIONEER SOFTBALL COACHING RECORDS HEAD COACH
YEARS
RECORD
WINNING %
Kathy Huschle
2013-2105; 2002-2009
137-195
.413
Merle Johnson
2011-2012
26-39
.400
Guy Finstrom
2010
6-26
.188
Dan Zubich
2002-2003
23-29
.442
Rick Nikunen
1993-2001
104-143
.421
Sue Barnd
1990-1992
7-42
.143
Jodi Bendickson
1989
0-0
.000
Patty Chiodo
1987-1988
29-20
.592
Paul Williams
1986
10-8
.555
Deb Jacobsen
1974-1985
59-94
.386
MOST WINS IN A SINGLE SEASON: 25- 1998- Coach Rick Nikunen MOST CAREER WINS: 137- Kathy Huschl
northlandpioneers.com
YEAR
NORTHLAND SOFTBALL HISTORY
SOFTBALL HISTORY
HIGHEST CAREER WINNING % .592- Patty Chiodo (29-20)
2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
31
NORHTLAND SPOTLIGHT
NORTHLAND SPOTLIGHT The Director of the TRF campus foundation,
LARS DYRUD
What do you do at Northland? I’m the Director of Foundation Operations. I run the foundation’s scholarship program and keep track of the foundation’s day-to-day operations.
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
What is the Northland Community & Technical College Foundation? The NCTC Foundation was established in 1975 to “support the college by providing opportunities for contributors to invest in and enhance the educational experience of Northland’s students.” Student housing was an early goal of the foundation, but due to obstacles at that time, the focus soon shifted to student scholarships. This year, the foundation is pleased to return to its original goal of providing student housing for Northland students. On May 2, 2016, the foundation finalized the purchase of the Foxtail Townhomes just behind (northeast) of the TRF campus. Renovation will take place over the summer, and students will move in this August. What else does the foundation do? In addition to running the scholarship program and student housing at Northland, the foundation also organizes fundraising and community engagement events throughout the year. How does the foundation support athletics at Northland? Under NJCAA rules for Division III athletics, student athletes cannot be recruited with athletic scholarships. However, student athletes are still eligible to receive scholarships like any other student at Northland, and many do.
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2016 SPRING MEDIA GUIDE
The foundation also holds the Klemisch-NASA Endowment for Northland athletics. An annual distribution of funds from this endowment is divided among all of Northland’s athletic teams to supplement their college budget. By growing this fund, Northland athletics will be stronger. Special projects funds for athletic projects can also be set up with the foundation. Why should I support Northland athletics through the foundation? Because the foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the state of Minnesota, we can issue tax-deductible receipts and year-end donation statements. I’m a student. How can I apply for scholarships and student housing? Information on scholarships can be found at nctcfoundation.com. Information on student housing is available at northlandhousing.com. Applications for scholarships and student housing are exclusively available online. How can I donate to the foundation? You can mail a check to: NCTC Foundation 1101 Highway One E Thief River Falls, MN 56701 You can also donate online at nctcfoundation.com/donate. If you are interested in a planned gift or major gift, feel to call Sheila Bruhn, Executive Director (218) 793-2467 or Lars Dyrud, Director of Foundation Operations (218) 683-8616.
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