Volleyball Players
Ariel Austin — Ariel played for the Cougars in the 2009-2011 season, helping them with a national title in 2010. After WNCC, she went to play at Alaska Anchorage for the 2011-2012 season.. She graduated with her bachelors of science in nursing degree in 2016. Ariel is now working in a cardiac unit at a hospital in Anchorage. Ariel still plays volleyball, taking part in a women’s metro league about once a year.
Fatima Balza -- Fatima played for the Cougars in 2007 and 2008, helping the Cougars to a national title in 2007. After WNCC, Fatima went on to play for Penn State, winning two more national titles. After Penn State, Fatima came back and was an assistant coach for WNCC before going overseas. Fatima is currently living in Dublin, Ireland. She is still involved in volleyball, playing in the Irish League last year. Now, after undergoing back surgery, she is coaching two different teams for the Garda Volleyball Club. She coaches a women's team in the premier league as well as the men's team. The ages of the players she coaches range from 23 to 35.
Kuulei (Kabalis) Bianconi — Kuulei played for WNCC from 2009-2011 and was an outstanding libero. After WNCC, Kuulei went on to Kansas State to play for the Wildcats. Kuulei is now married to former WNCC basketball player Gianno Bianconi and they have one boy named Likoa. Kuulei is an assistant coach at Hawaii Pacific University, where the three live.
Agata (Rezende) Durnil — Agata played at WNCC in 2002 and 2003. After which, she went on to star at Kansas State University. Agata said that she met her husband somewhere around her junior year, finally getting married in 2008. Agata currently lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and two boys Devlin, 7, and Aedan, 3. Agata is pursuing a bachelors in science in nursing. She said she is in her second semester finishing up per-requisites and is hoping to be a full-time nursing student in the fall.
Jessica (Frank) Hadeen -- Jessica played volleyball for the Cougars from 1998-2000 and is from Sterling, Colorado, where she still resides. Jessica has been a pre-school teacher for the last 18 years and in the process of becoming the director/owner of the Childcare center she works, Sterling Early Learning Center. Jessica is married to Doug and they have three children -- son Jayson, 22, stepson Colton Hadeen, 17, and stepson Clay Hadeen, 15. Jessica's son Jayson is a senior at Concordia University where he high jumps. Jessica said she still stays in contact with a few former teammates, but would love to reconnect with all of them. She even still talks to her dorm parents Duane and Julie Aschenbrenner and their kids Brock and Sara. She said they became a second family to her and "we have stayed in touch throughout the years. I am so grateful for all they have done for me." She loved being a part of the WNCC family and has many memories. "I loved how small the dorms were and how close we all got with each other," she said. "At that time, it was mostly volleyball and men's and women's basketball players in the dorms. We played pool and ping pong, and ate lots of Papa John's Pizza and half-price wings from Applebees. The most memorable moment for me was winning at regionals and earning a trip to nationals." (updated January 2023)
Jennifer (Eichler) Fowler — Jennifer played for WNCC in the 2008 and 2009 seasons, earning conference player of the year honors in 2009. After WNCC, Jennifer went on to play for Tulsa University. Today, she lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband and two boys, one is 13 and the other is almost four. Jennifer said they are waiting on the adoption of a daughter. Jennifer still is involved in volleyball as she coaches a 15’s club volleyball team while also working for the USPS.
Jodi Huddleston — Jodi, a Scottsbluff High graduate, played for the Cougars under Giovana Melo. After graduating from WNCC, Jodi went on to play at Alaska Anchorage. Jodi is now back in the area and just received a job as a 7th and 8th grade teacher at Gering Junior High as a social studies teacher. Jodi said, “I’m living my dream job that I’ve wanted since I was in 8th grade! I’m teaching United States history as well as world history.” Jodi is also an assistant volleyball coach for the 7th grade and said her head coach is Katie Rice. “It’s been an amazing learning experience and it’s taught me to have a lot of patience both on the court as a coach and as a teacher in the classroom.” she said.
Christy Johnson -- Christy played for the Cougars from 1995-97 and then went on to play at Eastern Kentucky University. Christy is currently working on her second masters degree. After getting her bachelors in Interior Design, she received a master in Techmology with an emphasis in Facilities Management from Purdue in 2011. She currently is finishing her second masters in Construction Managemenr from Purdue. She has spent the last five years working as a Facilities Manager for Google, but will begin work in January as a Senior Porject Manager for Haworth. She is married, living in Snohomish, Washington, which is 35 miles north of Seattle with her husband, three dogs, and three cats. Her biggest highlight was going to Super Bowl 50 and watching her Denver Broncos win. She also coached three years of volleyball before moving to Washington.
Alyssa Olson — Alyssa played for the Cougars in teh 2011-12 season and then transferred to Seward County for one year. She then went to Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Olson, after graduation, she became a teacher at Weld Central High in Keenesburg, Colorado, where she teaches Algebra I and Math Proficiency and is the head volleyball coach.
Amy (Mitchell) Teets — Amy played for WNCC, graduating in 1999 with a criminal justice degree. She went on to become a graphic designer and photographer and now works for the Westminster Police department. Amy is married to Jason with two teenage boys.
Mackenzie Westphal — Mackenzie, a 2008 graduate of Scottsbluff High, is now coaching at the University of California Bakersfield. Mackenzie played for WNCC in 2010, graduating in 2011 and then went to play at Millsaps College.
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Baseball Players
Gilbert Gonzalez — Gilbert was a second baseman for 2007 Region IX champions. After WNCC, Gilbert went on to Florida International University in Miami to receive his Bachelors in Business Administration and his Masters in Sports Management. Gilbert said, “It has be a decade already since my time at WNCC, but it still holds a special place in my heart. For all the athletes who are afraid to leave home I always recommend it in order to grow and get to know about yourself. Truly the wonderful people I met gave me hope that this world can still be a great place to live.” Gilbert currently serves as the Athletic Director at St. Timothy Catholic School, a private school in Miami. Gilbert said he has always loved sports and “wanted to continue in the field and what better way than to educate the athletes of tomorrow. I always wanted to thank Mike Jones and Coach Burgener to molding me in the man that I have become and WNCC for the person it made me.”
Chris Hook — Chris, from Australia, played baseball for WNCC from 2006-2008. Chris is still playing baseball in his home country, but he is also coaching baseball. Chris currently works as a physiotherapist as an assistant for a professional soccer team.
Brian Kelley -- Brian played for the Cougars in 2014 and 2015. Brian is now a high school coach for a baseball team in Brighton, Colorado.
Beau Lofink -- Beau played for the Cougars from 2014-2016 and is a graduate of Scottsbluff High School. After WNCC, Beau went on to play baseball at Adams State College and then Mount Marty College. He currently lives in Yankton, South Dakota and is the assistant Baseball Coach at Mount Marty University. Beau is married to Taylor and they have one kid on the way. He said his memories at WNCC included creating lifelong friendships and being able to start his baseball career. His accomplishments included "getting married, starting a family, and being able to coach college baseball." Beau added, "WNCC is a great place, great coaches, and great opportunities." (updated January 2023)
Alex Michaud — Alex played for the Cougars in the 2012 and 2013 season. After WNCC, Alex went on to Truman State University to get his bachelors in exercise science. Alex is currently the head baseball caoch at Brashear High in Brashear, Missouri.
Jacob Montoya — Jacob played baseball for WNCC in 2010 and 2011 and then finished up his baseball career at Adams State. Jacob is now teaching physical education at Wheatland Middle School in Wyoming.
Oscar Rodriguez -- Oscar played for the Cougars from 2008-2010 and then went on to play NAIA baseball at Huston-Tillotson in Austin, Texas. Oscar is now working in the front office of the Round Rock Express, a Triple A affilate of the Texas Rangers as an account executive. He also coaches for TRPD baseball when premits.
John Timmins — John, who pitched for the Cougars for two seasons before pitching at Bellevue University, is now playing minor league baseball in the San Francisco organization.
Jason Sloan — Jason played for the Cougars in the 2009 and 2010. Jason is playing professional baseball back in his home country of Australia for the past five years with the Canberra Cavalry.
Matt Womack — Matt Womack played for the Cougars from 2018-2021 and was a member of the Cougar baseball team that won the Region IX tournament. Matt is originally from Houston, Texas, and that is where he currently lives. After WNCC, Matt went on to play baseball at Presentation College. Matt said he still stays in contact with his teammates. His memories from his time here includes "Continuing to play baseball and winning the Region IX Conference." (updated January 2023)
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Softball Players
Macy Child — Macy played softball for Team 10 and 11 while at WNCC. After WNCC, she went and studied abroad in New Zealand during the fal of 2016, Macy is currently attending Colorado State University and playing rugby.
Alec Voci-Carpenter — Alec played softball from 2007-2009 for the Cougars. After WNCC, Alec helped coach a girls 10-year old team in Kansas City and occasionally played COED softball for three years. Alec is now living in Colorado Springs working as an Orthodontist Assistant. She is married to Ryan and they have a son, Cohen, who will turn one on Feb. 21. She added that she loves hiking the incline in Colorado Springs.
Mandy (Pounds) Collura -- Mandy played softball for the Cougars from 2007-2009. Mandy now lives in Texas with her husband, Alex, and their two kids, Cooper and Kacie. Mandi is a photographer and pesonal assistant for a small business owner. She said she works from home, raising her two babies while her husband is in the police academy to join the force in March.
Bianca Duran — Bianca was a standout pitcher and hitter for the Cougars for two seasons. After her time at WNCC, she went to play at Louisiana Tech and now she is an assistant softball coach at Tech.
Shelby McGraw — Shelby played two seasons for WNCC and then went on to play at William Jewel College. McGraw is still involved in softball, serving as Maria Winn-Ratliff’s assistant coach at Tyler JC.
Haley Paxton — Haley played softball at WNCC from 2011 to 2013. Since then she has earned a bachelors degree and is pursuing a masters degree in sports administration at the University of Northern Colorado with the goal of working for the NCAA or a collegiate athletics department as a director. Haley is still involved with softball only as a coach. She has been coaching the Windsor High School team in Colorado for the past three years, where they have made state for two years.
Mariah (Faifer) Pennington — Maria played for the Cougars in the 2011 and 2012 seasons and then went on to play two seasons at the University of the Southwest. Mariah received a bachelors in biology in 2014 (manga cum laude) and then went on to get a second bachelors degree in medical lab science in 2015. Mariah is married to an airman, Victor, and works at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Mariah says her softball days are kind of over but is “pretty proud of the opportunities WNCC and Coach Winn game me during and after my two years there.”
Jordan (Smith) Pulsipher — Jordan was a pitcher for the Cougars in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. After WNCC she went on to play at Utah State for one year. Jordan got married in June to Kayd. She now lives in Wilmington, North Carolina and is a stay at home mom to Hudson, 3, and Brodie, 2, (in January 2023). Jordan works in customer service. Her husband, Kayd, is in the dermatology residency in North Carolina. Jordan said she has endless great memories including Jack Massey and the community. She still stays in contact with her teammates. "Those two years are some of the best I have had," Jordan said. "I will remember it forever. WNCC will always have a special place in my heart." Jordan said she has come back to visit a couple of times. (Updated January 2023)
Melainie Rowson -- Melanie played for the Cougars fromn 2011-13. After WNCC, Melanie transferred to Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, graduating there in December 2015 with her bachelors of science in health science and a minor in chemistry. Melanie is now in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Wichita State and will graduate in May 2019. And she is still involved in softball, having coached a girls 8/9 year old team this past summer.
Aria (Agle) Schwartz — Aria played for the Cougars in 2011 and 2012. She then spent a semester at BYU-Hawaii before deciding to serve as a volunteer missionary for her church in Chile for 18 months. After she got out, she and her husband, Nate started school at Utah Valley University, where she is going for a degree in psychology. She and Nate are happy newlyweds. She also goes out and throws softballs with her dad and had debated whether she should try out for the UVA softball team.
Megan (Burditt) Stratton — Megan played softball for the Cougars from 2008-2010 after which she transferred to Northwestern Oklahoma State University and played softball there for the Rangers. Megan said, “I played at NWOSU for 3 years (1 year being a red shirt). I graduated in May 2013 with my Bachelors of Science in Health and Sports Science Education with a minor is Exercise and Sport Psychology.” Megan is currently working for NWOSU as the Program Coordinator for the Upward Bound Program. Megan resides in Alva, Oklahoma, with her husband Matthew and their two dogs Bella and Riley.
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Men’s Basketball Players
Scott Bamforth — Scott is now playing overseas ACB division for the past four seasons. Scott is married to former Cougar volleyball player Kendra (Schauermann). After WNCC, Scott went on to play at Webber State in Utah. They have two boys.
Rashaun Broadus -- Rashaun played for the Cougars in the mid 2000s. After which he went on to play at BYU. Rashaun is now playing basketball in Germany's top league, the BBL.
Pako Cruz — Pako played for WNCC for two seasons before transferring to the University of Wyoming. Pako is now playing in the same league as Scott overseas. Pako is now married to Miriam Alfaro, who played soccer for WNCC where the two met.
Raul Delgado — Raul, who was a shooting guard for for WNCC, is now playing professionally in Mexico the past three years. In his first year, he played for Cancun and they made it to the championship, falling in game seven. His second season they made the semifinals, and now he is playing for Cerveceros de meoqui, his hometown team.
Lloyd Hickinson -- Lloyd played for the Cougars in 2007-08 and 2008-09, after which he went on to Southern University to play. Now, he is working to be a certified FIBA international player agent. He also plays professionally, the last few years in Mexico forMeoqui Ceveceros of Chihuahua and Gusave De Libres in Sinaloa. He played professionally with former Cougar Raul Delgado last season where their team lost in the league semifinals. Lloyd was an all-star his rookie season. Lloyd is also famous for making an unbelievable dunk over a car (youtube link). He also had a 2-year-old son named Lorde Dominic Hickinson
Marko Kovacevic — Marko played for the Cougars, graduating in 2013. He then spent a year at the University of Utah and then a year at the University of Idaho. After finishing school and graduating, Marko is now playing professionally, first in Spain during the 2015-16 season and this year in France.
Diante Mitchell -- Diante played for the Cougars, graduating in 2015. After WNCC Diante went to play at Alaska Anchorage. He will graduate there in 2017 and is hoping to go and play overseas.
Charles Oglesby -- Charles Oglesby is from Hartwell, Georgia, and played for the Cougars in the 1998-99 seasons. After WNCC, Charles went on to play at Gardner-Webb University. Charles is single with five children ranging in age from 21, 18, 17, 14, 6. He has a son that is playing football at Doane University. Charles said he hasn't been back to visit the college, but would love to in the future. (updated February 2023)
Joe Stock -- Joe played basketball for the Cougars and then went on to finish his education at Nicholls State University. Joe is not married to Tori, who played volleyball at WNCC. The two are living in Louisiana and have a 3-month-old baby girl. Joe is a marketing consultant for State Farm and helps with sales and marketing for 34 State Farm agents. Joe said that he is approved to get his own agency; just waiting for the right opportunity. Also, he added, "Tori is a great mom and is adjusting to the lifestyle seamlessly."
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Women's Soccer Players
Shawna (Michaelis) Failner — Shawna was a standout soccer player for the Cougars in 2009, who came from Copper Hills High in Utah. After WNCC, Shawna went to the University of Utah and threw the shot put. Shawna is still involved n soccer in different capacities. She only plays rec soccer now to stay with it, but she coaches high school girls soccer at Union High, where she has been the head coach for the past three seasons.
Kennedy Lawes — Kennedy, from Logan, Utah, played soccer for WNCC in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, graduating from WNCC in 2016. She is now at Utah State studying Kinesiology and Health Science. She is not playing the sport that she loves any more.
Bre Perkes — Bree played soccer at WNCC during the 2006-2008 seasons. Bre said after tearing her ACL twice, she moved back to Utah to finish her degree. While finishing her degree, Bre continued to play a lot of indoor soccer even with a torn ACL, going four years until she had it fixed. “I know have had five surgeries on my knee and have been told I can never play soccer again by my surgeons.” Despite not being able to play the sport that she loves, she is still involved in sports. Bre is an athletic trainer for Dr Travis Hendry, who is a well known orthopedic surgeon in northern Utah. Bre’s job consists of assisting with patient care both pre and post operatively, including placing and removing casts, removing sutures, giving patients home exercise programs, fitting patients with custom knee/elbow braces, setting patients up for surgery and at times I get to assist in surgery. “I may not be able to play soccer anymore but still live an active life full of boating, rzr riding, hiking, and snowmobiling,” she said.
Alex Rachelle Tekler — Alex played soccer for WNCC in 2010 and 2011. Alex or Rachelle graduated with a bachelor’s degree in meteorology last December and will be starting to work for Southwest airlines in Denver.
Bailey Wenz —Bailey was a goalkeeper for the Cougars in 2011 and 2012 seasons. She only played her freshman year because of an injury. After which, Bailey went on to play at University of Mary. She is still at Mary, finishing up her undergraduate in special education and elementary education. She is a student assistant coach for soccer at Mary, a head high school coach for the local club, and a coach at Century High School.
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Men’s Soccer Players
Diego Campoverde — Diego played soccer at WNCC and he still is playing at the collegiate level. Diego said he is currently attending Oklahoma University and will be playing for the OU Soccer Club team this spring.
Edwin Enriquez — Edwin played for the Cougars for two seasons and he still is involved in soccer in his home country of Quito, Ecuador. Ediwn is the Athletic Director and Coach of his own sports business company, Edwin 1 on 1 Elite Training, where he provides elite training sessions work for people who practice any kind of sports. Furthermore, Edwin also works with soccer players in Ecuador and many are part of a pro team in several divisions. Edwin still plays himself for a 11 vs 11 team during the weekends and for for a 7v7 turf team.
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Women’s Basketball Players
Amber (Kisler) Dean — Amber played basketball for the Cougars, graduating in 2010. Amber is a Bayard High School graduate. After WNCC, Amber played at Concordia University in Nebraska. Amber is currently married to Jase Dean, a Bridgeport High graduate, and they live in Kalispell, Montana, with their 1-year-old daughter, Lennon. Amber currently works for a mental health clinic and is attending Montana State University to get her doctorate in nursing practice.
Ashley (Stevens) Fenning — Ashley played basketball for the Cougars from 2012-2014 and then went on to play at Colorado Mesa University. Ashley graduated from Bridgeport High School and is now married and living in Bayard. Ashley works for the Nebraska Extension 4-H and is an assistant coach for basketball at Bayard. Ashley is married to Jacob Fenning and thehy have a young boy Carson. Ashley graduated from Chadron with ber Bachelors in General Biology and has been working for Nebraska Extension in 4-H for the last five years in Box Butte County. "I have a great family, Jake and Carson. I've even been able to help coach volleyball and basketball, which is my true passion. Teaching young people my true passion in sports." Ashley said she has pleny of many memories from her time with the Cougars. "I really enjoyed playing basketball in front of what seemed like a home crowd," she said. "I grew up in the Panhandle and it was great to represent the area as an athlete. I am grateful for the experience and all those teachers, coaches, administrators, and athletic trainer. I also am grateful to have gotten to play for Coach Harnish, Coach T, and Coach Petersen. They really turned me into the best player I could be and helped me reach my full potential." (Updated January 2023)
Melantha “Lana” Herron — Lana played for WNCC in the late 1990s, graduating in 2000. After WNCC, Lana went on to finish her collegiate career with the University of Toledo. After her collegiate career was finished, Lana went overseas to play for BCMESS, a club in Limpach Luxemburg. Following that Lana was hired into the YMCA as the adult and youth sports program director within the inner city YMCA. Lana stayed with the Y until 2011 when she took her current role as a career development representative for Ross College, assisting students and graduate within the medical field with internships, professional growth and development, and job placement.
Lorena Lucas de Medeiros — Lorena came to WNCC and played basketball for the Cougars and graduating in 2009. Lorena came to WNCC from Brazil. After WNCC, she went to play at York College. Lorena is now living in San Francisco, California, and is the project manager for a construnction company.
Christina (Petty) Mendoza -- Christina played for WNCC from 1997-99 and then went on to play at Chadron State, earning her bachelors in environmental science and then ended up teaching. Christina has been teaching for the last 14 years, three in Arizona and 11 in Colorado. Christina went on to earn her Masters degree in 2011 from CU-Boulder in multicultural and bilignual education. Christina has been married for five years and has a 12-year-old son and a 10-year-0ld daughter.
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Did you or do you know of someone that played athletics at WNCC (or NWC or SJC)? If so, let us know what you or they are up to know. You can email the information to Mark at mrein@wncc.edu,
text the information to 308-631-0459,
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