Rewind for May 12

In track and field, Ronnisha Hall (Pahokee, FL/HS) placed first in the women's hammer throw, shot put and javelin toss and was second in the discus to teammate Marin Thorson (St. Ansgar/HS) as head coach Curtis Vais’ team participated at the Region XI meet Thursday through Saturday at Iowa Western Community College. Hall threw the hammer 45.28 meters (148 feet, 7 inches), tying her best effort of the season. She threw the shot put 12.53 meters and just missed qualifying for the NJCAA outdoor national meet with a throw of 35.65 meters (the qualifying standard is 36.53 meters).

Rewind for May 6

At North Iowa Area Community College’s graduation ceremonies last Friday, Spenser Rahm (Wesley/Bishop Garrigan) and Whitney Bauer (Clinton/DeWitt Central) were named the school’s Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Rahm, who was a straight-A student during his time at NIACC, finished 11^th at the NJCAA indoor track and field championships in Charleston, IL in the heptathlon. Bauer, a two-year softball starter, was Athlete of the Week once in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference and was her team’s top hitter this spring.

As for the highlights from the Trojan teams, there were many:

-In baseball, NIACC clinched third place in the seven-team Iowa Community College Athletic Conference by virtue of winning three of four games at Iowa Lakes Community College last weekend. NIACC, which finished 15-9 in conference play, will play Friday against Southeastern Community College at the Region XI Division II playoffs at Roosevelt Field in Mason City.

Tony Younis (Fuerth, Germany) was the hero on Saturday, going 5-for-5 with two homers and seven RBI in his team’s 17-12 opening-game win. He added two more hits in game two (as did three others) as the Trojans won 13-1. Erik Smith (Pisgah/West Harrison) also had five hits in game one Saturday and he drove in three runs. In game two, NIACC’s seven-run fifth inning was more than enough run support for Austin Denny (Johnston/HS), who fanned five in six innings.

On Sunday, John Lee (Mason City/HS) had a pair of hits and drove in two runs during a 6-2 loss in game one. In game two, Dean Molitor (Carroll/Kuemper) had three hits and drove in four runs while Smith added three RBI and Lee had two hits in a 10-2 victory. NIACC upped its overall record to 35-14 with a double header sweep – 14-6 and 11-1 - over the Luther College junior varsity Monday afternoon in Decorah. Smith hit homers in each game and had five RBI on the day. Danny Manning (Ankeny/HS) collected three hits and drove in four runs in game one while Dean Molitor (Carroll/Kuemper) had three hits in the nightcap. A total of six pitchers allowed just 11 hits in 13 innings over two games for the Trojans, winners of nine of their last 11 contests.

-In track and field, Marin Thorson (St. Ansgar/HS) won the women's discus with a season-best throw of 152 feet, 8 inches (second among NJCAA competitors in 2008) as the top Trojan finisher as head coach Curtis Vais’ team competed at the Central Open on Friday. Teammate Ronnisha Hall (Pahokee, FL/HS) placed ninth in the discus (126-2) and finished fourth in the hammer with a toss of 142-3. Hall has the third best discus throw in the NJCAA and is third in the hammer (her best is 148-7) during the outdoor season. Among other NIACC women competitors, Becky Dahn (Lake Mills/HS) ran a 1:02.08 in the 400-meter event and placed second and Allie Millonig (St. Ansgar/HS) was fourth in the 200 (26.64)

In the men's events, Juan Rodriguez (Bogota, Colombia) ran the 5,000 in 16.55.2 to place second overall and Trevor Thein (Nashua/Nashua-Plainfield) ran a 10:29.97 to place third in the 3,000 steeplechase. On Friday and Saturday, NIACC competes in the Super Regionals in Council Bluffs, an event hosted by Iowa Western Community College.

-In softball, NIACC ended its season 18-25 by losing two of three games at the Region XI tournament in Ft. Dodge. The Trojans opened tourney play by losing 10-0 to Iowa Lakes on Friday. They beat Ellsworth 5-4 Saturday afternoon before losing 8-0 to Kirkwood Community College later that day. Last Monday, head coach Tyler Sisco’s team split a double header with Kirkwood, winning the second game 21-19 on a walk-off grand slam by Samantha Shoger (Nora Springs/NS-RF). The Trojans dropped double headers on Tuesday and Wednesday against Iowa Central and Marshalltown respectively heading into regionals.

-In men’s golf, NIACC finished seventh of 10 teams in the Region XI tournament Sunday and Monday at Ft. Dodge Country Club. Jim Dingeman (Pella/HS) and Jason Urdahl (Mason City/Newman Catholic) tied for 21^st individually with two others, shooting a 161 for 36 holes. Greg Engels (Rockford/RR-MR) was 27^th with a score of 163 while Steve Wyborny (Rockford/RR-MR) tied for 28^th with a 164. On May 1, NIACC finished in a tie for fourth as a team at the Marshalltown Invitational, totaling 318 strokes. Kirkwood Blue (293) won team honors.

In Wednesday’s opener, NIACC opened the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the first inning as Mork produced the first of her two doubles to drive in two runs. Ellsworth cut the lead to 3-2, but a four-run NIACC fifth inning and a five-run sixth inning iced the contest for the Trojans. Mork had a run-scoring double in the sixth and three Ellsworth errors helped the cause as well. In Wednesday’s nightcap, NIACC trailed 2-1 early but the Trojans used some timely hitting (including a two-run single by Aguilar and an RBI single by Laura Fjelstad (Lake Mills/HS) to put away the Panthers in six innings.

Although the baseball team had four straight losses to start the week, the Trojans regrouped with their best offensive output of 2008 in a 29-17, 7-3 double header sweep of Southwestern College last Wednesday. John Lee (Mason City/HS) hit for the cycle in one game and Erik Smith (Pisgah/West Harrison) had six hits in one game and nine on the day. On Sunday in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play, NIACC split a double header with host Kirkwood Community College, losing game one 2-1 and winning the nightcap 4-2 on Smith’s two-run homer in the eighth inning. Austin Denny (Johnston/HS) earned the victory on the mound and Zack Welter (Cedar Falls/HS) picked up his seventh save as head coach Todd RIma’s team made the most of five hits to move to 23-11 overall.

Today, NIACC plays again at Kirkwood in a double header. On Wednesday, NIACC plays the Loras junior varsity in Dubuque, before traveling on Thursday to Rochester to face Rochester Community Technical College in non-conference play. On Saturday and Sunday in Mason City, the Trojans host Ellsworth Community College in ICCAC action.

Head coach Tyler Sisco’s team has a full schedule of games this week. The Trojans travel to Iowa Falls to play Ellsworth in a 3:30 p.m. ICCAC double header on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the two teams play a twin bill at 3:30 p.m. in Mason City. On Thursday, NIACC plays Kirkwood in a 3:30 p.m. double header at Cedar Rapids. On Friday, Sisco’s team hosts Muscatine Community College at 2 p.m. in a pair of contests. The team plays a handful of games during the weekend close out the busiest cluster of games this season.

John Lee (Mason City/HS) was named the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Division II Baseball Scholar Athlete of the Week for March 27 through April 2. Lee hit .500 (5-for-10), hit three home runs and drove in seven runs in a sweep of Des Moines Area Community College on April 2.

Last Friday, Lee homered and had three hits in one game and added a double in another as NIACC defeated host Marshalltown Community College 14-9 and 14-13 in a non-conference double header. Erik Smith (Pisgah/West Harrison) homered and drove in five runs in game one and Andy Beck (New Albin/Kee) produced seven hits on the day as NIACC moved to 17-5 on the season.

Smith’s had four hits in the opener, adding a double to go with his round-tripper. Danny Mousel (Sioux City/Heelan) also homered and Lee, Beck, Tony Younis (Fuerth, Germany) and Mousel had three hits apiece as the Trojans collected 23 hits in all. Trailing 5-4, NIACC took the lead for good with six runs in the top of the fifth inning. The Trojans added one in the sixth and three in the seventh to ice the game as reliever Bryce Howard (Centerville, UT/West) picked up the victory.

In the second game on Friday, NIACC survived a seven-run Marshalltown second inning and a three-run bottom of the seventh as reliever Peter Sullivan (Waterloo/Columbus) picked up the victory and Drew Boyer (Alberta, CAN/Xavier) earned the save. A six-run fourth inning enabled NIACC to tie the game at 9-9 and the Trojans added three in the fifth and two in the seventh for what proved to be the winning tallies. Shayden Bertagnolli (Roy, UT/HS) homered, Beck drove in five runs on four hits and Younis pitched in with a pair of hits and RBI. NIACC, which is 5-3 in the ICCAC, plays perennial conference power Iowa Central Community College Saturday and Sunday in home double headers at Roosevelt Field. The Trojans have a non-conference twin bill slated for 2 p.m. today at Indian Hills Community College.

In softball, NIACC and head coach Tyler Sisco will be busy hosts this week, with 3:30 p.m. home ICCAC double headers on Tuesday (versus Ellsworth Community College) and Thursday (Iowa Central), a 1 p.m. Saturday twin bill against Muscatine Community College and a noon double header versus Kirkwood Community College. Last Friday, the Trojans traveled to Muscatine, losing 8-0 and 7-2 to fall to 11-7 overall, 1-5 in ICCAC action.

In track and field, freshman Marin Thorson (St. Ansgar/HS) placed fourth in the women's discus and teammate Ronnisha Hall (Pahokee, FL/HS) placed seventh for North Iowa Area Community College's best individual finish at the Central College Invitational on Saturday.

NIACC, along with a host of others, went to Pella to participate at Central after a meet scheduled at the University of Northern Iowa was cancelled. For Thorson, it was worth the trip as she tossed the discus 44.29 meters (145 feet, 4 inches) as UNI's Rachel Jansen (50.24 meters) won the event. Hall's toss in the discus was 40.62 meters (133 feet, 3 inches).

Hall placed seventh in the hammer throw (44.37 meters) and was 10th in the shot put (11.59 meters) to round out the throwing leaders for NIACC's women. In the running events, Becky Dahn (Lake Mills/HS) placed seventh in the 400 meter dash with a clocking of 1 minute, 1.64 seconds. Meanwhile, Allie Millonig (St. Ansgar/HS) was 15th of 42 runners in the 100 with a time of 13.17 seconds.

In the men's competition, Juan Rodriguez (Bogota, Colombia) placed 11th of 40 runners by running a 16:03.42 in the 5,000 and Andrew Godfrey (Norwalk/HS) placed 11th in 58.98 in the 400 hurdles. Meanwhile, Spenser Rahm (Wesley/Bishop Garrigan) was 16th of 49 participants by tossing the discus 39.68 meters (130 feet, 2 inches). The track program travels to Mt. Vernon on Saturday for the Cornell College Invitational.

Two North Iowa Area Community College athletes were named Athletes of the Week in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference, highlighting the efforts of the Trojans in spring sports this past week.

In softball, Whitney Bauer (DeWitt/Central DeWitt) earned her Athlete of the Week honor for efforts during her team’s 10-2 spring trip. She had 16 hits in 39 at-bats for a .410 batting average, driving in 10 runs and scoring 13 more during that span. NIACC began its week by dropping an ICCAC double header at Iowa Central Community College on Wednesday, losing game one 9-0 and game two 15-6. Bauer and Samantha Shoger (Nora Springs/NS-RF) produced three hits in the second contest and Molly Niedert (Sumner/Sumner-Fredricksburg) had a double and triple among her three hits as the Trojans had 15 in all. On Saturday, NIACC beat host Southwestern Community College 6-5 in game one of an ICCAC twin bill in Creston before dropping game two 8-4. NIACC is now 11-5 for the season. Laura Fjelstad (Lake Mills/HS) had home runs in each game for head coach Tyler Sisco’s team, which travels to Iowa Lakes for a Tuesday double header. Fjelstad had two hits and drove in four during game one while Bauer and Shoger added two hits apiece. Leah Mork (DeWitt/Central DeWitt) homered in game two to support Fjelstad offensively.

In track and field, Ronnisha Hall (Pahokee, FL/HS) placed second in the shot put as the North Iowa Area Community College women's track and field team placed sixth in the Augustana College Viking Olympics last Saturday in Rock Island, IL. Hall tossed the shot put 12.72 meters, just behind Augustana's Marissa Banks (13.16). In the discus, NIACC freshman Marin Thorson (St. Ansgar/HS) placed third with a toss of 44.56 meters while Hall had a toss of 41.69 meters for eighth. In the hammer, Hall had a toss of 40.28 meters for sixth place.

In the 400 meter race, Becky Dahn (Lake Mills/HS) placed fourth in a time of 1:02.62. In the 100, Allie Millonig (St. Ansgar/HS) was fifth in 13.23 seconds while teammate DeAubrey Johnson (St. Paul, MN/Central) was sixth in 13.28 seconds. Millonig was seventh in the 200 in 28.43, the Trojans' 4 x 100 relay placed second in 52.53 seconds while NIACC's 4 x 800 meter team was third in 10:36.02.

NIACC had 55 points for sixth as a team. Augustana won the meet with 250 1/2 points while Winona State (MN) had 176 points and Loras College had 92 points for third.

In the men's competition, Ashton Smith (Moscow Mills, MO/Buchanan) placed second in the 100-meter dash as the NIACC men's team placed eighth with 36 points. Augustana (314 1/2 points) won the meet while Olivet Nazarene University (IL) had 111 points for second.

Ryan Schumacher was third in the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 5 1/4 inches and he placed third in the triple jump (41-7 3/4). Andrew Godfrey (Norwalk/HS) finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdles (1:00.21).

Rewind for February 25

Three North Iowa Area Community College wrestlers won national titles individually and the Trojans finished fourth as a team at the 2008 National Junior College Athletic Association Wrestling Championships held in Rochester, MN last weekend.

Head coach Richard Fergola’s team had six wrestlers earn All-American (top eight) status during the two-day tournament, the first the Trojans had participated in since the program disbanded in 1976. NIACC’s wrestling program was officially reinstated in November 2006 and Fergola was hired as head coach in March 2007. NIACC was among 36 schools represented at nationals and the team’s 109 points trailed only Iowa Central Community College (138), St. Louis-Meramac in Missouri (117.5) and Labette Community College of Kansas (111).

Freshman Albert White (Harvey, IL/St. Rita) finished his season 31-3 overall, beating T.J. Hepburn of Colby Community College (KS) 3-2 in last Saturday’s 149-pound finals. White beat Hepburn three times this year, including weight division finals at the inaugural Kaye Young/NIACC Open last November and the Colby Tournament of Champions in January. White, who was ranked No. 1 in his division heading into the weekend, won all four matches during the NJCAA nationals. He had earned a spot in the finals by beating Ellsworth Community College’s Kurt Simons 17-9 in Saturday’s semifinals.

Freshman DaVaughn Perkins (Omaha, NE/North) completed a 39-5 season with a 9-8 decision over Highline Community College (WA) in the 157-pound championship. Perkins opened competition with a victory over fourth-rated Cole Garcia of Colby last Friday and ended up 4-0 for the weekend. He had pinned Darren Olsen of Lincoln Community College (IL) in 4:51 during semifinal action.

Sophomore Glenn Rhees (Atascadero, CA/HS) topped off a 26-3 campaign by defeating Neosho County Community College (KS) wrestler Jason Green 7-3 in the 174-pound finals. Like White and Perkins, Rhees was 4-0 during nationals. He had beaten top-seeded Darius Williams of Harper College (IL) 3-1 in the semifinals.

Three other NIACC wrestlers earned All-American honors in last weekend’s meet, which included competitors from 36 schools. T.J. Moen (Des Moines/Saydel) finished third at 141 pounds while Cody Hogan (Richmond, MO/HS) placed seventh at 133 pounds and Beau Tudor (Camp Verde, AZ/HS) placed eighth in the 285-pound classification. Moen had lost in the quarterfinal round, but won four more matches, including a 6-5 decision over Derick Bartlemay of Clackamas Community College (OR) to earn third place. He was 6-1 at nationals and finished with a 30-11 overall record.

Others competing for NIACC at the national meet included: Brad Theilen (Nashua/Nashua-Plainfield) at 197 pounds, Jordan Bartoszek (Mason City/HS) at 125 pounds and Tyler Hancock (Camp Verde, AZ/HS) at 165 pounds. Theilen nearly earned All-American status, having won two consolation matches after losing in the quarterfinals before falling in overtime on Friday to finish 3-2 for the tournament.

Here are the results from other NIACC sports last week:

-In women’s basketball, NIACC defeated AIB College of Business 64-41 at home Saturday in Mason City to give head coach John Oertel his 417^th career victory and put him 25^th overall in wins among all NJCAA women’s basketball coaches. Tiffany Braun (St. Ansgar/HS) scored 20 points, including six 3-point baskets, and the Trojans opened the game with a 17-5 lead to give the Trojans early breathing room. The win moved NIACC to 8-18 overall, 6-10 in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play, heading into Wednesday’s 7 p.m. conference home game versus Marshalltown Community College.

On Thursday, NIACC opened its game with the William Penn University junior varsity by scoring 17 of the first 19 points and cruised to an 86-43 non-conference win. Braun made five 3-point shots en route to 22 points and Caiti Findreng (Elkhorn, WI/Waterford Union) added a season-high 21 points as the Trojans had their highest point total of the year. A night earlier, the Trojans had lost 48-28 at Ellsworth Community College.

-In track and field, Ronnisha Hall (Pahokee, FL/HS) qualified for the NJCAA indoor track and field nationals with a third-place throw of 12.88 meters in the women’s shot put as North Iowa Area Community College competed in the Region XI competition at the University of Northern Iowa last Saturday. The Region XI meet was part of the UNI Dome Open at UNI and pitted NIACC’s competitors against a host of four-year schools along with others from Region XI community colleges.

Hall’s effort was the best among Region XI competitors and puts her in the national meet in two events – she qualified in the 20-pound weight throw earlier this winter. Becky Dahn (Lake Mills/HS) also placed third overall and first in the region in her event, the 600-meter dash, as her 1:42.12 clocking bettered the NJCAA national qualifying standard. The other woman qualifying for nationals by virtue of their performances in the Region XI meet who was Kelly Ipsen (Homestead/Iowa Valley), who won the 3,000-meter race. In the men’s competition, Jake Van Der Broeke (Clear Lake/HS) ran a 1:26.73 to finish fourth overall and third in the region in the 600 while Spenser Rahm (Wesley/Bishop Garrigan) was the top Region XI competitor with 2,786 points in the men’s pentathlon and was first in the weight throw, qualifying him for nationals in that event. He was second among region throwers in the shot put with a toss of 12.80 meters. The other national qualifier for NIACC by virtue of winning at regionals was Joe McCall (Council Bluffs), who won the shot put.

NIACC will have one more chance to qualify competitors – the Trojans will run Saturday at a meet at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. The NJCAA indoor nationals will be held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL beginning March 7.

-In men’s basketball, Brandon Stephens (Flint, MI/Central) tallied 24 points and Greg Smalls (Charleston, SC/West Ashley) added 17 points as NIACC defeated host Clinton Community College 81-70 last Saturday. The Trojans, which lost at Ellsworth 65-57 last Wednesday, finished the regular season 12-18 overall, 3-11 in ICCAC play. Head coach Bryan Martin’s team will play at the eight-team Region XI playoffs in Estherville on Saturday.

Rewind for January 21

Motivational speakers, re-ignited teams and a dual meet with national implications highlight recent NIACC sports program activities.

Last Thursday, NIACC was privileged to have former Trojans football player Shawn Harper as a speaker at an event in NIACC’s gymnasium. Harper, who played professional football after earning All-Region honors for the Trojans two decades ago, spoke about the positive choices athletes had to make their dreams come true. He spoke about dreaming of the NFL, even after receiving scant playing time at NIACC during his freshman year. He also was interviewed by local media during the day as he made his first trip to Mason City since leaving NIACC.

NIACC’s winter programs were busy as the Trojans women’s basketball team edged host Southeastern Community College in Burlington by a 48-43 margin last Wednesday and beat visiting Southwestern Community College 62-56 on Saturday. Tiffany Braun (St. Ansgar/HS) scored 15 points, Madelyn Houser (Gilbert/HS) added 11 points, eight rebounds and head coach John Oertel’s team produced 14 steals in Wednesday’s victory. On Saturday, Braun tallied 13 points, but Sara Cox (Waterloo/West) was the key factor in the win, making five 3-point field goals and scoring 19 points.

In men’s basketball, NIACC lost a non-conference game 61-59 last Tuesday against the Simpson College junior varsity as Brandon Stephens (Flint, MI/Central tallied 12 points. Stephens, the team’s leading scorer this season, was out of the lineup Saturday, but a balanced scoring attack led by Greg Smalls (Charleston, SC/West Ashley) highlighted a 64-52 win over visiting Southwestern. Smalls scored 13 points and added five rebounds and five assists. Tokie Aramona (Kansas City, MO/Bishop O’Hara) added 12 points for head coach Bryan Martin’s team, which forced 18 turnovers.

Both basketball programs travel to Cedar Rapids to face Kirkwood Community College. The women’s team – 5-11, 4-3 in conference play - plays at 6 p.m. The men’s team (9-11, 1-4) will play shortly thereafter.

In wrestling, NIACC moved to fifth in the most recent NJCAA rankings as the Trojans readied for Wednesday’s away 7 p.m. dual meet with defending national champion Iowa Central Community College. Although NIACC lost a dual meet last Monday at home to Labette Community College (KS), head coach Richard Fergola’s team received wins from top-ranked 149-pounder Albert White (Harvey, IL/St. Rita), second-rated 157-pounder DaVaughn Perkins (Omaha, NE/North) and sixth-rated 174-pounder Glenn Rhees (Atascadero, CA/HS). On Saturday, Perkins won his weight class with five wins at the University of Nebraska-Omaha Brand Open. Rhees finished third in his division.

In track and field, head coach Curtis Vais’ squad competed last Saturday in Cedar Falls at the University of Northern Iowa Open meet. Ronnisha White (Pahokee, FL/HS) was the top finisher for the Trojans, placing fifth in the women’s weight throw.

Rewind  for January 14

A positive pre-season ranking, a coaching award and a shutout highlighted NIACC athletics this past week.

The pre-season ranking – 13^th by Colleigate Baseball Newspaper – was given to the NIACC baseball team, which finished 33-20 in 2007 under head coach Todd Rima. The Trojans return four starters and a top pitcher (including three All-Region XI players) and a pair of transfer students have already signed Division I letters-of-intent.

In wrestling, head coach Richard Fergola was informed that he would be honored by before the NCAA Division I wrestling championships on March 19 for his work the previous season while at Dana College in Nebraska. Fergola’s team finished fourth in last year’s NAIA championships before he was hired at NIACC and his former team was recognized for its academic success as well. This year’s NIACC team is progressing well too.

On Friday, the Trojans shut out Minnesota West Technical Community College 54-0 to move to 3-2 in dual meets. On Saturday, five Trojans won their respective weight divisions at an open meet hosted by Central College in Pella. Weight class winners included Cody Hogan (Richmond, MO/HS) at 133 pounds, T.J. Moen (Des Moines/Saydel) at 141, Albert White (Harvey, IL/St. Rita) at 149, DaVaughn Perkins (Omaha, NE/North) at 157 and Glenn Rhees (Atascadero, CA/HS) at 174. White moved to the top of the NJCAA rankings individually at his weight division and Moen, Perkins and Rhees are also rated in the top eight. The Trojans were tied for seventh in the team rankings. They’ll host third-rated Labette Community College of Parsons, KS, in a 6 p.m. home dual meet tonight.

In men’s basketball, despite 19 points by Joe Speth (Bettendorf/HS) and 15 points by Brandon Stephens (Flint, MI/Central), the North Iowa Area Community College men’s basketball team lost 76-64 at Iowa Lakes Community College last Wednesday night in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play. The Trojans then fell 91-61 at Iowa Central Saturday, although Stephens scored a season-high 29 points. NIACC is now 8-10 overall heading into a non-conference game Tuesday night at Indianola against the Simpson College junior varsity.

In women’s basketball, NIACC dropped a 51-40 decision to number-one rated Iowa Central Saturday afternoon to fall to 3-10 overall. Tiffany Burgess (Des Moines/East) led the Trojans with 13 points and Sara Cox (Waterloo/West) added eight points. Head coach John Oertel’s team was solid on defense, keeping the Tritons well under their scoring average and forging a 16-all tie at intermission before faltering in the second half. On Wednesday night, NIACC travels to Southeastern Community College for an ICCAC contest.

In track and field, head coach Curtis Vais’ squad will head to the University of Northern Iowa for an indoor meet Saturday in Cedar Falls.

Rewind for January 7

The North Iowa Area Community College wrestling team traveled to Kansas last weekend and finished second in the Colby Community College Tournament of Champions on Saturday, trailing only the host school.

Freshman Albert White (Harvey, IL/St. Rita) - rated second in the most recent NJCAA rankings at the 149-pound weight class – won his weight class by beating Colby’s T.J. Hepburn 3-2 in the finals. Nationally-rated teammate T.J. Moen (Des Moines/Saydel) finished first at 141 pounds with an 8-2 victory over Lyobomir Kumborov of the host school. Meanwhile, Glenn Rhees (Atascadero, CA/HS) was the 174-pound champion at his first meet since being injured nearly two months ago, winning all four of his matches. Cody Hogan (Richmond, MO/HS) placed second at 133 pounds for head coach Richard Fergola’s team, which hosts Minnesota West Technical Community College in a 7 p.m. dual meet on Friday. NIACC travels to Pella Saturday for an open meet at Central College.

Both of the NIACC basketball teams played in Mason City last Saturday in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference games against Des Moines Area Community College. The women’s team fell to 3-9 overall, 2-1 in ICCAC play, by losing to DMACC 71-49 despite 17 points and seven blocks by Madelyn Houser (Gilbert/HS).

In men’s basketball, NIACC got 14 points from Joe Speth (Bettendorf/HS) but was edged 69-63 by visiting Des Moines Area Community College Saturday night. Greg Smalls (Charleston, SC/West Ashley) and Bernell Benjamin (Minneapolis, MN/Hopkins) pitched in with 11 points and Benjamin and Jeff Loats (Belmond/Belmond-Klemme) had a trio of three-point baskets. The contest was a nailbiter, with 17 lead changes in the second half. Both teams play ICCAC contests at Iowa Lakes Community College on Wednesday, with the women competing at 5:30 p.m. and the men playing shortly thereafter.

One other sports program begins its season this weekend as the NIACC track and field team travels to Mankato, MN for its initial indoor meet on Saturday. Among the returning athletes is women’s thrower Ronnisha Hall (Pahokee, FL/HS), who earned All-American honors in two events last winter at indoor nationals.

In football news, Kyle Staudt (Charles City/HS) signed a national letter-of-intent with the University of Northern Iowa after being named first-team All-Region XI this fall. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman was a two-year starter and proved a key cog for NIACC’s nationally-rated offense. Honorable mention All-America quarterback Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, CT/Eastern) also signed with a four-year school during Christmas break, as he’s headed to the University of Sioux Falls (SD), the NAIA runner-up for 2007 and the 2006 NAIA national champion.

Rewind for December 17

By Craig Pinley

NIACC Sports Information Director

North Iowa Area Community College had its fourth athlete become an All-American this fall as football player Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, CT/Eastern) earned honorable mention status with the National Junior College Athletic Association. Brown, who was Co-Most Valuable Player on offense in Region XI, threw for 20 touchdowns and ran for six more while producing 2,883 yards in total offense. Brown was at his best in the Midwest Football Conference West playoff game against Iowa Central Community College, tossing for 339 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-47 victory. Brown is the second NIACC quarterback named honorable mention All-American in the past two seasons; Ben Alford was similarly honored in 2006 after being Offensive Player of the Year in Region XI.

Another football player was honored with the opportunity to participate in a prestigious event last weekend, the Triumphant Sport Bowl’s Junior College All-Star game in Mesa, AZ. Sophomore Kyle Staudt (Charles City/HS) was selected for the contest after earning All-Region XI first-team honors this fall. Staudt, an offensive lineman, was a key cog that allowed NIACC to rank among the national leaders in total offense in 2007 and post its second straight 7-4 record.

NIACC’s three primarily winter sports teams finished their pre-Christmas holiday slates last weekend. NIACC’s wrestling team lost a 20-19 dual meet decision at home to Ellsworth Community College on Friday and fell to 2-2 overall. Fourth-ranked NJCAA 157-pounder DaVaughn Perkins (Omaha, NE/North) continued his stellar season, posting his 20^th victory in beating Ryan Bormann by fall in 2:46. Nationally-rated teammates Cody Hogan (Richmond, MO/HS), T.J. Moen (Des Moines/Saydel) and Albert White (Harvey, IL/St. Rita) also won, though their matches were much more closely-contested.

Hogan moved from 125 to 133 pounds and edged Justin Dixon 3-2. At 141, Moen beat Danny Gray 6-4 with late points in the third period and White and 2007 NJCAA national qualifier Kurt Simon provided NIACC fans with an entertaining match at 149 pounds as White finished with five points in the closing moments to win 15-7. NIACC’s other victory came at 174 pounds at Tyler Hancock (Camp Verde, AZ/HS) edged Joe Perry 7-6.

In women’s basketball, NIACC ended its pre-Christmas schedule with a 59-42 home loss to Anoka-Ramsey Community College last Tuesday. Madelyn Houser (Gilbert/HS) scored 13 points and added 10 rebounds and five assists for the Trojans, now 3-8 this season. Tiffany Braun (St. Ansgar/HS) scored eight of her 10 points in the first half as head coach John Oertel’s team took a 28-26 lead. However, a 20-2 second-half run gave Anoka-Ramsey enough momentum to post its second win over NIACC this season.

In men’s basketball, NIACC moved to 8-7 overall by beating Marshalltown Community College 62-50 on Sunday morning at the Impact JUCO Shootout at Drake University. Greg Smalls (Charleston, SC/West Ashley) scored a collegiate-high 25 points on 10 of 14 field goal shooting and Bernell Benjamin (Minneapolis, MN/Hopkins) pitched in with 19 points as the Trojans got a measure of revenge for a loss to the Tigers eight days earlier in Marshalltown.

NIACC’s athletic department would like to extend special thanks to a handful of individuals for their help in compiling and posting information for Rewind updates and bulletin boards at NIACC athletics offices in 2007. They include administrative assistant Emily Ruehlow, student workers Kara Cobb and Sara Cox and student interns Jarrod Tell and Devin Johnson.

On behalf of NIACC athletics, we would like to wish you a special holiday season and good tidings for 2008.

Some accurate long-range shooting has given the North Iowa Area Community College women’s basketball team new life in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference as the Trojans opened ICCAC play with a 67-47 win over visiting Ellsworth Community College last Wednesday and added a 61-42 victory over visiting Southeastern Community College on Saturday night.

Against Ellsworth, head coach John Oertel’s squad made 11 of 26 three-point baskets and Tiffany Burgess (Des Moines/East) scored 10 of her 12 points during a 24-6 spurt in the first half to key the win. Burgess and Tiffany Braun (St. Ansgar/HS) each tallied 12 points in Saturday’s win as the Trojans made 8 of 20 3-pointers. In the initial eight games of the season, NIACC had made just 27 treys.

Madelyn Houser (Gilbert/HS) gave the Trojans a little of everything in the Southeastern win, scoring nine points, blocking nine shots and adding seven rebounds and four steals. Meanwhile, Burgess, Caiti Findreng (Elkhorn, WI/Waterford Union), Sara Cox (Waterloo/West) and Braun gave NIACC two three-point field goals apiece as the home team led 26-20 at intermission and then went on an 11-0 run in the opening minutes of the second half to put the game away. The Trojans, 3-7 overall, host non-ICCAC opponent Anoka-Ramsey Community College at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

In men’s basketball, NIACC (7-7) lost a non-conference game at Marshalltown Community College 54-38 Saturday after losing an 84-78 overtime decision to conference foe Ellsworth on Wednesday. In the Marshalltown defeat, Bernell Benjamin (Minneapolis, MN/Hopkins) scored six points and he had 17 points (all in the second half and overtime) against Ellsworth. Brandon Stephens (Flint, MI/Central) led the Trojans with 23 points on Wednesday, continuing his strong play in December. On December 2, in the second game at the Ellsworth Classic, Stephens had scored 24 points and Greg Smalls (Charleston, SC/West Ashley) contributed 23 points, six rebounds and five assists in an 82-81 loss to Mid-State Technical College of Wisconsin. On Sunday, NIACC gets another crack at Marshalltown, this time in an 11 a.m. matchup that is part of the JUCO Shootout at Drake University’s Knapp Center in Des Moines.

In wrestling, NIACC (2-1) split a pair of dual meets – the Trojans traveled to Minnesota and beat Rochester Community Technical College 27-18 Wednesday and lost 27-23 at home to Neosho County Community College of Kansas Friday - and finished eighth out of 15 schools at the 35^th annual Dick Walker Wrestling Invitational held at Wartburg College last Saturday. Albert White (Harvey, IL/St. Rita) won both of his dual meet matches and placed second in the 149-pound weight class at Wartburg. T.J. Moen (Des Moines/Saydel) and DaVaughn Perkins (Omaha, NE/North) placed third at the invitational at 141 and 157 pounds respectively. Head coach Richard Fergola’s team hosts Ellsworth at 6 p.m. Friday in a dual meet.

Rewind for December 3

The best news for NIACC athletics this week was the announcement that Mike Unwin and Simon Cook were named second-team All-American soccer players by the National Junior College Athletic Association. Unwin scored a school-record 27 goals for the Trojans. Cook was among the nation’s leaders in goals against average and posted nine shutouts as NIACC finished third in conference and more than doubled its win total from the previous season with 13 wins under head coach Mike Regan.

In men’s basketball, NIACC defeated North Central Community College of Missouri 77-65 on Friday at the Ellsworth College Classic as Brandon Stephens (Flint, MI/Central scored a season-high 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Tokie Aramona (Kansas City, MO/O’Hara) pitched in with 17 points and Nate Haaland (Osage/HS) added 11 for head coach Bryan Martin’s team, which had their game with Mid-States College of Wisconsin cancelled by inclement weather on Saturday.

The Trojans opened their week by defeating Rochester Community and Technical College 77-60 last Tuesday at home as Greg Smalls (Charleston, SC/West Ashley) scored 18 points and Joe Speth (Bettendorf/HS) tallied seven of his 15 points during a 15-2 run early in the second half. NIACC trailed 35-31 at halftime, but Smalls and company clamped down defensively, holding the Yellowjackets without a field goal for more than six minutes while pulling in front for good.

At 8 p.m. Wednesday, the men’s team opens Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play against Ellsworth. The women’s team will play Ellsworth at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The Lady Trojans (1-7) lost 65-43 to Rochester on Tuesday and had their Saturday afternoon game with the Wartburg College junior varsity postponed. Tiffany Braun (St. Ansgar/HS) scored eight points to lead NIACC in scoring while Madelyn Houser (Gilbert/HS) led all rebounders with 11.

In wrestling, NIACC’s open meet at the University of Northern Iowa on Sunday was cancelled. The Trojans, ranked 12^th in the latest NJCAA polls, will travel to Rochester, MN for a meet at RCTC. At 7 p.m. on Friday, head coach Richard Fergola’s team hosts fourth-rated Neosho County Community College of Kansas. A handful of NIACC wrestlers are ranked in their respective weight classes by NJCAA coaches. DaVaughn Perkins (Omaha, NE/North) is rated fifth at 157 pounds, Cody Hogan (Richmond, MO/HS) and Albert White (Chicago, IL/St. Rita) are rated sixth at 125 and 149 and Jordan Graham (Mason City/HS) is seventh at 184. Neosho comes to NIACC with five top-eight rated wrestlers.

Rewind for November 26

This week’s Rewind begins by highlighting the efforts of NIACC alum Justin Redmond-Trotter (Milwaukee, WI/Marquette), who has starred for Eastern New Mexico University thus far this season. Redmond-Trotter had consecutive 22-point performances in losses to Regis (CO) University and Colorado School of Mines after tallying 25 points in a win over Western New Mexico and he’s averaging 17 points per game for the 2-3 Greyhounds, a NCAA Division II school. Last season, Redmond-Trotter averaged 12 points per contest and earned Lone Star Conference West second-team honors.

An All-Region honoree from last season’s Trojan roster, Max Stambaugh, is averaging nine points per game for Iowa Wesleyan College, now 4-4 overall. Another NIACC alumnus, Milica Kovacevic of Croatia, has averaged 11 points and nearly eight rebounds as her Waldorf College squad has compiled a 6-2 record. Kovacevic scored 17 points in her team’s season-opening win over Doane College (NE) and has grabbed 11 rebounds on three occasions for the Warriors, who are affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Closer to home, the NIACC men’s basketball team began the week with an 87-78 home loss last Tuesday to the junior varsity of William Penn University despite a collegiate-best 23 points from Bernell Benjamin (Minneapolis, MN/Hopkins and 14 points from Brandon Stephens (Flint, MI/Central).

On Friday, NIACC’s men and women played in the Moberly Area Community College Classic and the men dropped a 78-59 decision to State Fair Community College as Stephens and Devion May (Detroit, MI/King) scored 12 points each. On Saturday, Stephens and Greg Smalls (Charleston, SC/West Ashley) tallied 12 points apiece during an 85-73 loss to the host school. It was the fourth consecutive double figure scoring performance from Stephens and fifth in nine games.

In women’s basketball, NIACC finished the week 0-3 after losing twice at Moberly and once in the Twin Cities. On Tuesday, the Trojans had dropped a 67-32 decision at Anoka-Ramsey Community College as Madelyn Houser (Gilbert/HS) produced 15 points. On Friday at Moberly, the Trojans lost 68-43 to the host school despite the 11 points by Caiti Findreng (Elkhorn, WI/Waterford Union). On Saturday, NIACC lost 61-32 to State Fair as Britta Milius (Plainfield/Nashua-Plainfield) scored eight points.

On Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., head coach John Oertel’s team (now 1-6) faces Rochester Technical Community College in the first game of a women’s-men’s basketball double header. The men’s contest will follow shortly thereafter.

While the basketball teams were in Missouri, the NIACC wrestling program had no competition this week. The Trojans head to the University of Northern Iowa for an open meet on Saturday. After one month, a handful of NIACC wrestlers are ranked in their respective weight classes by NJCAA coaches. DaVaughn Perkins (Omaha, NE/North) is rated fifth at 157 pounds, Cody Hogan (Richmond, MO/HS) and Albert White (Chicago, IL/St. Rita) are rated sixth at 125 and 149 and Jordan Graham (Mason City/HS) is seventh at 184.

Rewind for November 19

Two head coaching changes and a bowl game in football highlighted last week’s activities in the North Iowa Area Community College athletic program.

NIACC athletic director Dan Mason announced that NIACC’s previous softball coach, Mary Jo Vrba, was taking over the head coaching position in volleyball following the resignation of Ted Bieth. Vrba had coached softball four years with the Trojans, compiling a 21-20 mark last spring.

Vrba has had plenty of experience coaching volleyball, having done so at both Loras College and Wartburg College during the past decade. A three-sport athlete at NIACC, Vrba played volleyball for the Trojans under coach Joyce Ruehlow and was part of two national tournament teams (1994 and 1995). She was also an All-Region XI basketball player and an All-America player in softball at NIACC.

With Vrba’s move to volleyball, Tyler Sisco has accepted the head softball coaching position at NIACC. Sisco was an assistant coach the previous two seasons in baseball at NIACC. He had coached high school softball last summer at Sheffield Chapin-Meservey Thornton.

-In football, NIACC ended its 2007 with a 28-21 loss to Joliet Junior College in the feature game of the Graphic Edge Bowl Sunday at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls. The Trojans, under head coach Scott Strohmeier, finished 7-4 overall. They were ranked 14^th in the nation before losing to the 11^th-ranked Wolves (10-2).

Sophomore linebacker Luke Dolan (Cedar Rapids/Kennedy) led his team in tackles and was named the game’s Defensive Player of the Year as he intercepted a pass and forced a fumble that led to a touchdown. Quarterback Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, CT/Eastern) accounted for 241 yards in offense and threw three touchdowns to finish with 20 for the season.

Trailing 7-0, Brown connected on a 70-yard scoring pass to Jameel Williams (Tampa Bay, FL/Armwood-Sefner) to cut the NIACC deficit to 7-6 with 1:11 left in the half. Early in the fourth period, Dolan forced a fumble on a punt return and Josh Berry (Wellman/Mid-Prairie) recovered on the Joliet 43-yard-line. Moments later, Brown threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Travis Lietchi (Omaha, NE/Burke) and then Brown converted a two-point run to tie the game at 14-all. Anthony Stewart scored on runs of 2 and 77 yards for Joliet within a span of 1:29 to give the Wolves a 28-14 lead with 4:50 left. Brown and Joe Audlehelm (Van Wert/Central Decatur) hooked up on a 5-yard scoring pass with 3:09 left and the extra-point kick by Ryan McMahon (Des Moines/Dowling Catholic) cut Joliet’s lead to 28-21. However, Joliet got the ball back and ran out the clock to complete the win.

While the football team’s season ended in a loss, other NIACC teams and individuals enjoyed the thrill of victory last week.

Perkins defeated Ross Brunkhardt of the University of Nebraska-Kearney by a 3-2 margin in the finals. He had edged Joe Grygerko of the University of Minnesota (unattached) 7-3 and Iowa Central Community College's Carrington Banks 9-5 to reach the finals. He was 5-0 on the day. Cody Hogan (Richmond, MO/HS) was another NIACC competitor that fared well, placing fifth in the 125-pound weight class.

NIACC hosted Ridgewater Community College last Wednesday at NIACC Gymnasium and came away with a 35-15 dual meet victory. Hogan opened the dual with a victory at 125, followed by Nathan Jones (Ankeny/Saydel) at 133, T.J. Moen (Des Moines/Saydel) at 141, Albert White (Chicago, IL/St. Rita) at 149, Perkins at 157 and Aaron Hancock (Camp Verde, AZ/HS) at 165. Jordan Graham (Mason City/HS) wrestled a weight class higher than usual and earned a victory at 197.

-In women’s basketball, Lindsey Urbatsch (St. Ansgar/HS) and Caiti Findreng (Elkhorn, WI/Waterford Union) scored 10 points apiece and the Trojans defeated the Grand View College junior varsity 58-51 last Monday at NIACC Gymnasium. Head coach John Oertel’s team, now 1-3, plays a 5 p.m. non-conference game Tuesday against Anoka-Ramsey Community College. NIACC’s women and men will play a tournament at Moberly Area Community College in Missouri on Friday and Saturday.

Rewind for November 12

Dan Mayer (Redfield/West Central Valley) placed 35^th overall and earned U.S. Citizen All-America honors as the North Iowa Area Community College men’s cross country team placed 21^st in the National Junior College Athletic Association cross country championships Saturday.

Mayer, a sophomore, ran 8,000 meters in 26 minutes, 7 seconds to finish 17^th among American finishers. Ben Cheruiyot of the host school, Rend Lake College, won the individual title with a 23:28.64. Other top finishers for NIACC included Sean Coleman (Imperial, MO/Seckman), who was 131^st in 28:04; Seth Blanchard (Charlotte/NE Goose Lake), who was 134^th in 28:08; and Sam Meyer (Wykoff, MN/Kingsland), who was 156^th in 28:28. In the team standings, NIACC posted a total of 569 points. Lansing Community College edged Iowa Central Community College 111 to 120 to win the team title.

NIACC’s women didn’t fare as well as a team, placing 28^th, but three Trojans have run well enough this year to post the first, third and fifth best 5,000-meter clockings in school history. On Saturday, Kacy Nehowig (Paynesville, MN/HS) – the school record holder – ran a 19:25 for 63^rd overall to break Elly Meyer’s 5K mark. Teammate Kelly Ipsen (Homestead/Iowa Valley) finished 78^th individually in 19:40 while Magen Krones (Mason City/Newman Catholic) ran a 21:16 to finish 165^th overall. Ipsen’s time was the third best in school history while Krones’ clocking ranks fifth.

Iowa Central had 111 points for the low team score in the 33-team competition. NIACC, coached by Curtis Vais, had a team total of 674 points. Pasca Cheruiyot of Rend Lake College ran a 16:12.99 for individual honors in the 5,000-meter race.

In other NIACC sports action this weekend:

As a team, NIACC did well at the foul line against Morningside, making 18 of 22 overall and 11 of 12 in the final 6:21. A day earlier, the Trojans beat the University of Sioux Fallx junior varsity 68-46 on the strength of 17 points and nine rebounds by Greg Smalls (Charleston, SC/West Ashley). Leaidng 32-23 at the intermission, NIACC blew the game open midway through the second half by holding USF without a field goal for a span of 5:04 and scoring 15 straight points. Dwayne Mays (Chicago, IL/Thornton) had a pair of field goals during the run, Nate Haaland (Osage/HS) had a three-point basket and Smalls and three others added field goals. From there, head coach Bryan Martin was able to use his bench and 10 players eventually scored for the Trojans, which had edged Riverland Community College last Tuesday 79-73 as Smalls tallied 23 points and Speth scored 20.

-In women’s basketball, NIACC started the season with three losses, two at the Konigsmark Classic last weekend. On Saturday, the Trojans fell 61-49 to Moberly Area Community College (MO) as Tiffany Braun (St. Ansgar/HS) and Britta Milius (Plainfield/Nashua-Plainfield) scored nine points each. On Friday, head coach John Oertel’s team lost 56-47 to Highland Community College (KS) as sophomore Tiffany Burgess (Des Moines/East) scored a collegiate-high 17 points and Braun tallied 12 points. NIACC had lost its opener 66-64 Tuesday at Riverland despite 17 points, 14 rebounds by Madelyn Houser (Gilbert/HS). At 7 p.m. Monday, NIACC hosts the Grand View College junior varsity.

-In football, NIACC’s Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, CT/Eastern) was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year in Region XI and seven others were named first-team All-Region after the 15^th-ranked Trojans earned their second straight bowl game berth. Wide receivers Marques Parker (Omaha, NE/Westside) and Brad Theilen (Nashua/Nashua-Plainfield), offensive lineman Kyle Staudt (Charles City/HS), defensive linemen Reggie St. Pierre (Miami, FL/Central) and Michael Daniels (Leesburg, GA/Lee County), kicker Ryan McMahon (Des Moines/Dowling Catholic) and punter Jacob Grobe (Oakland, IA/Riverside) were the other first-teamers. Fourteen others earned honorable mention All-Region honors for head coach Scott Strohmeier’s team, which plays a 3 p.m. contest November 18 against Joliet Junior College in the Graphic Edge Bowl at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.

-In volleyball, freshman middle hitter Sarah Heineman (Garrison/Vinton-Shellsburg) earned second-team All-Region XI after finishing third in hitting percent during conference play. Two others, Kallie Winn (Twentynine Palms, CA/HS) and Nicki Sandberg (Welcome, MN/Martin County West) earned honorable mention honors. Winn led the conference in hitting percentage and service aces per game; Sandberg led the Trojans in digs. Following the team’s 13-23 season, Ted Bieth announced his resignation after three years as head coach.

-In wrestling, NIACC competed at the Harold Nichols/Cyclone Open at Ames last Saturday. The Trojans host Ridgewater Community College on 7 p.m. Wednesday in a dual meet. Glenn Rees (Atascadero, CA/HS) was NIACC's best finisher with a 6th place finish at the Harold Nichols/Cyclone Open.

Rewind for November 5

A football win in a playoff game, a rousing success for a reinstated wrestling program’s initial meet and a season-opening win in men’s basketball highlighted North Iowa Area Community College athletics during the past week.

The 18^th-rated North Iowa Area Community College football team edged seventh-rated Iowa Central Community College 48-47 last Saturday at the Midwest Football Conference West Division playoffs in Ft. Dodge to earn a berth in the premier game at the Graphic Edge Bowl on November 18 at the UNI Dome on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa. Quarterback Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, CT/Eastern) threw for a season-high 339 yards and four touchdowns, including a 42-yard screen pass to Marques Parker (Omaha, NE/Westside) with 2:22 left. An extra-point kick by Ryan McMahon (Des Moines/Dowling Catholic) provided the Trojans with the winning point.

Iowa Central had a chance to tie the game at 47-all, but chose to try a two-point conversion pass, which failed. With just over a minute left, D.J. Pratt (Bexley, OH/Harmony Prep) intercepted a pass to help seal the victory. Parker caught nine passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Brad Theilen (Nashua/Nashua-Plainfield) caught a pair of touchdown passes and totaled 133 yards on nine catches. Travis Lietchi (Omaha, NE/Burke) and Kevis Streeter (St. Augustine, FL/HS) combined for 201 rushing yards.

In wrestling, NIACC’s reinstated program hosted its first meet in over three decades with the inaugural Kaye Young Open last Saturday. Head coach Rich Fergola’s team got an individual title from 149-pound freshman Albert White (Chicago, IL/St. Rita), who was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Wrestler after winning all four of his bouts.

T.J. Moen (Des Moines/Saydel) placed fourth at 141 and collected the first win of the meet (and first for NIACC in 32 years) in his opening match. Cody Hogan (Richmond, MO/HS) at 125, DaVaughn Perkins (Omaha, NE/North) at 157, Jordan Graham (Mason City/HS) at 184 and Luke Stika (Cresco/Crestwood) at 197 all finished fifth individually. NIACC will travel to Ames for an open meet at Iowa State University on Saturday.

In men’s basketball, NIACC opened the 2007-08 season with a 61-33 home win over the Grand View College junior varsity as Brandon Stephens (Flint, MI/Central) produced a game-high 12 points and 12 rebounds. Brandon Clark (Atlanta, GA/Platte County) scored all 10 of his points in the first half as the Trojans raced to a 35-11 lead. A 23-0 run broke a 2-all tie as Clark scored eight points and Stephens and Joe Speth (Bettendorf/HS) had four apiece.

At 8 p.m. Tuesday, head coach Bryan Martin’s team will play in Austin, MN at Riverland Community College. The women’s basketball team, coached by John Oertel, will open its season with a 6 p.m. contest that evening at Riverland.

In volleyball, NIACC won its Region XI opener last Tuesday against Ellsworth Community College before ending its season with a defeat against Iowa Lakes Community College on Friday. Head coach Ted Bieth’s team finished 13-23 overall. In Tuesday’s home victory, middle hitter Sarah Heineman (Garrison/Vinton-Shellsburg) posted 15 kills while outside hitter Anita Whitehead (Fairmont, MN/Martin County West) added 11 kills. Heineman and Whitehead had seven kills each in the Iowa Lakes defeat.

In soccer, NIACC freshmen Mike Unwin (Yately, England/HS), Simon Cook (Hampshire, England/Alton College) and Chris Bazen (Farnborough, England/Merristwood) earned first-team All-Region XI honors after the Trojans finished 13-5, its best overall mark in school history. Unwin, a forward had 27 goals to set a NIACC season record. His 63 points were tied for fifth in the NJCAA when his season ended. Cook, a goalkeeper, was among the national leaders with a stellar 0.833 goals against average. Bazen produced three goals and six assists from the midfield.

Second-team All-Region players included Sam Broadbent (Fleet, England/Farnborough Tech) and Lewis Clack (Farnborough, England/Fernhill) while honorable mention was given to Zach Rollins and Craig Halverson, both from Caledonia, MN and Caledonia High School. Meanwhile, NIACC’s Mike Regan was named Coach of the Year for Region XI.

In cross country, head coach Curtis Vais and the men’s and women’s teams head to Ina, IL for the NJCAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Rend Lake College. The Trojan men are ranked 20th in the latest polls while the women are 23rd.

Rewind for October 29

Soccer head coach Mike Regan was named ICCAC coach of the year for leading NIACC on a record breaking breaking season this past week. Regan, who was in his first season as head coach at NIACC, led NIACC to second place tie in the ICCAC, and broke breaking a variety of school records along the way.

But the men’s soccer season at North Iowa Area Community College came to a close last Tuesday in the first round of the Region XI playoffs as Iowa Central Community College edged the Trojans 3-1.

Isaac Tongo (Omaha, NE/Northwest) opened the scoring for NIACC with his 10^th goal of the season at the 18:00 mark as Mike Unwin (Yately, England/HS) earned the assist. However, the Tritons evened the score before halftime and tallied two more in the second half to beat NIACC for the first time in three matches this season.

Despite the loss, head coach Mike Regan’s team finished 13-5 overall, more than doubling last season’s win total of six. The Trojans also set school records for goals scored (71), fewest goals allowed (15) and Iowa Community College Athletic Conference victories (11).

Individually, Unwin’s 27 goals set a school record and he was ranked tied for seventh in points nationally with 62 when his season ended. Goalkeeper Simon Cook (Hampshire, England/Alton College) was also among the leaders in the NJCAA, ranking as high as third nationally before the Region XI playoff loss.

In football, Brad Theilen (Nashua/Nashua-Plainfield) caught a pair of touchdown passes from Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, CT/Eastern) and Kevis Streeter (St. Augustine, FL/HS) added a pair of scoring runs as North Iowa Area Community College edged North Dakota State College of Science 50-45 last Saturday in Wahpeton, ND.

Theilen grabbed a 16 yard touchdown pass from Brown to put NIACC up 7-6 in the first period. He added a 17 yard TD catch in the second quarter as the Trojans produced 423 yards of offense overall. Brown also hit Jameel Williams (Tampa Bay, FL/Armwood-Sefner) with a 21 yard scoring strike before halftime and he added a 35 yard touchdown run in the second half. Streeter ran 16 times for 80 yards and had touchdown runs in the third and fourth quarters.

Travis Lietchi (Omaha, NE/Burke) led NIACC with 115 yards on 23 carries and his 35 yard run late in the fourth period sealed the victory as the Trojans moved to 6-3, 5-3 in Midwest Football Conference play. Head coach Scott Strohmeier’s team will play in Ft. Dodge at noon Saturday to play Iowa Central Community College (7-1, 6-1) in the MFC West Division playoffs.

In cross country, the NIACC men’s and women’s cross country teams both finished third at the Region XI meet on Sunday as the Trojans prepared for the National Junior College Athletic Association meet at Rend Lake Community College in Ina, IL on November 10.

Dan Mayer (Redfield/West Central Valley) placed sixth overall on the men’s side, running the 8,000-meter course in 25 minutes, 48.4 seconds. It was the third best clocking in NIACC history and earned the sophomore second-team All-Region honors. David Barmasai of Iowa Western Community College won individual honors with a 24:23.9 clocking, edging Iowa Central Community College’s Steven Dak (24:30.2).

NIACC teammates Juan Rodriguez (Bogota, Colombia) and Seth Blanchard (Charlotte/NE Goose Lake) placed 13^th and 16^th individually with times of 27:37.8 and 27:56.8 respectively. Sean Coleman (Imperial, MO/Seckman) was 22^nd in 28:18.3 and Sam Meyer (Wykoff, MN/Kingsland) was 25^th in 28:23.3 for head coach Curtis Vais’ team. All four earned honorable mention All-Region honors. Iowa Central won the team title with 22 points, followed by Iowa Western (52) and NIACC (74) as seven squads were represented.

In the women’s race, 5,000 meters in length, Kacy Nehowig (Paynesville, MN/HS) placed eighth overall in 20:24.1 to lead all NIACC runners. Kelly Ipsen (Homestead/Iowa Valley) was 10^th in 20:37.9. They had the second and third best times ever in NIACC women’s cross country history, said Vais. Lydia Kosgei of Iowa Central won individual honors with a clocking of 18:07.2. NIACC had 50 points as a team to finish behind Iowa Western (43) and Iowa Central (12).

NIACC entered regionals ranked 22^nd in the men’s national ratings and tied for 25^th in the women’s poll.

In volleyball, NIACC lost an ICCAC home match to Marshalltown in three games, then dropped five matches to ICCAC opponents last weekend to end regular-season play 12-22. The Trojans host Ellsworth Community College at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Region XI playoffs.

In winter sports, head coach Bryan Martin’s men’s basketball team will host Grand View College junior varsity at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the Trojans’ opener. The women’s team, under head coach John Oertel, will open play on November 6 in Austin, MN, at Riverland Community College. In wrestling, NIACC