Barton Community College - Spoke Yearbook (Great Bend, KS)

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X Women’s Basketball According to Head Coach Jerry McCarty, “The women had a satisfying season. After starting slowly the inten- sity of play increased and the women started to rely on their defense.” He said the object of the season was to get a play-off spot. McCarty said the team played the roughest team in the conference and X won. “Character began to overshadow ability. If we play with desire, we win.” The first place conference win en¬ abled them to participate in the national tournament in Mississippi. The team was eliminated in the first round of play. Benita Martin, Denver sophomore, led the team in scoring with a 16.3 average. She was selected as an Honor¬ able Mention All-American. Debbie Johnson, Lorraine freshman, led the team in rebounds, averaging 8 per game. Tracey Stowe, Topeka fresh¬ man, led in assists with 5.8 per game. Cheerleaderes, yell leaders, fans and athletes alike joined to burn the Hutchinson Blue Dragon at a pep rally. Crowds for the Cougars’ games against Hutchinson are always large and enthusiastic. Many times fans have been turned away at the doors because the gym was filled to capacity. 17

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Athletes perform on local and national levels By Alex Shell Many Barton County Community College students represent the school by participating in athletic programs. Cross Country The cross country season was had mixed success. The Cougars ran well in the regular season but were struck by injuries near the end of the season. The men placed sixth at the regional meet with two men qualifying for nationals. Kenny Gaston, Chicago sophomore, and Gary Lyles, Junction City sophomore, traveled to Overland Park where Lyles placed 23rd and received All-American honors. The women placed second at the regional meet and came in 7th at the national competition. This was the fifth year the Cougar women have placed within the top ten teams at nationals. Karla Spexarth, Annadale sophomore, said, “We did the best we possibly could. Each meet was a step¬ ping stone and a learning tool to help us progress by improving our running and building our confidence.” “One thing that was hard for me was to maintain consistence. Now I realize what a big factor it plays in shaping an individual’s performance,” Lyles said.

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Men’s Basketball The men’s basketball team played 7 of its first 8 games on the road with a record of 4 wins and 4 losses. Head Coach Dan McGovern said the team found the right chemistry and finished the season with the best record since he began coaching the Cougars, 24-9. The team finished conference play with a 9-3 record, earning a second place finish. The Cougars averaged 80 points per game, and held opponents to an average of 68. LaKeith Humphrey, Memphis, Tenn., sophomore, led the team in scoring with an average of 20 points per game. David Harris, Memphis, Tenn., fresh¬ man, sometimes known as the “Shot In¬ spector,” set a school record with 117 blocked shots. Harris said, “I see them (opponents) get set and release their hands. I have to be there. My favorite part of the game is blocking shots.” McGovern said, “We played each night with intensity and improved each time we were on the court.” Cheryl Dunlap, Great Bend freshman, and John Klie, St. Francis freshman, encourage the Cougars during a time out at a basket¬ ball game. (Photo by Samantha Farr) Student athletes who not only work hard at their respective sports but also work hard in the classroom are recognized for their scholastic achievements between games in the gym. (Photo by Arlene Kennedy) 18