For More Information
Neil Elliott, Athletic Director (620) 792-9378
Mike Marzolf, SID, (620) 792-9310
marzolfm@bartonccc.edu

Okeson holds nearly every scoring record and several rebounding records for the Barton County women in her 2-year stint Barton at the turn of the century. Hobson was her coach at the time, guiding Okeson and the Cougars to a 5th place finish at the NJCAA Tournament in 2000. Hobson was also a standout basketball player for the Cougars, holding the single-game scoring mark for the Cougars for more than 20 years before it was broken. Foss has been a member of the athletic department for 31 years. She had become more than an assistant to many, many members of the athletic department during her time.

Wendy Okeson (Benisch)
During her high school career, Wendy was a standout in volleyball and basketball but a shoulder injury prior to coming to Barton limited her to one sport. But did she every play that sport very well. She made an immediate impact on the basketball program, scoring 24 points in her collegiate debut. By the end of her freshman season, Wendy had put her name in the records books by scoring 39 points against Dodge City for a single-game school record. She was named Co-MVP of the West and Freshman of the Year after averaging 17.8 points a game and 8.4 rebounds for the 29-2 Cougars. She was an NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American.

Her sophomore year was even more spectacular, averaging 20.8 points and outing and being named the West MVP. She guided Barton to the Region VI Championship and a 5th place finish at the NJCAA tournament. It was the 1st time in 8 years Barton made it to the NJCAA National Tournament and Cougars haven’t been back since. Wendy was a 1st team NJCAA All-American and led the led the NJCAA Tournament in scoring and rebounding at 21.5 and 15.8 per game.

Her sophomore season, she scored a school record 792 points, including 42 points against Cloud County to break her own single-game mark. Her career total of 1343 points is best at Barton by more than 200 points. Wendy is also the single season rebounding lead with 367 her sophomore season and is No. 2 all-time in rebounding with 626 – just 6 from the all-time mark. In addition to the scoring and rebounding records she holds 8 other Barton marks as well.

After a brief stint at Missouri, Wendy transferred to Hastings College, where she hooked up with her former coach at Barton County, fellow Hall inductee Tony Hobson, to win the NAIA National Championship in 2002.

Tony Hobson
Tony began his association with Barton in 1977 when he began his freshman year playing basketball for the Cougars. His sophomore season at Barton, Hobson scored 47 points in a Barton win over Butler County to place his name at the top of the single-game scoring charts for men’s basketball. Those 47 points stood as a single game mark until 2001 when Ebi Ere scored 52 points in an NJCAA National Tournament game to finally move Hobson from the top spot. Hobson’s 47 points in a game still rank No. 2 on the list. After his sophomore campaign of 1979, Hobson was selected to the All Jayhawk West team. From, Barton Hobson went on to Hastings College, where he was a 2-year starter and 2-time All District 11 performer.

Hobson returned to Barton to coach the women’s basketball in 1997. In his 1st season back, Barton posted a 15-16 record but the next two seasons would be some of the best in Barton history. The 1998-99 team went 29-2, posting a winning streak of 17 games at one point – 4th best in school history. The following season Hobson guided Barton County to a 34-4 record, the Region VI Championship and a 5th place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. It was the 1st Barton team to go the NJCAA tournament in 8 years and last to do so. During his 3 years at Barton, the Cougars posted a 78-22 record with Barton going 63-6 in his final two seasons. His .780 winning percentage is 3rd all-time at the school and 5th place effort is the 2nd best finish for Barton at the NJCAA tournament.

Hobson left Barton to become the coach at Hastings, where he teamed with fellow inductee Wendy Okeson (Benisch) to win the 2002 NAIA National Championship. Hastings followed that up with another NAIA title the next season as well. In his 5 season at Hastings, the Broncos have a 173-32 record and are among the favorites for another NAIA title this season.

Dana Foss
Dana started in the athletic department in August of 1975 as an Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director. During her 31 years of service, Dana has been a very popular member of the department. She was outlasted all of her colleagues in the department since her hiring in 1975 by then AD Dick Nagy and then Barton president Dr. Jimmy Downing.

Dana is responsible for several duties in her position including tickets, seating, and staffing of home basketball games as well as many eligibility and numerous other forms. These are just a few of her duties as an administrative assistant.

But Dana’s contributions have gone far beyond those listed in her job description. Since starting with her office in the classroom building, to the PE offices to the current location in the Kirkman Activities Center, Dana has served and helped 5 athletic directors, more than 60 head coaches, 130 assistant coaches and has seen, helped, or in many counseled nearly 5000 student athletes.

Dana daughter, son, and daughter-in-law also work at Barton County.

-30-

Check out Barton County Athletics Online at www.bartonccc.edu/sports