By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
Hometown product Kade Sander will be joined by men's basketball standout Jackie Jones and women's tennis player Neus Torregrosa this Saturday for induction into Barton Athletics' prestigious Sports Hall of Fame.
Following a successful career as a Great Bend High School Panther, Sander not only became Barton's first wrestling signee in 2015 but went on to earn the Cougars' first individual national title.
In addition to the national championship, Sander's name still ranks within the top three of the program record books including most wins in a season (39) and career (74) and a 21-1 record in junior college head-to-head dual action.
Jones remains in Barton basketball history as one of the most dynamic players to don the Cougar uniform. Playing for the Cougars from 1987-89 averaging a double-double 18 points and over 10 rebounds per outing with a triple-double performance mixed in, the two-time KJCCC 1st team selection was a highlight machine helping the Cougars win the Jayhawk West in climbing to its first ever No. 2 ranking before concluding his career as a NJCAA All-America recipient.
Taking his talent to the University of Oklahoma, Jones was named the 1990 Big Eight Newcomer of the Year averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds per game and a league leading 2.1 blocks per game including a program record 9 blocks in a single contest.
Jones' historic accomplishments continued in posting a double-double in the Sooners' historic 173-point outing, helped the squad knock off No. 1 ranked teams in succession bolting the Sooners to the top spot, and scored 26 points leading OU to the 1990 Big Eight Tournament Championship.
Torregrosa put the emphasis in both being a student and an athlete during her 2016-2018 time at Barton.
A national top ten ranked singles and doubles player, Torregrosa earned four ITA awards including consecutive NJCAA prestigious honors of receiving the "Jovana Vasic Spirt of Competition" Award for her fair play, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit.
Her accomplishments also included a Region VI Doubles Championship and an ITA Junior College District III "Rookie of the Year" award, continuing her success at New Mexico State University to now climbing the academic ladder of working towards a doctorate degree.
The trio will be enshrined into the Class of 2024 at Saturday's 2:00 p.m. induction ceremony located in the Kirkman Activity Center on the Barton Campus. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
Attendance also encouraged in honoring the inductees between the women's and men's basketball games versus Pratt Community College later that evening.
Schedule of Events - Saturday, January 27, at Barton Community College
2:00 p.m. – Induction Ceremony located on lower level of the Kirkman Activity Center on the Barton campus. Admission is free and public is encouraged to attend. *Live web streaming will also be available.
5:30 p.m. – Barton women's basketball versus Pratt Community College
*7:15 p.m. - *Approximate time. Inductees will be presented with Hall of Fame plaques in a brief ceremony between the women and men's basketball contests.
7:30 p.m. – Barton men's basketball versus Pratt Community College