The prestigious national honor is given to teams that maintain a year-long GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

“This award shows the full commitment our student-athletes have made to both their sport and their studies,” said ����vlog���� Athletic Director Ryan Good. “They work hard on the court, but they also show up every day in the classroom. It’s a proud moment for the program.”

The AVCA Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, honored more than 1,450 collegiate and high school volleyball programs nationwide for their academic achievements in the 2024–25 season. ����vlog���� now joins a distinguished list of recipients, including several national champions.

����vlog���� Head Coach Lisa Mathes-Peters said her team takes pride in being well-rounded student-athletes.

“We talk a lot about effort and discipline in volleyball, but that applies everywhere,” she said. “I’m incredibly proud of our athletes for putting in the work, supporting one another, and keeping academics a top priority.”

The AVCA began presenting the Team Academic Award in 1992, and it has since become one of the most respected honors in the sport — recognizing programs that excel both on the court and in the classroom.

The AVCA is the leading organization for volleyball coaches at all levels, promoting leadership, professional development, and advocacy for the sport. It represents more than 10,000 members across collegiate, professional, high school, and club programs.

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This spring, that dedication was recognized on a national scale. Mehrhoff, ����vlog����’s Director of Athletics, has been named the 2025 recipient of the NJCAA Loyalty Award, one of the most selective honors in the association.

Awarded only 22 times in the Association’s history, the Loyalty Award is given to an active athletic director in the NJCAA who has worked to uphold the ideals of the organization. Significant to this award is leadership in an athletic program exemplifying excellence both on the field or court and in the classroom.

Mehrhoff’s connection to ����vlog���� runs deep. He joined the college in 1997 as head coach of the men’s soccer team, leading the program to national recognition. In 2000, he brought his passion for student development into the classroom as a physical education instructor. Just three years later, he was named Director of Athletics— a position that allowed him to reimagine and expand ����vlog����’s athletic programs.

“Over his tenure at ����vlog����, Dr. Mehrhoff has been a tireless advocate for our student-athletes,” said Dr. Jon Bauer, ����vlog���� President. “From working to expand athletic opportunities at ����vlog���� to chalking the fields and everything in between, he has focused on doing whatever is necessary to help our students grow and succeed.”

Under his leadership, ����vlog���� has added sports, improved facilities, and elevated its competitive performance—garnering championships and making regular appearances in NJCAA National Tournaments. Beyond campus, Mehrhoff has played a key role in collegiate athletics across Missouri and the country.

He has led the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference since 2003, serving as Vice President, President, and chair of the NJCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Committee.

“No vision has been too grand, and no task has been too small,” Bauer added. “He epitomizes what the NJCAA Loyalty Award is all about.”

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Chris Lanemann, a longtime coach and educator at Washington High School, has been named the Falcons’ new head coach, bringing with him decades of experience in both high school and club soccer.

Lanemann joins ����vlog���� after 25 years of teaching social studies at WHS, where he also coached boys’ and girls’ soccer. Beyond the high school level, he has made a significant impact in club soccer, coaching for several well-respected St. Louis Metro area programs, including Panathinaikos Soccer Club, Squadra FC, Real STL Soccer Club, Lou Fusz Soccer Club, and JB Marine Soccer Club.

Currently, his JB Marine squad is the No. 1 ranked team in Missouri, a two-time finalist in the Missouri State Cup, and has qualified for USYS Soccer Regionals and Nationals.

A St. Louis native, Lanemann developed his skills playing for Pepsi, Voyagers, Spirits SC, and Skateland before continuing his career at St. Louis Community College–Forest Park, where he played under Hall of Fame coach Pat McBride and Tony Kuester. He later earned his undergraduate degree from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and a master’s from William Woods University in Fulton.

Off the field, Lanemann enjoys an active lifestyle, including running half marathons, hiking, trail running, and working out. He and his wife, Amy, have two daughters, Mia, 21, and Avery, 19.

With deep roots in the region and a track record of success at the highest levels of competition, Lanemann is set to bring his winning mentality to ����vlog���� Women’s Soccer and build upon the program’s foundation.

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Young has served as the head softball coach at Washington High School for the past two years, a role he will continue while coaching the ����vlog���� Softball Falcons. This past season, the Blue Jays finished with a remarkable 37-1-1 record, capturing the Missouri Class 4 state title without a single loss to a Missouri school.

The team was ranked third in the nation in the final National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll and was recognized as the top program in Missouri by MaxPreps.com.

Young, a 1996 graduate of Union High School, holds a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Missouri State University (2000) and an M.S. in Athletic Administration from William Woods University (2007). He and his wife, Julia, have two sons, Kaner and Ryker. Kaner will be attending ����vlog���� and playing baseball this year.

Coaching Career

In his three years as a head softball coach, including a year at Neosho High School in Missouri, Young’s teams have achieved an impressive 89-15-1 record. Over the past eight years with the Blue Jay program, serving as both varsity assistant and head coach, his teams have won six Gateway Athletic Conference titles, five district titles, four Final Four finishes, and two state championships (2021 and 2023).

Young was honored as the 2023 MHSFCA Class 4 Coach of the Year and was part of the NFCA Region 1 Zone Coaching Staff of the Year.

Young has also been a varsity basketball coach for the past 23 years, coaching both boys’ and girls’ teams. He has amassed 385 career wins, including seven MSHSAA district titles, two Final Four appearances, and a state championship in 2011 at Purdy. He was recognized as the Girls Basketball MBCA/Sportswriters 2011 Class 2 Coach of the Year.

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Miller is set to bring his extensive expertise and winning record to the program, aiming to elevate the Falcons to new heights.

Miller’s playing career includes stints at St. Louis Community College, Harris-Stowe State University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he earned a degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Psychology. A native of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., Miller first made his mark on the high school baseball scene before excelling at the collegiate level.

For the past six years, Miller has served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at St. Charles Community College (SCC), where he specialized in developing hitters and outfielders. His tenure at SCC was marked by significant achievements, including breaking over 20 individual and team offensive records.

The 2024 season, which concluded with a 37-17 record and a Missouri Community College Athletic Conference championship, was one of the best in the college’s history.

In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Miller has been a prominent figure in the St. Louis area select baseball scene for the past 11 years, most recently with the Adidas Athletics. His head coaching record stands at an impressive 321-90, with a focus on the U-18 Athletics team.

Miller’s influence extends beyond the field, having played a pivotal role in advancing over 300 players to the collegiate level. Notably, more than 100 of these athletes have been recruited to NJCAA Division I programs, and four of his players have been selected in the Major League Baseball draft.

As the Falcons prepare for their fourth season since the program’s reinstatement in 2022, Miller’s strategic approach and recruiting prowess are expected to lead the team to remarkable achievements. ����vlog���� is confident that his leadership will usher in a new era of success for the Falcons baseball program.

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����vlog���� Athletic Director Dr. Jay Mehrhoff stated that Denommee’s exceptional work on the field was recognized by the Region 16 coaches, who voted him 1st Team All-Region and 1st Team All-Conference for his accomplishments and gameplay throughout the 2023 campaign. He was the No. 2 ranked player in the region.

Denommee’s statistical numbers were impressive for a left-back with 7 assists in a position that rarely gets into the offensive attack. He also scored one goal and started 17 of 18 games in the season.

With a team record of 10-6-2, the year was highlighted by good defensive play, and Denommee stood out as the most shutdown defender in NJCAA Region 16, in addition to his offensive prowess. Denommee scored 9 points during the season, took 5 shots, and had a shot percentage of .200. He also secured a game-winning goal this season.

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Several ����vlog���� student athletes were recognized for their talent within the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 16.

Taylor Hanger, Pacific, a pitcher in her second year at ����vlog���� was named to the all-region first team.

Hanger led the Falcons throughout the regular season and into the post season, playing the last 12 games of the season with a slight fracture in her glove hand. She even pitched some of her best games with the injury, according to Dr. Jay Mehrhoff, ����vlog���� athletic director.

“It was difficult for her to swing the bat, but the coaches in NJCAA Region 16 noticed her talent and named her first-team all-region,” he said.

Hanger, a nursing major from Pacific High School, was an NJCAA Academic All-American and the ����vlog���� Female Scholar Athlete her freshman year at ����vlog����.

“Hanger has had a tough balance in her last semester but has managed to be successful in all aspects of being a student athlete at the intercollegiate level,” Mehrhoff added.

She ended the regular season with a 12-8 record striking out 77 batters. Her grit and determination were not always evident as she would be all business when she was in the circle pitching for the Falcons.

Region Player of the Year

����vlog���� Baseball Falcon Shane Kearbey, O’Fallon, Mo., was named the Region Player of the Year by the NJCAA Region 16 DII coaches’ vote. Kearbey, a left-handed pitcher, had a fantastic regular season going 5-1, pitching 61.1 innings and striking out 68 batters with a 2.39 ERA, Mehrhoff said.

Kearbey graduated from ����vlog���� May 13 with an Associate of Arts degree in Business. He graduated from Francis Howell High School in 2021.

Rounding out the first team all-region selections for the Falcons were two outfielders, Luciano Terilli, and Trey Orman.

“Terilli gave opposing batters nightmares with his good glove patrolling center field making spectacular plays,” Mehrhoff said. “His at the plate and defensive approach to the game made him an all-around player.”

“Orman had his best season in college leading the Falcons in doubles with 12 and hit 4 home runs driving in 24 runs on the year,” he added.

The NJCAA Region 16 DII All-Defense team included Terilli along with Cameron Leach and Andy Hueste. Leach was a formidable outfielder with his glove and led the team with 22 stolen bases.

Hueste was injured early in the season but found his glove and bat heating up at the end of the season with 24 hits and some great plays from second base and shortstop positions.

����vlog���� selections to second-team all-region were Seth Shannon (.341 batting average), DeVon Jennings (5 home runs), Mario Colombo (.316 batting average), Will DesHotels (2-2, 44 strikeouts), Billy Underwood (2.69 ERA), and Hayden Steelman. All six were starters and contributed to the team’s success throughout the season, both at the plate and from the mound.

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The Tom Dill Dugout naming ceremony will be Saturday, May 6, at Taco Bell Field during the Region 16 Tournament hosted by ����vlog����. The naming ceremony will be held between games at approximately 11:30 a.m. Food and drink will be available.

RSVP to the event , by emailing the ����vlog���� Foundation at foundation@eastcentral.edu or calling 636-584-6506.

Dill was the founding skipper for the East Central Junior College Rebels baseball squad. He coached the baseball team for 16 seasons, from 1974-1990.

Dill coached many talented baseball players during his tenure, including Tom Henke, a Major League Baseball All-Star who played 14 seasons in the Majors and won the World Series in 1992 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Dill also was a faculty member at ����vlog���� from 1973 to 2000. He later served two six-year terms on the College’s board of trustees, including several years as board secretary.

If there is inclement weather, the ceremony will be rescheduled for Sunday, May 7.

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He had been serving as an assistant coach under Coach Martin Clayes, who recently took a position to coach professional soccer.

According to ����vlog���� Athletic Director Dr. Jay Mehrhoff, Benninger is ready to take the helm and lead a talented group of young men and women into the 2022 NJCAA fall campaign.

“Benninger has been instrumental in helping build the program at ����vlog����,” Mehrhoff said. “The women’s program has been a tough climb since the 2020 COVID season, but the roster looks ready to compete this year.

“Benninger’s hopes are to elevate the women’s program to compete for the region title in the same way he feels the men’s program is ready to compete each and every year,” Mehrhoff added.

He further added that Benninger has “a gift” when it comes to recruiting, along with a strong passion for soccer.

Benninger is a native of St. Louis and he played club and high school soccer under the rich traditions in St. Louis. He played high school soccer at De Smet Jesuit High School.

He then attended Truman State University, Kirksville, where he was a member and captain of the Bulldogs volleyball squad, during their most successful run in school history.

Along with his college experience, Benninger has coached and worked in administration in the USL League Two (USL2), formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), with the St. Louis Lions. He has also spent time coaching at the youth level.

Benninger has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Truman State University.

“As the 2022 season approaches, Benninger hopes to fill an entire roster for the women’s team at ����vlog���� and build the men’s team into a contender right away,” Mehrhoff said. “Time will be of the essence as Coach Benninger works diligently to complete the 2022 schedule and get the Falcons soaring on the pitch.”

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The award is given to programs from every level of college — from NCAA Division I to Junior College — and high school baseball teams throughout the nation.

The award highlights programs coached by ABCA members that posted a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for the entire 2021-22 academic year.

“I am proud of the guys and their dedication in the classroom,” said ����vlog���� Baseball Coach Johnathon Mills. “A core fundamental of our philosophy is to the careers of our student athletes off the field.”

Over 250 high school programs and more than 420 collegiate programs were recognized with this year’s award. The Team Academic Excellence Award is presented by Sports Attack, which manufactures sports training equipment.

Coaches nominated their teams for the ABCA Award following the conclusion of their spring semesters by the July 14 deadline. To be honored, teams had to meet the following criteria:

• Must be a high school or college team
• Head coach must be a current ABCA member
• Team must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale during the 2021-22 academic year

The American Baseball Coaches Association has a long tradition of recognizing the achievements of baseball coaches and student-athletes.

The ABCA/Rawlings All-America Teams are the nation’s oldest, founded in 1949, and the ABCA’s awards program also includes the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Awards, the ABCA/ATEC Regional & National Coaches of the Year and several other major awards such as the ABCA Hall of Fame and the Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award.

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