The Barton Community College men's basketball team put the icing on the cake of its 2024 NJCAA Division I National Championship title with a Tuesday trip to the Kansas State Capitol Building for recognition.
The Cougars were invited for a morning of recognition beginning in the House of Representatives followed by the Senate with a brief meeting and photo opportunity with Governor Laura Kelly.
Bunker Hill's Troy Waymaster of District 109 introduced the Cougars in House with Ellinwood resident Alicia Straub, who represents District 33 in the Senate, introduced and celebrated the Cougars in the Senate session also giving recognition of Barton's women's indoor track and field team for their 2024 NJCAA National title and to both men's and women's tennis teams for their top ten national rankings.
Join on the recognition day by the women's basketball team of Hutchinson, who also won the 2024 title at the NJCAA Division I women's tournament, each team's time in the House and Senate included proclamations read in session followed by standing ovations from members present.
The first-ever national title accomplishment in both the Barton and Hutchinson programs respectively was just the third time in NJCAA history the men and women teams from the same state won the national title and just the fourth time the same region achieved the feat.
Having time to tour the Capitol and the gracious hosts from Capitol staff, the day concluded with Governor Kelly for team photos including both squads combined for Region VI celebration photo.
Barton attendees including coach staff, players, and other members of the team, Barton Trustees Mike Johnson and Gary Burke, Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs, Assistant Athletic Director Heather Panning, Sports Information Director Todd Moore, Assistant Sports Information Director Brandon Smith, "Voice of the Cougars" Cole Reif, and former Cougar and State Capitol Doorman Kent Schaben.
