Follow us on

More resolve than ever

After a year away, Thunderbirds hungry for a return trip to nationals

After 30 years of coaching, Dwight Gunnare has learned a few things. One is that Mother Athletics always makes the call. Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t.

Last year a whole bunch of things went Casper College’s way. Except for that one night in the semi finals of the Region IX tournament. Mother Athletics blew in a cold shooting wind and well, the T-Birds’ quest for a Region IX championship three-peat went awry.

Clearly, the 2011-12 campaign was one of the best seasons in program history; the T-Birds finished 30-3 and Gunnare earned Region IX Coach of the Year honors.

“It was a pretty special year,” Gunnare says. “Not reaching your No. 1 goal (nationals) you have to be careful not to let it diminish an amazing season.”

So this year’s Thunderbirds, many of whom played key roles in that 30-win campaign, have a lot to live up to. Of course, they knew that coming in. In his four seasons, Gunnare’s teams have averaged 28 wins per year and won two championships.
Rosalie Cutri, the point guard and leading scorer from a year ago, has taken her talents to Boise State. KeArrow Jenkins (South Carolina Upstate) and Madara Gulbe (Texas A&M Kingsville) have also departed.

The good news for T-Bird fans is that five sophomores are back. Four of those T-Birds – Shelby Garska, Taylor Kofoed (who got married over the summer and changed her last name from Diehl), Shelby Stewart and Fayne Tyson – started at some point during last year’s campaign. Ashley Jones, the other sophomore, has already contributed early in the season.

Gunnare is cautiously optimistic about his guard line. Stewart and Kofoed both averaged about 10 points per game last year at the two-guard position. Garska started 20-plus games alongside Cutri and has inherited the starting job at the point this year. Bailey Holland was expected to help Garska there but the Denver native is redshirting. “Our guard play will determine our overall consistent success,” Gunnare knows.
Tyson was valuable off the bench last season and can play all three front line spots. And on paper at least, it looks like Gunnare got her some help inside.

Two players from Poland (a country that has produced several T-Bird All Americans) should give the T-Birds a legitimate inside option. Agata Dobrowolska will remind fans of Justyna Podziemska (who went on to star at Wyoming) because of her ability to move and shoot from outside. Marlena Muszak is a legitimate 6-3 post player. In addition to those two, Gunnare can call on Cheyanne Balster (6-0, Casper Natrona) and Whitney Lott (6-1, Cottonwood Heights, Utah).

“I think we can hang our hat on an inside game that will give us different options,” Gunnare says. “I hope we will be able to attack an opposing team’s weakness with more versatility.”

The strength of Gunnare’s recruiting class is not just represented in the size department. Kendal Levine (Utah) and Aaliyah Dunbar (Rochester, N.Y.) will back up Garska at the point. Ragen Wilson (Laramie), Kaylee Swope (Miles City) and Meghan Becker have had good fall practices. Those three give Gunnare some valuable depth at the swing spots.

The key for this team, Gunnare says, is how well it can improve shooting the ball. During preseason, shooting percentages inside and outside were down from expectations.

These T-Birds will face a league that is better than a year ago, according to Gunnare. “Parity in Region IX has improved dramatically,” Gunnare says, adding that he hopes to get through a tough early non-conference schedule without physical or mental injury. “I believe Sheridan is better, Gillette is better.” That early schedule includes Southern Idaho, Salt Lake CC and Snow College.

“Every year, there is no calendar. You evaluate your team, your individuals and focus on getting better.”

The only calendar in the back of Gunnare’s mind is March. That’s when he hopes to have his flock ready for another run.

Dwight Gunnare
Head Coach

307-268-2627

Poised and driven for another run

Gunnare’s program builds reputation on details, fundamentals

Dwight Gunnare considers himself a lucky man. His chosen profession rewards him every day.

Gunnare enters his 30th season of coaching basketball and his fifth at Casper College. He is just as motivated and driven as ever; not very many people beat him to work in the morning.

The Thunderbird head coach is energetic, focused and detailed. Gunnare’s system throws a lot at his players, but his players throw a lot at their opponents.

His four Thunderbird teams have won 114 games (28 wins per year) and two Region IX championships since his arrival. That came as no surprise to those who followed his career in Montana, where his high school teams at Colstrip compiled a 175-87 record in 11 seasons (and won a pair of state championships). He followed that up with a stint at Miles Community College. In six seasons there his Pioneers won 126 games in six seasons (.717 winning percentage). In his final season (’07-‘08), Miles posted a 31-2 record and lost in the Region IX tournament finals to Western Nebraska.

He has two regional Coach of the Year plaques since arriving in Casper. Following his 2010 team’s run to the NJCAA Final Four, Gunnare received Casper’s Coach of the Year honors from the Chamber of Commerce.

His teams have met standards off the court, too. Twice the Thunderbirds have earned academic All America team honors.

When asked about what makes his program so successful, Gunnare points to two things: hard work and good fortune.

“When I began at the high school level, I studied and I prepared,” Gunnare says, admitting that not many coaches logged the miles he did. “I always felt it was important to have a good understanding of the opponent.”

He would drive hours and hours scouting teams and watching games to gain that understanding. He still does that.

He expects that same hard work ethic out of his team. And after four seasons, the players know that.

Real students of the game will notice a couple of things about Gunnare’s teams. First, they will always be ready by tournament time. That is due in part to how much he expects out of his players. He installs a lot of looks, and by season’s end the Thunderbirds can show them all and generally play at any tempo.

He believes in defense. His teams have been among the regional leaders in points allowed and field goal percentage all four years.
Gunnare’s program is coming off another special year. But despite 30 wins and numerous headlines and rankings, the Thunderbirds came up short in their quest of a three-peat in Region IX. While Gunnare doesn’t want to take away from a “pretty special year,” he is driven to hang another banner this year at “The Swede.”

If you are inclined to wager, don’t bet against him.

Matt Vega
Assistant Coach

(307) 268-3091

Matt enters his third season as Dwight Gunnare’s assistant. He brings a great passion for the game with him from Rawlins, where he was an outstanding prep player. Matt was twice all-state and three times all conference for the Outlaws. For two straight seasons he was Team Captain and team MVP. He led RHS to a state championship his senior season. He played on the Wyoming All Star team and was named to Who’s Who in High School Sports.

Along with his Assistant Coaching duties, Matt is the Recruiting Coordinator for the Lady T-Birds. He also serves as head of Strength and Conditioning for the basketball team. He is also in charge of updating the athletic website.

Matt has attended camps at the Arizona, Kentucky, Wyoming, Colorado State and Georgetown, and has worked with many college coaches including Lute Olson, Stew Morril, Joby Wright and Steve McClain.

Matt has a son Isaiah, 9.

Bill Landen
Athletic Director

(307) 268-2667

Bill Landen took over as athletic director six years ago, but he is not new to those who have been around Casper College and its athletic programs.

Bill has spent the past 26 years at Casper College. Prior to accepting his current role, Bill served as Director of College Relations for 18 years.

Since his arrival in the athletic department, his focus has been on community and student involvement in the college’s four sports programs. Bill has worked with the T-Bird Booster Club and the Foundation to establish a permanent endowment for athletics. He has also been instrumental in support of the college's rodeo program.

T-Bird fans may recognize Bill from his days as the radio play-by-play voice of the T-Birds in the 1980s and ‘90s. Along with serving as the voice of the T-Birds, Bill spent 18 years in marketing and information for the college. He has earned numerous awards during his professional career, including twice being named Wyoming’s Sportswriter of the Year by the national association of sportswriters and sportscasters. He was named Rosenthal Outstanding Administrator at Casper College in 1997. In 1993 he was honored by his peers as Communicator of the Year by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

Along with his duties at Casper College, Bill serves in the Wyoming Legislature as State Senator for District 27.

Bill’s wife, Robyn, is the Director of Financial Services/Controller for Casper College. They have three children: Nick, Zack and Hailey.

• 2011-2012 Seasun Statistics
• 2010-2011 Season Statistics
• 2009-2010 Season Statistics
• 2008-2009 Season Statistics
• 2007-2008 Final Season Stats
• 2006-2007 Final Season Stats
• Review the rich history of Women's Athletics

A Few Lady T-Bird Program Facts (1976 - 2011)

Overall Record: 681-353
9 National Tournament Appearances
9 Region IX Championships
18 NJCAA All-Americans
11 Distinguished Academic All-Americans
40 All-Region IX Players
37 Division I Transfers
27 Division II Transfer

Recent Lady T-Bird Signings

2011Lindsey Fearing: University of Arizona
2011 Sherece Huddlin: University of Nebraska-Omaha
2011Marlianne Louzeiro: Pittsburg State-Kansas

2010 Julianna Paunovic: Rutgers University
2010 Samira Van Grinsven: St. Joes University
2010 Kerstin Minchow: Western State College of Colorado
2010 Shanice Billington: Cal Baptist University

2009 Josie Stewart: Cameron University
2009 Emily Elliot: Northern Colorado

More About the Programs:
Casper College has a national reputation for excellence in many academic programs. Business, music, nursing, art, theater and radiography are among the programs with national accreditations. Casper College is also noted for the strong and varied science programs. Students who complete their academic work at Casper College transfer to universities thought the county. For students not intending to pursue a four-year degree, Casper College offers more the 30 career and technical programs like automotive technology, diesel power, electronics, welding and machine tool technology. These programs are designed to prepare students for the technical workplace.

More About the Campus:
Casper College overlooks the city from the south. Beautiful red-rock terraces surround the campus. The Gertrude Krampert Theatre is a popular attraction for the community. The Goodstein Foundation Library is one of the finest of its kind in the Rocky Mountain Region. There is also a modern student center on campus, three residence halls and a fitness center.