Softball | 7/17/2025 2:28:00 PM

Chanute, KS - Assistant Softball Coach Mateighia Tanner was selected by Easton/NFCA as the National Assistant Coach of the year for NJCAA D2. Tanner stepped into lead the Panthers after Head Panthers Coach Kim Alexander had to take the season off due to a cancer diagnosis. Despite the challenging situation Tanner and the team had arguably one of the best seasons ever for Neosho County Softball. The team drew strength from their bond developed in the fall and really lived through the team motto they chose before they knew just how much meaning it would bring come the spring season, EWYW "Either Way You Win." The team came away with an impressive 34-15 record and 19-3 record in KJCCC play securing runner up in one of the toughest conferences in junior college softball.

Tanner when asked about the announcement of the prestigious award, "I have a go to bible verse myself Psalm 16:8, that and our team quote EWYW became a sense of comfort. It was a constant reminder of our faith and the perspective we were trying to hold onto during one of the toughest seasons we could face. But it was a certainty that no matter what happened in real life or on the softball field, we would be okay and we would come out stronger than before. Kim was a constant light for us, after practices, after games, always a phone call for advice and guidance, or just a listening ear. I'm just extremely grateful and honored to have been chosen."

For the NFCA story, and list of other recipients: https://nfca.org/divnews/general/nfca-assistant-coach-of-the-year-collegiate-2025