Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Mesalands Community College’s president said the college would add women’s golf, men’s and women’s cross country and e-sports to its offerings by fall 2022.
Mesalands already has rodeo and men’s golf among its Stampede athletic programs.
Gregg Busch, Mesalands president, said during the board of trustees meeting Nov. 16 the college has submitted an application to the National Junior College Athletic Association, which governs community college, state college and junior college athletics throughout the United States, so Mesalands sports programs can be fully affiliated.
If the NJCAA approves the application as expected, Mesalands will compete in Division I or Division II.
Busch stated in his president’s report he and Mesalands athletic director Milan Rasic met with Tucumcari Public Schools superintendent Aaron McKinney and track coach Wayne Ferguson about how the new affiliation might benefit their students.
Regarding e-sports, Mesalands institutional technology director Larry Wickham said during the meeting e-sports is one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation. He said 8,000 high schools, plus many more clubs, field e-sports teams.
Busch said a Stampede e-sports program is a way of attracting more prospective students to Mesalands.
“This is going to be a big deal,” he said.
Wickham added the college’s current drone-technology program also can be incorporated into drone competitions if Mesalands chooses to go that direction.
During his president’s report, Busch also mentioned that Mesalands golfer Tanner Croom recently finished in a tie for 18th at the NCCGA National Invitational tournament at the Palmetto Dunes Resort course in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Croom shot a 76 on the first round and a 75 on the second, finishing 7-over-par during the tournament.
“What a proud thing we’ve got going at Mesalands,” Busch said.
Mario Cordova also competed for Mesalands. They are coached by Marty Garcia.