Athletics News

• November 25, 2024

Dakota County Technical College Athletics has announced that Sophie Quesenberry has signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball starting in the fall of 2025. Sophie is from Elk River, MN. She attends Elk River High School and plays for coach Matt Beck. Her club team is Minnesota Elite, where she is coached by Dan Rubischko. Her parents are Sarah and Tyler Quesenberry. Sophie will be enrolling in the Nursing program at DCTC.

• November 20, 2024

The DCTC Blue Knights Volleyball team closed their 2024 campaign feeling good about what they had accomplished.  Their Fall season ended after a quarterfinals loss to Miles Community College.

• November 15, 2024

The DCTC Blue Knights Men's Basketball team secured their first win of the season with a commanding 84-64 victory over RCTC on Saturday, November 9. This win marked their first in Rochester since 2019, also snapping a four-game losing streak. The Blue Knights showed resilience and determination, overcoming earlier challenges to earn a much-needed victory.

• October 28, 2024

• October 04, 2024

The DCTC Blue Knights volleyball team came out with a win on Wednesday night against the visiting Crown College Polars JV team.  It was a thrilling match with many extended rallies.

• October 04, 2024

After a challenging start to the season, the DCTC Blue Knights are beginning to find their rhythm, showcasing the potential of a young team featuring nine freshmen in the starting lineup.

• October 02, 2024

The DCTC Blue Knights Volleyball program is at the mid point of an exciting rebuilding season. With a much larger and talented roster, the team has depth at every position, creating an environment that is fun, competitive, and full of energy. This surge in talent and enthusiasm is a big step in establishing a new, winning culture for the Blue Knights.

• September 11, 2024

The DCTC Athletics held another great Blue Knight Golf Tournament fundraiser at Emerald Greens Golf Course on August 24th. The annual fundraiser helps support current and future Blue Knight student-athletes, and had another great turnout that included many Blue Knights athletes, staff, friends, family, partners, and supporters. Thanks to all participants, sponsors, and donors for your support and for helping to make this another great year!

• July 26, 2024

• July 22, 2024

The Blue Knights Athletic Department is excited to announce the 2023-24 NJCAA All-Academic Team honorees from DCTC. Each year, the NJCAA recognizes student-athletes for their dedication to academics. Please join us in congratulating these athletes on their hard work and achievements in the classroom! Go Blue Knights!

• May 14, 2024

The DCTC Blue Knights (38-11) go 3-0 to capture the NJCAA Region 13 Championship in Miles City, MT this past weekend!

• May 15, 2024

The DCTC Blue Knights Softball team traveled to Glendive, Montana to play in the NJCCA Region 13 softball tournament May 2-4.

• April 17, 2024

Manny Montgomery, 21, a sophomore guard on the Dakota County Technical College Blue Knights basketball team, was named to the NJCAA Division II Region 13 All-Region Team for the 2023–2024 season. Manny finished the season second in points per game and third in total points in NJCAA DII play. Manny was also named NJCAA DII Player of the Week (first week in January 2024), having averaged 33.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two wins over Bay College and Gogebic Community College. He shot an efficient 22 for 37 (59 percent) from the floor, 5 for 6 (83 percent) from three-point range, and 18 for 22 (81 percent) from free throw line.

• March 07, 2024

Blue Knights sign 11 new players The Blue Knights NJCAA DII softball team at Dakota County Technical College has signed 11 new players for the 2024–2025 season. Tom Cross, head softball coach, reported that next season’s softball recruiting class features all positions in the sport backed by top high school softball and fastpitch club resumes. “This class gives us a chance to compete at a very high level,” Coach Cross said. “DCTC, the college’s Softball program, and our campus community are super-excited and thankful for the great group of student-athletes who will join our school and team this fall!”

• January 19, 2024

Blue Knights Men's Basketball player Manny Montgomery was recently named NJCAA DII Player of the Week! Montgomery, a Sophomore guard out of Jefferson High School in Bloomington, MN, averaged 33.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two wins over Bay College and Gogebic Community College on January 5th and 6th. He shot an efficient 59% (22-37) from the floor, and was 5-6 (83%) from three-point range and shot 18-22 (81%) from the free throw line.  Montgomery currently ranks 4th in the country in points per game, #2 in total points and #2 in total field goals made.  Montgomery and the Blue Knights host their next context on Saturday, January 27 at 3pm against Iowa Lakes Community College. 

• December 15, 2023

The Blue Knights Athletic Department is excited to announce that Hawken Hanna has been named the new Head Coach for the Blue Knights Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams! Hanna brings a wealth of coaching experience to DCTC, and was most recently the Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach at the NCAA Division II level for Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He also worked as a sport performance coach with youth athletes.

• September 18, 2023

The Blue Knights women’s soccer team at Dakota County Technical College tied the Rochester Community & Technical College Yellowjackets 2–2 at home Wednesday, September 13, 2023. DCTC tied RCTC 1–1 in an away game earlier this season. The Blue Knights are 1–0–2 as of September 15, 2023. All home games are played at the Ames Soccer Complex on the DCTC campus in Rosemount, Minnesota. The women’s soccer team plays its next home game against Lake Superior College at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 1, 2023. Learn more about NJCAA athletics at DCTC by visiting goblueknights.com.

• September 07, 2023

Four members of the DCTC Blueknights move on to play at 4-year schools. Josh Lewis (upper left) Signed with Dakota State University(SD), he averaged 7.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game last season. His leadership skills will allow him to excel at the next level. D'Sean Larkins (upper right) After a tough start to the season due to injuries, D'Sean turned things around and became vital to late-season success. He averaged 7.5 points and 4 rebounds per game. He will be playing at Mayville State University(ND) this upcoming season. Ousseynou Ngom (bottom left) The 6'7 athletic forward will be taking his talents to Valley City State University (ND). He averaged 7 points and 6.2 rebounds. He also shot 49 percent from the field and shot 50 percent from deep. Keenan Jones (lower right) Signed with Missouri Valley College(MO), Keenan played in 26 games last season, he averaged 12.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and shot 30.4 percent from three. He is expected to make an immediate impact at MOVAL.

• September 07, 2023

The DCTC Blue Knights hosted the annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser at Emerald Greens Golf Course on August 26th. The fundraiser helps support current and future Blue Knight student-athletes, and had a great turnout that included many Blue Knights athletes, staff, friends, family, partners, and supporters. 

• May 15, 2023

The DCTC Blue Knights Softball team traveled to Glendive, Montana for the NJCAA Region 13 Championship May 4-6. The tournament featured six teams including Dawson CC, Bismarck State, Williston State, Miles CC, Lake Region State, and DCTC. The first game was against Lake Region State and it was a battle! The Knights were down two runs in the bottom of the 7th  when DCTC tied it up to go into extra innings. In the top of the 8th the Royals scored two runs but the home teamed battled back to get within one run when Fr. Rhiannon Horien (2B) hit a three run homer to give the Blue Knights a 9-7 walk-off, come-from-behind victory! Soph. Emily Kuehl pitched all eight innings to gain the victory! Allie Sibbald was 3-4 with 4 RBI’s. The second game was a tough game for the Knights losing to #2 seed Miles. DCTC was held to just five hits. The Blue Knights came back the next day in the first elimination game vs Bismarck State. The Blue Knights got off to a good start leading 2-0 going into the 4th inning when the Mystics score four unanswered runs to take the lead. The game stayed at 4-2. In the bottom of the 7th being down by two runs again didn’t faze the home team as they earned their 2nd walk off win when Fr. Callie Adams ( LF ) singled to left to knock in the winning run giving the spirited Blue Knights team the victory! Kuehl again got the victory on the mound. Soph. Molly Erickson, Adams, Kuehl, Sibbald and Horien all had at least two hits.   Again facing elimination, the Knights played Williston State in the 2nd game of the day. It was 2-2 after two innings. The Tetons then scored three runs in the top of the 3rd to take the lead. They then scored three more runs in the top of the 5th to take a 8-2 lead. The Knights then scored two in the 5th and three in the sixth to get within one run! Sibbald pitched marvelously in the sixth and 7th to hold them scoreless the rest of the way! In the bottom of the seventh the home team scratches a couple more runners on base to bring up to bat Fr. Preslie Annala (3B). Annala had homered earlier in the game in bringing the Blue Knights close again.  With the game in the balance, with two players on she did it one more time for a three run homer giving the DCTC softball team it’s third walk off win! Annala ended up 4-5 with six RBI’s! Sibbald was the winning pitcher and added three hits! FR. Hailey Schneller was 3 for 4 with 3 RBI’S! FR. Izzy Okeson caught all the games and registered two hits. Soph. Monica Brown had two hits for the victory! DCTC then took on Miles CC for the second time on the final day of the tournament. Down 2-0 in the 3rd, Sibbald hit a towering homerun that ties it up!  The Knights struggled after that losing again to the Pioneers. “The team really played with great enthusiasm and togetherness throughout the tournament” stated head coach Tom Cross. "Winning three walk off games in a row is really something!"

• March 09, 2023

The Blue Knights basketball team at Dakota County Technical College defeated the United Tribes Technical College Thunderbirds 76–73 in overtime Sunday, March 5, 2023, to win the NJCAA Region 13 Championship. DCTC beat Dakota College at Bottineau to advance to the tournament finals. The Blue Knights (15–11) will travel to Columbus, Nebraska, to play the Central Community College Raiders (21–9) on their home court in the North District playoff game Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 2 p.m. CST. Watch the livestream of the North District playoff game at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/centralcccolumbus/ CCC downed Southeast Community College to win the Region 9 Championship. The North District champion will earn a bid to the 2023 NJCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship in Danville, Illinois, March 21–25, 2023. Head Coach Peter Olafeso led the Blue Knights to the national tournament last year and in 2020. This season is his third as the team’s head coach. “I am proud of this group,” Coach Olafeso said. “They are very resilient and have a business-like approach to being student-athletes. They work extremely hard and have put themselves in a position to play for a chance to go to the NJCAA DII National Tournament.” Go Blue Knights!

• March 03, 2023

DCTC Blue Knights Men's Basketball will host the NJCAA Region XIII Division II Tournament this weekend, March 4-5. The tournament will kick off on March 4 at 1:00pm with United Tribes vs. Gogebic, followed by Bottineau vs. DCTC at 3:00pm. The Region XIII Championship game will be held on March 5 at 2:00pm. All games will be held at Inver Hills Community College (2500 80th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076). The tournament will also be streamed live on the Blue Knights Athletics YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blueknightsathletics890/streams

• Softball
• January 17, 2023

The softball program at DCTC has announced the signing of Kennedy Noth (Greenfield, Wisconsin) to a National Letter of Intent starting in the fall of 2023. She is a very versatile player that can play outfield, 1st or shortstop. She attends Tomah High School and is coached by Dan Wall. Kennedy also plays for the Fire Pro Club team. Her parents are Kim and Gary Noth. Noth has been awarded numerous academic and athletic awards over the course of her career. Her academic interests includ Pre-Vet and Nursing.  “I’m very excited for the opportunity to work with Kennedy next year! She will bring a lot to the table including having great versatility as a player, a solid left handed bat, and a fun personality! “ says Tom Cross, DCTC Head Softball coach.

• November 29, 2022

Kylee McDaniels from Cottage Grove, MN has signed a National Letter of Intent to play Softball at Dakota County Technical College starting in the fall of 2023. Kylee is a pitcher and plays shortstop. Her mom is Kristin McDaniels. She is coached by Scott Christopherson of the St. Paul Park club team. Kylee will be enrolled in the Dental Assistant program at DCTC. “Kylee is a very good athlete who will get an opportunity in our program. We are hoping for big things for her in the near future” says Head Coach Tom Cross.

• November 18, 2022

The DCTC Athletics Department has announced softball player Chloe Lingelbach has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Dakota County Technical College starting the fall of 2023. Chloe will be a graduate of Cannon Falls High School. Her parents are Patti Maki and Jamie Lingelbach. Her high school coach is Tom Langfeldt. She plays club softball for the St. Paul Rookies. Chloe will pitch and play 3rd base for the Blue Knights. She will pursue a major in Logistics. “Chloe is a solid player! She has all the pitches and plays the hot corner (3B)! Her bat is powerful!!! We are very excited to work with her. Gabby Heckmann, our Assistant Coach, played a very important part in recruiting Chloe! “ says Head Coach Tom Cross.

• November 17, 2022

The Blue Knights Volleyball team is pleased to announce the signing of middle blocker, April Jonason, to the 2023 class. April was a starter for the Rogers High School team that finished as the MSHSL AAAA 4th place team with a record of 30-6, and Northwest Suburban Conference Champions! April was named as Northwest Suburban All- Conference Honorable Mention and was awarded her team's Darla Westburg Teammate Scholarship! "I am so excited to have April join our program. She is a great middle with tremendous potential. She is a phenomenal blocker, and a big threat offensively. She is also an incredible teammate and person. She will make an immediate impact and I can't wait to see what else April will achieve at the next level," said Head Coach Jen Bowman. Welcome to the Blue Knight Family, April!

• November 03, 2022

The DCTC Softball team celebrated Halloween by dressing up and having fun passing out candy on campus!

• Men's Basketball
• November 02, 2022

Join Blue Knights Men's Basketball Live on YouTube today, November 2 at 7:00pm against Vermillion Community College for the 2022-23 Season Opener! Please click on link to watch live: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBlzdiw4E262l7c9UfsUlAQ

• November 01, 2022

• October 31, 2022

The women’s and Men’s Soccer Teams finished their seasons over the weekend of October 22-23, 2022 with play-off games. Front row – Left to Right, Jessy Declid, Molly Miller. Naydelin Villegas-Mendoza, Laurna Arends, January La. Dun Lwe Htoo, Sydnie Downs Back Row – Left to Right, Sydney Swanson, Maria Rodriguez-Martinez, Preslie Annala, Nicole Logsdon, Evie Wegner, Molly Erickson – Not Pictured – Allison Boroz The Women’s team traveled to Southeast Community College in Burlington, Iowa for the play-offs. The conditions for the game were hot and a strong wind that ran up and down the field. The Blue Knights had the wind at their back to start the game. Early in the game, Jessy Declid hit the crossbar with a shot, followed by another shot off the crossbar by Evie Wegner. Moments later Sydney Swanson just fired a shot over the goal. While the Blue Knights were creating chances to score, they could not find the net, until Sydnie Downs opened the scoring with an assist from Allison Boroz. Southeast, which had pressure on the Blue Knights eventually scored two goals to lead at the half. The second half went scoreless. The Blue Knights, had several good scoring chances but were unable to tie the game. The game finished 2-1 in favor of Southeast Iowa. The Blue Knights played a good game and just came up short in the end. The Women finished the season with a record of 4-10-1 DCTC 14 Anoka Ramsey 2 DCTC 0 Central Nebraska 10 DCTC 0 Rochester 1 DCTC 0 Southeast, Nebraska 7 DCTC 4 Aleandria 0 DCTC 1 Rochester 6 DCTC 2 UMD Club 3 DCTC 3 Anoka Ramsey 0 DCTC 3 Lake Superior 4 DCTC 3 Marshalltown 3 DCTC 3 Alexandria 1 DCTC 0 St. Scholastica JV 4 DCTC 0 UW-Stout JV 4 DCTC 1 Scott County 2 DCTC 1 Southeast, Iowa 2 The Women’s team end of season awards: All-tournament Team for play-offs: Sydnie Downs: Freshman – Eastview High School Team awards – voted on by the players Offensive Player of the Year: Sydnie Downs: Freshman – Eastview High School Jessy Declid: Freshman – Park High School Defensive Player of the Year: Naydelin Villegas-Mendoza: Sopomore – Bloomington Kennedy High School Rookie of the Year: Maria Rodriguez – Martinez: Freshman – Apple Valley High School Practice Player of the Year: Sydney Swanson: Sophomore – Hastings High School Blue Knight Award: Naydelin Villegas-Mendoza: Sophomore – Bloomington Kennedy High School Most Improved Player – start to finish of the year: Preslie Annala: Freshman – Proctor High School Most Valuable Player of the Year: Evie Wegner: Freshman – Lakeville North High School The Men’s team traveled to Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa for the play-offs. The Men’s team lost to Hawkeye 2-0 in a hard - fought game that saw the blue Knights create several good chances to score. With the score still tied at 0-0, 30 minutes through the first half, Helios Alvarado Garcia, a freshman from Apple Valley High School, hit a 40 - yard rocket of a shot off the bottom of the crossbar, but the ball failed to cross the goal line. The Redtails of Hawkeye scored with about five minutes left in the first half. The second half brought scoring chances by both teams. Hawkeye was awarded a penalty kick for a hand ball in the box with 20 minutes left in the game. The penalty kick was converted and made it 2-0, which remained the score of the game. Charles Odell, a freshman from Rochester Century High School played in goal for DCTC and had an excellent game. The Men’s team finished the season with a record of 8-9-0. DCTC 0 Rock Valley College 5 DCTC 3 Lake Superior 1 DCTC 2 Anoka Ramsey 1 DCTC 2 Central Nebraska 8 DCTC 1 Vlora Club 0 DCTC 0 Southeast Nebraska 5 DCTC 2 Riverland 3 DCTC 6 Alexandria 4 DCTC 0 Bethel JV 1 DCTC 5 St. Olaf Club 2 DCTC 2 Anoka Ramsey 3 OT DCTC 2 Lake Superior 0 DCTC 1 Riverland 3 DCTC 0 Alexandria 3 DCTC 6 St. Olaf Club 3 DCTC 0 University of MN 1 DCTC 3 Scott County 2 DCTC 0 Hawkeye 2 The Men’s team end of season awards: All-Tournament Team for Play-offs: Cole Ayres: Sophomore – Zumbrota – Mazeppa High School Team awards – voted on by the players Offensive Player of the Year: David Ajayi: Freshman – Burnsville High School Defensive Player of the Year: Cristian Navarro: Freshman - Farmington High School Rookie of the Year: Cristian Navarro: Freshman – Farmington High School Practice Player of the Year: Aidan Upton: - Freshman – Chanhassen High School Blue Knight Award: Charles Odell: Freshman – Rochester Century High School Hoang Vo: Freshman – Chanhassen High School Cole Ayres: Most Improved Player – start to finish of the year: Helios Alvarado Garcia: Freshman – Apple Valley High School Jarrod Van Horn: Sophomore – Farmington High School Most Valuable Player of the Year: Cristian Navarro: Freshman – Farmington High School

• June 14, 2022

Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) welcomes the freshman class to the Blue Knights Women’s Soccer program. The following individuals will be playing soccer at DCTC starting in the fall of 2022:

• May 31, 2022

DCTC Blue Knights Baseball wrapped up the 2022 season at the Region 13 Playoffs at Miles Community College in Miles City, Montana. Tyler Steimer (FR., Catcher, Rosemount, MN) was named to the NJCAA Division 2 Baseball All-Region 13 team. Steimer was a great player for the Blue Knights all year long and had a great Regional Tournament in Montana. Steimer led the team in batting average (.409), hits (35), doubles (11), total bases (48), and tied for lead in RBI’s (19). Congratulations Tyler! 2022 Season Player Highlights Elijah Stifter (FR., Second Baseman, Stewart, MN) ended the season with a .301 batting average and second on the team in doubles (9). He was also a big arm out of the bullpen for the Blue Knights all year long, tied for second in appearances (8), with a 3.01 ERA, 11 strikeouts and 3 walks.  Tommy Peterson (SO., 1st Baseman, Woodbury, MN) had a really nice year for the Blue Knights as well. He hit .325, was second on the team in hits (26), and was third on the team in doubles (7).  Diego Waisanen (SO., 3B/SS, Chaska, MN) is a versatile player that had to play shortstop for us out of need toward the back half of the season. He hit .310 on the year, and was second on the team with 2 Homeruns.  Seth Goplen (SO., 3B/OF, North St. Paul, MN) spent most of the season at third base and in the corner outfield. He hit .299, with 5 doubles, 1 triple, led the team with 3 homeruns, and tied for the lead with 19 RBI’s. We would also like to thank our sophomores for all their hard work and dedication during this year. Thank you to Seth Goplen, Diego Waisanen, Tommy Peterson, Garrett Boblitt, Tristan Whitbeck, Jacob Biermaier, and Dalton Burns!