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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
The men’s basketball team at Dakota County Technical College has advanced to the 2021–2022 NJCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship March 15–19, 2022, at the Mary Miller Center on the Danville Area Community College campus in Danville, Illinois.
The #14 seed Blue Knights (18–8) are playing the #3 seed Sullivan Community College (SUNY Sullivan) Generals (26–3) in Game 2 of the national tournament’s first round at 11 a.m. CDT Tuesday, March 15. Live statistics will be available at the start of the event.
DCTC advanced to the nationals by beating the Central Community College Columbus Raiders 71–67 at home March 5, 2022, to win the NJCAA DII Men’s Basketball North District Playoff. The team defeated the United Tribes Technical College Thunderbirds 94–93 in an away game February 27 to win the NJCAA Region XIII Championship.
Read more about DCTC Men's Basketball trip to the National Tournament! Also, stay tuned for additional communication about watch parties on campus for the tournament games.
Join Blue Knights Men's Basketball Live on YouTube today, March 5 at 2:00p against Central Community College in Saturday's NJCAA Men's Basketball North District Playoff. The winner will represent the District in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament March 15-19 in Danville, IL.
Please click on link to watch live: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBlzdiw4E262l7c9UfsUlAQ
The Dakota County Technical College Men's Basketball team defeated United Tribes, 94-93, in the Region 13 Division II Men's Basketball Championship game in Bismarck, ND. In a very intense and highly competitive back-and-forth game, it took a game-winning three-point shot from Janeir Harris to give the Blue Knights the win. Janeir Harris led the way with 28 points, with Ronnell Porter adding 25 and Manny Montgomery adding 16.
Manny Montgomery and Ronnelle Porter were also selected to the Division II Men's Basketball All-Region 13 team, with Manny Montgomery earning MVP honors.
The Blue Knights will face off against Central Community College in Saturday's NJCAA Men's Basketball North District Playoff. The winner will represent the District in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament March 15-19 in Danville, IL.
The Blue Knights Basketball team started the second half of the season with an impressive win over a region opponent Bay College 106-74. Seven players scored in double figures, with Janeir Harris (20 pts) and Malik Spearman (17 pts) leading the way. The Blue Knights (10-5) face off against Ellsworth Community College tonight, January 12 at 7:00 pm. Ellsworth is 12-6 on the year and just came off a win against last season’s National Champions, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).
Women’s soccer team nominated • 14 individual athletes nominated
Dakota County Technical College has submitted nominations for 2020–2021 NJCAA All-Academic Awards for teams and individual players. The DCTC Blue Knights women’s soccer team (average GPA: 3.11) has been nominated for the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year Award.
Fourteen Blue Knights softball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, baseball and basketball players have been nominated for NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Awards.
Marki Struensee serves as the college’s athletic coordinator. Marki oversaw the nomination process for all six NJCAA teams at DCTC.
“I am proud of each and every Blue Knight athlete,” she said. “In the past year, COVID has forced us to make some big changes to athletics as well as academics. These student-athletes worked hard to balance it all—at times with things changing daily. Congrats to the individual and team nominations, as well as those who didn’t make the nomination criteria. Thank you for all of your hard work!”
DCTC Team Nominated
Blue Knights Women’s Soccer
Average GPA: 3.11
Bella Ciccarelli (4) • 3.81 GPA • Team and Student-Athlete [team photo unavailable]
DCTC Individual Players Nominated
Ben Goelz
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Zach Gunderson
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Ariyontai Hatcher
Basketball
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Jordi Herrera
Men’s Soccer
Sophomore
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Alissa Merrick
Women’s Soccer
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Caitlin Springer
Women’s Soccer
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Kirby Pieri
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 3.97 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Riley Pederson
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 3.95 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Maria Gutzmann
Softball
Freshman
GPA: 3.94 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Benjamin Simonsen
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 3.91 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Lilly Hernandez
Women’s Soccer
Sophomore
GPA: 3.88 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Elizabeth Lehrer
Softball
Freshman
GPA: 3.82 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Isabella Ciccarelli
Softball, Women’s Soccer
Freshman
GPA: 3.81 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Dalton Burns
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 3.75 • NJCAA All-Academic Third Team
Baseball Starts Season with Splits vs NIACC & Iowa Lakes and swept by Iowa Western
DCTC 3 Iowa Lakes 2
Goplen's walk-off gives the Blue Knights Victory Over Iowa Lakes CC in extras. The game was tied at two with Blue Knights batting in the bottom of the eighth when Seth Goplen singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run. Earlier DCTC evened things up at two in the bottom of the seventh inning when Riley Pederson singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run. Ben Simonsen was the winning pitcher for the Blue Knights. He surrendered zero runs on three hits over two innings, striking out one and walking zero. Logan Sjoberg started for DCTC allowing two hits and two runs over six innings, striking out two. The Blue Knights tallied nine hits. Goplen and Nick Baker each collected multiple hits.
Iowa Lakes 4 DCTC 1
The Blue Knights lost the lead late in a 4-1 defeat to Iowa Lakes CC. The game was tied at one with Iowa Lakes CC batting in the bottom of the sixth when Joan Benavidez drew a walk, scoring one run. Ben Cradle took the loss for the Blue Knights. Cradle allowed two hits and three runs over one inning. Chase Oslin started the game for the Blue Knights. The righthander allowed three hits and one run over five innings, striking out seven. DCTC tallied one home run on the day. Mitch Goodwin went deep in the fourth inning. Nick Baker, Goodwin, and Ben Goelz each collected hits.
#11 Iowa Western 7 DCTC 1
Nothing came easy for Blue Knights on Saturday, as they fell 7-1 to Iowa Western CC. Ben Simonsen took the loss for the Blue Knights. The righthander surrendered seven runs on nine hits over five innings, walking one. Brady Klehr, Tommy Pederson, and Mitch Goodwin each managed a hit.
#11 Iowa Western 14 DCTC 0
DCTC watched the game slip away early and couldn't recover in a 14-0 loss to Iowa Western CC on Saturday. Dalton Fouquette took the loss surrendering eight runs on eight hits over two and a third innings, walking zero. Ben Goelz led Blue Knights with two hits.
#11 Iowa Western 10 DCTC 0
Sunday was a long day for Blue Knights, falling to Iowa Western CC 10-0. One bright spot for Blue Knights was a double by Mitch Goodwin in the fourth inning. Mason Primus took the loss for Blue Knights. The pitcher allowed six hits and nine runs over two innings, striking out one.
#11 Iowa Western 15 DCTC 4
The Blue Knights struggled in a 15-4 loss to Iowa Western CC on Sunday. Blue Knights tallied three runs in the fourth inning. Blue Knights offense in the inning was led by Michael Rasmusson and Joe Jeans, all sending runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning. Ben Goelz took the loss. Mitch Goodwin went for the long ball in the fifth inning. DCTC tallied seven hits on the day. Goelz and Rasmusson all managed multiple hits for the Blue Knights.
DCTC 7 NIACC 3
The Blue Knights scored three runs in the fourth inning. Brock Goelz and Mitch Goodwin each drove in runs during the inning. Logan Sjoberg was the winning pitcher for the Blue Knights. He surrendered three runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out one. The Blue Knights tallied seven hits on the day. Nick Baker and Goelz each had multiple hits for DCTC. The Blue Knights stole six bases during the game. Joe Jeans led the way with two.
NIACC 13 DCTC 4
Blue Knights watched the game slip away late and couldn't recover in a 13-4 loss to NIACC on Wednesday Nights. NIACC scored five runs in the seventh inning. Paulson and Ben Tallman powered the big inning with RBIs. Chase Oslin took the loss, he surrendered four runs on four hits over one inning. Tommy Peterson led the Blue Knights with two hits
Join Basketball Live on YouTube at 3:00p against Milwaukee Area Technical College! At this time Blue Knights Athletics is not allowing fans at competitions.
Please click on link to watch live: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBlzdiw4E262l7c9UfsUlAQ
The Blue Knights Basketball team returns to the court tonight against Riverland Community College. DCTC Basketball ended the 2019-2020 season with a 21-10 record and punched their ticket to NJCAA D2 National tournament in Danville by defeating Central Community College Nebraska. Unfortunately, the National tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19. We are excited to get back to competition and pave our path back to Nationals.
To watch live at 7:00pm click HERE
To watch live click HERE
21 DCTC athletes continuing their education at colleges and universities in 10 states
Twenty-one student-athletes in five NJCAA sports at Dakota County Technical College are transferring to four-year colleges and universities to continue their education. Many will be going on to compete in their respective sports.
Baseball
Parker Savard
Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School
Position: IF
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Major: Education
Learn more about Parker by reading The Sudbury Star news story:
“Savard ready for next step: Sudbury native to continue collegiate career at St. Cloud State”
Jonah Lewis
Hometown: Minnetrista, Minnesota
Minnetonka High School
Position: IF/P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minnesota
Major: Biology
Learn more about Jonah by reading the CSP Athletics article:
“Baseball announces three additions to 2021 signing class”
Henry Laue
Hometown: Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Mahtomedi High School
Position: 1B
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Major: Environmental Studies
Caleb Ditmarson*
Hometown: Willmar, Minnesota
Willmar High School
Position: P/UT
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Major: Pre-Law
Shane Brown
Hometown: Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Mahtomedi High School
Position: OF
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: University of Minnesota Morris, Morris Minnesota
Major: Undecided
Connor Merton
Hometown: Perth, Australia
Trinity College
Position: P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota
Major: Sports Management
John McCaustlin
Hometown: Prior Lake, Minnesota
Prior Lake High School
Position: P
DCTC major: Business Administration
Transfer school: Saint Mary’s University, Winona Campus, Winona, Minnesota
Major: Business Management
Garrett Hoffman
Hometown: Anoka, Minnesota
Anoka High School
Position: C
DCTC major: Small Business Entrepreneur Certificate & Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota
Major: Business
Ethan Cernohous
Hometown: Bulverde, Texas
Smithson Valley High School
Position: UT/P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: University of Pikeville, Pikeville, Kentucky
Major: Criminal Justice
Teddy Tauer*
Hometown: Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing High School
Position: P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Keiser University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Major: Psychology
Basketball
Harlyn Owens II
Harlyn Owens II
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
St. Vincent Palotti High School
Position: G
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Minnesota State University Mankato, Mankato, Minnesota
Major: Sports Management
Learn more about Harlyn by reading the Minnesota State Mavericks article:
“Owens II Joins Minnesota State Men’s Basketball Team”
…and the DCTC News story:
“Student-Athlete Spotlight: Harlyn Owens II”
Daevonte Munson
Daevmonte Munson
Hometown: Roseville, Minnesota
Roseville High School
Position: G
DCTC major: Sports Management
Transfer school: Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota
Major: Sports Management
Learn more about Daevonte by reading the DCTC News story:
“DCTC Basketball Update”
Lorenzo Smith
Lorenzo Smith
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnehaha Academy
Position: P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Waldorf University, Forest City, Iowa
Major: Sports Management
Learn more about Lorenzo by reading the Waldorf U Warriors article:
“Waldorf men’s basketball adds All-American, MVP and other star players in 2020 recruiting class”
…and the DCTC News story:
“DCTC Basketball Update”
Dashawn Walker
Dashawn Walker
Hometown: Harkers Heights, Texas
Harkers Heights High School
Position: F
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska
Major: Undecided
Learn more about Dashawn by reading the DCTC News story:
“DCTC Basketball Update”
Amitri Collins-Westlund
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Highland Park High School
Position: G
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Goal: Southern University System, Louisiana
Major: Undecided
Learn more about Amitri by reading the DCTC News story:
“DCTC Basketball Update”
Volleyball
Abigail Shaffer
Hometown: Merritt Island, Florida
Merritt Island High School
Position: L/DS
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: King University, Bristol, Tennessee
Major: Business
Anika Weber*
Hometown: Lakeville, Minnesota
Lakeville North High School
Position: S/OPP
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: University of Wisconsin–River Falls, River Falls, Wisconsin
Major: Business Administration Management
MacKenna Johnson*
Hometown: Grantsburg, Wisconsin
Grantsburg High School
Position: OPP
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Dickinson State University, Dickinson, North Dakota
Major: Business Administration
Softball
Bailey Larkin
Hometown: Shoreview, Minnesota
High School
Position: OF/SS
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Mayville State University, Mayville, North Dakota
Major: Business Administration
Learn more about Bailey by reading “Bailey Larkin Signs with Mayville State” on GoBlueKnights.com
Kalley Partyka
Hometown: West St. Paul, Minnesota
Henry Sibley High School
Position: C
DCTC major: Business Administration
Transfer school: College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, Minnesota
Major: Business Marketing
Men’s Soccer
Erick Fuentes
Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington Kennedy High School
Position: M
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa
Major: Undecided
Learn more about Blue Knights NJCAA athletics at DCTC by contacting:
Marki Struensee
Athletic Coordinator
651-423-8641
* NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Award nominee
2020-21 NJCAA Updated Plan of Action
Charlotte, NC – Following the recommendations from the NJCAA Presidential Advisory Council and the NJCAA Board of Regents, the NJCAA has announced its adjusted plan of action for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year. Following the Board of Regents' vote on Monday, a majority of competition will be moved to the spring semester.
"Our greatest focus is and always has been providing the best opportunities for our student-athletes," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO. "Through a unified effort from our Presidential Advisory Council, the Board of Regents, and leadership staff, our most recent plan of action provides a path that keeps our student-athletes competing at the highest level with proper safety measures in place. As we move forward as an association, we will continue to provide opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, and all those involved with the NJCAA to be safe and successful."
The most recent plan of action shifts all close-contact fall sports to the spring semester. These sports include football, men's and women's soccer, and court volleyball. The NJCAA cross country championships for all three divisions and half marathon championships will remain as their originally scheduled dates in the fall as well as Division III women's tennis.
All winter sports competition will begin in January with a majority of championship seasons moved from March to April. These sports include men's and women's basketball, wrestling, and swimming and diving. Men's and women's bowling and men's and women's indoor track and field will be held at the beginning of March.
Spring sports competition remains intact with minor adjustments to dates. These sports include baseball, softball, beach volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, track and field, and men's and women's tennis.
Along with the adjustments to competition season and championship dates, the NJCAA has provided information as it relates to scrimmage and practice dates and allowances in the fall.
Championship dates are subject to change based on championship facility availability.
For all NJCAA COVID-19 updates, visit: NJCAA COVID-19 Homepage
Sophomore guard makes NJCAA DII Men's Basketball Region 13 All-Region Team
April 17, 2024Manny 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.
