Dodge City Community College Athletics

1978 Women's Cross Country Team
National Champions
Induction Year: 2015

The 1978 women's cross country team consisted of nine members and were coached by fellow Dodge City Community College Hall of Famers, Bob and Donnis Schmitt. The team became the NJCAA National Champions in 1978 in Champaign, Illinois - a feat that has not been repeated since. 

Members of the team included: Debbie Sabotka Darr from Orland Park, Illinois and after DC3, earned her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from West Virginia University in 1982. She is still an active runner. Glenda Stewart Wentworth, of Smith Center, Kansas graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Education. She obtained her Masters in adult education in 2005. She has continued to compete in several half-marathons and 10K races. Janet Wilson Sanders is from Leoti, Kansas and after DC3 she ran for Pittsburg State University where she obtained All-American status in cross country in 1980. She graduated with a Bachelors in Education with a minor in sociology. She coaches track adn field at Park Hill South High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Juanita Neff Jones was from Oberlin, Kansas and continued her career at the University of Wyoming where she holds the records in 660-yard run and 4x800 meter relay. She attended the AIAW National Cross Country Championships in 1979 and 1980. She is currently a health minister. Julia Reed Hays from Kingman, Kansas was the 1979 Kansas Relays Junior College Champion in 1500m and was All-American in 1500m at the National Track Championship. She received a Bachelors from Wichita State University and is a physical education teacher. Julie Liska Schroeder from Lyons, Kansas was a reserve on the National team. Peggy Whipple Young of Utica, Kansas became a certified nurse aid and is a farmer and rancher with her husband. Tonia Comer of Protection, Kansas went on to get a degree in nursing in 1997 and now resides in Liberl, Kansas. Tammy Tucker Mize from Elkhart, Kansas was the first person to letter in four sports at DC3 - volleyball, basketball, cross country, and track. She was named All-American for cross country and first team All-American for track. She was the 1979 NJCAA champion fro the 5000m run in track. After a career at Wichita State, she received her Master's in Nutrition from the Kansas State University. She has run many marathons, including Boston and New York. She won the women's division of the first marathon that she ran. 

The Conqusitadors totaled 48 points to win the 1978 NJCAA Cross Country National Championship besting Clackamas (OR) by three points. Five Top 20 finishes paced the Conquistadors to the win led by Juanita Neff who finished ninth place (17:16), while Tammy Tucker was right behind her in tenth (17:17). Debbie Sabotka earned a 13th place (17:22) finish, while Julia Reed and Janet Wilson posted finishes of 17th (17:30) and 19th (17:34), respectively. Glenda Stewart was just outside the Top 20 finishing 21st (17:37), while Peggy Whipple placed 29th (18:07).