CROSS-COUNTRY
Added to Athletics Options at EFSC
EASTERN FLORIDA
State College will add men ’ s and women ’ s cross country as sports beginning in 2022 .
Doug Butler will coach both the men ’ s and women ’ s cross-country teams when they begin their inaugural season this coming fall . He will also continue as the head coach of the Satellite High School cross country teams .
“ I have been in high school for 22 years now so to see what I can do at the next level is kind of exciting to me ,” Butler said . “ The fact that I can do both made my day , that I can stay at Satellite . My son is a soccer player and runner at Satellite and I really didn ’ t want to leave . It will be a challenge balancing both , but I think it can work both ways because I will get to see the high school talent .”
Butler has won 24 state championships and been the runner-up 15 times in his high school coaching career at both Holy Trinity and Satellite High .
The Titans will compete in Region VIII that currently has 10 women ’ s and five men ’ s cross-country teams from around the state at the NJCAA level .
“ Adding cross-country is like icing on the cake for our athletic programs ,” said Jack Parker , the college ’ s Vice President for External Affairs . “ Our nationally-ranked teams are very competitive and are often vying for national championships . We expect cross-country will be just as exciting .”
Eastern Florida State College announced the addition of cross country in August and will now have more competitive sports than any junior college in Florida beginning in the fall .
“ We are very excited for Doug to join our staff and bring cross-country to the Titan Nation !” added Jeff Carr , EFSC ’ s Associate Vice President for Athletics . “ His credentials and successful track record speak for themselves . He is one of the top cross-country coaches in the state , if not the country . We are very excited for him to get started !”
Eastern Florida State College ’ s inaugural cross-country season will begin in August .
Women ’ s Basketball Team Has Season to Remember – Cont .
with 18 double-doubles . The forward was named the Central Conference Player of the Year and finished the season with a school-best 420 rebounds .
In the national tournament quarterfinals , Ngorka grabbed a tournament single-game record 26 rebounds which was also a school record and was named to the NJCAA Division I national championship all-tournament team , finishing the three games averaging 11 points and 11 rebounds per game .
Ngorka was later named a first team NJCAA All- America becoming the first women ’ s basketball player in program history to be named to the first team .
“ Three days later after a heartbreaking loss in overtime , the competitor in me realized how much I love these girls and wanted this victory for them . It is still heartbreaking , but I was able to look back and see how much they have achieved . The relationships have always meant more to me . No matter what , they will always be family to me and they are about to move on to do bigger and better things ,” Baker said . “ Their time at Eastern Florida has left an imprint on the program . I am thankful and really proud of them .”
Congratulations to EFSC ’ s Jeff Carr for being inducted into the NJCAA Women ’ s Soccer Hall of Fame ! The Foundation is thankful for Jeff , the coaches and student athletes for supporting the Foundation ’ s Annual Scholarship Golf Classic and Annual Backyard
12 | EFSConnections Fall 2021
BBQ Cook-Off .