May 10, 2006 The Great Plains Athletic Conference, one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA, named Dana’s Josie Barrow as its 2006 Player of the Year. Barrow, a sophomore from Woodward, Iowa is batting .533 and has hit a school record 19 home runs this season. She leads the team with 63 RBI. Barrow plays third base as well as pitcher for Dana. Her record on the mound this year is 16-3.

Coach Marcy Roff was voted the 2006 GPAC Coach of the Year by her peers. Roff took over Dana’s program 3 years ago and now holds an impressive 97-54 career coaching record.

Six Vikings were named First Team All-GPAC: Maggie Downs (St. Charles, Iowa), Mindy Schoop (Johnston, Iowa), Janez Anderson (Albion, Neb.), Marisa Bretschneider (Norfolk, Neb.), Morgan Shields (Britt, Iowa) and Barrow. First baseman Sarah Sempek (Omaha, Neb.) was selected to the Second Team and designated player Apryl Groteluschen (Columbus, Neb.) received honorable mention.

The Dana softball team, now 41-8, won the 2006 GPAC tournament and earned an automatic berth into the NAIA Region III tournament which begins Wednesday.  As promised, Coach Marcy Roff got a tattoo, Coach Karen Bertram pierced her nose, and “Man Coach” (Tom Roff) as he’s called by the players dyed his hair red to spur their team on through postseason play.  Dana must win the regional tournament to advance to nationals.

“I am excited. I feel that I took for granted being in Regionals when I was a player” said Coach Marcy Roff who played at Simpson College and later coached for Central College- two softball powerhouses. “I know how hard the girls have worked and how much each player has invested in this team. I know that will be reflected in how we play at Regionals.”

No. 2 seed Dana will face No. 7 Valley City State at 2pm today as the 2006 NAIA Region III softball tournament opens in Sioux City, Iowa.

Viking 2006 Season Outlook
Preseason GPAC Poll
DANA SOFTBALL HAS NATION'S TOP 5 GPA