Jerry Jones Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame
The 2008-09 women’s basketball team was the program’s best team since the 1988 season. The Coyotes posted a 27-6 record for Coach Gordon Reimer in just his fifth season, rebuilding the program from a perennial cellar-dweller to conference champion. The team had a 15-game winning streak at the end of the season, finishing with a 16-2 record in the KCAC that season. KWU picked up a huge win over No. 5 ranked Sterling in front of a packed house at Mabee Arena as part of the streak. The Coyotes then beat Bethany and Tabor in the KCAC tournament before heading to Sterling to take on the Warriors in the tournament championship. KWU would stun the Warriors 70-61 to win the program’s first-ever KCAC Tournament title and win in Sterling for the first time since 1980. KWU made its first-ever appearance in the NAIA National Championships, winning their first round game over Aquinas (Mich.) before falling to Black Hills State in the Round of 16. LaCole Wilkinson, Emily Luckeroth and Kaylaen Dittmer were all named First Team All-KCAC. Dittmer was the KCAC Player of the Year and named to the All-KCAC All-Defense team. Jennie Vopat was named to the Honorable Mention All-KCAC team. Coach Gordon Reimer was named the KCAC Coach of the Year. Wilkinson, Luckeroth and Dittmer were named as NAIA All-America selections.
