| Sport(s): | Softball |
| Years at DCC: | 2001 World Series |
| Year Inducted: | 2023 |
The Softball team in 2001 went all the way to the NJCAA Division III World Series, finishing in 3rd place. That is still the highest finish of any DCC ball team in the athletic department’s 65 year history. The 2001 softball team finished the season 14-5 vs. NJCAA competition and 22-23 vs. all competition, which included many four year schools. They won the District Championship and then made a great run at the World Series. They had 12 players on the team that year and were led by Coach Bill LaFond. Team members included Josi Carlson, Holly Eissinger, Trish Halvorsen, Abbey Kochel, Paula Meyer, Amber Moore, Tawnya Vernon, Autumn Waddell, Tiffany Nash, Fallon LaSalle, Jaclyn Premo and manager Lindsay Flom. The assistant coaches were Dean Svenvold, Ray Glueckert and Dan Harrison.
Their freshman MVP was pitcher Tawnya Vernon and the Sophomore MVP was catcher Trish Halvorsen. The DCC Golden Glove award was given to first baseman Josi Carlson. Halvorsen won the Battling Title with a .400 batting average and .715 slugging percentage. Glendive native Holly Eissinger was honored as Most Improved.
Vernon, Halvorsen, Carlson and Amber Moore were selected to the NJCAA District C All-Tournament Team. Vernon, Halvorsen, Abbey Kochel, and Paula Meyer were selected to the NJCAA National All-Tournament Team. Vernon and Halversen were both selected to the All-Region IX team with Vernon also earning 2nd team NJCAA All-American status.
This team was also excellent in the classroom. They received an award for being an NFCA Top Ten Academic Team. Carlson, Meyer, Moore and Premo also received distinction for having over a 3.5 GPA and were named NFCA All-American Scholar Athletes.
Bill LaFond was named the Louisville Slugger / NFCA - Western United States 2001 NJCAA Coach of the Year, and the entire DCC softball coaching staff was recognized as the 2001 NJCAA Coaching Staff of the Year.