Dakota Wesleyan University Hall of Fame Women's Track and Field Inductees

Amanda Williams Block

Athlete 2000-2004

Inducted 2012

Amanda Williams Block was a key player for the Dakota Wesleyan University women’s basketball team during its most successful stretch in school history. She was a four-year starter from 2000-2004 and helped the Tigers to three national tournaments- the only three national tournament appearances in DWU history. In her four years, Dakota Wesleyan went 100-41, including 9-3 at the NAIA National Tournament. The Tigers record two top-three finishes and earned the No. 1 ranking in the NAIA for several weeks during the 2003-04 season. She earned the National Tournament Hustle Award in 2002-03- the same year the Tigers finished runner-up at the national tournament. She finished her career at Dakota Wesleyan with 1,121 points, which is 12^th on the school’s all-time scoring list. She still holds the school record for assists average (8.9) and steals (97) in a season and assists (725), steals (327) and steal average (2.4) in a career. Though she is best known for her basketball career, she also had a successful track career at DWU. She holds the school’s outdoor record in the 400-meter hurdles (1:06.86) and was part of several record-setting relay teams, including the 2001 sprint medley relay squad that still holds the school record (4:34.75). She was also on the 800- and 1,600-meter and sprint medley teams that still have some of the top times in Tiger outdoor track history.

Debra McKelvey Cheeseman ‘89

Athlete 1985-89

Inducted 2007

Debra McKelvey Cheeseman came to Dakota Wesleyan University in the fall of 1985, and she left as one of the most decorated female athletes in school history. Deb’s outstanding career covered three sports: volleyball, basketball, and track and field. She earned 12 varsity letters as a DWU student-athlete. Deb was four-year starter in volleyball, earning All-SDIC honors for three seasons. She was voted the team MVP her final three years after leading the team in kills Se also earned All-District honors in 1987. Deb was a three-year starter in basketball, earning All-Conference honors in 1989. She averaged 17 points and 9.5 rebounds as a senior. She also was a starter on the 1987-88 district playoff team. Her track career was capped by earning All-Conference honors in the javelin and the discus. Deb set a new school record for the javelin and still ranks in the DWU top 10 for the javelin.

Candace Crabtree ‘88

Athlete 1984-88

Inducted 2001

Candace Crabtree excelled in three sports while attending Dakota Wesleyan University. In volleyball she was a two-time All-Conference selection and was voted the team’s most valuable player her senior year. During her basketball career, Crabtree was named South Dakota Intercollegiate All-Conference in both her junior and senior year. She helped lead the Lady Tigers to two SDIC conference championships and was voted the team’s co-captain and most valuable player her senior year. In the spring, Crabtree’s attentions turned to track, and by the time she completed her career Crabtree had set four school records: the 200-meter dash and the 400, 800 and 1,500-meter relays. Crabtree also ranked in the school’s top 10 in two other running events. Crabtree’s post college accomplishments have a special significance for her alum mater and state. In the fall of 2000, Crabtree accepted the women’s basketball head coaching position at Drexel University, A National College Athletic Association Division I school. Crabtree then became the first graduate in DWU history and the first women in South Dakota history to become a Division I coach.

Jeanene McKelvey Sampson

’96 Athlete 1992-96

Inducted 2005

Jeanene McKelvey arrived on the Dakota Wesleyan University campus the fall of 1992 prepared to begin her athletic career. She became an immediate star performer on the Tiger volleyball team and continued that excellence for her four years of competition. She was not only a four-year starter but also set eight school records on her way to becoming a four-time South Dakota Intercollegiate All-Conference selection. She was also named to the NAIA All-District 12 team in 1993. Jeanene helped lead her team to conference championships in 1992 and 1993. The 1993 team holds the school record of 114 wins for individual games. She is the only DWU volleyball player to have over 2,500 kills with a total of 2,602. Jeanene’s basketball skills are equally impressive being a four-year starter and a two-time All-Conference selection. Her 1,291 ranks eighth on the all-time scoring list and her 11.4 points per game ranks ninth. She also was instrumental in helping the Lady Tigers win two South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference championships. Jeanene who participated in track as a four-year performance in the high jump and is still tied for third on the school’s all-time list.

Joanne Herber Sarringar ‘87

Athlete 1983-87

Inducted 1998

Joanne Herber Sarringar began an athletic career at Dakota Wesleyan University in the fall of 1983 that few Lady Tigers have experienced. Sarringar participated for four years in basketball and track and for three years in volleyball. She was a four-year basketball starter and received South Dakota Intercollegiate All-Conference honors in 1986 and 1987. Sarringar was instrumental in helping the Lady Tigers win the 1986-87 conference championship; therefore, she was selected National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Academic All-American. During her senior year, Sarringar was voted by her teammates as the most valuable player on the volleyball team. In track, Sarringar set four school records; the 800, 1,500 and 5,000-meter runs, as well as the 1,600-meter relay. These records stood for over 15 years. Sarringar also ranks in the top 10 in the 200 and 400-meter dashes. Sarringar was named the Outstanding Female Athlete in both the 1986 and 1987 SDIC conference track meets and qualified for the 1986 NAIA national track meet in the 800 and 1,500 meter runs. Capping off her senior year, Sarringar was selected DWU’s most valuable female track performer and was again selected NAIA Academic All-American, this time for track.

Bonnie Bartscher Schmidt ‘94

Athlete 1990-94

Inducted 2000

Bonnie Bartscher Schmidt was a three-sport athlete during her Dakota Wesleyan University career, participating in cross-country, basketball, and track. In cross-country Schmidt attained South Dakota Intercollegiate All-Conference regonition all four years of competition and was named the league’s most valuable runner three times. During Schmidt’s four years as a starter for the Lady Tiger basketball team, she helped lead them to three SDIC conference championships. Schmidt was a great scorer and finished her career with 1,284 points, making her the second leading women’s scorer in school history at that time. Schmidt set school records in three-point field goals for a season with 55 and three-point field goals for a career with 185. Schmidt excelled in track and ran distance. After four years Schmidt ranked in the school’s top 10 in the 800, 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs. Schmidt also was a member of the record breaking 3,200 –meter relay team.

Roxie Wells Stoebner ‘80

Athlete 1976-80

Inducted 1997

Roxie Wells Stoebner entered Dakota Wesleyan University in 1976 when women’s intercollegiate athletics was in its infancy. Stoebner participated in four sports and became an instant success and team leader in each one during her athletic career. Stoebner set three school records: game rebounds, season rebounds and career rebounds. Stoebner’s 23 rebounds in one game has been the longest school record for any DWU women’s athletic event. Although powerful on the basketball court, track was possibly Steobner’s strongest sport, as she has held six school records, including the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the long jump, the javelin and two relays. Stoebner was selected most valuable in volleyball her senior year, and she continually won the hustler award in softball and basketball. With Stoebner’s talent, commitment, dedication and leadership, she truly helped pave the way for the high level of success the Tiger women experience today.