Roland and Ramos Sign Scholarships to Four-Year Universities

Two Allan Hancock College student-athletes who starred for the Bulldogs the last two years saw their hard work pay off during a signing ceremony on Thursday. Softball star Kristine Ramos inked papers to the University of Saint Mary, while basketball player Justine Roland signed with Notre Dame de Namur University. Both women are Righetti High School graduates.

"Playing basketball is my passion," said Roland. "I am so thrilled to be able to play at the next level and represent my community and Hancock."

Roland was a major contributor to the women's basketball team's ascendance under first-year head coach Cary Nerelli this season. The sophomore forward averaged 12.8 points and a team-high 9.1 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs. A Second Team All-Conference selection, Roland recorded nine double-doubles, including a 20 point-18 rebound effort in a victory over Santa Barbara City College. The Bulldogs enjoyed their finest season in 11 years.

She averaged 9.9 points and 7.7 rebounds her freshman season for the Bulldogs.

Roland heads to Belmont in Northern California where she will play for the Division II-level Argonauts. NDNU finished 5-21 during the 2013-14 season. The Argonauts compete in the Pacific West Conference and are coached by Angela Kristensen. Roland plans to major in psychology at NDNU.

"I am only five-feet, six-inches, but I have long arms and no fear playing in the post against women much taller than me."

Roland is the second member of the women's basketball team to earn an opportunity at a four-year university. Emma Weinreich, an Arroyo Grande High School graduate, signed with Southern Utah. Weinreich was the first player from the women's program to earn a Division I scholarship in recent memory.

"The signings show we are a program on the rise," Roland added. "People can come to Hancock and improve their game and ultimately achieve their goals of moving on to four-year universities."

Batting from the lead-off spot, Ramos ignited the Hancock softball team's offense during its memorable 2014 season. She played in all 41 games, hitting .375 and led the team with 42 runs, 43 stolen bases and 57 hits. The center fielder ranked second in the state in base thefts and was thrown out just three times.

Ramos completed her tenure with the Bulldogs as the all-time leader in career stolen bases (92) and run scored (85). She broke the program's single-season record for most stolen bases with 49 in 2013 when she won the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's Golden Shoe Award.  

She will join a NAIA program on the rise. The Lady Spires enjoyed their finest season in program history with a 31-20 campaign in 2014. USM competes in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and is located in Leavensworth, Kansas. Ramos plans to major in nursing.