Challenge - Spring/Summer 2012 - Tiffin University

64 | SPRING / SUMMER 2012 | CHALLENGE
Equestrian
Tiffin University’s equestrian program had two of its alumni
excel at the Western Semi-Finals at the University of Findlay.
Alison Dittman placed 2nd and advanced to National
competition in Raleigh, North Carolina, and TU’s other competitor,
Elizabeth Buskey, placed 7th.
Tiffin University’s equestrian squad had five Regional
qualifiers. To qualify for Regionals, riders had to accumulate
36 points over the season. The Dragons posted two riders in
Hunt Seat and three in Western.
In Hunt Seat, Lauren Burdin (Sophomore) placed first in
her class, beginner walk trot, advancing her to Zone competition
in Morehead, Kentucky. Kelly Dobbs (Junior) placed 3rd in
her class, Walk/Trot/Canter.
In Western competition, Abby Russell (freshman) placed
4th in Open Reining. Francesca Moody (Junior) placed 4th in
Intermediate Horsemanship, while Lindsey McKibben (Junior)
also competed in Novice horsemanship.
The Dragons also had two alumni competing in regional
competition--Alison Dittman and Liz Buskey. Alison placed 1st
and Liz placed 2nd, advancing them to semi-final competition.
Lonny Allen Steps Down as Head
Baseball Coach; Joe Wilkins
Takes Over
Lonny Allen stepped down as Tiffin University Head Baseball
Coach, with assistant coach Joe Wilkins taking over as the new
Head Baseball Coach. Allen will continue to serve as Tiffin
University’s Athletic Director.
Allen recently finished his 21st
season at the helm of the program.
Counting his days as a student-athlete
for the Dragons, he has been
associated with the program for 24
years. After taking over in 1992, Allen
helped the team post a winning
record in just his second season,
going 17-15 in 1993. One staple
of Allen’s teams was heavy hitting,
as the offensive record books
Lonny Allen
were rewritten numerous times during his tenure. With 444
career victories, no other Dragons baseball manager has won
more games. The Dragons have been remarkably consistent,
posting 20 or more victories in 14 of his seasons. In 2012, the
Dragons also qualified for the GLIAC Tournament for the first
time in school history.
“It is with mixed emotions that I give up coaching baseball,”
said Allen. “This move will help me focus more on being
Athletic Director. Being a head coach is very time-consuming,
and I never could have done it without the help of (assistant
coaches) Joe Wilkins and Kurt Rammel. I also could not have
performed all my duties as Athletic Director without the help
of my staff in the athletic department. With the development
of the Heminger Center and other projects, this allows me to
have a more hands-on role. Most importantly, I would like to
thank President Marion for allowing me to serve in both capacities
and also for giving me this opportunity to focus
more specifically on my duties as Athletic Director.”
“This is a great opportunity for me,” said
Wilkins. “Coaching here at Tiffin was my first taste
of coaching and I have been able to coach at different
institutions around the country. I have learned
a lot from all the different coaches I have worked
with and look to put that knowledge to use with
the Dragons.”
Joe Wilkins recently completed his fourth
season as an assistant coach for the Dragons.
He has an extensive background in baseball. Joe
spent the 2010 season as an Assistant at Pepperdine
University in Malibu, CA.Wilkins’ responsibilities included
training the catchers, helping to develop the offense and