29 Nov 2023 Nighthawk men ascend into top 10

HOT SPRINGS — The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s basketball team received its first Top 10 ranking in program history this week, placing seventh in Monday’s National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 2 poll. 

One of only three 9-0 teams in the nation, NPC took down Missouri State University-West Plains last week, 90-74, which helped propel the Nighthawks four spots to their highest ranking in program history. With the win, National Park College tied its longest winning streak in program history, dating back to its inaugural NJCAA season in 2018-19. 

This marks the third-consecutive week that the Nighthawks have received a national ranking. In the NJCAA’s first reporting period of the season, NPC ranked No. 20 before advancing to No. 11 in last week’s poll following an impressive 91-85 win over Des Moines Area Community College, which was ranked third in the nation at the time. 

“The Nighthawk men’s basketball team has been traveling the country to seek out the best competition and returning home with exceptional wins against ranked opponents,” NPC Athletic Director Rich Thompson said. “It’s an amazing achievement to be ranked seventh in the nation. We are incredibly proud of our coaches and our Nighthawk men. We believe our work isn’t done and we will continue to climb the NJCAA rankings.”