Howard Community College Women's Basketball

VerKia Smith was named head coach of the women's flag football program in August of 2024. She has previously served as an assistant coach with women's basketball and cross country.   Season School Record Accomplishments 2025 Howard CC 0-6 First season in program history Total 0-6

Mike Petro joined the Howard Community College Track & Field program in August 2025. Petro will coach the throwing events for the Dragons.   Prior to his time at HCC, Petro was the Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach at Hood College from 2021-25. During his time at Hood, Petro saw athletes break 45 program records, earn 24 All-Conference honors, and receive 12 USTFCCCA All-Region selections. Coach also led the program to their highest program finishes at the ECAC, MAC, AARTFC, and Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship meets. Petro served as an assistant coach at Seton Hill from 2019-21. Working primarily with the throws, his recruiting efforts grew the event group from eight to 18 student-athletes during his tenure. He coached 1 USTFCCCA All-Region honoree, 1 school record, and 7 PSAC scoring performances during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the cross country side, he helped coach the women's cross country team to a 3rd place finish at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship, thus earning a bid to the 2019 NCAA Division II XC Championships.     Prior to his time at Seton Hill, Petro was an assistant coach at Division III Denison University. He coached 23 All-North Coast Athletic Conference performers, 10 All-Great Lakes Region student-athletes, 6 conference champions and 5 NCAA qualifiers.    Petro also serves as a USATF Level 1 Coaching School instructor. He has USATF level 2 throws, endurance, and jumps certifications. He also is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength Coaches Association.   Petro was a dual sport student-athlete at Allegheny College (PA) in track and field and football. In track and field, he earned five All-NCAC accolades and was a two-time conference champion, qualifying for the NCAA championships in the hammer in 2015. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in dance and movement studies in 2015. In 2017, he earned a Master of Science degree exercise science and health promotion from California University of Pennsylvania.