Wingate University Women's Softball

Michael Cabana returned as the Wingate men's and women's tennis head coach in August of 2024. Cabana coached at Wingate for 16 seasons, piling up 16 SAC Coach of the Year trophies and 30 conference titles. The three-time Region Coach of the Year was named the ITA women's tennis National Coach of the Year in 2019. "I want to thank Joe Reich and President Dr. Rhett Brown for making my second run at Wingate possible," Cabana says. "I am very excited to be back at Wingate to lead the men's and women's programs again. Wingate holds a special place in my heart and my heart is full knowing I will be back at the helm of both these exceptional programs. I want to thank my family for their continued support during this process and throughout my coaching career." In his first season back at Wingate, both teams piled up 17 victories on the year. The women men went 17-3 overall and 11-1 in the SAC, advancing to the SAC title match and earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Wingate women went 17-6 overall and 11-1 in league play, advancing to the SAC title match and earning an NCAA Tourney bid.  Cabana transformed both Wingate teams into the dominant squads in the South Atlantic Conference, while also turning the Bulldogs into consistent regional and national powers during Wingate career. In 17 seasons with the Bulldogs, Cabana is 247-114 overall on the men's side with a 135-22 SAC record, while going 260-105 on the women's side with a 141-18 mark in league play. Overall during his 17 seasons, Cabana has piled up 507 victories, while going 276-40 in league play. Cabana has earned SAC Coach of the Year on the women's side nine times, while earning the honor on the men's side on seven occasions. He was named the ITA Southeast Region women's tennis Coach of the Year in 2016, while taking home the men's and women's Region Coach of the Year awards in 2019. He was also named the women's National Coach of the Year in 2019, leading the Bulldogs to 21-2 overall record and the top seed in the NCAA Southeast Regional. Cabana went to Queens University in Charlotte in 2022, where he led the Royals to 17 victories in their first two years as an NCAA Division I program. During his final 12 seasons on the women's side, Cabana guided the Bulldogs to an overall record of 206-51, while going 105-3 in league matches to win 11 regular season titles to go along with six SAC tourney championships. WU went undefeated in league play in 10 of those 12 seasons, going on a conference-record 76-match SAC winning streak. The 'Dogs earned regional hosting duties for the first time in program history in 2018, while earning hosting duties again in 2019. The Wingate women earned an NCAA Tourney bid in nine of Cabana's final 11 seasons. A constant in the ITA national rankings throughout Cabana's tenure, the Bulldogs were ranked as high as #10 in 2019. Cabana inherited a men's team that collected just three SAC wins during his first two seasons. After that, the 'Dogs would go 121-11 in league play over his final 14 seasons, collecting nine regular season SAC titles and five SAC Tourney championships during that time. The Bulldogs earned an NCAA Tournament bid in eight of Cabana's final 12 seasons. Also a fixture in the ITA national rankings, the Bulldogs climbed to as high as #4 in 2020. Cabana had the Bulldogs earn ITA All-American accolades for the first time as a D2 program in 2019, with Michaela Verpelli earning singles honors on the women's side while the doubles duo of Daniel Belsito and Josep Canyadell collected doubles recognition. Belsito and Canyadell repeated as ITA All-Americans on the doubles side in 2020, while Belsito added singles accolades. The women's duo of Camilla Ciaccia and Suzuka Ssambyakugari collected doubles All-American honors in 2022. Cabana has also brought elite student-athletes through the Wingate tennis programs during his time, with the 'Dogs collecting nine SAC Scholar-Athlete trophies during his tenure. That includes two-time winners Kelli Ferguson for the women and Belsito on the men's side. The Bulldogs had 10 Academic All-America honorees during his time at Wingate, including two-time selections Belsito and Sydney Homan. In addition, Homan won the prestigious national ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship award. Cabana became the first full-time tennis coach in WU history in 2006. Prior to his arrival at Wingate, Cabana served as the head tennis professional at The Tournament Players Club Piper Glen. He also spent two years as the head boys and girls tennis coach at Weddington High School. Cabana was a four-year letterman for the Catawba College tennis team. He is a 2001 graduate of Catawba with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. In December 2008, Cabana earned a Master of Arts in Education in Sport Administration degree from Wingate University. Cabana is a member of the Catawba College Sports Hall of Fame. Both Wingate teams have continued to have success during Cabana's two years absence. The men have gone 24-0 in league play, winning a pair of SAC regular season and tourney titles over the last two years, while going 39-9 overall. Wingate was ranked #10 in the final ITA poll of 2024. The women have gone 23-1 in league play, capturing two regular season SAC titles and a tournament championship the last two years, while going 41-7 overall. The Bulldogs advanced to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history in 2024. Michael Cabana Year-by-Year record at Wingate (Men) Year Overall Record SAC Record 2006-07 4-16 0-6 2007-08 8-13 3-4 2008-09 12-6 8-0 2009-10 14-5 7-1 2010-11 17-4 9-0 2011-12 19-7 9-0 2012-13 16-11 7-2 2013-14 18-8 11-0 2014-15 15-6 10-1 2015-16 17-5 10-1 2016-17 17-5 10-1 2017-18 20-6 9-1 2018-19 20-5 9-1 2019-20 7-2 3-0 2020-21 13-3 10-0 2021-22 13-9 9-3 2024-25 17-3 11-1 All-Time Overall SAC 17 years 247-114 135-22 Michael Cabana Year-by-Year Record at Wingate (Women) Year Overall Record SAC Record 2006-07 3-18 1-6 2007-08 9-15 3-4 2008-09 12-8 6-2 2009-10 13-7 6-2 2010-11 21-2 9-0 2011-12 18-5 8-1 2012-13 19-6 9-0 2013-14 19-6 11-0 2014-15 16-5 11-0 2015-16 16-6 11-0 2016-17 17-4 11-0 2017-18 21-5 10-0 2018-19 21-2 9-1 2019-20 6-0 3-0 2020-21 16-2 11-0 2021-22 16-8 11-1 2024-25 17-6 11-1 All-Time Overall SAC 16 years 260-105 141-18

Kevin Hennessy enters his third season as head men’s and women’s swimming coach in 2025-26. In 2025, Hennessy led Wingate to two South Atlantic Conference championships for third year in a row. In two trips to the SAC championships as head coach, Hennessy has four title trophies. He was an assistant coach for Wingate’s first SAC crowns in 2023.   At the 2025 NCAA Division II national championship meet in Indianapolis, Hennessy led the Wingate men to a sixth-place finish and the Bulldog women to a 13th place showing. The Bulldogs had 11 first team All-American swims, seven for the men and four for the women. Wingate added 13 honorable mention All-American swims, eight for the men and five for the women.   Hennessy is leading Wingate to new heights in the classroom as well. Thirty-two Bulldogs received CSCAA Scholar All-American honors in 2025. Both Wingate teams earned Scholar All-American team status. The Bulldog women have earned CSCAA Scholar All-American team laurels 48 of the last 48 semesters.   Wingate’s Ney Chagas Filho was named an Academic All-America selection for the second consecutive year in 2025. Lifetime, Wingate Swimming has a South Atlantic Conference-best 40 student-athletes who have received Academic All-America® honors. Wingate elevates Hennessy to head coach in 2023 Wingate University promoted Kevin Hennessy (’10) to head men’s and women’s swimming coach and director of aquatics in August 2023. He spent the 2022-23 season as the associate head coach for men’s and women’s swimming.   Prior to his promotion, Hennessy spent seven seasons as a WUSWIM assistant coach. He has 18 years invested with the Bulldogs as a student-athlete, alumnus and coach.  Hennessy replaced veteran head coach Kirk Sanocki, who stepped away from his post in the summer of 2023.   What They Are Saying Kevin Hennessy, in his own words   “When I arrived on Wingate’s campus in the fall of 2006 as a freshman swimmer, I never thought I would have the opportunity to be the head coach in the future. It is an honor to be in this position and hard to say exactly how excited, grateful and blessed I feel.”   “Being a WUSWIM alumnus, this program holds a special place with me. I look forward to leading WU Swim into the future and continuing the tradition of excellence that Coach Sanocki established. I can’t wait for the season to get started with the team and our great group of coaches.”   “Thank you to Kirk Sanocki for all you have done to help me grow as a student-athlete, a coach and a person. Thank you to Joe Reich and Wingate University Athletics for this opportunity. WU WHAT? WU SWIM!”   Kirk Sanocki Wingate Swimming head coach for 22 years   “Shortly after Kevin Hennessy graduated from Wingate, I got word that he landed a coaching job with the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins Aquatics Club. He was going to continue to prosper from his father Steve, who was the head coach/CEO of this organization. During Kevin’s time as a swimmer at Wingate he possessed all the attributes you would expect from a coaches’ kid. His communication, organization, knowledge, temperament and work ethic were all ahead of the average freshman when he arrived.”   “After seeing that Kevin would continue with coaching as a career, I gave him a call to see if he would be interested in coming back to Wingate to tackle the college coaching ranks. Showing maturity beyond his age again, he stated he would love to do so, but he wanted to learn more in his current arena, which he felt would better prepare him for college recruiting and coaching.”   “About three years later, he called me back when we had an opening and we embarked on a great professional relationship. I felt Kevin’s personality and skill set would complement me perfectly and we would make a good coaching combination. He understood our system, my coaching style and more importantly, had passion for the sport. Together we prepared for him to eventually run his own program. I’m thrilled that Joe Reich, Dr. Heather Miller and Dr. Rhett Brown feel that way with the naming of him as my successor.”   The Kevin Hennessy (’10) file   - Helped Wingate sweep the inaugural SAC titles in February 2023 - The WU women finished sixth at the ’23 NCAAs, while the men claimed eighth place - Enjoyed one of the best recent WUSWIM distance performances at NCAAs in 2022 - Coached Kate Agger (’22) to a 500 Freestyle national championship in 2022 - Agger was named Wingate’s female Athlete of the Year the same year - Miguel Marcos (’25) was the school’s freshman male AOTY in 2022 - Jonas Soerensen (’22) received his second Academic All-America® honor in 2022 - Hennessy helped WUSWIM win three Bluegrass Mountain Conference championships during his student-athlete days - Received CSCAA Scholar All-American individual honors as well - Earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology with a psychology minor at Wingate - Coached Coast Guard Blue Dolphins Swim Team in Virginia for six years prior to his WU return - Married Jordan (Filchock) Hennessy in Nov. 2019; they welcomed their first child in 2022 - Son of Steve and Sandy Hennessy - Avid New York Mets fan   What They Are Saying Kirk Sanocki   “Kevin Hennessy has played a large part of all the major roles and decisions since we returned from Covid after the 2020 pandemic cut short the NCAA championships. In addition to recruiting and making scholarship offers, he has had complete day-to-day training responsibilities for our D group, as they are called.”   “Kevin has had major success, most recently with Miguel Marcos on the men’s side and Kate Agger on the women’s side, two of the top swimmers in our team’s history. Kate garnered our first women’s distance national championship in 2022. Kevin has now surrounded himself with coaches who will help complement his skill set. I’m excited for his tenure to begin, leading the teams to even greater heights. I’m proud to call him friend and will be rooting hard from the sidelines! As always … WU What? WU Swim!”   Queens University of Charlotte head swimming coach Jeff Dugdale   “I could not be more excited for Kevin Hennessy and the announcement of him becoming the next head coach at Wingate. Kevin has patiently waited for his turn, serving as a loyal associate head coach. Now is his time and I have no doubt he will shine.”      Wingate Swimming alumna Kate Agger (’22)   “I am beyond excited and proud about the announcement of Kevin Hennessy’s promotion to head coach. Kevin has been such an integral part of the Wingate swimming team for many years. He has earned the trust and respect from countless swimmers. Over the past five years, I’ve learned a great deal from Kevin and attribute much of my success to his coaching style. I’m thrilled and honored to now have the opportunity to work with him side-by-side in a coaching role. Congratulations, Kevin!”   Wingate Swimming alumnus Ethan Hathcock (’23) “I am so excited to hear that Kevin Hennessy will be taking the helm for Wingate Swimming! I can’t think of a more deserving person to lead WUSWIM for the foreseeable future. Kevin has been with the team for a long time, so I know he can keep the great traditions of WUSWIM going.”   “Kevin was my group coach for my four years on the team. He has a great sense of connecting with his swimmers as well as providing thoughtful, unopinionated feedback after every swim. Coach Kevin was a mentor, a coach to help analyze my performance, a guy to joke around with at practice and a shoulder to cry on whenever I needed it. I have no doubt in my mind that Wingate Swimming will continue to have success with Kevin as head coach. WUWhat? WUSwim!”   Wingate Swimming quick facts   - Wingate has 45 NCAA national championship swims lifetime (31 women, 14 men) - At NCAAs, the WU women have earned second place once (2016) and third twice - The ’Dogs have earned fifth place at NCAA men’s meet once with six sixth-place showings - WUSWIM student-athletes have earned Academic All-America® at-large team honors from the College Sports Communicators 40 times (23 men, 17 women) - Wingate has 11 Bluegrass Mountain Conference titles (seven men’s, four women’s) - The Bulldogs joined the South Atlantic Conference in the fall of 2023 as the league sponsored swimming for the first time  

John Tillman brings international experience to the Wingate University XCTF staff as the sprints and hurdles coach. The Union County native competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as a triple jumper. He finished third in his signature event at the USA Nationals on two occasions. Tillman earned All-America honors six times in his University of Tennessee career, garnering top-five triple jump placement in both the 1986 and 1987 NCAA national championships. He finished  second at NCAAs in 1985. Tillman was a was a six-time Southeastern Conference Champion and set the school recort at UT that stood for three decades until 2021.    For the last eight years, Tillman has served as a private track and field coach with Quantum Leap Sports & Fitness. He has spent time as an assistant coach at Union Academy (one year) and Anson (three years). Tillman gave back to his alma mater, filling the head coaching role at Parkwood for two years. Tillman earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing at the University of Tennessee in 1987. He added an MBA in entrepreneurial studies while serving as graduate assistant coach at the University of Texas at Austin in 1990.   John Tillman quick facts B.S., marketing (Tennessee ’87) MBA, entrepreneurial studies (Texas ’90)   - Level 1 certification from USA Track and Field (general training) - Private track and field coach for eight years (Quantum Leap Sports & Fitness) - Mentored 10 clients to state T&F championships in 2023-24 alone - All total, 31 Tillman-coached athletes have won state championships - Events cover sprints, relays, long jump and triple jump - Six years as T&F coach at Union Academy, Anson and Parkwood - Coached two jumpers to state titles while an assistant coach at UA Charter - Business and marketing instructor at the three aforementioned schools - Graduate assistant T&F coach at the University of Texas at Austin  

Makayla Bowman was named the softball assistant coach in July of 2024. Bowman joins the Bulldog staff after a standout career for 2022 NCAA Division II national champion Rogers State. Bowman spent her first two collegiate seasons playing at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, earning NJCAA All-Tournament team accolades in 2018 and 2019. She spent her final two seasons at Rogers State, earning All-MIAA and NFCA All-Region accolades for the national champion Hillcats. Bowman started all 68 games during the 2022 national championship season, hitting .317 with 11 homers, 12 doubles, 40 RBI and 35 runs scored. The Hillcats were dominant all season, going 58-10 overall and 20-6 in the MIAA. Rogers State swept through the conference tournament to claim the MIAA tourney title, while going 4-1 in regionals to advance to super regionals, where the Hillcats outscored Central Oklahoma 15-2 in the two victories to punch a ticket to the World Series. Rogers State continued its dominance in the World Series, winning all five games to claim the national title, with Bowman collecting hits in four of the five World Series games with an RBI in each of the final two contests. Bowman wrapped up her collegiate career by hitting .354 with 283 hits including 47 homers, driving in 216 runs during her four-year career. Bowman earned her undergraduate degree and master's degree at Rogers State, earning her MBA in 2022. She has spent seven years as a private instructor and summer ball coach. Last year, Bowman was an assistant coach at Crandall ISD in Dallas, Texas. Bowman joins a Wingate softball program that is in the midst of the greatest two-year stretch in program history. The Bulldogs have piled up 97 wins over the last two seasons, with the 48 victories in 2024 setting a program record, one more than the 47 wins in 2023. The 'Dogs have won back-to-back regular season SAC titles, going 40-8 in league play. The Bulldogs have earned hosting duties at the NCAA Southeast Regionals each of the last two years. Wingate was ranked in the NFCA top 25 throughout the 2024 season, climbing as high as #7 while compiling a 22-game winning streak.  

Throws coach Danielle Crawford spent five years on Coach Matthew van Lierop’s roster, accumulating numerous conference and region honors in indoor and outdoor track and field. In her final intercollegiate appearance, Crawford was named the South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Field Athlete of the Meet at the ’24 championships. Wingate won its second consecutive SAC title as Crawford scored 17 points. Crawford has earned two degrees from Wingate: a bachelor’s in business management in 2023 and a master of arts in sport management in 2024.   Danielle Crawford quick facts B.S., business management (Wingate ’23) M.A., sport management (Wingate ’24)   - SAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Meet (’24) - Second in shot put, fourth in discus, fifth in hammer - All-SAC and All-Southeast Region in the shot put (’24) - All-SAC in shot put seven times - All-SAC in hammer throw (once) - Won SAC indoor shot put twice (’23, ’24) - Holds school standard in the indoor shot put - Wingate won four SAC titles in her career (two indoor, two outdoor)