Barton Community College women’s basketball player Jackie Bueno recently committed to play at the next level, signing with NCAA Division-II Rogers State University, which located in Claremore, Okla.
Bueno joins fellow Lady Cougars player Erin Copeland to sign at a D-II school, as Copeland committed to play at the University of Illinois Springfield earlier this summer.
“I considered several different offers but after touring the RSU campus and talking basketball with Coach Roxanne Long it was an easy decision to make,” Bueno said. “I was impressed with how the academic and athletic departments are structured to keep the student-athletes eligible and on track to complete their (academic) goals.”
A Corpus Christi, Texas, native, Bueno spent one year with the Lady Cougars after graduating from Calallen High School.
Coming off the bench throughout the 2012-13 season, Bueno provided a solid inside defensive presence, leading the Lady Cougars in blocks with 18. Bueno averaged 2.3 rebounds per contest, grabbing a season-high 10 boards to go along with four blocks against the McPherson College Junior Varsity on Nov. 27, 2012.
“I think the most important lesson I learned during my freshman year at Barton was to always keep my faith and to stay focused on my goals and the things I can control.” Bueno said. “The hard times don’t last forever and the hard work does pay off.”
Projected to play the forward and post positions, Bueno and the Lady Hillcats will compete in their first season on the NCAA Division-II level as a member of the Heartland Conference.  
Rogers State previously competed at the NAIA Division-I level and Sooner Athletic Conference, going 24-10 in the 2012-13 campaign and falling in the second round of the national championship.