1) Unadilla Valley Alum Zach Thomsen is the head coach for the Suny Delhi Broncos men’s basketball team. The Broncos face Swarthmore College this evening in the first round of NCAA Division III Tournament after winning their conference championship. (Photo sent in by Julie Thomsen) 2) Norwich alum Emily Evans plays for the Desales University women’s basketball team. Her team will face Mitchell College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament this evening. (Photo from Desales University)

CHENANGO COUNTY – The Evening Sun has learned that there are at least two local alumni of the Chenango County area that have led their respective college teams to the NCAA division III tournament. First round games will begin this evening.

Zach Thomsen, a UV alum, will be attending from a head coaching perspective while Norwich’s Emily Evans will compete as a player herself.

Zack Thomsen

Zach Thomsen entered his eighth season as the SUNY Delhi men’s basketball head coach. For those who do not recognize the name, Thomsen is a 2006 graduate of Unadilla Valley. In his eighth year, he led the SUNY Delhi Broncos to their first ever North Atlantic Conference Championship title in school history.

The Broncos defeated the University of Maine Farmington 83-77 to reach a spot in the first round of the NCAA division III Tournament.

“This has been a goal for our team all season. I couldn’t be happier for our guys,” Thomsen said.

SUNY Delhi is led by seniors Mavenson Therneus and Walton alum Jacob Beach who stood out strong in the championship game. The Broncos heads to Swarthmore College this evening at 7:10 p.m.

Emily Evans

Norwich alum Emily Evans has made her presence known as a first year student on the Desales University women’s basketball team. The 26-1 Bulldogs won their fifth straight MAC freedom championship against Stevens to land them a spot in the NCAA tournament, where they will host Mitchell College this evening at 7 p.m.

The 5-7’’ guard was recruited throughout her high school career and chose Desales to make her mark on the basketball court and to study early childhood education.

Evans has played in 22 games for 181 minutes, where she has scored 64 points with 46 rebounds, 12 steals. Good luck Emily.

The Evening Sun acknowledges these outstanding alumni and look to develop more stories on the experience of playing in the NCAA Tournament, even from the Division III level. We applaud each alumni for working hard in their respective career field.