HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The Houghton Department of Athletics is pleased to announce nine assistant coach additions for 2023-24.

Titus Ahrens joins the Highlanders men's basketball coaching staff after serving for two seasons at NAIA Trinity Christian College (Ill.), reuniting him with Head Coach Jeremy Bialek.  Prior to Trinity, Ahrens spent two years coaching at Judson University (Ill.) and one as a student assistant at Elgin Community College (Ill.). He also worked as a trainer and coach with the Chicago-based club team, Full Package Athletics. Ahrens played varsity basketball all four years of high school and holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Purdue University. Additionally, Ahrens has worked as Director of Sports and Recreation for the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin (Ind.).
 
Mark Baker will serve as the men's and women's tennis graduate assistant coach.  Baker graduated from Farmingdale State College in May 2023 with a bachelor's degree in economics, while minoring in sociology.  As a four-year member of the Ram's men's tennis team, Baker recorded a singles record of 45-3, primarily in the first singles slot, and a doubles record of 46-5. 
 
David Bourne brings over four decades of playing, coaching and officiating experience to head coach Lindsay Seddon's first-year men's volleyball program.  A businessman with a bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester, Bourne remains active in all three facets of the game.  He has won state, and even national championships, as a player, and has coached multiple high school and club teams, continuing to share his love and enthusiasm for the game with future generations.
 
Mark Fish has over 30 years of soccer coaching experience, including over 20 years at the collegiate level, and will serve as coach Bobby McColl's assistant for the men's soccer program.  During Fish's 10-year tenure as the head coach at Roberts Wesleyan College, the Raiders earned a postseason berth nine times and advanced the national tournament six times.  He has won numerous distinctions and awards for both his playing and coaching, including NAIA Region Coach of the Year and an induction into the Section V Soccer Hall of Fame.  He is a New York State Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and currently serves as a as a school counselor at the Johanna Perrin Middle School in Fairport, New York.
 
A native of nearby Spencerport, New York, Aleah Martone received her bachelor's degree in civil engineering with minors in Bible and mathematics in the spring of 2022, graduating with Highest Honor from Cedarville University.  She will serve as the women's soccer graduate assistant coach as she pursues her MBA.  A four-year member of the Yellowjackets women's soccer team, Martone served as a two-year captain and garnered selections to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Region Team, the 2021 OCSA NCAA DII/NAIA Academic All-Ohio Team, and in 2019 played on the NCCAA Division I National Championship winning team.
 
Jaeleen Mendoza joins head coach Chad Muise as a softball graduate assistant coach after having played three years at Valley Forge University (PA), primarily serving as the Patriots everyday shortstop.  She finished her career with a .315 batting average and collected 13 doubles and 33 RBI.  During her senior season she led Valley Forge with a .373 batting average and a team-high .906 OPS. A native of Rosemead, California, Menoza holds a bachelor's degree in English language and literature. 
 
Nick Pettit holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Covenant College (Ga.) and will serve as the baseball graduate assistant pitching coach.  A four-year player at Covenant College (Ga.), Pettit worked his way into the conference starting rotation during his sophomore year, posting a 4.00 ERA in 10 starts, before suffering a shoulder injury in his junior season.  The right-hander worked his way back by his senior year, making nine appearances, six starts, and striking out 28 batters in 36.2 innings of work.  A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Pettit, along with his wife, Riley (Houghton Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach), are pursuing MBAs. 
 
A native of nearby Belfast, New York, Riley Pettit attended Cuba-Rushford Central School before moving on to Covenant College (Ga.), where she earned a bachelor's degree in art with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in business.  She will serve as the women's volleyball graduate assistant coach.
 
While at Covenant, Pettit played four years of volleyball, serving as team captain in her final two seasons.  She compiled 549 career kills and 603 career digs.  Following graduation, Pettit remained at Covenant, stepping in as the Interim Director of Athletic Communications, where she managed the day-to-day operations of the Sports Information Department for a full academic year.
     
Hayden Williamson is no stranger to Houghton athletics, having collected numerous awards and distinctions as a four-year cross country runner and track & field athlete.  A native of Battleground, Washington, Williamson earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in studio art from Houghton University and will serve as a graduate assistant for both cross country and track & field.  During her time as an athlete at Houghton, Williamson claimed two Empire 8 championships in the high jump, holds the school record in the heptathlon, ranks in the Highlander top-10 in five additional events, and was named the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the year twice.
 
"We are excited about this new group of assistants we have added this year. Each brings a new experience and perspective that we are thrilled to add to our programs," said Director of Athletics Matthew Webb. "Each new coach understands our departmental motto of Excellence for the Glory of God and we are excited to see how they will impact our student-athletes both on and off the field."