GRINNELL, Iowa - When Women's Basketball Coach Dana Harrold led her team to a 78-63 victory over Illinois College on Feb.7, she joined an elite group of collegiate coaches with 100 career wins to their credit. With this win, Harrold became the fourth Grinnell coach to reach this impressive milestone during the 2023-2024 year. Grinnell's "Fantastic Four" includes Men's Basketball Coach David Arseneault Jr. '09 who reached 100 wins with a 148-123 drubbing of Lake Forest on Nov. 25, 2023; Women's Soccer Coach Kirsten Koester who earned her 100th victory in a 4-0 shutout of Monmouth on Oct. 24, 2023; and Head Volleyball Coach Eric Ragan '12 who joined the club with a 3-0 sweep over Buena Vista on. Sept. 5, 2023. We reached out to the coaches to get their thoughts on the accomplishment and their time coaching at Grinnell. 
  
Q: How did it feel to earn your 100th win at Grinnell?
Dana: It was a very meaningful moment.  So much work and preparation go into every game both for our student-athletes and for our coaching staff, so it definitely means a lot to hit this milestone.  
Eric: It's exciting that Grinnell volleyball has won that many matches in the last six seasons. I'm proud of all the work the past and present players have put in to make 100 wins happen. That amount of success is the biproduct of all their hard work on and off the court. 
Kirsten: It made me grateful for all the student-athletes I've been able to coach over the years. It was special to reach 100 wins with this group because we've been through a lot together — from the return to campus after the pandemic, to the National Tournament in 2022. It was exciting to celebrate the win during a successful season with a group that cares so much about each other.  
David: It was a tremendous honor to get my 100th win. I'm very thankful for the incredible student-athletes that I get to coach on a daily basis. Also, Coach Harrold and Coach Koester are more than colleagues, they're very close friends. Our kids are all around the same ages and we spend a lot of time together both in and out of the workplace. For all of us to get our 100th win in the same year is truly special! 
  
Q: Besides number 100, do you have a most memorable win at Grinnell?
Kirsten: In 2016 we beat Lake Forest in the semi-finals in a PK shoot-out, so technically that is recorded as a tie, but it was a great game and core GWS memory. We lost in the final the next day, but you wouldn't know that by looking at the pictures we took post-game. Lots of GC Pride in those smiles.  
David: Winning even just one game is  tough so I cherish every win, but I do particularly enjoy winning at home in front a packed house in Darby gym.   
Eric: Winning the conference tournament championship in 2019. We beat St. Norbert after being down big early in the fifth set. I'll never forget the joy of that match, the ups and the downs of a five setter, and the confidence and passion that group played with in such a big moment. 
Dana: Wow, that is tough!  There have been some really good ones.  I think the two that stand out to me the most are beating Ripon here at home when they were undefeated in the conference (2021-2022 season) and beating Carroll back in 2014-2015 here in Darby after they had beaten us by almost 30 points at their place.   
  
Q: Do you recall your first "win" at Grinnell?
Kirsten: At Simpson for the season opener in 2014. Double overtime win. Night game under the lights. That first team was so fun, talented, and hardworking. They still motivate me to keep this program thriving!  
Dana: Yes, it was on a team trip to California vs Cal Tech in the 13-14 season.  
Eric: I don't recall the opponent or much about it, but it was at Coe in my first tournament as Grinnell's coach. I can almost guarantee there was celebratory Chipotle on the way home, though! 
  
Q: Have you had any moments that surprised you as a coach? 
Eric: Being around alums and formers players always surprises me and how much they value being an athlete at Grinnell and how all the lessons from sport transfer to their future lives. It's easy to lose sight of this in the day-to-day grind of coaching and trying to grow skills and win matches. Sports are so formative and so important because of all the little lessons we learn through them that we take with us and use constantly outside of sport. 
Dave: Every team and every year pose unique challenges. It's similar to solving a puzzle, trying to fit the pieces together in a way creates something spectacular.   
Dana: Not really.  Every day is different and it's a profession of extreme highs and lows.  I love what I do and appreciate the young people I get to work with every day. I love to see the impact that being a part of a team has on our players and the strong connections they maintain with one another after graduation.  
Kirsten: It's not a surprise to me, but it is unique to have such a supportive counterpart on the men's side. Sure, my team has celebrated 100 wins, but we've endured many tough losses too. Coach [Brian] Jaworski is always there to help me bounce back, grow as a coach, and celebrate our success. I'm grateful to work with colleagues who put their whole heart into offering a great student-athlete experience at Grinnell.  
  
Q: If you had to coach another sport, what would it be and why? 
Dana: Already do!  Assistant Softball coach here at Grinnell.  
Kirsten: OMG, I don't think I could coach a third sport! I love the basketball team, our alums, and have a blast working alongside Coach Harrold. [Kirsten also serves as an assistant women's basketball coach].   
David: I was the head women's golf coach at Grinnell for five years, so undoubtedly if I weren't coaching basketball, I'd be coaching golf!  
  
Our sincere congratulations to Grinnell's Fantastic Four on their 100 wins and we look forward to many more victories to come!