GCAC champion Price runs into 10th weekly award

 NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Taylor Price, the 2018 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference individual champion in women's cross country, has been named GCAC Runner of the Week for Oct. 15-21.
     
Price, from the Houston suburb of Missouri City, Texas, and a graduate of Ridge Point High School, ran 5,000 meters in 21 minutes, 20.07 seconds at Clinton, Miss., to win her second GCAC title in three years. She led the Gold Nuggets to their 12th consecutive GCAC team championship.
     
The GCAC weekly award is Price's first of 2018 and the 10th of her career. Former Gold Nugget Catherine Falker won the award a conference-record 11 times from 2011-14.
     
Next for both XULA teams will be the NAIA National Championships Nov. 16 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush qualified automatically by winning GCAC team titles.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Mart named preseason All-GCAC; Gold Rush picked 2nd

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Rayshawn Mart has been named to the preseason All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball team in a poll of the league's head coaches.

The coaches also picked the Gold Rush to finish second in the GCAC. XULA received three first-place votes.

Mart, a 6-foot-3 sophomore guard from Houma, La., and a graduate of H.L. Bourgeois High School, was GCAC Freshman of the Year last season. Mart averaged 10.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 2017-18 and led the Gold Rush with 39 steals and 30.3 minutes per game.

XULA, announced Tuesday as the No. 23 team in NAIA Division I, will open its season Friday against Keiser at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. AST/6 p.m. New Orleans time. The home opener will start at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 against Carver in the Convocation Center.

GCAC Men's Basketball
2018-19 Coaches Poll
First-place votes in parentheses
Rank School
1 Dillard (4)
2 XULA (3)
3 Edward Waters
4 Philander Smith
5 Talladega
6 Tougaloo
7 Rust
8 SUNO

XULA in previous GCAC polls
2017-18 — 6th
2016-17 — 3rd
2015-16 — 3rd
2014-15 — 2nd
2013-14 — 2nd
2012-13 — 1st
2011-12 — 2nd
2010-11 — 1st
2009-10 — 8th
2008-09 — 2nd
2007-08 — 1st
2006-07 — 6th 2004-05 — 3rd
2003-04 — 4th
2002-03 — 5th
2001-02 — 1st
2000-01 — 2nd
1999-2000 — 3rd
1992-93 — 2nd
1991-92 — 1st
1989-90 — 6th
1988-89 — 4th
1987-88 — 2nd

2018-19 Preseason All-GCAC
Men's Basketball
Player School
Malik Amos Dillard
Tonzell Handy Tougaloo
Will Ibeh Edward Waters
Christopher Journet Philander Smith
Rayshawn Mart XULA
GCAC Preseason Player of the Year: Tonzell Handy, Tougaloo

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Langston University Lions Ranked 12th In The NAIA Football Coaches Top 25 Poll

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- The Langston University football team moved to the No. 12th spot in the seventh edition of the 2018 NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll, the national office announced.

The Lions entered the 12th slot after tallying 209 total votes and trail 11th ranked Evangel (Mo.) 224 votes to 209 votes. Langston is the only Sooner Athletic Conference institution ranked.

Poll Methodology
• The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences.
• Each conference is given one rater for every four schools in the league.
• The Top 25 is determined by a points system based on how each voter ranks the best teams. A team receives 25 points for each first-place vote, 24 for second-place and so on through the list.
• The highest and lowest ranking for each team (a non-rating is considered a low rating) is removed and the team's ranking will be recalculated with an additional point added to each team for every ballot (including discounted ballots) that the teams appear on.
• Teams that receive only one point in the ballot are not considered "receiving votes."

For the complete NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll, click here.

2018 NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 Poll – Poll Seven (Oct. 22)

RANK	LAST WEEK	SCHOOL	RECORD	FINAL POINTS
1	1	Morningside (Iowa) [15]	8-0	366
2	2	Marian (Ind.) [1]	7-0	352
3	5	Reinhardt (Ga.)	6-1	334
4	7	Grand View (Iowa)	6-1	314
5	8	Bethel (Tenn.)	8-0	304
6	3	Northwestern (Iowa)	6-1	296
7	9	Kansas Wesleyan	8-0	277
8	11	Benedictine (Kan.)	7-1	258
9	12	Saint Francis (Ind.)	6-2	238
10	4	Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)	5-2	233
11	6	Evangel (Mo.)	8-1	224
12	13	Langston (Okla.)	6-1	209
13	15	Rocky Mountain (Mont.)	6-2	197
14	17	Cumberlands (Ky.)	8-1	182
15	16	Baker (Kan.)	5-2	179
16	18	Montana Western	6-1	166
17	10	Concordia (Mich.)	6-2	157
18	19	Eastern Oregon	5-2	139
19	20	Dickinson State (N.D.)	6-2	112
20	21	Georgetown (Ky.)	5-3	94
21	23	Siena Heights (Mich.)	6-1	79
22	24	Saint Xavier (Ill.)	6-3	67
23	14	Southern Oregon	4-3	60
24	25	Avila (Mo.)	6-1	55
25	NR	Keiser (Fla.)	6-2	29

Dropped from the Top 25: Ottawa (Kan.)

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Week 8: SIAC Volleyball Players Of The Week

ATLANTA, Georgia – Taylor Hurst (Spring Hill) was named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week, while Cassidi Sterrett (Spring Hill) earned Defensive Player of the Week, released by the league office on Tuesday.

Emmarose Neibert (Spring Hill) was also tabbed Setter of the Week alongside Deja Clark (Central State) who earned Newcomer of the Week.

OFFENSIVE – Taylor Hurst, Junior, Outside Hitter, Spring Hill

Hurst led the Badgers offense this past week as she helped them earn wins over Union University (Tenn.), Mississippi College, and Auburn University Montgomery. The junior outside hitter posted 34 kills against these ranked teams to add to her eight digs and six blocks.

DEFENSIVE – Cassidi Sterrett, Junior, Libero/Defensive Specialist, Spring Hill

Sterrett led the defensive efforts for the Badgers as she picked up 53 digs in their feats over Union University (Tenn.), Mississippi College, and Auburn University Montgomery. The Lee’s Summit, Mo. native currently leads the conference in digs as she averages 5.17 digs per game.

SETTER – Emmarose Neibert, Junior, Setter, Spring Hill

Neibert was the heart of the Badgers offense as they picked up wins over Union University (Tenn.), Mississippi College, and Auburn University Montgomery. The junior setter filtered 134 sets this past week while adding 29 digs, three service aces, two kills, and a block. The Arnold, Mo. native currently leads the conference in assists averaging 10.55 per game.

NEWCOMER – Deja Clark, Junior, Outside Hitter, Central State

Junior outside hitter Deja Clark led CSU to a 3-1 victory over UC-Clermont this week. In the only match of the week, Clark finished with a season-high 22 kills. She also recorded two blocks and a team-high 16 digs.

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Week 8: SIAC Cross Country Runners of The Week

DAWNELL COLLYMORE

ATLANTA, Georgia –  Dawnell Collymore (Benedict) was named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Female Runner of the Week, while Collins Kiplimo (Morehouse) earned Male Runner of the Week, released by the league office on Wednesday.
Female Runner of the Week – Dawnell Collymore, Benedict

Dawnell Collymore finished 27th overall out of 331 runners, finishing the 5K course with a time of 19:15. The Benedict College women's cross country team finished 25th out of 34 teams at the Sand Shark Invitational hosted by USC Beaufort on Saturday.

Male Runner of the Week – Collins Kiplimo, Morehouse

Morehouse’s Kiplimo competed in the Bobcat Invitational this past weekend as he finished with a time of 26:20.4 in a field of 162 runners for the 30th place. The Morehouse Maroon Tigers finished 12th out of 18 teams behind some Division II and Division III opponents.

OTHER PLAYERS NOMINATED

MEN’S RUNNER OF THE WEEK Eric Butler (Spring Hill)
WOMEN’S RUNNER OF THE WEEK Mary Shelton (Spring Hill)


SIAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

MEAC Announces 2018-19 Women's Basketball Preseason Honors

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Bethune-Cookman senior guard Angel Golden was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year, the conference announced today. North Carolina A&T State was selected as the preseason favorite to win the MEAC this coming season.

All awards are voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Golden is the reigning MEAC Player of the Year, having led the Lady Wildcats to a share of the regular-season title in 2017-18, a program Div. I-record 24 wins, and a third straight WNIT berth. She ranked fourth in the MEAC in scoring last season, averaging 15.7 points per game, and she was second in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage, hitting from deep 39.6 percent of the time. Her 2.7 made threes per game were also second-best in the MEAC, and in conference play, Golden averaged more than 17 points a contest.

North Carolina A&T State, the reigning MEAC Tournament champion, picked up 15 first-place votes in being named the preseason favorite. The Aggies won 23 games and their second MEAC Tournament title in three seasons last year. Defending regular-season co-champion Bethune-Cookman was picked to finish second, receiving eight first-place votes, while Norfolk State was picked to finish third.

Rounding out the rest of the preseason poll are Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore (one first-place vote), Morgan State, North Carolina Central, Florida A&M, Coppin State, Delaware State, South Carolina State and Savannah State.

Joining Golden on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team are Bethune-Cookman’s Ashanti Hunt (the reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Year), Coppin State’s Chance Graham, Delaware State’s NaJai Pollard and North Carolina A&T State’s C’coriea Foy. Hunt and Pollard were First Team honorees last season.

The 2018-19 season begins on Tuesday, Nov. 6, with five teams in action.

The 2019 MEAC Basketball Tournament will be held March 11-16 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virgina.

2018-19 MEAC Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
As voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors; first-place votes are in parentheses
 

1. North Carolina A&T (15)	279
2. Bethune-Cookman (8)	271
3. Norfolk State	217
4. Howard	200
5. Maryland Eastern Shore (1)	177
6. Morgan State	162
7. North Carolina Central	134
8. Florida A&M	108
9. Coppin State	98
10. Delaware State	81
11. South Carolina State	80
12. Savannah State	65

  

2018-19 Preseason All-MEAC Teams

As voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors
 

Player of the Year: Angel Golden, Bethune-Cookman

 
First Team

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Class	School	Hometown
Angel Golden	G	5-8	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Tampa, Fla.
Ashanti Hunt	G	5-11	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Washington, D.C.
Chance Graham	F/C	6-0	Jr.	Coppin State	Upper Marlboro, Md.
NaJai Pollard	F	5-11	Sr.	Delaware State	Richmond, Va.
C'Coriea Foy	G	6-0	Jr.	North Carolina A&T	Fayetteville, N.C.

 
Second Team

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Class	School	Hometown
Chasimmie Brown	F	6-0	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Deltona, Fla.
Sarah Edmond	G	5-9	Jr.	Howard	Freeport, N.Y.
Ciani Byrom	G	5-5	Sr.	Md. Eastern Shore	Winston-Salem, N.C.
Raven Russell	G	5-10	Sr.	Norfolk State	Millbrook, Ala.
Alexus Lessears	C	6-3	Jr.	North Carolina A&T	Cleveland, Ohio

 
Third Team

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Class	School	Hometown
Ayonna Williams	G	5-4	Jr.	Howard	Washington, D.C.
Bairesha Gill-Miles	F	6-0	So.	Md. Eastern Shore	Lexington, Ky.
Khadedra Croker	F/C	6-3	R-Sr.	Norfolk State	Suffolk, Va.
Alexys Long	G/F	5-11	Sr.	Norfolk State	Clinton, Md.
Rodneysha Martin	G	5-5	Sr.	N.C. Central	Olive Branch, Miss.

 
 MEAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

New Look Edward Waters Men's Basketball Picked Third In GCAC

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- "Winning Is Non-Negotiable". That is the mantra that new Head Men's Basketball Coach Frederick Summers has instilled in his charges as they attempt to return the program back to its glory days. The GCAC has begun to take notice as to what is going on in Jacksonville as they have chosen the Tigers to finish third in the GCAC Preseason Poll. EWC was selected behind second place Xavier and defending conference champion, Dillard in the preseason poll. Also, junior guard Will Ibeh was chosen as a member of the All-GCAC Preseason Team as well.

The reigning GCAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year at Talladega, Summers comes to Jacksonville with a mission to win the GCAC Championship on his home floor as the Conference Championships will be held at EWC in March.

Summers has recruited a team that has size, speed, and shooters that are expected to not only win several games and win the conference title, but also make a run in the NAIA National Tournament.

This year's team features only four letter winners from last year's squad and 12 newcomers to the team.

Ibeh is one of the team returners on the reconstructed Tigers' roster. The Germantown, Maryland native led the team in scoring last season, averaging 18.9 points per contest and was selected as Second Team All-GCAC.



Edward Waters will open up the 2018-19 campaign on Thursday, October 25th against the Yellow Jackets of Allen University. Tip-off is set for 1:00 pm at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex.

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters College Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWCAthletics (Twitter), /EWCSports (Facebook) and @EWCAthletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters athletics at EWCTigerPride.com.

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE TIGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Dillard Bleu Devils Again Reign Supreme ATop GCAC in Coaches Preseason Poll

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- The Dillard University Bleu Devils own Gulf Coast Athletic Conference basketball, at least according to the 2018 GCAC Preseason Coaches Poll, released today by the conference office.

The Bleu Devils claimed the top spot in both the men's and women's coaches voting following their wins at the 2018 GCAC Basketball Tournaments. Still, it was a tight race, as Xavier Head Coach Alfred "AJ" Williams' Gold Rush received 3 first-place votes to Dillard's 4, nearly resulting in a first-place tie.

Dillard University Head Coach Mike Newell has caused a renaissance on Gentilly Boulevard. Once one of the weakest programs in the conference, the Bleu Devils have won the GCAC Men's Basketball Championship for the past three years. The Bleu Devils also had a solid showing at the 81st annual NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship earlier this year, advancing to the second round of the tournament.

For his part, Williams has made the Gold Rush contenders again, as well, leading the Uptown, New Orleans team to the final of the GCAC Men's Basketball Tournament. The Gold Rush also received a bid to the NAIA National Championship.

Tougaloo's Tonzell Handy, who was selected for the 2018 GCAC All-Defensive Team and was a 2018 First Team All-Conference awardee, was named 2018 Preseason Player of the Year.

2018 GCAC Men's Preseason All-Conference

Tonzell Handy, Tougaloo
Will Ibeh, Edward Waters
Christopher Journet, Philander Smith
Malik Amos, Dillard
Rayshawn Mart, Xavier

2018 GCAC Men's Preseason Player of the Year

Tonzell Handy, Tougaloo

GCAC Men's Preseason Coaches Poll Results

1. Dillard University (4)*
2. Xavier University (3)*
3. Edward Waters
4. Philander Smith
5. Talladega
6. Tougaloo
7. Rust
8. Southern – NO

*Indicates first place votes

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GCAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll Proves It's Once Again, #BLEUDEVILSZN

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- The Dillard University Bleu Devils own Gulf Coast Athletic Conference basketball, at least according to the 2018 GCAC Preseason Coaches Poll, released today by the conference office.

The Bleu Devils claimed the top spot in both the men's and women's coaches voting following their wins at the 2018 GCAC Basketball Tournaments.

Riding high off their first GCAC basketball tournament win since the pre-Katrina era, the Lady Bleu Devils received 6 first-place votes by a panel of the GCAC's 8 head coaches. Two of the Lady Bleu Devils were also selected to the women's basketball preseason All-Conference team—2018 GCAC Women's Player of the Year Alyssa Washington, and teammate Adriiana Jackson. For her efforts, Washington was given "Honorable Mention" distinction by the All-America committee last year.

2018 GCAC women's basketball tournament runner-up Edward Waters (Fla.) College was forecast to finish second in the conference this year. Senior guard Jermisha Collins was also selected for the preseason All-Conference team.

Philander Smith (Ark.) College's Terralyn Dominick, who was named 2017-2018 GCAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year, as well as 2017-2018 Women's Defensive Player of the Year, was named 2018 GCAC Preseason Player of the Year. Dominick led the GCAC in scoring, averaging 19.75 points-per-game. She also led the league in steals-per-game with 3.38. Dominick ranked third in the GCAC in field goal percentage. Dominick was twice named GCAC Women's Basketball "Player of the Week" for the 2017-2018 season. She also received an "Honorable Mention" nod by the NAIA All-America Selection Committee in 2018.



2018 GCAC Women's Preseason All-Conference

Alyssa Washington, Dillard
Essence Wells, Xavier
Adriiana Jackson, Dillard
Jermisha Collins, Edward Waters
Terralyn Dominick, Philander Smith

2018 GCAC Women's Preseason Player of the Year

Terralyn Dominick, Philander Smith

GCAC Women's Preseason Coaches Poll Results

1. Dillard University (6)*
2. Edward Waters
3. Xavier University of New Orleans
4. Talladega (1)*
5. Philander Smith
6.Tougaloo
T7. Rust
T7. Southern - NO

GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Road To the Championship HBCU Football Schedule, Week 9

Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis squared off during a heated debate on Sunday. Many thought Gillum was the clear winner, especially after the Tallahassee mayor and Florida A&M University alumnus called out DeSantis for dodging a question about whether or not Donald Trump is a good role model for children. Roland Martin is showcasing Virginia State University Trojans athletic gear and explains why in the clip.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2018

OTHER CONFERENCES
Fairmont State at West Virginia State, 1 PM, WATCH   LISTEN  LIVE STATS 
Langston at Texas College,  3 PM, Homecoming
Edward Waters at Southeastern, 7 PM   Homecoming   Video   Stats
Lincoln (MO) at Missouri S&T  8 PM  Video    Stats   Audio

CIAA
Winston-Salem State at Shaw, 1 PM, TV: Aspire,  Homecoming
Saint Augustine's at Johnson C. Smith, 1 PM,  Homecoming
Bowie State at Lincoln ( Pa.),  1 PM
Virginia Union at Elizabeth City State, 1 PM
Chowan at Virginia State, 2 PM
Livingstone at Fayetteville State, 2 PM, Homecoming

SIAC
Tuskegee at Central State (OH), 12 PM, Video   Stats  FLO Football
Miles at Clark Atlanta, 1 PM
Albany State at Benedict, 2 PM   Video    Stats  FLO Football
Fort Valley State at Morehouse, 2 PM   Video   Stats   FLO Football
Lane vs. Kentucky State at Hopkinsville, KY,  2 PM  F.E. Whitney Classic  Stats

BIG SOUTH
Virginia University Lynchburg at Hampton, 2 PM, ESPN+  Homecoming

MEAC
Bethune-Cookman at Nebraska, 12 PM, TV: BTN
South Carolina State at Howard, 1 PM, TV: ESPN3,  Homecoming
North Carolina Central at Delaware State, 2 PM, TV: ESPN3, Homecoming
Norfolk State at Savannah State, 3 PM, TV: ESPN3, Homecoming
Morgan State at Florida A&M, 4 PM, TV: ESPN3

SWAC
Alcorn State at Prairie View A&M, 3 PM  Homecoming   Audio   Stats
Arkansas Pine Bluff at Grambling State, 3 PM  Homecoming
Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M at Birmingham, 3:30 PM, TV: ESPN3   $
Jackson State at Southern, 7 PM

Note: $  77th Magic City Classic



ALL GAME TIMES TIMES SHOWN IN EASTERN DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

MEAC Announces Weekly Bowling Honors

NORFOLK, Virginia — North Carolina A&T State freshman Pamela Warr was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Bowler of the Week, the conference office announced today.

Warr (Fr., Virginia Beach, Va.) led the Aggies to an 11-2 record and a third-place finish in the Tulane Sugar Bowl this past weekend, posting a traditional average of 194.8 pins to rank sixth in the individual standings. She eclipsed the 200-pin mark twice, rolling a 226 against No. 6 Stephen F. Austin and a 205 against Valparaiso.

Other Top Performers

Nia Turner (CSU) averaged 179.2 pins in traditional play at the Mount St. Mary’s Shootout, and she bowled a 185 in the Eagles’ upset win over No. 24 Kutztown.

Carolyn Williams (HOW) broke the 200-pin mark twice at the Mount St. Mary’s Shootout.

Diamond Hunter (MSU) averaged 187.4 pins at the Mount St. Mary’s Shootout, bowling a weekend-best 212 in a win over Medaille.

Cayla Davidson (UAB) ranked 12th in traditional game average at 189.4, bowling a weekend-best 215.

MEAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Arkansas State adds Howard Bison to 2020 football schedule

JONESBORO, Arkansas -- The Arkansas State Red Wolves have added the Howard Bison to their 2020 football schedule, according to a report by AStateNation.

Arkansas State will host Howard at Centennial Bank Stadium (capacity 30,406) in Jonesboro on Sept. 12, 2020. The game will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.

Arkansas State is the first known non-conference opponent for Howard for the 2020 season. The Bison are scheduled to play at Maryland and host Georgetown in 2019.

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