Saturday, May 16, 2015

Florida A&M - 2015 MEAC Baseball Champions!

SALISBURY, Maryland – After scoring two runs in the opening frame, Florida A&M (23-23, 15-9 MEAC) broke the game open with six runs in the fifth inning on its’ way to an 8-2 win over Bethune-Cookman (19-40, 14-10 MEAC) for the MEAC Championship on Sunday at Perdue Stadium. The win gave the Rattlers an NCAA Regional berth for the first time in program history and their first MEAC Baseball Title since 1994. It also marks the seventh MEAC Baseball Championship for FAMU (1987, 88, 90-92, 94, 2015).

Brandon Fleming, Ricky Page, Chase Jarrell and Brian Davis were each named to the All-Tournament team, while Fleming was named the MEAC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

Rattler starter Chase Jarrell (2-4) earned the win after a stellar outing as he worked 6 1/3 innings, tying for his second longest appearance of the season. Jarrell allowed just two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Florida A&M reliever Alex Carrasco came in to pitch the final 2 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit with three strikeouts. Carrasco struck out the final two batters he faced in the ninth inning to complete the win.

AJ Elkins (2-for-4), Marlon Gibbs (2-for-3), Michael Birdsong (2-for-5) and Peter Jackson (2-for-4) all recorded multi-hits in the game for FAMU. Ryan Kennedy had two RBI and a run scored, while Jackson also added two RBI on the day.

The Rattlers outscored their opponents 26-8 over the three games and pounded out 38 hits en route to the Championship. The Pitching staff combined for a 1.67 ERA in the Tournament and was 23/8 on strikeouts to walks.

FAMU scored first with a pair of runs, on two hits, for a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jared Walker drew a leadoff walk and moved to third as Elkins followed with a double down the left line. With runners on first and second, Gibbs took a 2-2 count for an RBI single into left field to plate Walker for the first run of the game. Elkins had moved to third on Gibbs’ single and then scored on Kennedy’s sac fly to right.

Florida A&M broke the game open with six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as it sent 12 batters to the plate. Walker reached on a fielder’s choice as Peter Jackson was out at second for the first out of the inning. Elkins followed with a bunt single and Gibbs was walked to load the bases with one out. That forced a pitching change as Sidney Duprey came in for relief for Bethune. With the bases loaded, Kennedy drew a walk to bring home Walker and Davis was hit in the helmet to plate Elkins for the second run of the inning. Birdsong kept things rolling with a bases loaded RBI single and Jackson’s two-out, two-run, single up the middle to made the score 8-0.

Bethune-Cookman made the score 8-1 with a single run, on three hits, in the sixth inning. Nathan Bond doubled off the wall in right field, with one out, in the sixth and came around to score on Austin Garcia’s RBI single to left center.

B-CU added one more run as Brandon Amendolare hit his first career home run to lead off the seventh inning in what ended up being the final score of 8-2.



The eight-run deficit in the fifth inning for the Wildcats was their largest of a MEAC Tournament in program history.

Bethune-Cookman starter Michael Austin (3-4) suffered the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. Austin recorded three strikeouts and three walks.

Florida A&M now waits to hear where they will be sent for its’ first-ever NCAA Regional appearance. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will be on Monday, May 25, at 12:00 PM and televised on ESPNU.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @FAMUAthletics and live stats will be available via www.FAMUAthletics.com.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

19 Lincoln Blue Tigers Qualify for DII Championships

BLUE TIGER WOMEN NO. 3, MEN NO. 23 IN THE NATION
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri -- Nineteen members of the Lincoln men's and women's track & field teams combined to qualify 22 entries into the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Eleven members of the women's team and eight from the men's will represent the Blue Tigers at the national championship meet, which will be hosted by Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich. from May 21-23.

The official qualifying list was released by the NCAA on Tuesday (May 12).


The defending national champion Lincoln women qualified 12 individual entries and both relays into the championships. Yanique Ellington and Janae Johnson will each compete in the 100m and 200m, as well as the 4x100m relay, where they will be joined by Kimberly Bailey and Keja Christie. Lovan Palmer also will compete in three events, including the 400m, the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay. On the relay, Palmer will team up with Ebony Rose, Monique Thompson and Willomena Williams.

Williams will also represent LU in the 400m while Thompson and Jhevere Hall will each run in the 800m. Ladonna Richards was invited to compete in both the 100m and 400m hurdles while Jonelle Campbell was selected to participate in the triple jump.

Miguel Barton leads the LU men with three entries, including the 200m, 400m and 4x100m relay. On the relay, Barton will be joined by Roger Blake, Romone Hill and Wesley Best, who was also invited to compete in the 100m. Winston Edwards and Darran Hunter will both compete in the 400m hurdles while Owen Smith was selected for the triple jump and Sedeekie Edie will enter in the long jump. In total, the Blue Tiger men qualified seven individual entries and one relay into the championships.

The Blue Tiger women were ranked No. 3 in the country earlier on Tuesday by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association while the Lincoln men are currently No. 23 in Division II.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Ronald Mason Jr. Selected New President of University of the District of Columbia

RONALD MASON JR.
Washington, D.C.  –  The University of the District of Columbia Board of Trustees has concluded its executive search with the selection of Ronald Mason, Jr. as the new president. Mason will succeed Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr., who has served as interim president of the University of the District of Columbia since March 2013. His presidency becomes effective on July 1.

The Board-appointed search committee, co-chaired by alumnus Trustee Joseph L. Askew, Jr. and Trustee Major General Errol R. Schwartz identified Mason from a field of 91 applicants for the position. In making the announcement, Board Chair Elaine A. Crider described Mason as a proven, highly motivated and accomplished higher education professional who is exceptionally and uniquely suited to build upon the successes that the University has achieved during Interim President Lyon’s tenure.

“The president-elect has proven himself a leader in the higher education community in many parts of the country." She said, "Ron Mason has brought enhanced community relationships, responsible governance, and a strong students-first focus to his past roles and will do the same for our University as we continue to implement our Vision 2020 strategic plan.”

In learning of the appointment, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser praised the Board’s selection of Mason to lead the University. “I welcome Ronald Mason to the District of Columbia and look forward to collaborating to develop programs and initiatives that will better serve residents,” said Mayor Bowser. “I congratulate the board of the University of the District of Columbia for selecting a leader with a wealth of experience as they work to transform the District’s public university.”

Mason, currently serves as president of Southern University and A&M College System, is the Chief Executive Officer and provides oversight for the system's five campuses. He will bring some 30 years of experience in the higher education, community development, and legal fields to the University of the District of Columbia.

Before joining the Southern University System, Mason was President of Jackson State University (MS). While there, Jackson State experienced unprecedented growth, much in keeping with a university-wide strategic plan. The campus also saw growth in fundraising, information technology capability, and the construction of new buildings.

Mason also established a record of success during 18 years at Tulane University where he served in several positions, including Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Vice President for Finance and Operations. Earlier, he served as the Founder and Executive Director of the National Center for the Urban Community at Tulane and Xavier Universities in New Orleans.

A native of New Orleans, Mason has B.A. and J.D. degrees from Columbia University (NY), and is a graduate of the Harvard Institute of Educational Management. He is married to the former Belinda DeCuir and has one daughter, Nia, and two sons, Jared and Kenan.

The University of the District of Columbia (www.udc.edu) supports a broad mission of education, research and community service across its colleges and schools: the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences; the School of Business and Public Administration; School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; the Community College; and the David A. Clarke School of Law. The University has been designated as an 1862 federal land-grant institution and a Historically Black College and University.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit http://www.udc.edu/equal_opportunity.

The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 267.284.5000.

Xavier University of Louisiana Announces New President, Dr. C. Reynold Verret

Dr. C. REYNOLD VERRET
HBCU Educator Dr. C. Reynold Verret Elected on Proven Record of Leadership

New Orleans, Louisiana  (May 14, 2015) -- The Board of Trustees of Xavier University of Louisiana announced today that it has unanimously elected Dr. C. Reynold Verret as the university’s next president.

“I would like to congratulate and welcome Dr. Verret to the Xavier family,” said Michael Rue, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “While there were a number of highly-qualified candidates, Dr. Verret stood out for his proven leadership and experience expanding enrollment and increasing graduation rates. His record of achievement, personal history, and values set him apart as the clear choice to carry on the ideals that our founder, St. Katharine Drexel, and our longstanding president, Dr. Norman C. Francis, wove into the fabric of this institution.”

Dr. Verret is joining Xavier from Savannah State University where he has served as provost and chief academic officer since 2012. The university is recognized as the oldest institution of higher learning in coastal Georgia and the first public Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the state.

“I am deeply honored to be elected as the next president of Xavier and am excited to engage the entire Xavier community in envisioning a future that sustains the university’s distinct mission in a changing higher education environment and that responds to societal need,” said Dr. Verret. “Upon arriving in this country as a refugee from Haiti in 1963, I was supported by many who nurtured my love of learning and science and gave me the encouragement and confidence to persevere. During my tenure at Xavier, I will continue paying it forward, helping generations of young people realize their dreams, regardless of their backgrounds.”

Dr. Verret is uniquely qualified by his experience, education, and values to guide Xavier’s mission of promoting a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. His journey from immigrating to the United States as a young boy to guiding institutions of higher education to success has equipped him with distinctive skills and understanding to lead an HBCU in general, and Xavier in particular.

“From its beginning, Xavier has been dedicated to empowerment of the underserved and voiceless through education, which is a vital instrument of societal strength and justice. In this regard, Xavier’s purpose remains relevant, and I am eager to sustain and strengthen it,” said Dr. Verret. “I have been shaped by the encounter of faith and reason, as a student of the Jesuits at the former Brooklyn Preparatory, of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and before then, by the Fathers of the Holy Spirit.”

Dr. Verret was identified through a national search that followed the September 2014 announcement that Dr. Francis would be retiring on June 30, 2015. During this period, the field of potential candidates was narrowed from an initial pool of more than 300.

This is the first time the Xavier Board of Trustees has ever selected a new president. In 1968, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the religious order that established the university in 1925, promoted Dr. Francis to the post of president. He was the first lay, first male, and first African American head of the university.

“This is one of the most important decisions that the Xavier Board of Trustees has ever had to make, and we made it fully knowing its significance to the future of Xavier and the nation. We remain deeply thankful to the Xavier community for the valuable guidance they have provided us over the course of this most important endeavor. The unanimous election of Dr. Verret is an indicator that the Xavier community’s voice was heard loud and clear,” said Gladstone Jones, III, who chaired Xavier’s Presidential Search Committee.

Following the Search Committee’s recommendation, Dr. Francis met Dr. Verret just prior to the vote by the Board of Trustees.

“I am most pleased to welcome Dr. Verret to Xavier. I have complete confidence that the Board of Trustees made a wise decision, and I know that Dr. Verret will carry on the mission and values of this institution far into the future,” said Dr. Francis, who is retiring after more than 56 years of service to Xavier with 47 years as its president.

“The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament celebrate the appointment of Dr. C. Reynold Verret. We are confident that the depth and breadth of his experience as well as his appreciation of Xavier's unique mission and Catholic identity have well prepared him to be its next great president,” said Sr. Patricia Suchalski, president of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

Dr. Verret earned his undergraduate degree cum laude in biochemistry from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was also a postdoctoral fellow at the Howard Hughes Institute for Immunology at Yale University and at the Center for Cancer Research at MIT.

As a biochemist, his research interests have included the cytotoxicity of immune cells, biosensors, and biomarkers. He has published in the fields of biological chemistry and immunology.

A Proven Leader in Higher Education
In addition to his current role at Savannah State, Dr. Verret has also served as provost at Wilkes University in Northern Pennsylvania and as the dean of the Misher College of Arts and Sciences at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Dr. Verret has encouraged development of educational programs for undergraduate and graduate students in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. As an administrator, teacher, scholar, and mentor, he brings to Xavier rich experience in and knowledge of higher education.

“I am very pleased Dr. Verret has been selected for this phenomenal opportunity. While his departure is a loss for Savannah State University, he is a proven leader in higher education and is definitely prepared to uphold and advance the strong legacy of the legendary Xavier University,” said Dr. Cheryl D. Dozier, president of Savannah State University.

As provost of Savannah State University, Dr. Verret worked closely with the university president and cabinet to achieve the school’s vision and strategic goals, and he has provided leadership to ensure that the university’s priorities were addressed and implemented. He led the university’s initiatives to build enrollment, enhance the quality and diversity of academic programs and to create cooperative relationships with neighboring institutions and with international partners. He contributed to the university’s advancement efforts by shaping its goals and cultivating donors.

At Wilkes University and the University of the Sciences, he led revisions of general education curricula, oversaw accreditations, developed international programs, established collaborative agreements with neighboring institutions at the K-12 and higher education levels, instituted new state-approved academic programs, promoted interdisciplinary efforts between the humanities and sciences, and planned new facilities.

He has served on the boards of numerous professional organizations and advisory bodies, including those of the National Institutes of Health, the Board of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, and the Georgia Coastal Indicators Coalition. He has received awards and fellowships for teaching and scholarship.

An Authority in STEM Education
As a scientist, Dr. Verret will build on Xavier’s strong standing in graduating students in the STEM fields. He has helped develop programs to prepare STEM teachers, secure tuition support for teacher certification in STEM fields, and affirm joint instructional and research programs. He has promoted global initiatives in public health and on international science efforts, and as chair of the Chemistry department at Clark Atlanta University, he increased research efforts representing more than $9.7 million of extramural funding.

A Champion for Liberal Arts and Humanities
Throughout his career, Dr. Verret has worked to build bridges across disciplines, recognizing that the significant questions and societal challenges require knowledge and analysis across many fields. He has promoted interdisciplinary curricula between Liberal Arts, Humanities and Sciences that address the interplay of culture, science, and society and prepare students in all disciplines for leadership roles.

An Experienced Educator
Dr. Verret has served on the faculty at Tulane University, the Misher College of Arts and Sciences at the University of the Sciences, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Clark Atlanta University, in addition to holding academic appointments as professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Savannah State University and Wilkes University.

About Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana, founded by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, is Catholic and historically Black. The ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. This preparation takes place in a diverse learning and teaching environment that incorporates all relevant educational means, including research and community service.

Xavier is recognized as the top producer of African American undergraduates continuing to complete medical school and one of the top three producers of African American Doctor of Pharmacy degree recipients. Xavier ranks first nationally in the number of African American students earning undergraduate degrees in biology and life sciences, chemistry, physics and pharmacy.

About HBCUs
According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, there are more than 100 HBCUs in the United States that enroll nearly 400,000 students per year. HBCUs represent 3 percent of colleges and universities, yet graduate 20 percent of African Americans with undergraduate degrees –and 25 percent of African Americans with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.

EBONY Extends Voting for HBCU Campus Queens



Voting Continues Now Through May 29th for 54 Participating Schools

CHICAGO — The 2015 EBONY HBCU Campus Queens program participation has been stellar and the competition continues to heat up.

Noting that only the Top 10 vote earning Queens will be selected to represent their schools in the September 2015 issue of EBONY, we are extending the voting period by one week so that the campaigns for each campus Queen will have additional time to turn up and finish strong enough to reach the pinnacle of the Top 10.



Therefore, we are thrilled to announce that our new date and time for the voting program to close is 5:00 pm ET on Friday May 29th, 2015. This means you have some additional time to organize your campuses, alumni, sororities and fraternities, families, friends, community groups and influencers to push as hard as possible to cast as many votes as they'd like to select you as a member of the Top 10 EBONY photo shoot finalists.

EBONY magazine is proud to continue the tradition of celebrating the accomplishments of African-American college students with the launch of its annual HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) EBONY Campus Queens feature.



For nearly four decades, EBONY has celebrated the next generation of rising Black professional women in the magazine. The HBCU Campus Queens is one of EBONY’s longest-running editorial franchises, and the young women highlighted are poised to affect great social change within their communities.

The Top 10 vote getters on the website will receive an all-expense paid trip complete with a stay at a luxury hotel. The royal treatment continues as each of the 10 Queens receive a makeover with professional hair, makeup and wardrobe styling for an exclusive photo shoot that will appear in the September 2015 issue of EBONY magazine.



Voters can select their favorite Queen on EBONY.com now through May 29th; however, the Queens will not be the only winners in this campaign. Each voter can enter a sweepstakes to win a free pair of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones each time he or she submits a vote. A total of four sweepstakes winners will be selected, with one winner announced every Friday. Voters are welcome to vote as many times as they like throughout the duration of the online campaign period.

Contest Rules: Only 10 beautiful, talented and accomplished queens will be featured inside EBONY’s September 2015 issues. Votes do not have to come exclusively from students at the schools represented in the contest; so all networks (family, friends, community organizations, etc.) are encouraged to vote. For more information, visit EBONY.com or the HBCU Campus Queens 2015 microsite http://www.ebony.com/hbcu-campusqueens/

ASU sports program needs permanent sponsorship


ALBANY, Georgia -- Organizers of the Albany State University Sports Program are in need of funding.

They requested funding help from the city but were denied. The program which used to be funded by the federal program and also known as the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) is a program that gives young people ages 9 to 15 a productive summer.

Coordinators have a fundraiser going on to raise $40,000. The fundraiser is asking people to donate $40 for every year the program has been around, which is 40 years.

The program starts in two weeks and organizers said to avoid being in this position again, there needs to be constant sponsorship and a sense of ownership.

“What needs to happen is some sponsorship, the city, county government, somebody has to see a need to really wanna work with these kids and keep the kids in some type of productive activity during the course of the summer,” said Coach Robert Skinner Project Administrator, Albany State University Sports Program.

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Valdosta High track’s McKinnon inks letter-of-intent with FAMU

Zakirra McKinnon
Courtesy: Facebook
VALDOSTA, Georgia — Valdosta High track star Zakirra McKinnon made her trip to Florida A&M University on Monday.

Friday morning she was sitting behind a table between family members in the lobby of Valdosta’s Performing Arts Center signing a letter-of-intent with the Division I university.

McKinnon, who lettered all four years in the sport, celebrated her special moment Friday morning with coaches, family, friends and the piece of mind of knowing she made the best possible decision in becoming a Rattler.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” the Wildcat senior said. “It’s been a long journey and I just thank God for bringing me this far.”

Before inking her name, McKinnon announced to the congregation that she knew she was going to cry. As she held back tears, her voice cracked as she thanked everyone for coming and for their love and support.

McKinnon considered offers from Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Savannah State and Austin Peay before traveling to Tallahassee, Fla., for a tour of the FAMU campus and meeting the women’s track coach, Dr. Darlene Moore.

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Winners of 2015 NCAA DII Outdoor Region Awards Announced

NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2015 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field season were announced Friday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Each of the regions, which are the same as those used during the Division II cross country season, honored both genders’ top track athletes and field athletes and the top men’s and women’s head coaches and assistant coaches. Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches.


QUICK LINKS TO AWARDS

MenWomen
Track Athletes of the YearTrack Athletes of the Year
Field Athletes of the YearField Athletes of the Year
Head Coaches of the YearHead Coaches of the Year
Assistant Coaches of the YearAssistant Coaches of the Year

Many of the honored athletes and coaches will be in competition at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships set for next weekend, May 21-23, in Allendale, Mich., at Grand Valley State.

More information about the meet can be found at the USTFCCCA’s National Championships Central page.

MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ATLANTIC REGION — Omar Johnson — Saint Augustine’s University
Johnson, a junior from St. Ann, Jamaica, ran a 45.78 over 400 meters this year to take “fastest man of the regular season” honors by more than half of a second. He won the 400 title at the CIAA Championships with that performance, to go along with a title in the 4×400 relay. He also ran 20.89 to finish fourth at 200 meters in that meet, which is still good for No. 9 in the country. He’ll contest all three events at NCAAs.

CENTRAL REGION — Emmanuel Matadi — Minnesota State
Matadi, a senior from St. Paul, Minnesota, was the fastest Division II man of the 2015 season over 100 meters, running a 10.19w (+3.3m/s). That race was one of three NSIC titles for Matadi, in addition to the 200 and 4×100. His 4×100 is ranked No. 1 in DII, and he is individually No. 4 at 200 meters. He will contest all three at NCAAs.

EAST REGION — Michael Biwott — American International
Biwott, a senior from Kapsowar, Kenya, was the Northeast-10 champion in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs. He broke the NE-10 meet record in the 10k. His 14:08.34 is the sixth fastest time among all Division II qualifiers and his time of 29:56.94 at 10,000 meters gives him the 13th best time in the nation. Biwott also won the NEICAAA championship in the men’s 5k, beating out a field that consisted of the best athletes in New England from all three NCAA Divisions. He will contest both events at NCAAs.

MIDWEST REGION — Johnnie Guy — Southern Indiana
Guy, a junior from Palmyra, Indiana, posted the nation’s fastest 10,000m time (28:47.86) at the Stanford Invitational, nearly 39 seconds faster than the No. 2 runner on the national list. He’s also No. 4 in the nation at 5,000m in 14:01.32, an event in which he won the GLVC Outdoor Championships crown.

SOUTH REGION — Dontavius Wright – Stillman College
Wright, a junior from Oxford, Alabama, enters the NCAA Championships as the No. 2 seed at 400 meters and the No. 10 seed at 200 meters, as well as a member of Stillman’s 4×100 and 4×400 relays. Two weeks after winning three titles at the SIAC Championships, he ran a career-best 46.38 at the Jace LaCoste Invitational over 400 meters and a career-best 20.95 over 200.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Tabor Stevens — Adams State
Stevens, a senior from Canon City, Colorado, not only became the fastest steeplechaser in Division II history this season, he has been one of the best in the world this year. After running an 8:32.50 at the Stanford Invitational in early April – a world-leader at that point, he came back a month later for a new NCAA DII record 8:26.81 at the Payton Jordan Invitational. That stands as the 10th-fastest time in the world as of publication, and the second-fastest among all collegians in 2015. He also has a 14:12.02 at 5000 meters and the fastest mile ever run on Colorado soil in 4:01.27. He will contest the steeple and 5000 at NCAAs.

SOUTHEAST REGION — Austin Steagall — Mount Olive
Steagall, a junior from Gaffney, South Carolina, scored 28 points at the Conference Carolinas Championships to help his Mount Olive squad win the team title. He won the 1500 and 5000, and finished runner-up at 10,000 meters. He will compete at NCAAs in the 5000, in which he’s seeded No. 7 at 14:08.70.

WEST REGION — Dominik Notz — Alaska Anchorage
Notz, a junior from Dettingen, Germany, is the No. 2 man in the country at 10,000 meters with his 29:26.29 at the Mt. SAC Relays. He’s also No. 5 in the country at 5000 meters with his 14:07.05 from the SF State Distance Carnival. Both events will be on his schedule at NCAAs.

WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ATLANTIC REGION — Quanera Hayes — Livingstone College
Hayes, a senior from Hope Mills, North Carolina, is the No. 2 woman in the country both at 200 meters and 400 meters. She won the CIAA title at 200 meters in a career-best 23.29, and claimed the conference 400-meter title in a season-best 52.04. She will contest both events at the NCAA Championships.

CENTRAL REGION — Leah Seivert — Augustana (S.D.)
Seivert, a frosh from Sibley, Iowa, made quite the impact in her debut season. She’s ranked No. 2 at 10,000 meters entering the NCAA Championships at 34:38.77, breaking a 35-year-old school record. She also claimed the NSIC 10,000 title in sub-35 fashion for a new conference record and won the 5000 at that same meet. She’ll contest both at NCAAs.

EAST REGION — Carly Muscaro — Merrimack
Muscaro, a sophomore from Ashland, Massachusetts, had a breakthrough season at 400 meters. She won the NEICAAA title in 51.83, giving her the DII lead and making her one of just eight DII women ever to break 52 seconds during the collegiate season. That time also ranks her No. 9 among all collegians in 2015. She will contest the event at the NCAA Championships.

MIDWEST REGION — Emily Oren — Hillsdale
Oren, a junior from Holland, Michigan, finished the regular season as the top DII woman in not one, not two, but three different distance events: the 1500, 5000 and 3000-meter steeplechase. She became the third-fastest woman in DII history in the steeplechase at 10:04.79, and ran the ninth-fastest 1500 in DII history in 4:18.16. She’ll contest both of those at NCAAs, but not the 5000. She claimed the GLIAC title in that event, as well as the steeplechase in 10:05.05 to give her the fifth- and sixth-fastest times in DII history.

SOUTH REGION — Katelin Barber — Alabama-Huntsville
Barber, a senior from Spruce Pine, Alabama, became the school’s first automatic NCAA Championships qualifier with a 11.49 at 100 meters that ranks her No. 3 on the NCAA Championships qualifying list. She won the Peach Belt title in the event, in addition to breaking the conference and school records. She will also run a leg of the UAH 4×100 relay.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Salcia Slack — New Mexico Highlands
Slack, a senior from Kingston, Jamaica, may be the dual South Central Track/FIeld Athlete of the Year, but her track credentials alone are impressive. She enters the NCAA Championships No. 5 in the 100-meter hurdles, No. 11 in the 400-meter hurdles and as a member of the NMHU 4×400 – not to mention the track works she put in as the 11th-best heptathlete in all-collegiate history. Though she won’t compete in these events at NCAAs, she’s also ranked No. 14 in the country at 200 meters, No. 13 at 400 meters, and ran a leg of the ninth-fastest 4×100 of the 2015 DII season. At the RMAC Championships she scored 59 points to lead NMHU to the team title.

SOUTHEAST REGION — Nikia Squire — Queens (N.C.)
Squire, a junior from Columbia, North Carolina, had a busy day at the SAC Championships, winning titles at 100 and 200 meters, as well as in the 4×100 and 4×100 relays. At 11.59, she enters the NCAA Championships as the No. 8 seed at 100 meters. She will also contest the long jump at NCAAs. At the regional level, she was the top 200-meter sprinter in the Southeast at 24.60.

WEST REGION — Lindsey Butterworth — Simon Fraser
Butterworth, a senior from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, turned in one of the best mid-distance regular seasons in Division II history. She ran a DII-leading 2:04.11 800 meters at the Payton Jordan Invite to move to No. 3 on the all-time Division II performers list in the event, and ran the Stanford Invite 1500 in 4:18.34 for the 10th-fastest time in Division II history. That time puts her at No. 2 in 2015 behind Oren. She will contest both events at the NCAA Championships. She also claimed the GNAC title at 800 meters.

MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ATLANTIC REGION —LeQuan Chapman — Shippensburg
Chapman, a senior from Reading, Pennsylvania, was named the PSAC Championships Overall MVP with a pair of wins in the long jump and triple jump, along with a runner-up 4×100 effort. Entering the NCAA Championships, he’s seeded No. 13 in the triple jump at 49-6½ (15.10m) and No. 14 in the long jump at 24-1¾ (7.36m).

CENTRAL REGION —Caniggia Raynor — Central Missouri
Raynor, a redshirt junior from Partmore, Jamaica, won both the discus and hammer throw at the MIAA Championships. He is the national leader in the discus with his throw of 187-6 (57.14m) at the conference meet. He is ranked sixth in the hammer throw at 215-1 (65.57m).

EAST REGION — Michael Cameron — Southern Connecticut
Cameron, a senior from Hartford, Connecticut, dominated the New England throwing circles, winning NE-10 titles in the shot put and discus in meet record fashion to boost SCSU to the team title. He enters the NCAA Championships No. 5 in the shot put and No. 14 in the discus.

MIDWEST REGION — Justin Welch — Findlay
Welch, a senior from Luckey, Ohio, is the No. 1 hammer thrower in NCAA DII to go along with a No. 2 rank in the discus and a No. 31 showing in the shot put. With a hammer mark of 229-5 (69.94m), he’s ranked No. 6 among all collegians in 2015. He earned GLIAC Field Athlete of the Meet honors with titles in the hammer and discus, following up on his Penn Relays hammer title.

SOUTH REGION —Darius Hyacinth – Stillman College
Hyacinth, a senior from Houson, Texas, won the SIAC Championships title in the triple jump, but his breakthrough performance came a few weekends later when he leapt 49-11¾ (15.23m) at the Jace LaCoste Invitational to move up to No. 7 on the NCAA Championships qualifying list.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Jeron Robinson — Texas A&M-Kingsville
Robinson, a redshirt junior from Houston, Texas, broke free from sharing the NCAA Division II high jump record when he cleared a 2015 collegiate-leading 7-7 (2.31m) to win the Lone Star Conference title. That jump improved his season-best of 2.24m that had won him the LSU Alumni Gold, one of his three high jump wins to go along with seventh- and 10th-place showings at the very competitive Texas Relays and Drake Relays.

SOUTHEAST REGION — George Williams, Wingate
Williams, a senior from Fayetteville, North Carolina, is a All-Southeast Region performer in the high jump. He is the reigning South Atlantic Conference Champion in the men’s high jump, clearing a height of 6-11½ (2.12m) at the SAC Championships, which is equal to the 10th best jump in the nation.

WEST REGION — Justin Balczak — Azusa Pacific
Balczak, a redshirt junior from Cedar Springs, Michigan, enters the NCAA Championships as the No. 1 decathlete in all of NCAA Division II at 7550 points for a fifth-place finish at Mt. SAC. Entering the weekend, that score was good for the No. 9 spot on the 2015 all-collegians list. His 16-¾ (4.90m) vault is tied for No. 24 in DII this year.

WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ATLANTIC REGION — Mallory Sanner — Seton Hill
Sanner, a redshirt senior from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, broke the PSAC record en route to winning the javelin title at the conference meet with a heave of 164-8 (50.20m). The throw moved her onto the all-time NCAA Division II performers list in the event at No. 10. She enters the NCAA Championships as the No. 4 seed in the event.

CENTRAL REGION — Heavin Warner — Central Missouri
Warner, a redshirt junior from St. Joseph, Missouri, broke the NCAA Division II record in the hammer throw with a mark of 220-7 (67.24m) that continues to lead all DII throwers by 20 feet. With that throw, she is ranked No. 4 among all collegians in 2015. She went on to win not only that event at the MIAA Championships, but also the discus and the shot put. She’s ranked No. 2 in the discus among DII athletes this year, and No. 7 in the shot put – both of which are events she will also contest at the NCAA Championships.

EAST REGION — Briana Conyers — New Haven
Conyers, a senior from Derby, Connecticut, was named the Northeast-10 Conference Co-Field Athlete of the Meet, and won triple jump titles at both the NE-10 and New England Championships. She is ranked No. 7 in DII in the triple jump at 12.61m. At the NEICAAA Championships she also ran a leg of the winning 4×100 relay, and at the NE-10 Championships she finished runner-up in the heptathlon, as well as eighth in the long jump. She will contest the triple jump at NCAAs.

MIDWEST REGION — Rebecca Preisler — Lewis
Preisler, a redshirt senior from Romeoville, Illinois, is the top DII pole vaulter in the country at 13-9¼ (4.20m). She cleared that height en route to a GLVC title and record. She cleared the auto standard of 3.98m on five occasions this outdoor season, with is a height only five other DII women cleared at least once this year.

SOUTH REGION — Krishanda Campbell-Brown — Benedict College
Campbell-Brown, a senior from Nassau, Bahamas, enters the NCAA Championships as the No. 8 triple jumper in the country and the No. 1 jumper in the South Region at 41-1½ (12.53m). She is also the No. 8 long jumper in the region. With 55½ points at the SIAC Championships, including wins in the long jump, triple jump and pole vault, she was named the Field Athlete of the Year.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Salcia Slack — New Mexico Highlands
As impressive as her credentials are on the track, the field is where Slack, a senior from Kingston, Jamaica, shines. She broke the NCAA Division II heptathlon record with 6141 points and is the No. 11 collegian all time. Additionally, enters the NCAA Championships as the co-top-qualifier in the triple jump at 43-4½ (13.22m), and is No. 11 on the long jump list for the NCAA Championships, She will also be contesting the shot put, in which she is the No. 11 seed. In total, she is entered in seven events.At the RMAC Championships she scored 59 points to lead NMHU to the team title.

SOUTHEAST REGION — Christina Matheny — Wingate
Matheny, a senior from Akron, Ohio, is tied for sixth on the NCAA Division II list in the high jump with a clearance of 5-8 (1.73m), achieved while winning the South Atlantic Conference championship. Matheny also finished in third place in the long jump at the SAC Championships.

WEST REGION — Allison Updike — Azusa Pacific
Updike, a redshirt junior from Herndon, Virginia, heaved a mark of 168-7 (51.38m) in the javelin to break the Bryan Clay Invitational record and move to No. 2 on the 2015 DII list. The performance was also strong enough to boost her to into the No. 6 spot on the all-time NCAA Division II performers list as one of only seven women in DII history to surpass 51 meters. Throughout the season she has throw 155-9 in each of her six competitions – better than all but five other javelin throwers in the country.

MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR

ATLANTIC REGION — Dave Osanitsch — Shippensburg
Osanitsch, in his 10th year at Shippensburg, guided his Raiders to the PSAC title by a margin of more than 100 points. That team effort included 29 men scoring in 21 of 22 events, with nine wins. He guided 11 entries to the NCAA Championships, seventh-most in the country.

CENTRAL REGION — Jim Dilling — Minnesota State
Dilling, in his fourth year at Minnesota State, won the NSIC Championships title with a school-record 202½ points for a 110-point win en route to earning NSIC Coach of the Year honors. His jumps and combined events athletes scored 64 team points and set three school records at the school and conference levels. He will have eight athletes competing at the NCAA Championships.
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EAST REGION — John Wallin — Southern Connecticut
Under Wallin’s tutelage, the Alpha Owls continued its reign as defending Northeast-10 team champions, and more recently, runners-up at the All New England Championship, defeating a slew of notable Division I, II, & III teams. In his fifth year, Wallin guided several individuals and relays to championship prominence, including five NCAA Championship entries.

MIDWEST REGION — Mike Hillyard — Southern Indiana
Hillyard, in his 18th year guiding the Screaming Eagles, will send eight entries to the NCAA Championships next week, including the runaway top seed in the 10,000 meters, Johnnie Guy. He mentored Tyler Pence and Guy to the No. 3 and 4 qualifying spots at 5000 meters, with Guy and Pence also qualifying Nos. 1 and 4 at 10,000 meters. He has athletes qualified in every distance event from 1500 meters through 10,000 meters.

SOUTH REGION — Pierre Goode — Stillman College
Goode, in his seventh year at Stillman, guided his team to five berths into the NCAA Championships. Among his athletes is Dontavius Wright, who is No. 2 at 400 meters this season.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Tom Dibbern — Texas A&M-Commerce
Dibbern, in just his second year at the helm at Texas A&M-Commerce, guided his Lions to the No. 1 rank in the country in the most recent National Team Computer Rankings for the first time in program history. Under his guidance, the Lions set five school records and became the first team to complete the Lone Star Conference indoor/outdoor team title sweep. His team will send a nation-best 17 entries to the NCAA Championships as they seek their first national team title.

SOUTHEAST REGION —Matthew van Lierop — Mount Olive
Van Lierop, in his sixth year at Mount Olive, guided his team to a wire-to-wire No. 1 rank in the Southeast Region. His team won the Conference Carolinas title with 281½ points. He will send two men to the NCAA Division II Championships in his specialty distance events, including Southeast Track Athlete of the Year Austin Steagall at 5000 meters.

WEST REGION — Oliver Hanf, Chico State
Hanf, in his 19th year at Chico State, has kept his Wildcats in the national top-20 all season long, peaking as high as No. 1 early in the season. His charges include four athletes ranked in the top 10 nationally, including a decathlete – his coaching specialty. Overall, he will lead eight qualifiers to the NCAA Championships.

WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR

ATLANTIC REGION — Dave Osanitsch — Shippensburg
Osanitsch, in his 10th year at Shippensburg, guided the Raiders to a big PSAC Championships team victory by 61 points, as 28 different women score in 19 of the total 22 events, including five victories. His squad will be represented at the NCAA Championships by four qualifiers, two of which come in the jumps – his signature event. That group of athletes earned a PSAC title in the triple jump, finished second and fourth in the long jump and second in the heptathlon.

CENTRAL REGION — Russ Jewett — Pittsburg State
Jewett, in his 27th year at Pittsburg State, won the MIAA Championship for the first time in 10 years with 176½ points, upsetting nationally ranked No. 1 Central Missouri and No. 2 Lincoln (Mo.) along the way. His squad will be represented at the NCAA Championships by 13 entries, tied for the sixth-most in the country. His team is among the most best-balanced in the country, with athletes qualified in the sprints/hurdles, distance, jumps, throws and combined events.

EAST REGION — Melissa Stoll — Southern Connecticut
Stoll, in her third year at Southern Connecticut, guided the Lady Owls to their first Northeast-10 team title since 2011 (setting two meet records along the way) and their first-ever all-division New England team title. She has five entries competing at the NCAA Championships, including athletes in the 100, 200, 400, pole vault and the third-ranked 4×400 relay. Her team broke five school records this spring.

MIDWEST REGION — Andrew Towne — Hillsdale
Towne, in his fourth year at Hillsdale, led a significant turnaround for the Chargers in 2015. After scoring just 44 points at the GLIAC Championships in 2014, his women scored 109½ to finish runner-up for the best team finish since 2003. A total of nine of his athletes and relays recorded top-five finishes at the GLIAC Championships. His team has been ranked in the top 15 nationally all season, and will send eight entries to the NCAA Championships.

SOUTH REGION — Scott Byrd – Shorter
Byrd, in his ninth season at Shorter, guided his Hawks to a No. 1 rank in the South Region. He has two athletes qualified for the NCAA Championships at 400 metres, including No. 4 seed Ayana Walker, as well as the No. 1 4×400 relay team at 3:39.76.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Bob DeVries — New Mexico Highlands
DeVries, in his 23rd season at New Mexico Highlands, guided the Cowgirls to a program-best No. 2 ranking in NCAA Division II, winning their first RMAC Outdoor title in the program’s decade-old history to end Adams State’s 12-year reign. In total, three individuals and two relays in seven events rank in the top-5 in the nation. He will send 13 entries to the NCAA Championships, tied for sixth-most in the country.

SOUTHEAST REGION — Jim Vahrenkamp — Queens (N.C.)
Vahrenkamp, in his third year at Queens (N.C.), led his team to South Atlantic Conference championship with a conference record 240 points. Southeast Region Track Athlete of the Year Nikia Squire will represent Queens in two events at the NCAA Championships: the 100 and the long jump. His team finished the season ranked No. 1 in the Southeast Region.

WEST REGION — Brit Townsend — Simon Fraser
Townsend, the coach at Simon Fraser for more than 20 seasons, guided West Region Track Athlete of the Year Lindsey Butterworth to all-time DII historic performances at both 800 meters and 1500 meters. The senior will contest both events at the NCAA Championships, She also mentored Jennifer Johnson to the No. 4 time of the season at 5000 meters and the No. 11 time at 1500 meters, but Johnson will not contest the NCAA Championships.

MEN’S ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR

ATLANTIC REGION —Steve Spence — Shippensburg
Spence, in his 21st year at Shippensburg, mentored his distance runners to 78 point in six events at the PSAC Championships, heavily contributing to the Raiders’ dominant team victory. Among those scorers were event champions in the steeplechase, 5000 and 4×800 relay. Two of his distance runners will compete at the NCAA Championships, including third-ranked steepler Peter Gelston.
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CENTRAL REGION — Chris Parno — Minnesota State
Parno, in his third year at Minnesota State, guided his sprinters and hurdlers to 94 of the Mavericks’ winning 202½ points, including two conference records. Among his athletes is top-ranked 100-meter sprinter Emmanuel Matadi, who earned Central Region Track Athlete of the Year honors. Six of Minnesota State’s eight entries to the NCAA Championships are sprinters/hurdlers.

EAST REGION — William "Bill" Sutherland — Southern Connecticut
In his 24th year at Southern Connecticut coaching the throws, Sutherland dominated the NE-10, coaching his athletes to 79 points in the four throwing events. His discus throwers went 1-2-3-4, which sealed the victory for the SCSU Alpha Owls at the Outdoor NE-10 Championships. His throwers also scored 34 points to help SCSU place second at the All Division New England Championships. His athletes broke NE-10 meet records in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw. Three of SCSU’s five NCAA Championship entries come from the throws.

MIDWEST REGION — Derrick Vicars — Findlay
Vicars, in his second year coaching throws at Findlay, guided his athletes to 38 points at the GLIAC Championships, with wins in the shot put, hammer and discus. The latter two came courtesy of his top athlete Justin Welch, who is No. 1 and No. 2 in the country in those respective events, and was named Midwest Region Field Athlete of the Year. Of Findlay’s 12 entries into the NCAA Championships, six are throwers coached by Vicars.

SOUTH REGION — Antonio Wells — Kentucky State
Wells, in his first year at Kentucky State coaching mid-distance and jumps, mentored Kieren Broussard to the NCAA Championships at 800 meters. His 1:50.17 to win the SIAC Championships title seeds him as the No. 13 athlete in the meet. Additionally, he coached the 4×400 relay to a school record and fourth at the SIAC meet.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Chris Siemers — Colorado Mines
Siemers, in his fifth year coaching mid-distance and distance at Colorado Mines, guided six men to the NCAA Championships – more than half of the Orediggers’ 10 total entries into the meet. He coached Marty Andrie to the No. 2 time at 5000 meters this season, and Phil Schneider to the No. 5 seed at 10,000 meters to lead three qualifiers in that event. His athletes include five All-RMAC selections and two RMAC champions.

SOUTHEAST REGION — Bruce Strickland — UNC Pembroke
Strickland, in his fourth year coaching the sprints, hurdles and jumps at UNC Pembroke, guided his athletes to 73 points at the Peach Belt Conference Championships – more than half of the team’s third-place 136½ total points. He coached Shaquille Ray to PBC Freshman Track Athlete of the Year honors with a 100-meter title and a runner-up effort at 200 meters.

WEST REGION — Gary Towne — Chico State
Towne, in his 19th season working with the Chico State distance runners, guided his athletes to three CCAA event titles and seven All-CCAA honors. He coached frosh Alex Burkhart to CCAA titles in the steeplechase and 5000. Though Burkhart will not compete at NCAAs, Towne will still have six entries into the NCAA Championships.

WOMEN’S ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR

ATLANTIC REGION — Jon Morrow — Seton Hill
Morrow coached Mallory Sanner to a PSAC title and meet/conference record in the javelin. Her mark of 50.20 meters is ranked fourth in Division II and makes her one of two Seton Hill women qualified for NCAAs in the javelin. Morrow is wrapping up his second year at Seton Hill.

CENTRAL REGION — Tucker Woolsey — Central Missouri
In his thirteenth year at UCM, Woolsey mentored Heavin Warner to one of the greatest seasons by a thrower in Division II history. Warner broke the DII national record in the hammer, and will be contesting all three throws at the NCAA championships. She’s ranked second in the discus and seventh in the shot put. Warner also helps coach Central Missouri’s multi-eventers, and the Jennies have three women qualified for nationals in the heptathlon.

EAST REGION — Joe Van Gilder — Southern Connecticut
Van Gilder has coached three women and a relay to the NCAA championship meet in his third year at Southern Connecticut State. Sprinter Shatajah Wattely and vaulter Michelle Grecni are ranked in the top three nationally in their respective events, and the Owl 4×400 is the second fastest in Division II this year. Van Gilder’s athletes were vital to delivering a team title at the Northeast-10 meet and a first-ever All-New England championship.

MIDWEST REGION — Joe Lynn — Hillsdale
Hillsdale’s distance women have posted a huge range of excellent performances this season. Under Lynn, Emily Oren has run Division II’s fastest times in the 5000 and steeplechase, and two other distance women are qualified for the national meet. Oren’s 10:04.79 steeple makes her the third fastest steepler in DII history. This is Lynn’s first season coaching the distance events at Hillsdale, and his athletes account for four of Hillsdale’s eight NCAA Championships entries.

SOUTH REGION — Soyini Thompson — Alabama-Huntsville
Two Alabama-Huntsville women and a relay are competing at next weekend’s Division II national championship meet. Ackeisha Burnett is ranked thirteenth among 100 hurdles qualifiers, and Katelin Barber is tied for second among women contesting the 100 with a time of 11.49 seconds. Barber and three other Huntsville women joined forces to run DII’s thirteenth fastest 4×100 meter relay. This is Thompson’s twelfth year coaching the sprints and hurdles at Huntsville.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Patrick Johnson — New Mexico Highlands
Johnson and his protégé Salcia Slack took the team to its first-ever RMAC team championship over national powerhouse Adams State. Slack is contesting the long jump, triple jump, shot put, both hurdles, possibly the 4×400, and the heptathlon at NCAAs, and is ranked No. 1 in the heptathlon. Joining her at Grand Valley State will be elite jumper Shanice McPherson, javelin thrower Michelle Traynham, sprinter Stefania Gyamfi, and hurdler Osheen Erskine. This is Johnson’s fifth year coaching sprints, jumps, and multis at NM Highlands.

SOUTHEAST REGION — Travis LeFlore, Wingate
Third-year sprints/jumps coach LeFlore led high jumper Christina Matheny and long jumper Jillian Malloy to NCAA-qualifying marks in those events. Many of his sprinters and jumpers are in the top three in their respective events regionally.

WEST REGION — Gary Towne — Chico State
Towne’s women ran the fastest 800 and second fastest 1500 in the vaunted history of Chico State distance running. Bailey Henshaw ran 2:07.67 in the 800, and Olivia Watt ran 4:23.88 in the 1500. Those two women will be joined by freshman steeplechaser Alex Burkhart at the NCAA meet; Watt will double in the two mid-distance races. Henshaw, Watt, and Burkhart won the 8, 15, 5k, and steeple at the CCAA Championships.

COURTESY U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Media Relations

Paine's Link tabbed as next mens basketball coach at Clayton State

HEAD COACH JIMMY LINK
COURTESY PAINE COLLEGE ATHLETICS
MORROW, Georgia — Jimmy Link, a veteran of 10 seasons of college basketball experience, has been named as just the fifth head men's basketball coach in the 25-year history of Clayton State University as announced by Tim Duncan, Director of Athletics, on Monday, May 11. An introductory press conference will be scheduled on campus in the near future.

"We are excited to have Jimmy Link join our department as the head coach of our men's basketball program. Having worked with Jimmy previously, I know he embodies the qualities we look for in all of our head coaches – a passion to help student-athletes succeed in the classroom and on the court. We are fortunate to have Jimmy, his wife Jen and children Maverick, Beckett and Nash become the newest members of the Laker family."

Link, who has coached at all three levels of the NCAA as well as in the NAIA, joins the Lakers following a very successful run as head coach at Division II Paine College in Augusta, Ga. During his four-plus years in that role he compiled an 81-60 overall record (.574) and 59-41 (.590) mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

He also coached and recruited five All-SIAC selections, two Freshman of the Year, a Player of the Year and himself earned Coach of the Year honors. Additionally, he coached a pair of BoxtoRow All-Americans, a National Player of the Year and was named National Coach of the Year.

His teams have also achieved national recognition in several statistical categories, ranking second in the country in blocks per game (7.0 bpg) and 25th in field goal percentage defense in 2011-12 and

"I want to thank Clayton State President Dr. Tim Hynes, Director of Athletics Tim Duncan and the search committee for their confidence in me to lead the men's basketball program to the next level," said Link. "It is truly an honor to join an institution of this caliber with the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the country in the Peach Belt Conference. I look forward to getting Laker basketball back to where it belongs – contending for league championships and in the NCAA Tournament."

He joined the Lions as an assistant coach in July of 2010 before taking over as interim head coach in late December of that year. Taking over a team that was 1-4 and predicted to finish last in the SIAC, he led Paine to a 10-13 record the rest of the way, a berth in the SIAC Tournament and a surprise 68-65 victory over LeMoyne-Owen in the first round.

Following that campaign, Link was named as the permanent head coach of the program and brought about continued success for the Lions. In his first full season at the helm, 2011-12, he won six of his first seven games and produced a 16-13 overall record and a pair of SIAC Tournament wins as part of a trip to the semifinals.

That season also produced a SIAC Freshman of the Year award winner in Kedric Taylor, who averaged 10.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He was also one of just seven Division II players to record a triple-double on the year.

The 2012-13 campaign would see PC go 14-15 with a 10-8 league mark but make a second consecutive trip to the SIAC semifinals. Mario Jordan, an eventual 1,000-point scorer for the Lions, would go on to earn All-SIAC honors following the season.

A very impressive two-year span would begin with the 2013-14 season as Paine surged to an 18-13 overall record and went 11-7 in league. All-Conference honorees in Taylor and transfer Kenny Fluellen resulted in another trip to the SIAC semifinals.

What had been built over the previous three-plus years would come to fruition in the 2014-15 campaign. This past season, after opening 1-3, the Lions exploded to win 22 of their next 25 games to close the season with a stellar 23-6 record, including a 14-1 home record. Not included in that stretch was a near upset of Division I Kennesaw, 80-75, in a regular season exhibition.

As impressive as that mark was, a 17-2 performance in league play helped the Lions earn the SIAC East Division Championship before making another semifinal appearance. As is to be expected with a season of that magnitude, the postseason recognitions rolled in for Paine.

Link would be named the SIAC Coach of the Year while Denzel Dillingham and Arnis Libazs were All-Conference selections. Dillingham would add Player of the Year as well as Freshman of the Year. Dillingham and Link would add BoxtoRow National Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors, respectively.

Dillingham and Libazs each were named All-Americans by that organization while the latter was a two-time SIAC All-Academic Team selection, earning that honor in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Prior to joining Paine, Link began his coaching career in 2004-05 at his alma mater, then NAIA Flagler College. That season he helped the Saints to a 23-8 record, an NAIA Sweet 16 berth and Top-10 national ranking before moving on to an assistant position at Division III Washington College (Md.) in 2005-06. While there he recruited 13 players, a group that helped deliver a 13-14 overall record, a number of wins that was the most by the program since the 2000-01 campaign.

As his alma mater made the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks, Link returned to St. Augustine as an assistant coach from 2006-08. Following a 14-13 outing in that first season, he helped recruit a class that resulted in a strong 20-7 campaign in 2007-08.

That performance helped land him an assistant position at recent NCAA Division I transition program North Florida in 2008-09. Following that one season he returned to Division II, joining Southeast Region member Newberry on Steve DeMeo's staff before making the eventual jump to the staff of 500-game winner Dennis Spry in the summer of 2010.

Paine was not Link's first experience being part of building a highly successful program as he spent four years playing point guard at then NAIA Flagler from 1999-2003. During that four-year period the Saints produced an 80-39 overall record but were an incredible 66-22 over the final three seasons.

Following 20-8 (2000-01) and 24-6 (2001-02) campaigns that resulted in national rankings both years, the 2002-03 season would prove to be among the best in the program's history. That year Flagler went 22-8 overall, won the Florida Sun Conference, was nationally ranked four times and made the first NAIA National Tournament appearance in team history.

Following his playing career, Link graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with an emphasis in Broadcast. He and his wife Jen have two sons, Maverick and Beckett, and are currently awaiting their third child, Nash, in the coming weeks.

What Others Are Saying About Jimmy Link

Frank Martin, University of South Carolina Head Basketball Coach
"I've known Jimmy since he was a real young high school player and he has always been a relentless worker that will make everyone at Clayton State proud. Everyone needs to get ready for a great ride that will be built the right way."

Selina B. Kohn, Paine College Director of Athletics
"Coach Link has done an exceptional job leading our Lions men's basketball program since 2011. All of his efforts during the past five seasons are much appreciated. We wish him the very best and I want to thank him for being a valued employee of Paine College. He gave his all to the Lions men's basketball program and he left a positive mark on his players. We wish him the best of luck at Clayton State and beyond."

Bo Clark, Longtime and Current Flagler Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Jimmy is an excellent coach and an excellent teacher. He has a tremendous passion and a contagious enthusiasm as a coach. I'm really proud of him and am really excited for him and Jen and their beautiful family. He will do great things at Clayton State."

Dip Metress, GRU Augusta Head Men's Basketball Coach
"I was very excited to see that Jimmy got the job at Clayton. He walked into a tough situation at Paine and he earned the job at Clayton through his hard work there."

Matt Kilcullen, Mercy College Athletic Director/Former UNF Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Jimmy Link is an outstanding young coach, not only because he understands the game of basketball, but he understands young people and his ability to relate and communicate to them is extraordinary. He will soon have Clayton St. competing for the Peach Belt Conference title."

Steve DeMeo, Northwest Florida State College Head Men's Basketball Coach/Former Newberry Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Jim Link is a proven winner on and off the court. He will be a fine leader of student-athletes, not only teaching them how to win championships on the court but also how to be prepared to either enter the workforce after graduation or play ball over seas. Tim Duncan, Clayton State and the Peach Belt are getting an incredible young coach who is an even better person."

Fred Watson, Benedict Head Men's Basketball Coach
"I am genuinely happy for my friend Jimmy. This is a great day for him and the basketball program at Clayton State. He is an extremely hard worker, a great recruiter and has a great understanding of the game. I'm sure he will implement the same frenetic, high octane brand of basketball to the Peach Belt that his teams have always employed. I respected what he was building at Paine. His teams were always loaded with talent which made them hard to prepare for. I am confident he will do the same at Clayton State because, I know for sure, he will get the best players, he will do his homework and they will be prepared. Clayton State has found a terrific leader for its basketball program."

Transactions
Announced that Jimmy Link has been named the fifth head men's basketball coach in the 25-year history of the program at Clayton State.

COURTESY CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Florida A&M Lady Rattlers Fall 6-0 To No.1 Seed Florida Gators


BOX SCORE
GAINESVILLE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Women's Softball team dropped a tough 6-0 decision to the University of Florida in the opening round of the NCAA Gainesville Regional at KSP Stadium Friday night.

Florida A&M (18-38) defied expectations of being a quick out for the defending national champion Gators (51-6), which had scored eight-run rule decisions against FAMU in their last four meetings, including last year's regional opener.

But FAMU freshman pitcher Veronica Burse (3-19), was unfazed, pitching five and one third innings, scattering eight hits, with one strike out and four walks, using a variety of outside and low pitches to keep the heavy-hitting Gators off balance at the plate.

Video

After UF plated a pair of runs in the first, they could only manage single runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings, led by leadoff hitter Kelsey Stewart, who had three of the Gators' eight hits, scoring the game's first run, after reaching on a triple, via a double by Nicole DeWitt.

FAMU offensively was handcuffed by Florida freshman pitcher Aleshia Ocasio, who tied a UF single-game record with 17 strikeouts.

Ocasio's no-hit bid was broken up in the sixth inning, when FAMU's Amanda Weaver lashed a two-out single into right field.

WHAT'S NEXT: Florida A&M will face Florida Atlantic, which dropped a 1-0 decision to Hofstra, in a 3:30 p.m. elimination game.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bethune-Cookman baseball advances to MEAC championship against rival Florida A&M

SALISBURY, Maryland – Bethune-Cookman used solid outings from starting pitchers Alex Seibold and German Hernandez on Friday, helping the Wildcats defeat Norfolk State (12-1) and Delaware State (13-0) in a pair of elimination games to advance to the title series of the MEAC Championships at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. This year’s championships are being hosted by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

B-CU 12, NORFOLK STATE 1 (RECAP)
Junior pitcher Alex Seibold tossed six innings on Friday morning, allowing just a single run on three hits to help push the Wildcats past the Norfolk State Spartans in the first of two elimination games at the MEAC Baseball Championships. Bethune-Cookman took down the Spartans, 12-1, advancing to the afternoon’s second elimination semifinal contest.

With Bethune-Cookman (18-39) holding tonto a 4-1 lead heading into the eighth inning, the Wildcats demonstrated one of their best offensive outputs of the season with an eight-run eighth inning to enforce the run-rule decision.

The bases were loaded with just one out when senior centerfielder Jake Welch was hit by a pitch to drive in the inning’s first run. That was followed by catcher Clay Middleton’s two-run single past the glove of Norfolk State (27-16) shortstop Alex Mauricio, driving in Brandon Amendolare and Jameel Edney for the 7-1 Wildcats advantage.

Having won 12 consecutive games to claim the top seed out of the Northern Division, NSU went to the bullpen for the second time in the inning as Jeff Di Fulgo toed the rubber.

Bryant Munoz pushed across a run with a RBI single to center that scored Welch, followed by a sac fly from Nathan Bond that drove across redshirt freshman shortstop Demetrius Sims.

That allowed B-CU a 9-1 lead.

Redshirt senior right fielder Jordan Robinson and third baseman Jameel Edney registered back-to-back RBI singles, advancing the lead at 11-1. Robinson later produced the final 12-1 margin when he scored on an error charged to the Spartans infield.

The Wildcats plated the first run of the game in the fourth as Munoz began the inning with a double to left, later coming across to score on a throwing error charged to the NSU outfield.

The Cats got three additional runs in the seventh, using a Sims sac fly to plate Rakeem Quinn. However, the highlight of the frame was designated hitter Austin Garcia’s solo shot to straight-away center field – officially logged at 419 feet, putting the Wildcats ahead 4-0 heading into the bottom of the inning.

Seibold worked six complete innings on the hill, striking out a season-best 10 batters on the day. He scattered three hits, allowing just a single run to earn the win. He evened his record at 5-5 on the year.

The loss went to Norfolk State’s Stephen Butt who fell to 5-2. He was tagged for four runs (three earned) on three hits and walked three with two strikeouts.

Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by Munoz with a 3-for-5 game, scoring twice and driving in a pair. Robinson finished 2-for-4 with two runs and a RBI, while teammate and catcher Clay Middleton was 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored.

With the win, Bethune-Cookman advances to face Delaware State in the final elimination game of the day, in what is essentially a semifinal contest at 2 p.m.

B-CU 13, DELAWARE STATE 0 (RECAP)
Bethune-Cookman junior German Hernandez pitched five scoreless innings, combining with freshman Alexis Herrera’s two scoreless frames to help the Wildcats to a 13-0 decision over Delaware State in the semifinal contest of the MEAC Baseball Championships on Friday afternoon at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland.

Having fallen in the opening game of the 2015 MEAC Baseball Championships to the Delaware State Hornets on Wednesday, Bethune-Cookman (19-39) wasted little time avoiding a repeat of that performance.

With the bases loaded and one out in the first inning, Jameel Edney recorded a fielder’s choice RBI that scored shortstop Demetrius Sims for the game’s opening run. Austin Garcia followed with a RBI single to right, scoring Nathan Bond for the 2-0 lead.

Garcia was back to action in the third, driving in Edney from first with a double to left center. The LaBelle, Florida sophomore would come in to score himself off a wild pitch from Delaware State (16-29) starting pitcher Darrien Ragins, allowing the Wildcats a 4-0 lead after three innings in the books.

After scoring two more runs in the fourth, Bethune-Cookman put the run-rule into place in the fifth, plating seven runs in the frame.

Brandon Amendolare and Jake Welch scored off the bat of Sims, while Bryant Munoz scored Sims with a RBI single to center field.

That stretched the B-CU lead out to 7-0.

Bond drove across Munoz with a single through the left side, followed by Garcia’s bases loaded single through the left side off DSU reliever Tyler Cullen. When Amendolare tallied a sacrifice fly to left that allowed Jordan Robinson to score from third, the Wildcats lead stood at 12-0.

The final run of the game came off the bat of Welch, as he singled to left bringing in Edney for the final 13-0 decision in favor of the Maroon and Gold.

In his first career start on the mound, Hernandez worked five innings, picking up his best outing of the campaign in allowing just a single hit and fanning four batters against just two walks. With the win, he upped his record to 1-2 for the year. Herrera worked the final two innings out of the bullpen, giving up four hits and striking out two batters.

Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by the play of Bond who finished a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and a RBI. Sims ended the game 3-for-5 with two runs and a RBI, with teammate Garcia turning in a 3-for-4 effort with three RBI and scoring a single run. Robinson and Edney each gathered multi-hit games as well.

Bethune-Cookman will now advance to face rival Florida A&M for the MEAC title. B-CU would need to defeat FAMU twice in order to claim the championship for the second time in as many years, and advance to the ninth NCAA Regional in the past 10 seasons.

For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on Twitter, @BCUDiamondCats. For the most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the official Bethune-Cookman Wildcats app for your Droid or iPhone.

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Green Bay Packers LB Joe Thomas (SCSU) should earn role

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin -- As the Green Bay Packers look to repair their inside linebacker position entering 2015, it is easy to become short-sighted. The quick roster turnaround that has taken place at the position sets eyes squarely on the new arrival of Michigan’s Jake Ryan, but linebacker Joe Thomas, a holdover from the Green Bay Packers’ 2014 undrafted free agent class, should push for a prominent depth role out of camp.

Now 24 years old, Thomas is getting a well-earned second chance to crack the Packers’ 53-man roster. After making some serious noise throughout training camp in 2014 and creating a legitimate case for a spot as a rookie, a knee injury in the preseason ended Thomas’ year prematurely. Impressed by his audition, though, Ted Thompson retained Thomas later in 2014 with an eye towards this coming season.



Sam Barrington will likely be joined by Jake Ryan to start 2015 on the inside, but along with 2014 draftee Carl Bradford, the door is wide open for Joe Thomas to earn a complimentary role within Dom Capers’ defense. The Packers’ 2014 season shows us that Green Bay may need several quality options at the position, too.

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Loss to LSU Leaves Texas Southern Facing Nebraska

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – Texas Southern University fell to LSU, 15-0, Friday night during the first round of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regionals at Tiger Park.

Thomasina Garza claimed the first hit for the Tigers as she slammed a single to center field. Her efforts went unanswered as TSU was handed its third strikeout to clear all bases. Ten runs were scored at the bottom of the first inning as the Cornhuskers used six hits to grab a large scoring lead.

Texas Southern opened the second inning with two outs when Gisella Parnanich hit a single through the right side, followed by a walk for Adreana Casares – moving two Tigers on base. A final strikeout came and ended the frame with zero runs. TSU finished the second by giving up another five runs, making the score 15-0.

After three innings of scoreless play, the game ended in the fifth due to run-rule. As a result of inclement weather, the game was delayed one hour and 19 minutes (in total).

This marked the Tigers’ second shutout game in the 2014-15 season.

The Tigers will face Nebraska tomorrow, May 16, at 2:30 p.m. TSU must defeat the Cornhuskers in order to remain active in the NCAA Softball Tournament. Follow live stats or Watch ESPN.

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Historic NCAA Run Continues For WSSU Rams; Rolls The West Chester Golden Rams, 9-4

ERIE, Pennsylvania  – The #21 Winston-Salem State Rams broke out the big bats and hit four home runs, while the pitching held West Chester in check, striking out eight Golden Rams on the day, as WSSU cruised to a 9-4 win on Friday in the NCAA Atlantic Regional at Jerry Uht Park, in Erie, Pa.

WSSU jumped on the board first in a big way, when in the bottom of the third inning, the Rams would explode for five runs. Jacob Barber led off with a single, and Taylor Idol would later walk. After Des Roberts reached on a fielder's choice, Gavin Culler singled to center field scoring Barber and Roberts. After a Colby Keene single, Connor Andrus would hit a mammoth home run to left field to give the Rams a 5-0 advantage.

West Chester would chip into the WSSU lead with one run in the fourth and one in the sixth to pull closer, but the Winston-Salem State bats were too hot on this night.

After a Nathan Steger walk, Jacob Barber would launch a two run home run to deep left, followed by a solo home run from Alex Grubb to give WSSU a 8-2 lead heading into the seventh inning.

The Golden Rams of West Chester got one back with a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning, but once again the Winston-Salem State bats would answer.

In the bottom of the eighth, Alex Grubb would hit his second home run of the night, a towering shot to right center to give WSSU a 9-3 lead heading into the ninth.

West Chester would manage to get one more run across the plate on a solo home run to left center field, but Devin McLemore would settle down and retire the side for the WSSU Rams win.

Freshman, Tyler Scearce picked up the win, going an impressive 6.2 innings, allowing two runs, four hits and three walks while striking out five Golden Rams.Eric Corlett came on in relief and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one run, one hit and one walk while striking out two batters. Devin McLemore closed out the game for WSSU, pitching the final innings, allowing one run on one hits with a walk and a strikeout.

The WSSU Rams were led at the plate by Alex Grubb, who went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two runs batted in, including two solo home runs on the day. Jacob Barber also went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and two runs batted in, including a two run home run. Gavin Culler continues to swing a hot bat in the postseason, going 2 for 4 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Connor Andrus finished 1 for 3 with a run scored and three runs batted in, including a 3 run home run. Colby Keene went 1 for 3 with a run scored, and Des Roberts also scored a run.

The WSSU Rams remain the only undefeated team in the NCAA Atlantic Regional.

WSSU will take on the winner of the 12:00pm game that features #5 West Chester vs. #1 Mercyhurst. Winston-Salem State will play this game at 7:00pm at Jerry Uht Park.

On Thursday, the Atlantic Region #4 seed, used a solid pitching performance, and got big hits from Gavin Culler and Colby Keene, as the Rams rolled to a 5-2 win over #11 and #3 seed, Seton Hill on Thursday evening in the opening round of the NCAA DII Regionals.

With the win, Winston-Salem State improves to 41-13, while the Seton Hill Griffins fall to 42-12.

The Winston-Salem State Rams go going early, as Des Roberts and Gavin Culler both reach with singles in the first inning, and Roberts was brought home on a Connor Andrus single to right field, to give WSSU an early 1-0 lead.

Seton Hill looked to get right back in the game in their first at-bat, but a double play from Nathan Steger to Taylor Idol to Jacob Barber ended any threat.

The Rams added two more runs in the seventh inning, as Jacob Barber singled to open the inning, and Taylor idol reached on a throwing error by the Seton Hill third baseman, moving the runners to second and third with no outs. After Des Roberts reached on a fielder's choice, Gavin Culler came through with single through the right side that would score Barber. Colby Keene would single through the left side scoring Roberts, and giving the WSSU Rams a 3-0 lead.

Seton Hill would manage to plate one run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but once again Hayden O'Neal, on in relief for Sam Burton, shut down the Griffins with just the one run.

WSSU would add two more important insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning, as Des Roberts would walk and steal second base. And once again, Gavin Culler would come up big with a double to left center field, scoring Roberts. Colby Keene would add another rbi to his total, as he would single in Gavin Culler before being thrown out at first to give WSSU a 5-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.

The Griffins would add one run, but Jordan Cummings would induce a routine groundout by one of the nation's top hitters in Nick Sell, to second base for the WSSU Rams 5-2 win.

The WSSU win is their first win in an opening round game, and head coach Kevin Ritsche called the game "the biggest in school history". It is the Ram third win in a NCAA Regional game.

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