Southern women score 4th straight SWAC tennis title

NEW ORLEANS — Southern won its fourth consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference women’s tennis title Sunday, but the school’s 12th championship occurred under the most adverse conditions.

With SWAC player of the year Demetria Woods sidelined with a non-tennis ailment, the top-seeded Jaguars faltered early against second-seeded Alcorn State in doubles. Southern had to win four of six singles matches to defend its title.

The decisive match at the City Park Tennis Center was played between Alcorn State’s Chan Rutherford and Southern’s Morgan Taylor, who until Woods’ emergency surgery late last week was relegated to doubles.

Taylor rebounded from losing a tiebreaker in the first set and suffering right leg cramps in the third to post a 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-3 victory.

Her reward? The full onset of pain as her teammates rushed her on the court, where she survived the final 10 minutes of the No. 6 match.

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XU teams repeat as champs, earn NAIA automatic bids

JONESBORO, Ga. — Xavier University of Louisiana's tennis teams posted a 6-2 victory against Milligan in the men's final and a 5-3 victory against SCAD Atlanta in the women's final of an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament Sunday.

The Gold Rush (14-7), ranked fifth in the NAIA, extended a school record by winning an eighth consecutive conference/group tournament championship. The Gold Nuggets (17-7), ranked first, won their ninth conference/group tournament championship in 11 seasons and repeated as champion of this event.

Both XU teams earned automatic bids to the NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala. It's the fifth consecutive year that the XU men qualified for nationals and the seventh time in nine seasons that the women qualified.

Loic Didavi, Nikita Soifer, Kyle Montrel and Viktor Svoboda won in singles and doubles for the XU men, who have won three straight and 11 of their last 14 duals. Soifer and Svoboda beat Andy Pullen and Colin Bumann 8-2 for their 13th victory in their last 14 doubles matches. Montrel, a freshman, won for the 13th time in his last 15 singles matches with a 6-1. 6-1 decision against Bumann.

Svoboda clinched the dual with a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Caleb Fridell. It was Svoboda's 12th victory in his last 13 singles matches.

Didavi and Montrel posted their first shutout of the season with an 8-0 doubles victory against Sebastian Jonsson and Jackson Lenoir. In singles, Didavi beat Jonsson 6-1, 6-1, and Soifer defeated Pullen 6-2, 6-3.

Kourtney Howell and freshman Simone-Alyse Ewell won in singles and doubles for the Gold Nuggets. Howell and Brion Flowers, the NAIA's top-ranked doubles team, beat Lee-Anne Lingo and Amanda Morrow 8-4 for their ninth consecutive victory. Howell clinched the dual with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 victory against Alina Tseplukhova in a matchup of NAIA top-50 singles players.

Ewell and Amber Brown beat Tseplukhova and Katya Kiseleva 8-4, and Ewell defeated Marrow 6-3, 6-0. Amanda Materre's 6-3, 6-0 decision against Kiseleva was her sixth consecutive singles victory, and it gave the Nuggets a 4-1 lead in the dual.

The Gold Nuggets matched a program with their ninth consecutive victory. The 2005 and 2004 teams also won nine duals in a row. The XU women are 14-0 against NAIA opponents this season and 10-0 against ranked opponents. SCAD Atlanta (7-3) is ranked 19th.

Both the Gold Rush and the Gold Nuggets will receive first-round byes at nationals and play second-round duals May 15. The tournament, which consists of 24 men's and 24 women's teams, will conclude May 18.

All of the XU appearances at nationals and all but one of the championships have occurred under Alan Green, who is in his 10th season as coach of the Rush and Nuggets.

Sunday's two championships give Xavier a school-record-tying nine on the conference/group level for the 2012-13 academic year. It's also the second consecutive year that XU qualified seven teams for nationals.

Results: Men Women


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

SC State Tennis Teams Sweep MEAC Titles

RALEIGH, NC — The South Carolina State tennis teams captured the 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men's & Women's Tennis Championship title Sunday at Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh N.C.

The Lady Bulldogs defeated Morgan State, 4-3, for their ninth consecutive and the 10^th overall, while the men captured their sixth consecutive and 11^th overall for the Bulldogs with a, 4-1, victory over Florida A&M.

“To win nine straight MEAC Championships, while not losing a conference match in nine years is quite an accomplishment,” said Judge. “We fought so hard all year through injuries and adversity, but I am so proud of the way our kids responded by playing like champions.”

The Lady Bulldogs jumped out early on to claim the doubles point at the number one and three positions. SC States' Laura Bosneag and Victoriia Khatcei topped Morgan State's Arina Alilueva and Jasmine Edwards, 8-3, to earn the first point of the day.

South Carolina State went up 3-0 with two quick wins at the number three and five positions in singles play. Morgan State battled back earning victories at the two and four spots. Morgan State's number one, Ekaterina Iakovleva, tied the match (3-3) with a 6-4, 6-4 win over MEAC Player of the Year senior Maria Craciun.

Senior Laura Bosneag would not be denied as she closed out the match with the winning point of a thrilling three-set win over MSU's Jasmine Edwards. Bosneag capturing her fourth straight league crown lost the first set, 7-6, but took the next two sets 6-0, 6-0 to help the Lady Bulldogs secure the title.

Sophomore Victoriia Khatcei was named Outstanding Performer while head coach Hardeep Judge was named Outstanding Coach. Khatcei recorded a 3-0 record in singles play and a 3-0 mark in doubles action to win the honor. Judge was named the Outstanding Coach for the ninth time in his career on the women's side.

Meanwhile on the men's side, the Rattlers of FAMU took an early 1-0 lead over South Carolina State with wins at the number one and three doubles positions.

Judge stated, “We came out very flat and lost the doubles point in 30 minutes, but really fought back today and used our past experience to weather the storm.”

SC State remain calmed despite being down to regain control of the match as, senior Anton Protsenko defeated FAMU's Chidi Gabril to earn their first point of the day. Senior Peteris Vinogradovs and junior Artemiy Nikitin followed with wins at the third and fourth spots to put South Carolina State up 3-2.

Freshman Marius Dragoi was the deciding factor down the stretch battling back to defeat Temuera Asafu-Adjaye to win the team's fourth point and secure the title. Dragoi fought back from being down a set, and one game from losing the match, to win 4-6, 7-5, and 6-0.

Nikitin, who tallied a 3-0 mark in singles play, was named Outstanding Performer while head coach Hardeep Judge was named Men's Outstanding Coach for the ninth time in his career.

“Our strength and conditioning program really has played off for us and thank the entire staff especially Coach Erby for giving the guys support today on the court,” said the Bulldog coach. “Suzanna and I really worked hard with the women's team this year and to see that it paid off is very satisfying.”

Judge with nearly 400 career wins has captured his 18^th MEAC Championship overall for both teams during his 12-year tenure as coach.

With the wins, South Carolina State men and women receive the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Tennis Championship. The Division I Tennis Selection Show will air Tuesday, April 30 at 5:00 p.m. for the men and 5:30 for the women on NCAA.com.
 
FAMU vs SCSU Championship Match Stats


SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATION

Hampton Tabs Weatherington As New Volleyball Coach

Karen Weatherington

HAMPTON, Va. – Karen Weatherington has been named the new head coach of the Hampton University volleyball program, the Department of Athletics announced on Wednesday. She comes to Hampton from Kennesaw State, where she served in the same capacity for four years.

In her four years at Kennesaw State, Weatherington compiled a record of 63-56 (.529), and she won a single-season school record 17 matches twice (2009, 2010). Kennesaw State’s .607 winning percentage in 2010 is the best in that program’s history.

The Owls made three straight Atlantic Sun Tournament appearances under Weatherington.

This past season, Weatherington led Kennesaw State to a 16-17 record – after the Owls went 13-16 in 2011, advancing to the conference tournament after going 8-5 in league play.

The Owls’ best season under Weatherington came in 2010, when Kennesaw State went 17-11 overall and 9-1 in the Atlantic Sun. Weatherington was named the A-Sun Coach of the Year, and she oversaw Kennesaw State’s first-ever First Team All-A-Sun selection in Sabrita Gulley.

Kennesaw State won eight straight matches that season, including seven in a row in league play.

Weatherington led Kennesaw State to a 17-12 mark in 2009, her first season at the helm, recording the first winning season in Owls history. Kennesaw State also made it to the A-Sun Tournament that season, its first year of eligibility in the conference.

Prior to her stint at Kennesaw State, Weatherington spent six years on the staff at Butler, including the last four as associate head coach. Butler was 90-86 during her time, and Weatherington was primarily responsible for recruiting and working with the team’s middle blockers.

In 2008, Butler was second in the Horizon League with 2.31 blocks per set.

Prior to her time at Butler, Weatherington served as an assistant at Clemson, as well as Duke and Iowa State.

Weatherington graduates from New Mexico State University in 1998 with degrees in journalism and psychology. She was also an assistant for her alma mater, while also competing overseas, playing in such countries as Russia, Finland, and Sweden.

She takes over a Lady Pirates program that tied a program Div. I record with 19 wins last season, advancing to the semifinals of the MEAC Tournament for the second straight year. Hampton boasted two All-MEAC performers in 2012 – sophomore Krista Kraskura (Kuldiga, Latvia) and junior Bibiany Fonseca (Uberlandia, Brazil).

Hampton was also led by sophomore Vendula Strakova (Brno, Czech Republic), who was among the nation’s best in several statistical categories and was named to the MEAC’s All-Tournament Team. She was third in the nation in points, fifth in service aces, and sixth in kills.

For more information on Hampton University volleyball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.


COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU Hornets Pick Up Pace In Final Scrimmage

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  In the final spring scrimmage the Alabama University Hornets picked the pace up on both sides of the ball for 81 plays and 233 offensive yards.

“The guys were most definitely aggressive and played with a lot energy,” said head coach Reggie Barlow. “When we are moving the ball and playing fast we are going to have opportunities to do some good things. We did that starting out and we are pleased about that.”

The offense jumped out in the first series of the scrimmage picking up a 50 yard touchdown on a Daniel Duhart pass to Malcolm Cyrus in four plays.

“We had some big plays out of Cyrus today and he did a good job for us,” Barlow said. “He not only did a good job for us in the running game but as well as in the passing game.”

Defense in turn forced the offense to punt seven times and turned the ball over on downs three times before allowing the offense to pick up a 40 yard touchdown again from Duhart but this time to the 6-4, 195 junior Darren Daniel.

On a big defensive stop at the one yard line Ka'Ra Stewart intercepted the ball to keep the offense from scoring for a third time. That didn't stop the offense at all they went on to score a 20 yard touchdown in the first play of the next series on a Duhart pass to Jarrett Neely. The scrimmage ended on a final touchdown by Andre Kincey who rushed for 20 yards to get the score.

“I felt that defense did some good things today,” said Barlow. “We had some big stops and a couple of turn overs. We did some red zone work and some three and outs. We always want to limit big plays and we only had two today, but over all I thought they did some good things.”

For the second week in a row Duhart led the quarterbacks with 111 yards and went 6-10 on the day, owning all three of the passing touchdowns.

Kincey led the lead for the rushers running nine times for 41 yards. Cyrus had 21 yards and four carries, while Rodney Cross carried the ball four times for 18 yards.

Cyrus led the receivers with 55 yards and two receptions. Earl Lucas had one reception for 15 yards. Neely also had one reception for 20 yards.

Defense was led by Kourtney Berry with 10 tackles and one sack. Deontrelle Sillmon, Edward Mosley, Najee Bright all added four tackles apiece. Mosley had two sacks to add to his numbers. Willie Roller and Carlton Jones also added in three tackles. Roller also had a sack.

The Hornets will return to practice on Tuesday, April 23 at 11 a.m. leading up to Alabama State Annual Black and Gold game.

Alabama State football team will host events throughout the week for the fans and student community starting Monday at 11 a.m. with an ice cream schedule. For more information check out www.bamastatesports.com.


COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State Hornets baseball clutch in wins at Jackson State

JACKSON, Miss. – Strong pitching, great defense and timely hitting helped Alabama State to a doubleheader sweep of Jackson State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division baseball showdown Saturday at Braddy Field.

Alabama State (26-17 overall, 15-5 SWAC) won game one 4-2, and the nightcap 3-2 to move into a first-place tie atop the division with Jackson State (21-18, 15-5).

The Hornets, who have won the season series over Jackson State in winning four of five games, will go for the series sweep Sunday at 2 p.m., with live radio coverage online at bamastatesports.com/showcase.

Game 1 – Hornets 4, Jackson State 2: T.J. Renda held Jackson State scoreless for 8 2/3 innings in improving to 8-0 on the season. He scattered 10 hits, four of them in the ninth as he couldn't quite get the complete game victory in walking two and striking out three, throwing 127 pitches, 83 for strikes. With two on and two out, Armando Ruiz came on to get the final out for his second save of the season.

Alabama State scored in the first inning for the sixth time in its last seven games. Leo Rojas doubled down the left field line with one out, and advanced to third as Richard Gonzalez reached on an error. Waldyvan Estrada's single to left field scored Rojas for a 1-0 lead.

The Hornets added three runs in the eighth. Gonzalez singled to right field, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Estrada. Dillon Cooper's single on the first pitch to left center scored Gonzalez to double the ASU lead. Dexter Price then hit an infield single, and he and Gonzalez moved to second and third, respectively on a groundout. Einar Muniz's two-run single to left center on a 2-0 pitch scored both runners for a 4-0 lead.

Renda's effort on the mound worked in concert with the Hornet defense. Renda pitched out of a two-on, one-out jam in the second inning, and Gonzalez threw out a would-be base stealer for the final out in the third inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Rojas fielded a grounder at third to start a 5-2-3 double play to end the inning, with Gonzalez throwing a strike to Price to end the inning, one of two double plays turned by the Hornets in the opener.

Game 2 – Hornets 3, Jackson State 2: The Hornets scored three runs in the second inning and made it standup for the win.

Cooper led off the inning with an infield single. Following a sacrifice bunt and a foul out, Muniz singled to right center field to score Cooper. Marcus Swint reached on a throwing error and advanced to second on the play, as Muniz scored all the way from first base. Amion then singled to center to score Swint for a 3-0 Alabama State lead.

Jackson State scored one run in the second and one in the seventh, but clutch Hornet defense and pitching proved to be the difference. Starting pitcher Joel Alvira (5-0) allowed just three hits and one run, walking five and striking out four in six innings. Despite the Tigers scoring in the second inning and having two on with one out, Alvira retired the next two JSU hitters, the last on a strikeout of Stephen Curtis to end the inning.

It was one of three two-on, one-out situations Alvira pitched out of in the game. In the fourth, he forced back-to-back ground outs back to the mound to end the inning. In the sixth, Rojas again started a double play, with a diving stop of a ground ball, quickly getting to his feet to step on third for the second out before completing the inning-ending double play to Price at first.

In the eighth, reliever Michael Estevez pitched out of a two-out, bases loaded jam by striking out Curtis on a curve ball to end the inning.

In the ninth, Jorge Pantoja inherited a two-on, none-out situation but slammed the door on the Tigers in retiring the final three hitters to end the game in earning his first save.

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UMES CLAIMS ANOTHER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Hawks top Pikeville 2-0 to win their fifth National title in the last six years.

LINCOLN, Nebraska - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) claimed their second ever xbowling Intercollegiate Team Championship (ITC) and fifth overall National Championship this afternoon at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln, Nebraska, solidifying themselves as one of the premier programs in the nation.

The Hawks topped Pikeville 2-0 in the finals, recorded for a tape-delayed airing in May on CBS Sports Network. It is the Hawks second USBC Collegiate Championship in three years and fifth title in six seasons.

In game one the Hawks fell behind early, opening the first two frames. After freshman Kristie Lopez (Puerto Rico) and junior Megan Buja (Rockford, Ill.) both recorded an open nine count in the first two frames, the Hawks got going. A spare from Mariana Alvarado (Leon, Mexico) followed by a turkey from Anggie Ramirez (Bogota, Colombia), T'nia Falbo (Greensburg, Pa.) and Lopez jumped the Hawks back in the game. They would then spare and then post another turkey from the threesome of Alvarado, Ramirez and Falbo to secure the win. Senior Valentina Collazos (Cali, Colombia) would throw the fill balls in the tenth for some National Championship action.

UMES took advantage of Pikeville, who opened in the sixth. Despite marking in every other frame, they only tossed three strikes in the match, one on the fill and never doubled.

In game two the Bears jumped out on the Hawks again. Just like in game one, UMES opened in the first two frames. While they would spare the third and strike in the fourth, Falbo opened in the fifth and things looked bleak as Pikeville struck in the first and third and spared the other three frames.

While UMES began marking with spares in the sixth and seventh and a strike from Alvarado in the eighth, they were still playing catch-up to the Bears who struck and spared twice in the same frames.
Then disaster struck for Pikeville. An open in the ninth after a split that accounted for only six on the first ball and two on the second meant UMES was in it. They needed a strike from Ramirez. But it didn't come, she picked up eight and spared the frame, chances were slim. The Pikeville anchor, who had marked each frame of the match, then didn't. She tossed an eight on the first ball. That meant the Hawks trailed by 27 pins. A spare would force a deciding game three. She got one.

The Bears finished up with a 171. UMES was sitting on a 135 heading into the tenth. To have any chance Falbo had to strike. The anchor didn't miss. All ten came crashing down and that meant UMES closed out the ninth with a 145 and had a strike to work on in the final frame. A spare would do UMES no good. That would be six pins too few. Falbo needed another strike.

A week ago in Michigan Falbo had to have a strike to force a tie, she left the ten pin. This time she left no doubt. As the ball smashed the pocket all 10 fell and that meant UMES would need just six to tie and seven to win. Eight would work. Falbo got enough to win and the Hawks took advantage of Pikeville mistakes to claim their fifth National Championship in program history.

"We worked together all year long and came up stronger and stronger every time," said Ramirez.

"This feels amazing," said Falbo the senior and three-time All-American. "It's great to go out with a championship!"

Buja, the unsung hero of the group, was much more business-like in her answer to the generic `how do you feel' question. "I feel like we need to design a new ring," she said with a smile.

Ramirez, a four-time All-America selection relished the fact that her collegiate career ends with a win. "So few people get to go out with a win, to go out on top, what a great way to end a great experience," she said. "My last day of collegiate bowling couldn't be any more perfect."

The trio has helped account for four of the program's five National Championships and will go down as some of the greatest athletes to ever grace the Princess Anne, Md. campus.

"These young ladies are so special," said head coach Kristina Frahm. "I have bowled with them, coached them, and been their friend and teammate. To accomplish what they have is nothing short of incredible. The team is so phenomenal. A National Championship in each of the last three years, wow, what a feat."

What a feat indeed.

Photo Gallery

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

Cameron highlights 2013 Albany Sports Hall of Fame class

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Albany State men's basketball coach Chris Cameron says when he went to proms and basketball games at the Albany Civic Center, he would always gaze at the names on the wall of the Albany Sports Hall of Fame inductees.

Now Cameron's name will be among them.

Cameron will be a member of the Albany Sports Hall of Fame 2013 induction class.

The Albany State coach played his high school ball at Dougherty before playing at Tulane University.  While with the Green Wave, Cameron led the team to 4 straight postseason tournaments, including an NIT Final Four appearance in 1996.

He then went on to play professional basketball all over the world.

But Cameron says his journey to the hall of fame began right back here in Albany with his late coach at Dougherty, Charlie Givens.



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JCSU Women's Track and Field wins the 2013 CIAA Outdoor Championship

JCSU women's track and field wins the 2013 CIAA Outdoor Championship;
their second title in three seasons
ROSTER
(Click on photo to enlarge)

Petersburg, VA – The Johnson C. Smith University women's outdoor track and field team captured their second crown in three years on the final day of the 2013 CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at Rogers Stadium on the campus of Virginia State University on Saturday, April 20th.

JCSU scored 146.50 points to claim first place. Winston-Salem State was second with 108 points and Virginia State was third with 101 points.

Sophomore Samantha Elliott (Kingston, Jamaica) was the women's track most outstanding performer after winning the 100 hurdles and the 400 hurdles. She also finished third in the 100 dash and the 200 dash.

Kendall Reynolds of Bowie State and Tajanel McNeil of Winston-Salem State shared women's field most outstanding performer honors. Reynolds won the triple jump and was second in the long jump. McNeil was second in the triple jump, third in the high jump and fifth in the long jump.

The Golden Bulls produced 29 team points on day one off of the field events. Sophomore Imeshia Jones (Reidsville, NC), senior LaQwesha Gamble (Winter Haven, FL), and junior Shaquitta Anderson (Orangeburg, SC) finished first, second, and third, respectively in the javelin throw. Jones won the event with a throw of 38.55m in the final. Their finishes added 24 team points to the total score.

Jones also took fourth place in the shot put with a toss of 11.81m; collecting five more team points.

In the high jump, senior Xahnn-Georgia Reid (Clarendon, Jamaica) added eight points with a jump of 1,58m for second place overall. Gamble finished tied for sixth in the same event, measuring in at 1.43m. Placing sixth earned 1.5 towards the team score.

JCSU dominated the 100m hurdles with finishes of first, second, fourth, and fifth. Elliott took first (13.44), followed by junior Danielle Williams (13.65), sophomore Monique Lovelock (14.49), and senior Naffene Briscoe (14.51). Those four finishes tallied 27 points for the team.

Elliott and Williams led Johnson C. Smith to six victories in the women's events. Williams won the 100 dash (11.43) and 200 dash (23.56) in addition to Elliott winning both hurdles races. Williams is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the 100m and unbeaten in the event this season. The Golden Bulls had 23 team points off the four competitors in the 200m.

Freshman Tovea Jenkins (St. James, Jamaica) placed fourth in the 400m with a time of 55.29, adding five points.

The foursome of Briscoe, Williams, freshman Trudy-Ann Richards (St. Thomas, Jamaica) and Lovelock were victorious in the 4x100 relay (45.31). The combination of Briscoe, Jenkins, Richards, and junior A'Tyan Kennedy (York, SC) placed third in the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:53.31. Those two events contributed 16 team points to the total.

This is the second women's outdoor conference championship and the first since 2011. Head coach Lennox Graham was also honored as the women's outdoor coach of the year this season.

The Golden Bulls will compete again at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia, PA. The event will be held at Franklin Field on Thursday, April 25 thru Saturday, April 27, 2013.

Complete Results

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's Offense Wins Blue/White Game 36-25

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Tennessee State football closed out the spring on Saturday afternoon at Hale Stadium as the Blue (offense) defeated the White (defense) 36-25.

Quarterbacks Holt Claiborne and Ryan Turnage split time behind center as Claiborne was 14-of-28 for 165 yards and a touchdown, while Turnage finished the day 11-of-16 for 141 yards and a TD.

TSU ran for only 29 yards on 29 carries. Darion Hall led all running backs with 16 yards on seven carries.

Tight end Wesley Samuels was the leading receiver with six catches for 58 yards. Freshman WR Levatiae Kelly was impressiive with 66 yards on four catches with a touchdown and TE A.C. Leonard added four catches for 43 yards.

Linebacker Mike West led the Tiger defense with seven total tackles, including two tackles-for-loss.

Both of the TSU touchdowns came in the second quarter through the air. Turnage and Michael Whitaker connected for a 37-yard score, while Claiborne and Kelly followed that with a nine-yard touchdown of their own.

The offense went into the locker room at halftime holding a 25-15 advantage.

The defense started the second half with a pair of three-and-outs, which earned them four points. Three points was awarded to the defense for a turnover, two for forcing a three-and-out, and one point for a sack and holding the offense scoreless on a possession. The offense earned two points for a pass over 15 yards and one point for a first down or a run over 10 yards. A touchdown resulted in six points for the scoring side.

The Tigers open the 2013 regular season at home when they face Bethune-Cookman on Sunday, September 1 at LP Field in the 15th annual John A. Merritt Classic.

Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers, Twitter @TSU_Tigers and YouTube 

2013 TSU Spring Game Program

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Xavier Nuggets' Rolland, Fakler stand out at LSU Alumni Gold

Catherine Fakler

Devinn Rolland

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Devinn Rolland and Catherine Fakler produced two of the Gold Nuggets' best performances of the season in the LSU Alumni Gold track and field meet Saturday.

Rolland, in the B-section of the women's 200-meter run, placed sixth out of 22 runners in 24.66 seconds and finished ahead of 15 runners from NCAA Division I. It was the fourth time this season that Rolland met the A-standard for the NAIA National Championships in this event, and it was her second fastest time this season.

Fakler recorded the Gold Nuggets' fastest time of the season in the women's 1,500-meter run, 4:43.92. She placed fourth out of 15 runners in the B-section of that event and finished ahead of 10 NCAA D-I runners. But Fakler missed qualifying for the nationals by less than 1½ seconds. The NAIA's B-standard is 4:42.50, and the A-standard is 4:40.10.

Rolland and Fakler were the Nuggets' lone competitors. The only entrant for the Gold Rush was Christopher Kennie, who finished eighth in the long jump at 6.57 meters (21 feet, 6¾ inches).

This was the final meet of the outdoor season for the XU men, but Rolland and other qualified teammates will compete at the NAIA national meet May 23-25 at Marion. Ind. The Golden Eagle Classic, listed on XU's schedule as an April 27 meet, was canceled because of resurfacing at that facility.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS

XU Gold Nuggets, Gold Rush roll into finals at NAIA qualifier

JONESBORO, Ga. -- The women's and men's teams of Xavier University of Louisiana won every contested match Saturday and advanced to the championship duals of an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament.

The Gold Nuggets, playing for the first time since being voted No. 1 in the NAIA on Tuesday, defeated Fisk 5-0 in the quarterfinals and Tennessee Wesleyan 5-0 in the semifinals. The Gold Rush, ranked fifth, had a bye in the quarterfinals, then defeated SCAD Atlanta 6-2 in the semifinals.

Xavier (12-7) will play Milligan (9-11) for the men's championship at 10 a.m. EDT Sunday at Clayton County Tennis Center, then the Gold Nuggets (16-7) will play 19th-ranked SCAD Atlanta (7-2) for the women's title no sooner than 1 p.m. Winners will receive automatic bids to next month's NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala.

The Gold Nuggets extended their win streak to eight duals, their longest streak since 2005. Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers, named this week as the ITA's top-ranked NAIA doubles team, extended their win streak to eight by defeating Fisk's De'Erin Rogan and Raven Ward 8-0 and Tennessee Wesleyan's Ekaterina Vezhenkova and Tatum McMahon 8-0. Teammate Amanda Materre also was in a zero-tolerance mood; she defeated Fisk's Latrice Cooper 6-0, 6-0, then beat Tennessee Wesleyan's Bridget Malone 6-0, 6-0.

Amber Brown won 6-0, 6-0 against Jayden Morrison to clinch the Tennessee Wesleyan dual. It was Brown's fourth consecutive singles victory, a season best for her.

The Gold Rush again defaulted at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles because of five available players but won the other two doubles matches and four times in singles. Viktor Svoboda and Nikita Soifer won for the 12th time in their last 13 doubles matches with an 8-1 decision against Denzel Hollis and David Paull, and Kyle Montrel beat Alex Maeda 6-0, 6-1 for his 12th victory in his last 14 singles matches.

Soifer clinched the dual with a 6-4, 6-2 singles victory against Michael Vea. The XU men have won three straight and 11 of their last 14 duals.

The Rush reached the championship round of a conference/unaffiliated group tournament for the 11th consecutive season. The Nuggets reached the final for the 11th time in 12 seasons. Both Xavier teams won this event a year ago.

Results: Men vs. SCAD Atlanta Women vs. Fisk Women vs. Tennessee Wesleyan


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Spring Football: At Livingstone, it’s Williams’ team now

SALISBURY, North Carolina  —   First-year Livingstone football coach Darryl Williams has turned Alumni Stadium into a classroom.

And in this class, 65 players have learned over the past three weeks, you’d better pay attention.

 

“The standard has changed,” Williams said in a quiet, matter-of-fact tone on Saturday, shortly after LC completed spring practice with an insightful offense-defense scrimmage. “We’re trying to build a program where we can win year in and year out. And consistency is the hallmark of a champion. We’re trying to lay one brick each day. We’ll present the finished product on Sept. 7.”

 

That’s the day the Blue Bears kick off their 2013 season against Johnson C. Smith. Whether Livingstone has learned enough to right the rudderless ship that went 2-8 and dropped its last five games in 2012 is unknown.

 

This much is certain: the Blue Bears will be different, beginning with the all-white helmets with powder-blue stripes and block numbers on the side they’ll strap on.

 

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New Fayetteville State football coach developed a love for the game early in life

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina  -- Football is like a childhood friend to Lawrence Kershaw.

The game has been there for him through times good and bad. It was there as Kershaw achieved two college degrees, and it eventually inspired a career path that brought him to Fayetteville State in January as the NCAA Division II school's 15th head football coach.

Kershaw, 41, has been working feverishly to once again make the Broncos a force in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Fayetteville State football experienced its most successful era from 2000-12 under Kershaw's predecessor, Kenny Phillips. Phillips won 75 games and three CIAA championships during that era, but was removed as head coach in November after consecutive finishes of 4-6 and 2-8.

Enter Kershaw, a former CIAA offensive lineman at Virginia State and veteran offensive coordinator from Florida A&M. In a hectic three months since his arrival ...

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WSSU Rams Claim 2013 CIAA Tennis Championship with 5-0 Win Over Chowan

PETERSBURG, VA – The Winston-Salem State Rams (18-11) finished their unlikely run winning the 2013 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men's Tennis Championship with a 5-0 win over the Chowan Hawks. After entering the tournament as the lowest seed, the Rams took control early and finished their run to the championship with a dominant effort in the championship match.

"I'm proud of these guys. The 6:00 a.m. practices, they complained, but they fought through and that's what it's all about," WSSU tennis head coach Brian Coxton said. "It's the championship and everybody has to come hard and that's what they did today and I'm proud of them."

The Rams opened the day with an impressive 8-0 win at #3 doubles with the duo of junior Chris Jeter and sophomore Drew Dunzweiler taking the win. The team continued to roll in #2 doubles when freshmen Corey Bonnette and Josh Aubrey took an 8-4 win and completed the effort with a #1 doubles win by junior Creighton Jones and sophomore Jonathan Aubrey.

In singles play, it was Jonathan Aubrey who set the stage with a 6-1, 6-0 win at #3 singles while Jeter completed the win with a 6-4, 6-0 win to finish the 5-0 win for the Rams.

"It's about heart and pride and after every practice, that's what I told them," Coxton added. "I made sure that we realized that that's what it would take to get the win today."

With the win, the Rams claim the 2013 CIAA Men's Tennis Championship. Bonnette was honored as the 2013 CIAA Men't Championship Tournament MVP. For more information on WSSU Tennis, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.

Box Score


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St. Aug wins 16th straight CIAA men's outdoor track & field title

Petersburg, Va. — Saint Augustine’s University won its 16th consecutive men’s title on the final day of the CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at Rogers Stadium on the Virginia State University campus on Saturday, April 20, 2013.

In the men’s events, St. Aug scored 213 points to run away with the championship. Virginia State was second with 123 points and Virginia Union was third with 101 points. The Falcons trailed Virginia Union 59-41 after the first day on Friday, but scored 172 points on Saturday to distance itself from the field.

In the women’s events, Johnson C. Smith scored 146.50 points to claim first place. Winston-Salem State was second with 108 points and Virginia State was third with 101 points. St. Aug placed fourth with 92 points.

Jermaine Jones (So./Wilmington, N.C.) of the Falcons was named men’s track most outstanding performer after winning the 100 dash, 200 dash and anchoring the 4x100 relay team to victory. He ran a time of 10.37 seconds in the 100 and 21.26 seconds in the 200. He helped the 4x100 team which included Ramaan Ansley (Sr./Philadelphia, Pa.), Taffawee Johnson and Burkheart Ellis, Jr. (Fr./Raleigh, N.C.) run a winning time of 40.22 seconds.

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Williams Named CIAA Outdoor Men's Track & Field Top Coach

Coach Williams (center) Poses With CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter and
WSSU AD Bill Hayes,  the CIAA Track Committee Co-Chair Along With Williams.
(Click photo to enlarge)

PETERSBURG, Va. - George Williams of Saint Augustine's University was named CIAA outdoor men's track & field coach of the year at the Spring Sports Festival Track & Field Banquet on the campus of Virginia State University on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

Williams, the legendary St. Aug track & field coach and athletic director, has guided the men's track team to a No. 1 national ranking in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II poll for the third straight week. His squad is a prohibitive favorite to win their 16th consecutive CIAA outdoor men's crown this weekend.

Williams directed the men's team to the CIAA indoor title and the NCAA Division II indoor title earlier in 2013. Overall, his men's and women's teams at St. Aug have won 32 NCAA titles and approximately 150 CIAA championships. He has won over 200 coach of the year awards, including the 2013 USTFCCCA men's Division II indoor coach of the year award, and he was the head coach of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. His scholarship student-athletes have a 95 percent graduation rate.


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WSSU wins third-straight CIAA baseball title

PETERSBURG, Va. —Tyler Hickernell pitched eight strong innings and drove in two runs to help Winston-Salem State beat Chowan 9-1 on Saturday to win the CIAA baseball championship for the third consecutive season.

WSSU clinched a spot in next month’s NCAA Division II regionals by winning the conference title.

Hickernell (7-4), a senior from Thomasville, gave up just one run on six hits. He walked two and struck out five. He also went 2 for 4 with a double at the plate.

The Rams (37-9) scored three runs in the bottom of the first. Chowan scored its only run in the top of the fourth, but WSSU pulled away with two runs in the fifth and four more runs in the sixth.

First baseman Aaron Jones went 4 for 5 with a double, three runs and an RBI for WSSU. Travis Moore and Paco Martin added two hits each for the Rams.

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Stillman grabs SIAC track honors

ATLANTA | Stillman College made a clean sweep of SIAC track and field honors in the men’s West Division and added one award in the women’s West Division.

Stillman sprinter Jeffrey Henderson is SIAC West Division Track Athlete of the Year and Field Athlete of the Year. On the track, Henderson ran a 10.29 in the 100-meter event last weekend at the Ole Miss Invitational. His time ranks second overall in Division II and 11th overall among all NCAA 100-meter athletes.

Stillman won the West Division team championship, while coach Pierre Goode is West Division Coach of the Year for the ...

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Big, athletic NCCU DT John Drew waits to dip toe into NFL waters

DURHAM, North Carolina  — Something as small as John Drew’s big toe almost stepped on his opportunity for a shot at the NFL.

“You never know how a toe could make a 330-pound guy not be able to play for the rest of the season,” Drew said. “You never really know when it’s your last play.”

Drew’s toe let him down when he hurt it in the first quarter against eventual MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman late in the season.

The teams were tied for the MEAC lead at the time, but the loss dropped the Eagles to second. Without Drew anchoring the middle of the defensive line and drawing the double-team blocking that freed up his linemates, NCCU finished the MEAC season tied for third.

Since the injury, Drew has concerned ...

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WSSU baseball team beats Virginia State in 10 innings

PETERSBURG, Va. — Shortstop Nick Christopher’s error in the bottom of the 10th allowed German Reyes to score the winning run with one out as Winston-Salem State beat Virginia State 6-5 in the CIAA baseball tournament today.

 

The Rams (36-9) advanced to the championship game, which will be played on Saturday. The Rams, the two-time defending champions, will play Virginia State or Chowan on Saturday at 1 p.m. Chowan and Virginia State played in an elimination game later this afternoon.

 

Reyes led off the bottom of the 10th with a walk and Levi Grassley was then hit by a pitch. Rafael Gonzalez grounded out as both runners moved up. Chris Constantine was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out.

 

Brandon Harrison then hit a ground ball to shortstop and Christopher’s error allowed Reyes to score the winning run.

 

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No. 1 Xavier tennis team eyes national title

 NEW ORLEANS  --  There's something awfully special about being number one, and the Xavier women's tennis team now has its sights set on a national championship.

Wet forecast pushes back NAIA tournament start to Saturday

NEW ORLEANS — A 90-percent chance of rain has postponed Friday's tennis matches — including those of Xavier University of Louisiana's men and women — in an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament at Jonesboro, Ga.

Intellicast.com predicts showers and thundershowers Friday morning, then cloudy with rain likely in the afternoon, perhaps with thunder. But sunny skies are expected for the weekend, with highs of 67 on Saturday and 70 on Sunday. Overnight lows will be 42 and 45.

Friday's first-day schedule at Clayton County Tennis Center was moved to Saturday. For the Gold Rush, ranked fifth in the NAIA and two-time defending champion of this event, that still means a bye in the quarterfinals and a semifinal dual against fourth-seeded SCAD Atlanta or fifth-seeded Reinhardt no sooner than 2 p.m. EDT. Xavier's women, ranked first in the NAIA and the 2012 champion of this event, will play no sooner than 11:30 a.m. EDT against Fisk in the quarterfinals. If the Nuggets advance, they'll play Columbia (S.C.) or Tennessee Wesleyan in the semifinals no sooner than 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

The championship duals will be played Sunday. Meet director Glen Hill, the SCAD Atlanta men's and women's tennis coach, wrote in an email to participating schools that an early simultaneous start of the men's and women's finals is possible to help with return travel. That could be a blessing for the Rush and Nuggets, who will try to make it home in time for Xavier's athletics award banquet Sunday night.

The men's and women's tournament champions will receive automatic berths in the NAIA National Championship, which will be played May 14-18 at Mobile, Ala.

NAIA Unaffiliated Group Tournament WOMEN Clayton County Tennis Center, Jonesboro, Ga. . . . all times Eastern Quarterfinals — Saturday, April 20 #1 Xavier vs. #8 Fisk, not before 11:30 a.m. #4 Columbia (S.C.) vs. #5 Tennessee Wesleyan, not before 11:30 a.m. #3 Milligan vs. #6 Reinhardt, not before 11:30 a.m. #2 SCAD Atlanta vs. #7 Tougaloo, not before 11:30 a.m. Semifinals — Saturday, April 20 Xavier-Fisk winner vs. Columbia (S.C.)-Tennessee Wesleyan winner, not before 4:30 p.m. Milligan-Reinhardt winner vs. SCAD Atlanta-Tougaloo winner, not before 4:30 p.m. Championship — Sunday, April 21 Semifinal winners, TBA

NAIA Unaffiliated Group Tournament MEN Clayton County Tennis Center, Jonesboro, Ga. . . . all times Eastern Quarterfinals — Saturday, April 20 #1 Xavier has a bye #4 SCAD Atlanta vs. #5 Reinhardt, 9 a.m. #3 Tennessee Wesleyan vs. #6 Tougaloo, 9 a.m. #2 Milligan vs. #7 Fisk, 9 a.m. Semifinals — Saturday, April 20 Xavier vs. SCAD Atlanta-Reinhardt winner, not before 2 p.m. Milligan-Fisk winner vs. Tennessee Wesleyan-Tougaloo winner, not before 2 p.m. Championship — Sunday, April 21 Semifinal winners, TBA

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSIY OF LOUISIANA

Robinson to play football at South Carolina State

ELIZABETHTOWN, North Carolina — Two-way lineman Latyson Robinson will continue his football career at South Carolina State in Orangeburg, S.C.

Robinson made the official announcement on Thursday morning.

The Eagles’ 6-foot, 2-inch, 270-pound lineman was a first-team All-Waccamaw Conference player as a junior and senior. He was also listed as an All-Area lineman by the Wilmington StarNews. he was also a pre-season and post-season all-state selection by NCpreps.

“He’s a good kid, and I’m excited for him to get this opportunity,” said east Bladen football coach Robby Priest. “He’s a hard worker, not a character risk by any means with a lot of upside and potential.

“I think South Carolina State will be a really good fit for him,” Priest added.

Robinson was one of Priest’s picks prior to the 2012 season as a player to watch.

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MEAC Champs A&T Announce Additional Signees

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The 2013 MEAC men’s basketball champions, the North Carolina A&T Aggies, announced the signing of four additional players to a recruiting class that started with the signing of three players in November.

Steven Burrough (6-9, 220, Charlotte, N.C., Harding), Nicholas Reese (6-7, 190, Los Angeles, Westchester), Jerome Simmons (6-8, 230, Jacksonville, N.C., Massanutten Military Academy) and James Whitaker (6-5, 180, Portsmouth, Va., Norcom) will wear blue and gold for the Aggies in 2013-14.

In November, the Aggies signed Maurice Taylor (6-7, 200, Chestnut, Mass., Beaver Country Day), Bryan Akinkugbe (6-9, 225, Bowie, Md., Columbia State College) and Khary Doby (6-7, 195, Upper Marlboro, Md., Riverside).

On football’s National Signing Day, the Aggies football staff announced Denzel Keyes (6-4, 210, Kinston, N.C., Kinston) will double as a football and a basketball player at A&T. Keyes led the Vikings to consecutive North Carolina Class 2A state titles in basketball. He was named game MVP in 2013 after posting 18 points and 10 rebounds in the 56-53 win over Waxhaw Cuthbertson at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

“The thing I like about all these guys is that they come from winning high school programs,” said A&T head men’s basketball coach Cy Alexander. “I think it is huge in the development of building a program, to get guys in your program, who understand what it takes to not only win, but win championships.”

Burrough led Harding to the N.C. 3A regional semifinals this past season after averaging 10.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.4 blocks per game. Burrough ended his career as the Rams’ all-time leading shot blocker. He earned All-MEGA 7 conference honors two straight seasons, and he earned a spot on the Charlotte Observer’s All-Area team. In December, Burrough posted a triple-double against West Mecklenburg with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 12 blocked shots.

“He is a really skilled young man who will need to learn how to compete at the collegiate level,” Alexander said about Burrough. “He needs to get stronger in his upper body, but he already has a college lower body. He has a nice jump hook, and had the ability in high school to block shots. Hopefully, he can bring that to the collegiate level.”

Reese’s Westchester team went 29-7 last season and finished 12-0 in the Western League. Reese led the Comets to the California Interscholastic Federation Los Angeles City Championship, and they earned a spot in the state championship game. He was ranked as one of the best players in the state of California, earning first-team All-City honors, after averaging 14.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game as a senior.

“He is a good all-around athlete who obviously played in a terrific league in Los Angeles and competed against high-quality athletes on a daily basis,” said Alexander. “Any time you can make first team in the city of Los Angeles, it probably means you’re a pretty good player.”

Alexander described Simmons as a “rebounding machine.” “He’s going to go get it. He has a nose for the ball,” Alexander added.

Simmons attended the same high school as Adrian Powell, a player who helped Alexander win the 2013 MEAC title by being named Most Outstanding Performer of the MEAC tournament. Simmons averaged 13.9 points and 8.9 rebounds at Oakwood High School before transferring to Massanutten Military Academy as a senior, where he averaged 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Whitaker comes from a solid basketball background. His father played at Virginia Tech and his uncle played at Seton Hall. His coach, Leon Goolsby, is an A&T graduate. Whitaker was second-team All-Tidewater after the Greyhounds claimed the Eastern District regular-season and tournament titles. He also earned all-district and All-Eastern Region honors. Whitaker’s senior season ended with him averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

“He will compete for playing time at the big guard position,” said Alexander. “He probably needs to get stronger, but he knows how to score the basketball. He has a real good basketball IQ.”

Alexander said he is looking to sign one more player to this recruiting class. The Aggies said farewell to seven seniors after losing to eventual national champions Louisville in the second round of the NCAA tournament. They will return two starters, guard Lamont Middleton and center Bruce Beckford, and one key reserve, guard Jeremy Underwood, next season.

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