Gold Nuggets will take their 11th trip to nationals

NEW ORLEANS — After achieving success against one of the nation's most challenging schedules, Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis was announced Monday as one of 24 teams selected for the NAIA National Championships.

The Gold Nuggets — 7-13 with five victories against ranked opponents — qualified for the sixth consecutive season, the ninth time in 10 years and the 11th time overall. XULA received one of 10 at-large bids.

The final pretournament step — the NAIA's announcement of the bracket and seedings — will occur Tuesday. The five-day tournament will begin May 16 at Mobile, Ala.

The top eight seeds will receive first-round byes and play their first matches May 17. The XULA women — No. 7 in the coaches poll announced Sunday — received a bye in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

All of the Gold Nuggets' losses this season are to ranked or NCAA Division I opponents.

A year ago the Gold Nuggets lost 5-2 to Northwestern Ohio in the first round. The Nuggets reached the national semifinals in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

This is the sixth consecutive year and the eighth time in nine years that both XULA tennis teams qualified for nationals. The XULA men received their ninth consecutive bid to nationals Monday.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Rush do the two-step again in NAIA coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana made its 85th consecutive top-25 appearance Sunday and remained No. 2 in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Poll.

The Gold Rush (11-5) have been No. 2 in all eight polls of 2017. This is the final ranking before Monday's announcement of the 24 men's teams and 24 women's teams that qualified for the NAIA National Championships. The NAIA will announce Tuesday the brackets and seedings.

XULA possesses the longest active NAIA streak of men's tennis top-25 appearances. The streak began April 4, 2007.

The national tourney will be played May 16-20 at Mobile, Ala.
The Gold Rush active poll streaks:

• 85 consecutive appearances in the top 25 . . . streak began April 4, 2007.
• 76 consecutive appearances in the top 20 . . . streak began April 30, 2008.
• 61 consecutive appearances in the top 15 . . . streak began Feb. 1, 2011.
• 55 consecutive appearances in the top 10 . . . streak began May 3, 2011.
• 17 consecutive appearances in the top 5 . . . streak began Jan. 26, 2016.
• 15 consecutive appearances in the top 3 . . . streak began March 1, 2016.
• 9 consecutive appearances in the top 2 . . . streak began May 25, 2016.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through May 5)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Georgia Gwinnett (14) 19-0 374 1
2 XULA 11-5 362 2
3 Keiser 18-4 350 3
4 Northwestern Ohio 21-1 338 4
5 Campbellsville 20-3 319 9
6 William Carey 17-5 315 6
7 Lindsey Wilson 16-6 299 5
8 Arizona Christian 15-12 289 7
9 William Woods 13-5 287 8
10 Cardinal Stritch 18-5 262 10
11 Mobile 22-4 254 11
12 Westmont 13-7 245 12
13 San Diego Christian 6-10 228 13
14 Coastal Georgia 14-7 218 14
15 Reinhardt 13-5 206 15
16 Middle Georgia 9-8 192 16
17 Tennessee Wesleyan 12-4 169 23
18 Olivet Nazarene 12-7 152 19
19 SCAD Savannah 8-8 150 20
20 Lawrence Tech 20-6 146 24
21 McPherson 12-3 122 21
22 Aquinas 17-7 120 17
23 Cumberland 7-6 116 22
24 SCAD Atlanta 11-4 114 18
25 St. Thomas (Fla.) 5-10 84 25

Dropped from rankings: none
Others receiving votes: Asbury 76, Warner 40, Davenport 30, Missouri Valley 25, Cumberlands 22, Judson (Ill.) 11, Point 10, Marian (Ind.) 10, Bethany (Kan.) 10, Lewis-Clark State 9

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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WSSU Rams Take Home 2017 CIAA Baseball Championship

PETERSBURG, Virginia -- The Winston-Salem State Rams defeated the Chowan Hawks twice on Saturday, to win the CIAA Baseball Championship on Saturday, 10-1 and 10-4.

In the first game, the WSSU Rams jumped on the Chowan pitcher early, as Ivan Acuna doubled to left field, scoring Randy Norris, as WSSU took a 1-0 lead.

The Rams added to their early lead in the third, W

hen Randal Ortiz drove in Brandon Ford and Landon Steiner drove in Ivan Acuna, to give the Rams a 3-0 lead in the third inning.

Chowan answered with their only run in the fourth inning, when Harry Markotay hit a sac fly to allowing Marvin Harrell to score.

BOX SCORE

In the fifth inning, WSSU opened it up more, by scoring three runs. Landon Steiner singled, scoring Emilio Abreu, while Willie McRae singled scoring Steiner. Randy Norris would double to left, allowing Michael McNamara to score, to give the Rams a 6-1 advantage.

WSSU added a run in the sixth, when Randal Ortiz singled down the right field line, allowing Ivan Acuna to score.

The Rams added another run in the eighth inning, when Emilio Abreu doubled down the left field line, scoring John Garcia.

In the ninth, Willie McRae singled scoring Landon Steiner, and Michael McNamara would score on a wild pitch to finish the games scoring, as the Rams took the important win to force a second game, 10-1.

Willie McRae went two for five with two runs batted in, Landon Steiner went two for four with two runs batted in and two runs scored, Randal Ortriz went one for four with two runs batted in and Ivan Acuna went one for four with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Randy Norris went three for six with a run scored and a run batted in and Emilio Abreu went two for three with a run scored and a run batted in. Michael McNamara went two for four with two runs scored, while Brandon Ford went one for six with a run scored and John Garcia also scored a run. Randy Norris, Ivan Acuna, Emilio Abreu and Michael McNamara each had doubles.

Jordan Carlton got the win in pitching a gem for the Rams, pitching a complete game, going nine innings, allowing just one run and four hits, while striking out eight.

In game two, the deciding game, the Rams broke the game open in the first inning, as Emilio Abreu singled scoring Brandon Ford, and Randal Ortiz doubled, scoring Ivan Acuna. Landon Steiner doubled scoring Emilio Abreu.

In the second inning, Emilio Abreu hit a three run home run, to push the Rams out in front 7-0.

The Chowan Hawks answered with three runs in the third inning, to cut into the Rams lead, 7-3.

In the fourth inning, WSSU added to their lead, as Randal Ortiz singled to left, scoring Brandon Ford and Landon Steiner singld to center, allowing Emilio Abreu to score.

WSSU scored another run in the fifth, when Ivan Acuna doubled to left field, scoring John Garcia.

Chowan added a run in the eighth inning, when Tyler Jones singled, scoring Robert Williams.

Kanoa Hironaka shut down the hawks the rest of the way, en route to the Rams becoming the 2017 CIAA Baseball Champions for the sixth time in seven years.

Emilio Abreu led the Rams, going three for five with four runs batted in and three runs scored, and Landon Steiner went two for four with three runs batted in. Randal Ortiz finished two for four with a run scored and two runs batted in. Ivan Acuna went three for five with two runs scored and one run batted in. Randy Norris went one for five and Brandon Ford went one for two three runs scored. 

Michael McNamara went one for four and John Garcia also scored a run. Ivan Acuna, Randal Ortiz and Landon Steiner each had a double, and Emilio Abreu had a home run.

Kanoa Hironaka go the win, pitching a complete game, allowing 10 hits and four runs, while striking out eight.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Benedict Wins SIAC Women's Track & Field Championship

ALBANY, Georgia – The Benedict College women's track & field team won the 2017 SIAC Championship on Saturday, winning seven events on the final day to surge to the top of the team standings.

Benedict won a total of nine events over the three days of competition and finished with 216 total points. Albany State finished second with 187 points and Clark Atlanta was third with 179.5 points.

Jenella John had a strong championship, winning the 800 meter run, the 1500 meter run, the 5000 meter run and the 3000 meter steeplechase for a total of 40 points. John won the 800 meter race by 14 seconds, the 1500 meter race by 18 seconds, the 5000 meter race by nearly 33 seconds and the steeplechase by more than 24 seconds.

Brianna Frazier won the women's 200 meter dash, the 400 meter dash and the triple jump. She also finished third in the long jump to earn 36 total points.

Benedict also won both relay races, capturing the 4x100 and the 4x400 races. Benedict dominated the 4x400 race, beating second-place Clark Atlanta by nearly six seconds.

Benedict took the top three spots in the 400 meter dash, with Phoebe Johnson finishing second and Sorenya Miller finishing third. Johnson also finished second in the 100 meter dash and the 200 meter dash.

Lea Tshikaya finished second in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles. Princess Hammett finished third in the 100-meter hurdles.

Dae'Shondra Stephens finished second in the hammer throw and was fourth in the discus.

BENEDICT TIGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Albany State Golden Rams win SIAC Championship

2017 SIAC Track & Field Championship Results

ALBANY, Georgia -- Senior Jared Jordan capped an exciting run to the 2017 SIAC Men's Track & Field Championship with a comeback lap for the 4x400-meter relay team. The Albany State men's team won the title after trailing Benedict for most of the meet.

It's Albany State's first conference title since 2014.

After 21 events, Albany State finished with 248 points as a team. Benedict College was second with 220.5 points, and Morehouse College placed third with 107 points. Central State University (59) and Claflin University (49) completed the top five.

Individually, Cervantes Jackson won the SIAC Cleve Abbott Award which is awarded to the top individual performer throughout the championship. He also was named the SIAC Men's Field Most Valuable Performer.

Jackson recorded 58 points during the three-day event. He won the decathlon (6,016), long jump (7.19m) and javelin (47.23m). Jackson earned silver medals in the high jump (1.93) and triple jump (15.45m). He also finished third in the 110-meter hurdles (14.64) and pole vault (2.89m).

On the final day of competition, Jordan and freshman Christopher Jackson finished 1-2 in the 100- and 200-meters runs. Jordan recorded times of 10.33 and 21.01, respectively. Jackson had marks of 10.41 and 21.31.

The Golden Rams also received a huge boost in the 800-meter run. The trio of Joshua Ajiero (1:56.95), Jamorris Hill (1:57.11) and Martin Jones (1:57.92) swept the top three spots for ASU.

ASU also won the 4x100-meter relay (40.95) and the 4x400-meter event (3:16.44ALB).

Kenneth Taylor of Albany State was named the SIAC Men's Track & Field Championship Outstanding Coach after leading the Golden Rams to their second title in three years.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Lane College announces 2017 football schedule

JACKSON, Tennessee -- Lane College has released their 2017 football schedule and there will be some familiar teams to Dragons fans as nine of the 10 opponents this team faced off against last season are on the current schedule. Looking to improve on last season's 5-5 overall record, the team hits the road for three straight weeks before returning for a three-game home stand that finishes with an October 7 matchup against Langston University as part of the Lane College homecoming festivities.

• Sept. 2 @Texas College (CME Classic) - The Dragons trailed 6-0 before rattling off 44 straight points to pick up their first win of the season 44-6 at home in the inaugural CME Classic. This season the Dragons will face off against the Steers in Tyler, Texas.

• Sept. 9 @Morehouse College - Lane College dropped a heartbreaker in the season finale last year to the Maroon Tigers as Morehouse was able to thwart a comeback from the Dragons when they recovered the onside kick late in the fourth quarter to secure a 24-21 victory. This season, the Dragons look to even the score when they head to face the Tigers in Atlanta.

• Sept. 16 @Benedict College - Raul Martinez scored 13 of the Dragons' 19 points with his leg including the go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter to give Lane College a thrilling 19-18 homecoming win. The Dragons look to make it two-straight over the Tigers when they travel to Columbia, South Carolina for the third straight road game of the 2017 campaign.

• Sept. 23 Clark-Atlanta University - You have to go all the way back to 2014 to see the last time these teams met. The Dragons lost on the road by a field goal 20-17 in Atlanta but this year Lane College is the home team and the Dragons look to settle the score with the Panthers.

• Sept. 30 Tuskegee University - The Dragons struggled on the road, falling to the Golden Tigers 38-7 in Tuskegee, Alabama. This season, it's the Golden Tigers that have to travel and the Dragons who look to protect the home turf.

• Oct. 7 Langston University (Homecoming) - Lane College outgunned Langston University in the Black Wall Street Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma last season, 46-44. This year, the Lions come to town to take on the Dragons at homecoming.

• Oct. 14 @Fort Valley State University - After scoring 44 points in the season opener, the Dragons relied on the defensive side of the ball to pick up their second win of the season, knocking off the Wildcats 10-7 at Lane Field. This time, the battle will take place at the home of the Wildcats in Fort Valley, Georgia.

• Oct. 21 @Miles College - Lane College defensive lineman Whitney Richardson recorded nine total tackles in a 26-14 loss to Miles College. He also recorded a sack that led to a fumble and a defensive touchdown for the Dragons in the third quarter. This time the Golden Bears hold the home-field advantage when the Dragons travel to Fairfield, Alabama.

• Oct. 28 Kentucky State University - The Dragons picked up their fifth win of the season in the next to last game of the year, knocking off the Thorobreds 35-21 on the road in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Dragons look for two in a road over Kentucky State, this time at the cozy confines of Lane Field.

• Nov. 4 Central State University - The Dragons only trailed by seven at the half but were outscored 13-3 in the second half, falling on the road to the Marauders 27-10 in Wilberforce, Ohio. This time, the final game of the season will be, right here, in Jackson.

LANE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

North Carolina A&T Aggie Men Complete MEAC Sweep

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Senior Chris Belcher became a part of the Aggie consciousness at the 2016 MEAC Track and Field Championships when he ran a then conference-meet record 10.07 to win the 100 meters. His next three 100m times in 2016, however, were 10.29, 10.30 and 10.71. Fast forward to 2017 and Belcher became a part of the world's consciousness when he posted a 9.99 in the 100m at the 2017 Aggie Invitational at N.C. A&T's Irwin Belk Track on April 14. His next three times in the 100m after 9.99 were 10.05, 10.10 and Saturday's record-breaking 10.04 at the 2017 MEAC Track and Field Championships at Irwin Belk Track to help the Aggies win their first men's outdoor championship in 21 years.

The N.C. A&T women's track and field team claimed the outdoor title, giving the Aggies a sweep of the indoor and outdoor titles for the first time in school history. The last MEAC school to win all four track and field championships was Hampton in 2003. The winning of four MEAC titles in one year is also a N.C. A&T department of athletics school record. It wasn't close on the men's side. The Aggies posted 178 points to tower over second-place Bethune-Cookman who finished with 115.5 points.

2017 MEAC Outdoor Championship Results

In addition to breaking the conference-meet record for the second straight year, Belcher also took gold in the 200m (20.59) and was one-fourth of first-place 4x100 meter relay team. Belcher credits the learning process for his consistency this season. He said over the past month he has come to understand what Duane Ross, director of track and field programs, has been teaching him. He said he has become better at making those lessons a part of his everyday routine as he mentioned the importance of wicket drills, driving out well, keeping his knees up and using his arms.

Ross took Belcher through these processes because he more time to work with him this season. Belcher arrived in Aggieland in January of 2016. Ross and his staff had to rush Belcher into shape because he was admitted in the spring. They were able to get him to the point where he could run a 10.07, but there was a price to pay. “When you're trying to get an athlete into shape you're somewhat sacrificing other aspects of his training,” said Ross. “This year we were able to bring him along slowly. We made sure he was healthy. When an athlete is physically healthy and they start to see their times come down, mentally they are just on top of the world.

We took him to the side and said ‘This is how we're going to train you this year.' No sprinter trains the exact same way. We train them based on where they need to improve. The reason why I think my sprinters progress so fast is because we are able to give them individual attention.”

Belcher may be the most known Aggie at the top of the world, but he is far from the only one there. N.C. A&T walked away with seven first-place finishes. On Saturday, those finishes were record-breaking. The men's 4x1 which includes Belcher, sophomore Rodney Rowe, senior Caleb Gabriel and junior Joel Thomas broke the conference record with a 39.44 time. The record was set by nearly the same group of gentlemen in 2016 when Maurice Eaddy, Belcher, Gabriel and Rowe ran 39.58.

“It means the world to us to win indoor and outdoor,” said Belcher. “From day one in August we've been telling everyone we were going to sweep indoor and outdoor. We've been putting it all over social media, so we had to back it up. We come out here, we talk our trash and then we do what we have to do.”

The Aggie men were so good on Saturday, they even picked up wins where they weren't expected. N.C. A&T elite hurdler Michael Dickson failed to qualify in the 110-meter hurdles finals because on Friday he tripped and fell over a hurdle in a race he was clearly going to win. In Dickson's place, senior TeQuille Jackson improved on a fourth-place finish in the preliminaries on Friday to win the title on Saturday with a personal-best 13.92. Jackson's marvelous MEAC time moves him to 13th in the NCAA Division I East Region, one spot behind Dickson.

Expectations were high for Dajuan Harding, and he had no problem meeting them. Harding was four-tenths of a second off his PR on Saturday in the 400m when he posted a 46.18 time to win the event. Harding then ran the anchor leg on the first-place 4x4 team on Saturday. He joined sophomore Justin Hamilton, senior Dorian Claggett and freshman Najee Reams to run a 3:07.32.

The Aggies will now move their focus to the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round (East regional) in three weeks. From there they hope to take numerous athletes to the NCAA outdoor championships. After not having the type of performance he wanted at the NCAA indoor championships, Belcher hopes his newfound consistency will carry over to All-America and even national champion status.

“The main focus going into regionals and going into nationals is running there like I have been running here,” said Belcher. “I definitely need to show out because next year I'm going for everybody in the world.”

First-Team All-MEAC
10,000m – Darren White (31:32.64)*; 4x100 – Chris Belcher, Rodney Rowe, Caleb Gabriel, Joel Thomas (39.44)^; 100m – Chris Belcher (10.04)*; 110mh – TeQuille Jackson (13.92); 400m – Dajuan Harding (46.18); 200m – Chris Belcher (20.59); 4x400 – Justin Hamilton, Dorian Claggett, Najee Reams, Dajuan Harding (3:07.32).

Second-Team All-MEAC
Triple Jump – Lasheon Strozier (49-feet, 8 ½ inches); Hammer Throw – Derrick Wheeler (164-feet, 4-inches); 200m – Rodney Rowe (20.79); 5000m – Darren White (15:24.18); 3000m steeplechase – Darren White (9:20.29);

Third-Team All-MEAC
High Jump – Nehemiah Lipford (6-feet, 9-inches); Long Jump – Lasheon Strozier (24-feet, 3-inches); 100m – Caleb Gabriel (10.27).

*MEAC Outdoor Championship Record
^MEAC record

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Ashley Walker Named Fifth Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Mississippi Valley

ITTA BENA, Mississippi  –  Mississippi Valley State University's Director of Athletics Dianthia Ford-Kee announced Ashley Walker as the fifth head women's basketball coach on May 5, 2017. Walker believes her track record for recruiting student-athletes and discipline philosophy that focuses on mental and physical growth through teaching will continue the upward momentum of the women's basketball program. She brings 12-years of collegiate coaching experience.

"I am elated Coach Walker accepted the opportunity to lead our women's basketball team. Her competitive drive and ability to transition that drive to the young ladies will make for exciting basketball at the Valley," stated Ford-Kee, "She is vested in developing champions of character through sports on and off the playing surface. Her get it done attitude and strategic approach to the game will lead our program to be a force to recon with sooner rather than later in conference as well as non-conference play."

Walker comes to Mississippi Valley State after serving two years at Wiley College (May 2015). While at Wiley, she tallied an overall record of 39-17. Walker has the experience to propel the hungry Devilettes team forward. She was responsible for the day-to-day decision making for her program at Wiley. In addition to the day-to-day operations, Walker oversaw the budget, served as a liaison for Champions of Character with the N.A.I.A and spearheaded the program's fundraising efforts.

Before taking on the head role at Wiley, Walker spent three seasons as an assistant at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. While at South Carolina State, she helped the team to an impressive 20-9 record in her first season and coached two-time All-MEAC performer Kourtney Williams, who finished her career as the seventh all-time leading scorer in South Carolina State women's basketball history. During her tenure, South Carolina State also record victories over Clemson University and several teams from the Big South, SoCon, Atlantic South and Ohio Valley Conferences.

Prior to SC State, Walker was an assistant coach at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas for seven seasons (2005-2012). During her time, the team compiled a record of 135-81.

Walker, a Bryan, Texas native, played two years at Angelina College after leaving Bryan High School as a highly sought-after recruit. In the 1999-2000 season, she was part of the team that broke the program record for wins in a season as her team finished 24-7. Her success at the junior-college level led to a scholarship at Texas Wesleyan University, which was in the Red River Athletic Conference where she played for another two seasons before receiving her Bachelor of Science in exercise of sports studies in 2005.

Upon graduating, Walker returned to Angelina College as an assistant to head coach Bryan Coleman. During her time at there, the team set a school-record 26 wins in the 2009-10 season, and she helped coach three National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Americans, two Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Americans and two freshmen of the year. Additionally, the 2006-07 team earned Academic All-American honors. Several of Walker's Lady Roadrunner players went on to play Division I basketball.

Walker is the daughter of Thomas and Dorothy Walker, who still reside in Bryan, Texas. Walker has one sister, Amanda, who lives in Austin, Texas.

Coach Walker will be introduced to the public and the media on May 17, 2017 at 12:00 pm in the Science and Technology Auditorium.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Yolanda Moore Named Next Head Coach for Clark Atlanta Women's Basketball

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Clark Atlanta University has named two-time WNBA champion Yolanda Moore as the next head coach for women's basketball. Moore had a standout career at Ole Miss before playing professionally. She has been a head coach on both the Junior College and NCAA Division I levels.

"We are very excited to have Coach Yolanda Moore joining the Panther family'" stated J. Lin Dawson, Clark Atlanta University Athletics Director. "She is the missing ingredient to build champions on and off the court. I am particularly encouraged by the empowerment and motivational skills she brings to women's basketball. Exposing student-athletes to individuals with the sum of her life experiences is priceless. She will build upon the exciting brand of basketball that Clark Atlanta is known for."

Moore spent one season at LSU Eunice (NJCAA) and led the Lady Bengals to a 26-4 mark - including winning 16 straight - after the prior two seasons totaled just 17 victories. Her lone season saw LSU Eunice register the second-highest win total in program history while also posting the highest winning percentage in 15 seasons.

She moved to Southeastern Louisiana to lead the Lady Lions for two seasons where she won 15 games while developing a trio of All-Southland Conference players. Her time saw SLU improve to 4th in the conference in Defensive Field Goal Percentage from 13th while also moving up to 4th in Offensive Rebounding from 10th. Six Lady Lions received recognition on the Commissioner's Honor Roll in Spring of 2015.

"I am extremely humbled by the opportunity to become part of the family and to work with someone with a vision like Mr. Dawson" declared Moore. "I am very happy to be at a school that puts an emphasis on women's sports and I hope to live up to the high level of support we receive. This is a wonderful fit for me personally and professionally. Clark Atlanta University and the city of Atlanta both have a rich history that I cannot wait to experience. I am excited to be part of the rebuild of the women's basketball program at CAU."

Moore has additional coaching experiences on the AAU and high school levels while her professional playing career saw her take the court in the WNBA, Europe and Asia over six seasons. Her collegiate playing days have earned her entry into the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame (2010) where she was a two-time All-SEC performer. In 2012 she was also named a Southeastern Conference Great.

Clark Atlanta defeated Lane (79-76) in the opening round of the SIAC Championship before falling to Claflin (70-55) in the second round. CAU will return a pair of All-SIAC selections in Marissa Mandeldove and Lauren Turner.

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Coleman, Mandlekar earn final GCAC awards of 2016-17

NEW ORLEANS — Keairez Coleman (men's field) and Tushar Mandlekar (men's tennis) scooped up the last of Xavier University of Louisiana's 53 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards for the 2016-17 academic year.
     
The GCAC announced the two Tuesday as recipients for April 24-30.
     
Coleman, a sophomore biology major from Harrisville, Miss., and a graduate of Mendenhall High School, triple-jumped 14.32 meters (46 feet, 11 3/4 inches) this past Friday at the Southern Miss Open — a PR and a B-qualifying mark for the NAIA National Championships.
     
Mandlekar, a senior business administration major from Bhilai, India, and a graduate of Deepak Nagar School, won in doubles and singles April 24 to help the Gold Rush win 4-3 at NCAA Division I University of New Orleans. Mandlekar and Karan Salwan defeated Luis Albuquerque and Giacomo Adoncecchi 6-2 on the third doubles court, then Mandlekar clinched the dual at No. 5 singles with a 7-5, 7-5 victory against Albuquerque.
     
Coleman set XULA men's field records for most GCAC awards in a season (3) and career (5). He previously shared both marks with Christopher Kennie. Mandlekar's honor is his first of the season and fifth of his career.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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CoSIDA salutes 25-Year Award recipient Ed Cassiere, XULA

By Paul Just
Western Kentucky University Sports Information Director (retired)

NEW ORLEANS -- In 1974, a sophomore at Jesuit High School (now Loyola College Prep) in Shreveport, La., looked proudly at his first byline in the sports section of the Shreveport Times as he wrote a story on a high school football game.
    
"A Jesuit classmate, John James Marshall, recommended me to preps editor Nico Van Thyn for a part-time job at The Times," Cassiere said. "That's how I got a foot in the door."
     
That was the beginning of a career that led to a quarter century (and counting) for Ed Cassiere in college sports information.
     
"I first became aware of sports information when I was in the fourth or fifth grade," Cassiere recalls. "My dad was a Notre Dame fan and later my two brothers went to college there. They came home with a football media guide. I was fascinated with all the detail and information in that book. I was hooked!"
     
Now, 43 years after that first story, Cassiere is the SID at Xavier University of Louisiana and will be recognized for his 25 years of service to the profession at the CoSIDA June national convention in Orlando.
     
With a reputation as one of the most competent and effective SIDs in the country, Cassiere is an outstanding writer with an amazing ability to multi-task and produce results. He has honed his skills in both sports journalism and college sports information at various stops along the way.
     
After high school, he headed to the University of Missouri where he got his first taste of sports information as a student in the Tiger SID office (1977-80). He graduated in 1981 with a bachelor of journalism degree and returned home as a sportswriter for the Shreveport Journal for five years.
     
In 1984, he applied for an assistant SID position at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL Lafayette).
    
"I knew (ULL SID) Dan McDonald through our mutual involvement in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and always thought SID work was cool and prestigious and wanted to give it a try," Cassiere said.
     
Although he did not get the job, he was hired when he applied again two years later.
     
"I was familiar with Ed's work at the Journal. He was an excellent writer. I really valued his ability to tell a story," McDonald, a CoSIDA Hall of Famer, commented. "He can identify details that many might miss and then create effective ways to use them. Ed is absolutely one of the hardest working and most devoted people I know."
     
After a year at Lafayette, Cassiere took over as the SID at the University of New Orleans where he spent the next 13 years. Ed did it all for UNO publicity, news releases, media guides, game programs, web content, and media relations in the state's largest market. He successfully publicized NBA first-round draft pick Ervin Johnson and promoted legendary UNO baseball coach Ron Maestri as the school's first inductee into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. He also served as the host media relations director for the 1991 NCAA Women's Final Four and the 1993 Men's Final Four.
     
"Ed took great pride in our program," said former UNO men's basketball coach Tim Floyd (now at UTEP). 
"It seemed like he was always on the job. He really cared about us and we thought of him as a member of our team. Ed had to be the best in the country at identifying details that could help sell the program. He wrote stories that made readers really want to read them."
     
Cassiere left UNO in 2000 and became a freelance sports journalist in the New Orleans area, covering pro, college and high school sports while also assisting with media coordination for selected Louisiana High School Athletic Association championships.
     
In July 2006, Cassiere returned to college as SID for Xavier's nine-sport NAIA program. This summer he'll begin his 12th year at the New Orleans school.
     
"Ed is a real student of the business," said XU athletics director Jason Horn. "It is obvious that he loves what he's doing and that he wants to be the very best at it. He is a valued asset for Xavier athletics and an important member of our senior leadership team."
     
"Ed has elevated our whole athletic program, getting Xavier athletics noticed at the community, state, NAIA and national levels. He's a great SID, but an even better friend — I think all our coaches feel that way! In his second year here, I began calling him 'The Great One.' His daughters picked up on that and I believe they still call him 'The Great One'," said longtime Xavier women's basketball coach Bo Browder.
     
Through the years, Cassiere has earned 85 awards in state, regional and national contests for sports writing and sports information work — 23 of those first-place honors. He won 18 NAIA writing awards the past six years, including four for first place, four seconds and three thirds.
     
"As soon as Ed arrived at Xavier, we started getting more exposure. He helped put our program on the national map! Sometimes I think he never sleeps as it's not uncommon to get a text from him at two o'clock in the morning with an idea or a question!" noted Xavier men's and women's tennis coach Alan Green.
     
"You couldn't find a better person than Ed Cassiere," said Dennis Cousin, who was the AD who hired him at Xavier. "He went above and beyond to do anything he could to help our programs succeed. Ed worked so hard — he was always the last to leave."
     
Ed and his wife Sharon, reside in Metairie and are the parents of two daughters, Katrina and Amy.

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SWAC champions Grambling announce major upgrades to Robinson Stadium

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State University Director of Athletics Paul Bryant announced the first major renovations and upgrades to the Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium in decades, including a total football field turf overhaul and a high-tech digital scoreboard.

The project, with an estimated cost of $1.5 million to $2 million, is scheduled to start as early as next week. The aggressive construction timeline calls for a mid-August completion, just before the first game against Tulane University in New Orleans on Sept. 2 and the first home game at Robinson Memorial Stadium on Sept. 9.

"I haven't been here long, but I've heard loud and clear from our alumni, students and all kinds of GSU fans and stakeholders that this is long overdue," said Bryant, who arrived in January. "There's no time like the present, and it's time to make this happen."

In addition to the stadium upgrades, Bryant said the school is adding a fourth home game, something fans have discussed for years. Rather than play the Red River Classic in Shreveport this fall, the Texas Southern University football matchup will be played at home on Oct. 28. TSU has a big fan base, with a 2016 regular home attendance of 5,371 and away attendance averaging 8,665. Bryant said that game will now be the GSU homecoming game.

The 19,600-seat stadium opened in 1983, replacing the old Grambling Stadium, which was located not far from the university's baseball field. The stadium replaced a huge peach orchard, and contractors dug a lot of dirt to make the sloping landscape accommodate the football field that head football coach Eddie Robinson wanted. Often called "The Hole" because the entrances sit high above the field with seats in between, Grambling State fans have enjoyed G-Man football home games at the stadium for decades. In recent years, fans have clamored for upgrades.

"In 1983 when the stadium opened it was the only one of it's kind," said GSU President Rick Gallot. "Now, in 2017, it's the only one of its kind – and our championship football team deserves a championship stadium."

Gallot said Bryant and his athletics team brought the stadium upgrade ideas to him and he told the AD he would have to find a way to pay for the project. Bryant discussed options with Marc Newman, the school's institutional advancement vice president, and David Aubrey, chairman of the Grambling University Foundation, and they hatched the idea to seek foundation support to finance the project. The board approved the concept just a few days ago.

"This wouldn't be possible without the strong endorsement of Aubrey and the foundation board," added Bryant. "We have a partnership and a vision that all Grambling State University sports are important, and this is a piece of pursuing championship-level athletics programs."

Bryant noted that the school's soccer and softball fields are also being renovated.

"President Gallot has the type of athletics vision that brought me here, and he's allowing me to lead Grambling State to match the huge brand the school has internationally," said Bryant. "Thanks to the board and the president, we are going to make these things happen."

Head football coach Broderick Fobbs said he is excited about the stadium upgrades, and he's especially happy for his coaches and players. "This is huge for this team. This team has been through some tough times and they have stayed focused and brought home a national championship last year," he said. "This says a lot about how this administration views football and all of athletics, and we can't wait to play on a state-of-the-art football field with a state-of-the-art scoreboard. Our guys are going to love it."

Bryant said the company handling the turf overhaul and installation is Hellas Construction Inc., a nationally recognized leader in sports turf. Hellas has designed and installed turf for professional, college and high school sports groups, including the Dallas Cowboys, the Jacksonville Jaguars and several Texas high school teams. A new digital scoreboard will be installed by NEVCO of Greenville, Illinois, sign installment will be done by Shreveport Neon Signs and the new sound system will be handled by Gulf Coast Sound.

Aubrey said the foundation decided to support the upgrades with a significant investment because they believe in the leadership of Gallot and Bryant, and they see opportunities to seek additional support with field and scoreboard sponsorships as well as increased attendance. "This is a lot of money, but sometimes it takes spending money to bring the type of money you need to make a program successful," said Aubrey. "Gallot says he's supporting the athletics program with a holistic approach, and we believe that's what it's going to take to make the athletic program, and the school, successful."

Newman said businesses and corporate sponsors can expect to hear about some tremendous sponsorship opportunities associated with the project in the coming weeks. "We're looking for partners who want to invest in something great, and we're doing great things at Grambling State University," he said. "This whole thing has been moving quickly, and that's really exciting. I like the speed with which we've been moving to make things happen. We want to be sure existing and new partners have a chance to join us as the construction gets underway."

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS RELEASE

WSSU Athletics Director Tonia Walker receives three-year contract extension

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State University announced today a three-year extension to the contract of Athletics Director Tonia Walker. Walker has served in the role since May 2014 and has led the Rams athletic department to success on the field and in the classroom.

In her tenure, the Rams have taken home 14 CIAA championships. Student-athletes have also shined in the classroom, with more than 100 of them named to the Dean’s List for Fall 2016. The average GPA of student-athletes has increased from 2.80 to 2.93 from Fall 2014 to Fall 2016, and the graduation rate of student-athletes surpasses the university’s graduation rate by 10 percent. Additionally, since Walker assumed the director of athletics position, the department has seen a 34 percent increase in athletics giving and a 29 percent increase in ticket sales.

“Tonia Walker is undoubtedly the right choice for WSSU,” said Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson. “I believe she is one of the finest ADs in the country. Her commitment to our students is demonstrated in their success both on and off the field. She is a tremendous asset to the university and to college athletics.”

Named the 2015-16 CIAA Athletic Director of the Year and the 2016 Administrator of the Year for the National Association for Collegiate Athletics Administrators, Walker works to continuously advocate for and champion WSSU student-athletes and opportunities for women and minorities. She was one of eight participants around the country selected for the NCAA

Fellows Leadership Development Program. She is currently a member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association as well as the Black Women Sports Foundation.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead the department of athletics at Winston-Salem State University,” said Walker. “We have been able to accomplish some amazing things with the support of the administration, alumni, supporters, and a phenomenal staff. I look forward to our continued journey together.”

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU AD Overton: Budget cuts about 'right-sizing'

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. is looking to balance the budget of a cash-strapped athletic department. That means for the second year in a row, cuts are part of that equation.

Overton recently told coaches another 10 percent will be sliced from the athletic department’s budget, on top of a 10-percent cut from the previous year.

Overton told the Tallahassee Democrat in an interview after FAMU’s spring game he’s “right-sizing” FAMU’s budget.

He said in the end, he’s making FAMU’s spending more efficient and making choices that will benefit the department in the long run.

“I’ve done that every year I’ve been here,” Overton said.

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Is Anderson ASU's next 1,000-yard rusher?

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State coach Brian Jenkins isn’t questioning Alex Anderson’s talent.

He just wonders if the Miami Gardens, Fla., native wants to meet the challenge of replacing Khalid Thomas, the SWAC’s second-leading rusher last season.

“Anderson is going to have to make that decision if he wants to be that guy,” Jenkins said after Saturday’s Black and Gold game at ASU Stadium.

Jenkins said he has “several guys” who can be a featured back. Jenkins mentioned sophomore Ezra Gray out of Lynn Haven, Fla., as a player who just needs experience and could be a “home run hitter."

Still, Anderson is the team’s top returning rusher and possesses the ability to lead ASU’s rushing attack.

“It’s just about who’s going to step up,” Jenkins said. “Whether we get it done with one guy or by committee, doesn’t matter to me. Just as long as we can get it done, but I think Alex Anderson does have the ability to be a 1,000-yard back, but like I said, that’s going to be up to Alex.”

CONTINUE READING 

FAMU Softballers Clinch MEAC Southern Division

Alexis Day led FAMU with four hits and three RBIs in
Sunday's win over B-CU.

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – The FAMU Women's Softball team overcame its' self-destructive tendencies Sunday afternoon with a 15-hit attack to overhaul host Bethune-Cookman, 13-7, and capture the 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division championship at Sunnyland Field.

Sunday's win gave the Lady Rattlers (18-27-1, 13-2 MEAC) their first Southern Division crown since 2009, while foiling archrival Bethune-Cookman's bid for their first division title since 2014.

Bethune-Cookman (21-29, 11-4 MEAC), which gained a split of Saturday's doubleheader with a 6-5 win in Game Two, aided by an uncharacteristic eight FAMU errors, struck for three runs in the bottom of the second Sunday for an early 3-0 lead.

FAMU sliced the B-CU edge to 3-2 in the top of third, when Amber Fullwood's RBI double,followed by Toni Anderson's RBI single drove home two runs and began stoking the offensive flames for the Orange and Green.

The Wildcats plated a run in the bottom of the third for a 4-2 edge, but the FAMU offense found its' stride in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring 11 runs to break the game open.

In the fifth, FAMU scored six runs on four hits to take the lead for good at 8-4, keyed by two-run singles each from pitcher Kenya Pereira and shortstop Jamesia Stoudemire.

The Lady ‘Cats would not fold however, scoring three runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth to pull within one run, 8-7, before FAMU would take control in the sixth.

FAMU scored five runs on four hits, aided by two Lady ‘Cats errors to close out the game's scoring by extending their lead to 13-7.

Alexis Day lashed a two-run double, scoring Amber Fullwood and Trinity Alexander for a 10-7 count. Tahlia Snider bashed a two-run double two batters later, scoring Day and Pereira for a 12-7 edge, with Snider scoring the final run later in the inning from third on a two-out throwing error.

Pereira (8-9) closed out Bethune-Cookman, tossing two scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh, finishing the day with seven strikeouts, two walks, scattering 13 hits while allowing seven runs in seven complete innings.

Heading the FAMU offense Sunday was Alexis Day, who finished with four hits and a pair of RBI, Snider who had three hits and two RBI, along with the trio of Toni Anderson, Whitney Farris and Pereira, who each had two hits.

WHAT'S ON DECK: FAMU will close their 2017 regular season schedule in Gainesville next Saturday and Sunday in the Florida Invitational Tournament. Saturday, FAMU is slated to face North Texas (3:30 p.m.), and Sunday, they will tangle with the host Florida Gators (2:30)…. The next weekend, Thursday-Saturday, May 11-13, FAMU heads to Ormond Beach, Florida for the 2017 MEAC Softball Championship, where they will gun for their fourth straight league title.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Coleman qualifies for NAIA nationals in triple jump

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana's Keairez Coleman qualified for the NAIA National Track and Field Championships when he triple-jumped 14.32 meters (46 feet, 11 3/4 inches) Friday at the Southern Miss Open.

Coleman, a sophomore biology major from Harrisville, Miss., and a graduate of Mendenhall High School, produced the qualifying mark on his third of five jumps. He finished seventh out of nine jumpers and was ahead of a pair of NCAA Division I athletes.

The mark was a PR for Coleman, whose previous best was 14.19 meters (46-6 3/4) in winning a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championship April 22.

Coleman will join XULA female qualifiers Clarke Allen, Janelle Jones, Ireyon Keith, Alexis Milton, Ry-Anne Riley, Tramaine Shannon, Ariane Williams and Martina Wright at nationals May 25-27 at Gulf Shores, Ala. Jones, Milton, Riley and Wright qualified in the 400 relay, and Allen, Riley,

Shannon and Williams qualified in the 1,600 relay. Williams qualified in the 400, and Riley and Keith qualified in the long jump.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Texas Southern claims Western Division crown

HOUSTON, Texas --- The Lady Tigers of Texas Southern University claimed the Southwestern Athletic Conference's West Division championship outright Saturday after splitting a doubleheader with Grambling.

TSU won the series finale 11-3 in six innings after falling 4-3 in the opening game of the afternoon.

Madilynn Marek knocked in three runs, while Heaven Benavidez added two RBIs to help the Lady Tigers win the finale and earn a split of the doubleheader and the series victory. TSU (21-16) finishes conference play with a 12-6 league record.

Lauren Rodriguez pitched four and one-third innings and scattered only three hits to pick up the win in game two. She improved to 8-4 on the season. Only one of Rodriguez' three runs given up was earned.

Though the Lady Tigers won their contest thanks to the mercy rule, it was not without a save opportunity. With TSU ahead 5-0 going into the fourth inning, Grambling pieced together a three-run rally, prompting a call to relief pitcher Jasmin Fulmore. Fulmore shut down the visitors' rally, striking out two batters and allowing only one hit en route to her first save of the season.

Casares knocked a first-inning RBI for TSU in the opening game, while Yockman ignited a rally in the bottom of the seventh, knocking a two-run a home run to cut Grambling's lead to one run. Paranich scored twice in the opener.

Courtesy: Texas Southern Sports Information

Augusta Wins Third Consecutive MEAC Championship, Receives Berth To NCAA Tournament

SAVANNAH, Georgia – The Augusta University men's golf team won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship for the third year in a row, after shooting 43-under par across three days at Crosswinds Golf Club. Augusta finished round three 21-under par and won the event by 36 strokes to receive an automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The NCAA Division I men's golf selection show will air on Thursday, May 4 at 12:00 p.m. on Golf Channel.

Augusta head coach Jack O'Keefe was named the MEAC's Most Outstanding Coach for the third straight year and Augusta senior Emmanuel Kountakis was named the Most Outstanding Performer.

The Jaguars nearly swept the All-Tournament Team, occupying the top four spots on the individual leaderboard.

Ranked No. 50 in the nation, Augusta turned in four scores in the 60s. Kountakis won the tournament 15-under par with his second-straight 66 (-6) and junior Broc Everett also turned his tourney-best with a 66 (-6) to take second (-12).

Senior Jake Marriott fired a 5-under 67 to notch third place 9-under par, freshman Gustav Andersson posted his best round of the week with a 68 (-4) to end 7-under par, and senior Viktor Edin earned seventh overall with a round-three 71 (-1) to finish two shots under par.

Behind Augusta, the Wildcats finished second in the team standings with an 857 (292-285-280), while Savannah State was third at a 32-over 896 (300-306-290) and North Carolina Central (298-307-301=906) was fourth.

Hampton (302-310-305=917), Florida A&M (314-304-305=923) and Maryland Eastern Shore (331-326-313=970) rounded out the seven-team field.

Outstanding Performer: Emmanuel Kountakis, Augusta University

Outstanding Coach: Jack O'Keefe, Augusta University

All-Tournament Team

Emmanuel Koutakis, Augusta University

Broc Everett, Augusta University

Jake Marriott, Augusta University

Gustav Andersson, Augusta University

Christian Hovstadius, Bethune-Cookman

AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Former Texas Southern wide receiver Derrick Griffin gets shot with Minnesota Vikings

HOUSTON, Texas -- Former Texas Southern wide receiver Derrick Griffin knew his NFL Draft experience would begin when the actual NFL Draft ended.

The 6-6, 240-pounder went undrafted this weekend but is invited to the Minnesota Vikings' rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.

He has a shot. It's all he ever wanted.



"I just wanted a shot," Griffin said. "That's all. I got the shot. Now it's on me to be Derrick Griffin. Be me."

Being Griffin means being a force on the football field and basketball court.

He was a dual-sport star at TSU, leading the SWAC with 11 touchdown catches as a freshman in 2015 and nabbing a SWAC Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honor after becoming a double-double machine on the court.

CONTINUE READING

Gold Rush in familiar position: No. 2 in NAIA rankings

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has made it 7-for-7 this season as the No. 2 team in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The Gold Rush — 11-5 after a 4-3 Monday victory at the University of New Orleans — once again are ranked behind three-time defending national champion Georgia Gwinnett, which is a unanimous No. 1 for the 26th consecutive poll.

XULA possesses the longest active NAIA streak of men's tennis top-25 appearances: 84. The streak began April 4, 2007.

The victory against UNO was XULA's third in a row against an NAIA Division I opponent and the finale of the regular season.

For the first time in seven years, the Gold Rush will not compete in an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament. However, XULA is expected to receive one of nine at-large bids to the NAIA National Championships at Mobile, Ala., due to its high national ranking — built on the strength of six victories against ranked opponents, four in the top 10.

Upcoming NAIA announcements: next coaches poll May 7, the 24 men's teams that qualified for nationals May 8 and the seedings and bracket May 9. The tournament's first round — eight dual matches — will begin May 16. The final round will be May 20.

The Gold Rush's current ranking would earn it a first-round bye at nationals, and the XULA men would play their first tournament match May 17 in the round of 16.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through April 23)

Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Georgia Gwinnett (12) 19-0 312 1
2 XULA 10-5 302 2
3 Keiser 18-4 292 3
4 Northwestern Ohio 19-1 282 4
5 Lindsey Wilson 15-5 272 5
6 William Carey 17-5 261 6
7 Arizona Christian 15-12 244 7
8 William Woods 11-5 243 8
9 Campbellsville 17-3 238 9
10 Cardinal Stritch 14-5 219 10
11 Mobile 22-4 215 11
12 Westmont 13-7 205 12
13 San Diego Christian 6-10 188 13
14 Coastal Georgia 14-7 187 14
15 Reinhardt 10-5 167 15
16 Middle Georgia 9-8 163 16
17 Aquinas 16-6 152 17
18 SCAD Atlanta 10-3 139 18
19 Olivet Nazarene 11-6 125 20
20 SCAD Savannah 8-8 122 21
21 McPherson 8-3 106 22
22 Cumberland 6-5 94 24
23 Tennessee Wesleyan 10-3 86 23
24 Lawrence Tech 18-5 82 RV
25 St. Thomas (Fla.) 5-10 71 25

Dropped from rankings: No. 19 Cornerstone
Others receiving votes: Asbury 37, Warner 33, Davenport 27, Missouri Valley 26, Cumberlands 19, Bethany (Kan.) 17, Cornerstone 13, Judson (Ill.) 8, Marian (Ind.) 8, Lewis-Clark State 4, Point 3

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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