XULA: 2017 Flickinger Honor Roll has 100-plus qualifiers

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana Athletics honored a school-record 102 students Saturday who qualified for the Sister Grace Mary Flickinger Honor Roll.
     
Flickinger Honor Roll honorees are athletes, managers, graduate assistants and spirit-squad performers who passed 12 or more hours with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average during the spring 2017 semester or the fall 2017 semester. Students in graduate school must pass six hours. The students were recognized during the XULA-Dillard basketball Crosstown Classic presented by Raising Cane's at the Convocation Center.
    
 "The Sister Grace Mary Flickinger Honor Roll is an accomplishment bigger than any victory in competition," said Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn. "The challenge academically remains a top priority, and we strive to keep our student-athletes on the road toward academic excellence, graduation and productive post-college careers."
     
This is the fourth year of the awards, previously known as the Athletic Director's Honor Roll but renamed for 2017 to honor a longtime XULA biology faculty member and faculty athletics representative. Flickinger retired from XULA after the 2016-17 academic year.
     
The following are members of the Flickinger Honor Roll for their 2017 academic achievements (all are athletes unless noted):

     Men's Basketball
     Donovan Armstrong
     Jalen David
     Jerry Gibson
     Innocent Kukulu
     Monte Lambert
     Shannen Lawson (manager)
     Khalil McCoy
     Thomas Ortique
     Wesley Pluviose-Philip
     Gary Smith (graduate assistant)
     Dalen Wigley-Jones (manager)
     Perry Young (manager)

     Men's Cross Country/Track and Field
     Ayinde Abanu
     Keairez Coleman
     Ethan Gipson
     Christopher Kennie (student assistant)
     Brandon Matthews
     Oji Wells
     Ammiel Williams

     Men's Tennis
     Adam Albrecht
     Chris Anders
     Samir Chikhaoui
     Catalin Fifea
     Gabriel Niculescu
     Karan Salwan

     Women's Basketball
     Mikayla Bates
     Shaun Borne (manager)
     Adriana Fernandez
     Kyle Grant (manager)
     Jalyn Hodge
     Taylor Jacob
     Eden Keller (manager)
     Jayla Nichols
     Kelsee Singleton
     Gina Smith
     Shakira Thomas (manager)
     Maya Trench
     Essence Wells

     Women's Cross Country/Track and Field
     Clarke Allen
     Acacia Brown
     Drew Chatters
     Terri Cunningham
     Hannah Finnegan (student assistant)
     Junine Goodison
     Dorian Hill
     Gia Jennings (manager)
     Chinyere Jones
     Janelle Jones
     Hajjia Mohammed
     Brianna Pace
     Jasmine Pulliam (graduate assistant)
     Justyce Riggs
     Hillary Smith
     Asja Thompson
     Toni Trail

     Women's Tennis
     Nour Abbes (graduate assistant)
     Manon Bonada
     Sha'Nel Bruins
     Lyndsey Clark
     Dasia Harris
     Yi Chen Pao

     Women's Volleyball
     Brittanie Cockrell
     Jaida Dowd
     Terri Drake
     Cara Ford
     Bria Moore
     Amanda Perry
     Tiffany Phillips
     Adili Rikondja
     Hasani Salaam
     Karlen Temple
     Juliana Tomasoni
     Amanda Ware (manager)

     Spirit Groups
     (Cheerleaders, Gold Star Dancers, Golden Girls Pom Squad)
     Asha Abiae
     Jada Adams
     Mizani Ball
     Kyla Baron
     Kayla Beamon
     Teri Blake
     Amyre Brandom
     Jessica Carmon
     Tatiana Collins
     Demadria Davis
     Curjie Desauguste
     Angelica Franklin
     Arayah Goodlett
     Kelsey Green
     Angelle Guillard
     Sarah Hale
     Kiara Hawkins
     Ta'Nia Higginbotham
     De'Ahn Huddleston
     Sydney Hughes
     Breanna Jones
     Megan Littleton
     Clover Moten
     Jorian Reeves
     Imanee Ryan
     A'Brionna Sam
     Shalani Taylor
     De'ja Turner
     Noelle Walton


Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Gold Nuggets cool off No. 17 DU in Crosstown Classic

NEW ORLEANS — Sophomore Dasia Pitre scored nine of her career-high 19 points in the fourth quarter Saturday to help Xavier University of Louisiana rally for a 75-63 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against NAIA No. 17 Dillard in the opening game of the Crosstown Classic presented by Raising Cane's at XULA's Convocation Center.

The Gold Nuggets (11-11, 4-5) earned their fourth consecutive GCAC victory and reached .500 for the first time in more than a month. They snapped the eight-game win streak of the Lady Bleu Devils (21-4, 9-2), who were trying to clinch an outright GCAC regular-season championship.

XULA trailed 42-33 after Shaelynn Moore's 3-pointer for Dillard at 5:33 of the third quarter, then outscored its longtime rival 42-21 thereafter.



Pitre's basket — part of an 11-0 run — put XULA ahead to stay, 53-51, with 8:17 remaining. An Ireyon Keith 3-pointer at 2:32 gave the Gold Nuggets their largest lead, 67-54.

Keith scored 14 points to tie her season high. Gina Smith had 10 points and 11 rebounds — her team-leading third double-double of the season — and Essence Wells scored 10.

Adriiana Jackson scored 20 points, Alyssa Washington 13 and Moore 10 for Dillard. Moore, who scored a career-best 36 points Monday at Tougaloo, was scoreless in the fourth quarter.

XULA shot 36 percent from the floor through three quarters but 43.8 percent in the final period. "That's a key for us," XULA coach Bo Browder said. "If we can continue to shoot 40 percent in the fourth quarter, we'll have a chance to win a lot of games."

An Edward Waters loss at Talladega also would have given Dillard an outright GCAC title, but the Lady Tigers won 63-61 Saturday. Edward Waters could earn a share of the GCAC title by winning its last three games, including next Saturday at home against Dillard.

Browder said he isn't concerned about standings or seedings. "We just have to focus on making good decisions and bringing our energy," he said. "We did that today, and we're hopeful it continues."

XULA will play Philander Smith in a GCAC game at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Convocation Center.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Dillard tops Gold Rush to swap spots in GCAC again

NEW ORLEANS — Jorori Coleman scored 25 points Saturday to lead Dillard to a 79-65 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 22 Xavier University of Louisiana in the Crosstown Classic presented by Raising Cane's at XULA's Convocation Center.

The Bleu Devils (17-9, 8-3) won for the eighth time in nine games and replaced the Gold Rush (19-7, 6-3) as the GCAC's second-place team. On Monday XULA and DU swapped positions when the Gold Rush won at SUNO and the Bleu Devils lost at Tougaloo.

Both XULA and DU are chasing Talladega, 8-2 in conference after an 80-73 home victory against Edward Waters. Talladega finishes its GCAC schedule at fourth-place Philander Smith next Saturday and at XULA Feb. 28, two days before the GCAC Tournament.

Philander Smith, 5-4 after a 71-70 loss at SUNO, will visit XULA at 7:30 p.m. Monday. XULA's final three games of the regular season are all in conference and all at home.

Dillard used only seven players, and all five starters scored in double figures. Joshua Simmons had 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Kristopher Allmon scored 14, and Patrick Thompson and Quinton Jackson scored 11 points apiece.

BOX SCORE

Jalen David scored 17 points, 14 in the second half, for XULA. Virgil Davison scored 12, and Jeff Dixon had 12 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

Davison made four 3-pointers to join Mark Stewart (2006-07 and 2007-08), Morris Wright (2014-15 and 2015-16) and Percy Bland (1989-90) as the only XULA men to make 70 treys in a season. Davison has 71; Stewart made a school-record 109 in 2006-07.

Coleman, a 6-foot-4 junior, dominated the scoring for the third time in as many Convocation Center appearances this season. During the Xavier Classic in December, he scored 41 against Rust and 32 against Virgin Islands.

Dillard never trailed and led for 39-of-40 minutes. After a tie at 18, Jackson's basket at 10:24 of the first half put the Bleu Devils ahead to stay. It was 32-27 at halftime and 68-52 after a Simmons basket with 4:29 remaining.

Dillard outshot XULA 51 to 43.1 percent from the floor and had a 36-28 rebound advantage. Dillard made 20-of-28 free throws to XULA's 7-of-13.

Dillard defeated the Gold Rush for the sixth straight time to cap a Crosstown Classic where neither top-25 team won. In the opener, XULA's women rallied in the fourth quarter for a 75-63 victory against 17th-ranked Dillard.

Attendance was 2,117 for the men's game and 1,375 for the women's, both season bests on the Rush and Nuggets home schedules.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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D3 defending champion Emory shuts out Gold Rush

ATLANTA — Xavier University of Louisiana men's tennis was feisty enough last year to win at NCAA Division III power Emory, but not so Saturday.
     
The Eagles won every set — including tiebreakers at each of the top three singles flights — in a 9-0 victory indoors.
     
Emory (2-1) is ranked No. 1 and a defending national champion. The Gold Rush (1-6) are ranked second in the NAIA and was a national runner-up in 2016 and 2017.
     
In the closest of the three doubles matches, Adrien Bouchet and Max Renke defeatedPierre Andrieu and Chris Anders 8-6 at No. 2. Emory clinched the dual when Jonathan Jemison, the ITA's fourth-ranked D3 player, defeated Catalin Fifea 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) at No. 1 singles. Alec Josepher beat Shaikh Abdullah 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 at No. 2, and Bouchet defeated Samir Chikhaoui 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).
     
A year ago XULA won 4-of-5 tiebreakers against Emory, and Pierre Andrieu clinched in a 5-4 victory. This time Andrieu lost 6-3, 6-2 to freshman Hayden Cassone.
     
"Had many chances," XULA coach Alan Green said. "Just did not capitalize on any of them. Emory had a lot to do with that, though."
     
It was the first time since March 2005 — Green's third season as coach — that the Gold Rush dropped consecutive 9-0 decisions. Friday in the Grizzly Invitational at Lawrenceville, Ga., XULA lost to NAIA No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett by that same score.
     
XULA will return Sunday to the Grizzly Invitational and play NCAA Division II Bluefield State at 9 a.m. EST.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Nuggets win at No. 20 Brenau; coach reaches 200 again

GAINESVILLE, Georgia  — For the second time in 21 days, Xavier University of Louisiana's Alan Green has reached a milestone.
     
Green, in his 15th season as coach of the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush, earned his 200th career victory in a women's dual match when XULA won 5-1 Saturday at NAIA No. 20 Brenau.
     
The victory was the second in six days for the Gold Nuggets (2-6) against a ranked team on the road. XULA won 6-3 Monday at NAIA No. 9 LSU-Alexandria. XULA is ranked 13th.
    
 Yi Chen Pao, Mariia Borodii and Charlene Goreau won in doubles and singles for XULA. Pao clinched the dual when she defeated Rebecca Pijls 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
     
Brenau is 0-4.
     
Green is 200-163 with the XULA women and led them to the NAIA national semifinals in 2013, 2014 and 2015. On Jan. 28 Green earned his 200th victory with the Gold Rush by beating city rival Loyola.
     
XULA will return Sunday to the Grizzly Invitational at Lawrenceville, Ga., and play NCAA Division II Bluefield State at 9 a.m. EST.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Xavier to honor Olympian Douglas at Crosstown Classic

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana is bringing back Herb Douglas for another recognition this weekend in celebration of Black History Month.
     
Douglas — the oldest living African-American Olympic medalist and recipient of an honorary degree from the university in 2011 — is the inaugural winner of the Herb Douglas Award, which celebrates student-athletes whose post-Xavier careers best exemplify the university's mission.
     
Douglas, who is 95 years old, will be honored at halftime of the XULA-Dillard men's basketball game, part of the Crosstown Classic presented by Raising Cane's. The women's game will start at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center (7900 Stroelitz St., zip 70125), followed by the men at 5.
     
"I really enjoy my talks with Mr. Douglas," said Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn, "and it is great to have him back on campus. He has some solid stories, and our student-athletes will have an opportunity to spend time with him."
     
Douglas won bronze in the long jump at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. Six years earlier, Douglas, William Morton, Clarence Doak and Howard Mitchell ran the 440-yard relay in 41.7 seconds to make XULA the first HBCU (historically black college or university) to win a relay race at the famed Penn Relays. Douglas left XULA after his sophomore year to return home and work in his father's business during World War II. He continued to train at home and competed occasionally before winning the 1945 AAU national championship in the long jump. He also won AAU indoor championships in 1947 and 1949.
     
Douglas, who received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Pittsburgh in his hometown, had a lengthy career as a business executive. During the 1960s he was named a vice-president for wine and spirits importer Schieffelin & Somerset Co., whose brands include Hennessy, the world's most popular cognac.
     
Although he is nearly a centenarian, Douglas remains active. He tours the country to screen the documentary "The Renaissance Period of the African American in Sports," which he co-produced with Robert Lott. Douglas and Lott will screen the film Tuesday at the University of Texas in Austin. The film won a gold medal at the 2016 Philadelphia Film Festival.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Marshall Herd Falls 8-1 at Florida A&M

Tallahassee, Florida  -- Marshall baseball fell to Florida A&M 8-1 Saturday at Moore-Kittles Field, with 14 runners left on base proving too much to overcome for the Herd.

The first loss of the 2018 season puts Marshall at 1-1, with a chance for revenge against FAMU tomorrow in the series finale.

After a 1-2-3 first inning for both teams, the Rattlers got on the board in the second inning with three runs after two walks and a single loaded the bases for FAMU.

A&M expanded their lead in the fourth inning when Jordan Curtis hit a three-run homer.

Final Stats

In the fifth inning lead-off hitter Shane Hanon got on base with a single. Raul Cabrera was the next batter up and also singled advancing Hanon to second base. After Reynaldo Pastrana earned a base on balls the bases were loaded and Dakota Robbins hit a fly ball to left field to score Hanon from third. A fly out and strikeout brought the inning to a close two batters later.

FAMU scored again in the seventh inning when a wild pitch by Jacob Bradley allowed a runner on third base to reach home.

The final run would come courtesy of Florida A&M in the eighth inning when a single by FAMU's Brian Davis allowed Jordan Curtis to score from second base.

Tucker Linder continued the strong start to his season getting three hits in four at bats. Peter Hutzal earned three walks over the course of the game. Marshall ended the game with eight hits and ten walks.

Brad O'Connor was handed his first loss of the season in four innings pitched. He allowed four hits, six runs (six earned) and struck out six batters. Christian Simon had a strong showing in two innings, allowing just two hits and striking out three batters in eight at-bats.

FAMU pitcher Josh Barr earned the win for the Rattlers. He pitched 0.2 innings allowing two hits, one run (earned) and walking one batter with no strikeouts.

The series will come to an end Sunday at 11 a.m. Marshall's Will Ray will be on the mound to pitch as he faces off against FAMU's Dallas Oliver.

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

North Carolina A&T State Men's Track & Field Repeats As MEAC Champion

LANDOVER, Maryland  – The North Carolina A&T State men won the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) indoor track & field championship on Saturday in the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex, thanks to a dominating performance.

Despite coming into the final day trailing, the Aggies won five titles on Saturday to record 144 points and take the crown for the second year in a row. Hampton finished second with 108 points.

Duane Ross was named the meet’s Outstanding Coach for the second year in a row.

By sweeping both the men’s and women’s indoor titles, North Carolina A&T State becomes the first MEAC school to repeat in both the men and women since Delaware State in 1987.

The first men’s title of the day was a thriller, with North Carolina A&T State’s Marquise McGee making a last-lap move for the lead and holding off Hampton’s Emmanuel Too to take gold in the mile run. McGee ran a 4:21.61 to Too’s 4:21.66.

Rodney Rowe ran a 21.36 to win the 200-meter dash a year after finishing second in the event. He was also part of the Aggies’ 4x400-meter relay team that took the MEAC title after running a 3:14.60.

Michael Dickson ran a 7.85 to win the 60-meter hurdles, while Lasheon Strozier won the triple jump, leaping 49 feet, 6.5 inches to take gold.

Demek Kemp of South Carolina State, who came into the meet ranked in the top five in the nation in the 60-meter dash, held true to form in exciting fashion, running a 6.65 to edge out the Aggies’ Jaylan Mitchell – who ran a 6.66.

Rowe was third with a 6.74.

Too was named the meet’s Outstanding Runner, while Bethune-Cookman’s Jeremiah Peters was named Outstanding Field Performer. Peters won the shot put with a mark of 54 feet, 5.25 inches.

Dominic Harper gave Bethune-Cookman another field title on Saturday, clearing 15 feet in the pole vault to take gold.

Anteneh Girma of Norfolk State ran an 8:52.13 to win the 3,000-meter run, his second title of the meet.

Men - Team Rankings - 17 Events Scored 

1) N. Carolina A&T 144
2) Hampton 108
3) Bethune-Cookman 97.50
4) Norfolk State 68.50
5) Florida A&M 56
6) Morgan State 44.50
7) Coppin State 33
8) South Carolina St. 31
9) Maryland-Eastern Shore 28
10) N.C Central 21.50
11) Savannah State 20
12) Delaware State 8
13) Howard 1

RESULTS

PHOTO GALLERY

2018 All-MEAC Honorees

First Team
Demek Kemp, SCSU (60m), Rodney Rowe, NCAT (200m, 4x400), Michael Dickson, NCAT (60h), Trequan Barnes, NSU (400m), Jonathan Moore, B-CU (800m), Marquise McGee (Mile), Anteneh Girma, NSU (3000m, 5000m), Geoffrey McCullough, HAM (DMR), Tayvon Burris, HAM (DMR), Stanley Davis, HAM (DMR), Emmanuel Too, HAM (DMR), Trevor Stewart, NCAT (4x400), Alan Johnson, NCAT (4x400), Dajuan Harding, NCAR (4x400), Jacob Milton, NSU (HJ), Dominic Harper, B-CU (Pole), Lloyd Hylton, MSU (LJ), Lasheon Strozier, NCAT (TJ), Derrick Wheeler, NCAT (Weight), Jeremiah Peters, B-CU (Shot), Todd Townsend, NCAT (Hept).

Second Team
Jaylan Mitchell, NCAT (60m), Joseph Amoah, CSU (200m, 4x400), Aaron Lewis, CSU (60h), Dejuan Harding, NCAT (400m), Tayvon Burris, HAM (800m), Emmanuel Too, HAM (Mile), Oussama Chouati, MDES (3000m, DMR), Festus Kemboi, FAMU (5000m), Donovan Mundy, MDES (DMR), Janoi Brown, MDES (DMR), Judah Corriette, MDES (DMR), Martin Osuwu-Antwi, CSU (4x400), Cheyenne Johnson, CSU (4x400), Anija Addison, CSU (4x400), Garth Warner, NSU (HJ), Adam Funkhouser, DSU (Pole), Connor McMillan, FAMU (Pole), Daniel Seawright, SCSU (LJ), Isaac Arriola, HAM (TJ), Sidney Holston, B-CU (Weight),Vikarie Elliott, MSU (Shot), Jerrick Powell, HAM (Hept).

Third Team
Rodney Rowe, NCAT (60m), Martin Owusu-Antwi, CSU (200m), Todd Townsend, NCAT (60h), Jaelan Williams, HAM (400m), Geoffrey McCullough, HAM (800m), David Too, FAMU (Mile, 3000m, 5000m), Corey Aiken, NCAT (DMR), Alan Johnson, NCAT (DMR), Steve Stowe, NCAT (DMR), Marquise McGee, NCAT (DMR), Brenan Garrett, HAM (4x400), Stanley Davis, HAM (4x400), Justin Beatty, HAM (4x400), Jaelen Williams, HAM (4x400), Kelton Williams, B-CU (HJ), Laron James, SSU (LJ), Malik Franklin, SSU (TJ), Tamunoibi Dabipi, MDES (Weight), Aaron Wilkerson, NCAT (Shot), Desmond Lindsey, HAM (Hept).

MEAC COMMUNICATIONS

North Carolina A&T State Women Repeat as MEAC Indoor Champions

LANDOVER, Maryland  – For the second year in a row, the North Carolina A&T State women won the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) indoor track & field championship at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex.

The Aggies racked up 173.5 points, thanks to a dominant Saturday in front of a raucous crowd and an ESPN3 audience in the afternoon. Bethune-Cookman was the runner-up with 111 points.

Duane Ross was named the meet’s Outstanding Coach for the second year in a row.

By sweeping both the men’s and women’s indoor titles, North Carolina A&T State becomes the first MEAC school to repeat in both the men and women since Delaware State in 1987.

Martha Bissah, who already racked up titles in the 800-meter run and distance medley relay on Friday, was named the meet’s Outstanding Runner for the second straight year. She added two more gold medals to her haul on Saturday.

Bissah ran a 4:53.08 in the mile run, besting Howard’s Destiny Stanford by more than nine seconds to defend her title. She followed that up with a 10:07.07 to win gold in the 3,000 meters.

North Carolina A&T State’s Tori Ray won gold in the 400-meter dash for the second straight year with a 54.99. It was one of seven titles for the Aggies on Saturday, and Ray was also a part of the winning 4x400-meter relay team that took gold in 3:44.22.

Among the Aggies’ other titles:

Anisa Toppin won the triple jump with a distance of 41 feet and one inch.

Kayla White won both the 60-meter hurdles (8.09) and the 60-meter dash (7.39), and she came within .01 seconds of the MEAC indoor record in the hurdles race.

India Brown ran a 24.03 to win gold in the 200 meters for the second year in a row.

Morgan Knight of North Carolina A&T State continued her dominance in the pole vault, winning gold and besting her own conference record at 12 feet, 3.25 inches (3.74 meters).

Florida A&M’s Taylor Gorum took the women’s shot put at 47 feet, 2.25 inches (14.38 meters).

Bethune-Cookman’s Jonina Brinson was named the meet’s Outstanding Field Performer.

Women - Team Rankings - 17 Events Scored
=================================
1) N. Carolina A&T 173.50
2) Bethune-Cookman 111
3) Florida A&M 96.50
4) Hampton 96
5) Norfolk State 70
6) Morgan State 32
7) Howard 24
8) Coppin State 21
9) Delaware State 16
10) Maryland-Eastern Shore 10
11) N.C Central 9
12) Savannah State 3
 =================================

RESULTS

PHOTO GALLERY

All-MEAC Honorees

First Team
Kayla White, NCAT (60m, 60h), India Brown, NCAT (200m), Tori Ray, NCAT (400m, 4x400), Martha Bissah, NSU (800m, Mile, 3000m, DMR), Emmax Kiplagat, FAMU (5000m), Candice Higgins, NSU (DMR), Malika Pride, NSU (DMR), Chazmin Fullwood, NSU (DMR), Sun-sara Williams, NCAT (4x400), Kristoni Barnes, NCAT (4x400), Nia Lundy, NCAT (4x400), Quamecha Morrison, B-CU (HJ), Morgan Knight, NCAT (Pole), Jonina Brinson, B-CU (LJ), Anisa Toppin, NCAT (TJ), Akassja White, B-CU (Weight), Taylor Gorum, FAMU (Shot),Kaitlin Scott, HAM (Pent).

Second Team
India Brown, NCAT (60m), Taliyah Townsend, NCAT (200m), Asia Joe, B-CU (400m), Kristoni Barnes, NCAT (800m), Destiny Stanford, HOW (Mile), Janet Okeago, HAM (3000m, 5000m), G’Jasmyne Butler, NCAT (DMR), Khadijah Reid, NCAT (DMR), Kristoni Barnes, NCAT (DMR), Camille Martin, NCAT (DMR), Valencia McDowell, MSU (4x400), Chantai Smith, MSU (4x400), Naomi Brown, NSU (4x400), Annastacia Barham, MSU (4x400), Nazah Reddick, NCAT (HJ), Savannah Forte, CSU (Pole), Madeleine Akobundu, NCAT (60h, LJ), Tiara Corbett, FAMU (TJ), Taylor Gorum, FAMU (Weight), Corneisha Mitchell, HAM (Shot), Ed’Quisha Alvin, FAMU (Pent).

Third Team
Meshala Morton, HAM (60m), Monae’ Nichols, B-CU (200m), Alahni Wood, FAMU (60h), Erielle Wallace, CSU (400m), Tatyana Hodnett, B-CU (800m), Janet Okeago, HAM (Mile, DMR), Emmax Kiplagat, FAMU (3000m), Eusila Chepkemei, HAM (5000m, DMR), Pollyanna Velasco, HAM (DMR), Asha Copeland, HAM (DMR), Malika Pride, NSU (4x400), Tyrika Lee, NSU (4x400), Martha Bissah, NSU (4x400), Chazmin Fullwood, NSU (4x400), Moena Battle, B-CU (HJ), Cheyenne Brooks, FAMU (Pole), Anisa Toppin, NCAT (LJ), Christine McNeal, B-CU (TJ), Corneisha Mitchell, HAM (Weight), Egypt Parker, DSU (Shot), Faleesha Dowe, DSU (Pent).

MEAC COMMUNICATIONS

FAMU Places 21 on MEAC All-Academic Track Team

NORFOLK, Virginia – The Florida A&M Indoor Track & Field team placed 21 athletes on the MEAC All-Academic team. Led by multiple time winner Judith Kibii, FAMU’s athletes were honored by MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas, Ph.D.

FAMU Director of Track & Field, Darlene Moore Ed.D., is pleased with the honor, but expects more on the team in her first full year taking over both track programs. “I am an educator at heart. Success in academics is imperitive for athletes to remain on my team. I stress to them that they can’t concentrate of performing well on the field if they aren’t performing well in the classroom,” Moore said.

MEAC sophomore, junior and senior student-athletes with a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average, as well as transfer student-athletes who have been in residence at the institution for at least one year, are eligible for All-Academic accolades. “I want to felicitate our track & field student-athletes, who maintained a 3.0 or better grade point average during the 2016-17 academic year,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. “In addition to acknowledging the accomplishments of these student-athletes, I would also like to thank the institutional and athletic academic support staffs, faculty and coaches for their support in the success of their student-athletes.”

FAMU MEAC All-Academic honorees:

Dicaria Alvarez
Korteece Baker
Catherine Bryant
Tiara Corbett
Shalynn Cyprien
Herandre Fair-Curry
Alelee Figueroa
Ashley Giacomucci
Aaron Hanna
Destiny Johnson
Shontielle Johnson
Festus Kemboi
Judith Kibii
Emmax Kiplagat
Mia Lewis
Fridah Limo
Connor McMillan
Nancy Murger
Michael Poole
Onnika Scott
Naomi Tanui

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Shaw Football Announces 2018 National Signing Class

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- RALEIGH, N.C. – Shaw University head football coach Adrian Jones announced his third signing class on Wednesday, Feb. 7 as part of the National Signing Day. The class, which includes nine total players, is comprised of four high school athletes, two prep school athletes and a pair of four-year transfers.

"It is a great day to be a Shaw Bear," said Coach Jones. "I want to thank my coaching staff for working hard at finding the right fits for our program. With the signing class we have thus far, I am really pleased with what we have and look forward to the 2018 season."

The signees include:

Ryan Bond
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5322034/59c437ff02bbb81030763ad1

Akeythio Carson (Palmetto Prep)
https://l.hudl.com/video/3/9557020/59c033d915f6200d68c7ae35

Corey Cooper (Mid-Year Transfer)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1702786/5721ad33e984d413d4ded8cd

Elliot Dangerfield, Jr. (Northside Jacksonville High School)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6512240/5a0f08b2c11a870b4802f2e3

Justin Daniels (Wilson Fike High School)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4729378/59df656e5b3e1609ac2580ab

Bryce Dixon (Mid-Year Transfer)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1771226/5721bad49a91677e7484d2b2

Tajuan McGee (Mid-Year Transfer)https://www.hudl.com/video/3/2607614/5832471bdfd8b7053c071f2e

Allajah Mitchell - South Granville HS
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4182242/5a1d82b80c5eb30f008ec18c

Da'Shawn Wallace (Hargrave Military Academy)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9994293/59e297494797c324f46c2f6d

Aaron Worthy (East Forsyth High School)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6495036/59b170e9bee1a70574296173

This national letter-of-intent signing period for football began on Wednesday, Feb. 7, and concludes on Sunday, April 1.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw University football and its 13 varsity sport teams, please visit shawbears.com.

SHAW UNIVERSITY BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION

Winston-Salem State Athletics to Kick Off Million Dollar Dash

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina – The Winston-Salem State University Department of Athletics will kick off its year-long fundraising initiative with the Million Dollar Dash Brunch on March 17, 2018 at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C. The event will kick off a year of fundraising efforts in support of Winston-Salem State University athletics and its nearly 300 student-athletes.

"WSSU recognizes the value of sports participation and the important role it plays in preparing for the future," WSSU Director of Athletics Tonia Walker said. "The support generated from this event will assist our student-athletes to prepare for that future. The event will also provide an opportunity for the women to still wear their classy hats and for the men to show off their best bow ties all around a great cause."

The Million Dollar Dash event marks the joining of the She's Got It Covered and Bond.Score.Win. events and raises funds for athletic scholarships for the student-athletes of Winston-Salem State University. The event will be a fancy hat affair. Ladies are encouraged to wear their fancy hats and men to wear their best bow ties.

Headlining the brunch will be keynote speaker Gail Devers, an Olympic gold medalist in track & field. She overcame Grave's disease, a thyroid disorder, to become an international superstar in her sport. She will share her empowering story of triumph and encouragement to all who attend.

Tickets for the Million Dollar Dash are $75 each with tables being sold for $750. Tickets to the event can be purchased through the Winston-Salem State University Ticket Office at (336) 750-3220 or online at www.WSSURams.com.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

ZULU 2018, Human Jukebox Coming Down Jackson Ave

SAU Track and Field Men, Women Rally To Win CIAA Indoor Titles

RALEIGH, North Carolina  – The world-renowned Saint Augustine's University track and field program showed its championship heart at the CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on Monday, Feb. 12.

Both the Falcons and Lady Falcons rallied back from deficits to take home championship plaques. The Lady Falcons bested Winston-Salem State University 162-154 for their third women's crown in six years and first since 2014. The Falcons tied Virginia State University 175.5-175.5 to extend its men's conference title streak to 21.

Led by CIAA Women's Field MVP Magaly Tshipopo (Jr./France), the Lady Falcons quickly erased a 38-32 deficit entering the final day. They surged ahead early and maintained their lead throughout the meet. Leading 152-146, the Lady Falcons clinched the championship in the final event – the 4x400-meter relay. Ranked sixth nationally in Division II, the Lady Falcons' foursome of Ade Hunter (Sr./Philadelphia, PA), Amanda Crawford (So./Brooklyn, NY), Marissa Gale (Sr./Trinidad & Tobago) and Shannon Kalawan (Fr./Westmoreland, Jamaica) topped the second-place Rams to secure the title. They outraced the Rams in an NCAA provisional time of 3:48.17.

Tshipopo was fantastic in her first CIAA Indoor Championship meet. She won four events including three on Monday to earn her MVP honors. She finished first in the Pentathlon, triple jump and high jump and placed second in the 60-meter hurdles for 38 points on Monday. Counting her long jump win Sunday, Tshipopo scored 48 points for the Lady Falcons.

Tshipopo led a Lady Falcons' unit that placed first in five individual events and one relay Monday. Shakera Hall (Sr./Westmoreland, Jamaica) captured the 60-meter hurdles, placed third in the Pentathlon and finished sixth in the triple jump. Kalawan won the 400-meter dash in a provisional time of 55.94, anchored the winning 4x400-meter relay team and finished sixth in the 800-meter run.

Gale was part of the winning 4x400-meter relay and placed fourth in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes Monday. Leah Barker (Sr./Barbados) was fifth in the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes, and Florence Fields (Fr./St. Philip, Barbados) was second in the 800-meter run and fourth in the 3,000-meter run. Crawford ran on the winning 4x400-meter relay squad, finished third in the 400-meter dash and placed fourth in the 800-meter run. Hunter was on the winning 4x400-meter relay team and placed fifth in Monday's 800-meter run.

The Falcons' men overcame a huge deficit against Virginia State. They entered Monday trailing 73-26 and the margin grew to 52 points before the Falcons started their comeback. The deficit appeared insurmountable but the Falcons kept chipping away until they moved ahead late in the meet. However, Virginia State led by four points heading into the final event – the 4x400-meter relay. The Falcons, powered by Shaquille Dill (Jr./Pembroke, Bermuda), won the relay and the Trojans finished third which tied the score.

Dill earned CIAA Men's Track MVP honors for his superb running. The defending national Division II 800-meter champion won his signature event in a provisional time of 1:51.23 and helped the Falcons win the 4x400 relay. On Sunday, Dill crossed the finish line first in the mile run.

Led by Dill, the Falcons claimed individual titles in four events and one relay Monday. Jumonne Exeter (Sr./St. Vincent) was the winner in the triple jump, leading a 1-2-3 sweep with Justin Williams (Jr./Long Island, NY) placing second and Alazae Hester-Taylor (Jr.) finishing third.

Dakarai Hightower (Sr./Washington) won the high jump with Kirvano Handfield (Jr./Turks and Caicos Island) placing second and Exeter sixth. Hester-Taylor finished first in the Heptathlon and fourth in the 60-meter hurdles.

Dontarian Evans (Jr./Gainesville, FL) was part of the winning 4x400-meter relay team in addition to placing second in the 400-meter dash and third in the 200-meter dash. Adrian Kimmons (Sr./Cold Water, MS) placed third in the 60-meter dash and fourth in the 200-meter dash, and Devonte Gardiner (Fr./Turks and Caicos Island) finished fourth in the 60-meter dash and fifth in the 200-meter dash.

Jose Penalver (Fr./Miramar, FL) was third in the 800-meter and 5,000-meter runs Monday and Justin Marsh (So./Laurel, MD) was fourth in the 400-meter dash in addition to helping the 4x400-meter relay squad pick up a win.

After sweeping CIAA titles, the Falcons and Lady Falcons head back to the JDL Fast Track on Sunday, Feb. 25, to compete in the JDL Last Chance Meet in Winston-Salem, N.C. The meet starts at 10 a.m.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU Hornets score six over last three innings for Opening Day victory

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana  --  Alabama State used three pitchers and scored six runs over the final three innings to pull out an 8-7 non-conference victory over Prairie View A&M on Opening Day in the Andre Dawson Classic at Barrow Stadium late Friday night.

Alabama State (0-1) went with senior Darren Kelly who lasted five innings and gave up three runs – all earned – on five hits with seven strikeouts. The start was the first for Kelly since last April against Mississippi Valley State, and the outing was just one out short of matching his career high against Northern Kentucky (March 12, 2016).

The Hornets also used Ivanniel Vazquez for an inning in which he allowed a pair of runs off one hit, before Chase Laney (1-0) came in for the final three innings where he allowed two runs off of five hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Alabama State trailed for much of the contest, until they were able to tie it up with a pair of runs in the fifth inning when Oscar Prioleau was able to put the ball in play and reached on a throwing error by Prairie View A&M, which allowed Joshua Dunson and Hunter Allen to cross the plate and tie the contest at 2-all.

After Prairie View A&M scored three runs over the next two innings to take a 5-2 lead into the seventh inning, Alabama State erupted offensively. After Dunson reached on a one-out, two-strike single to left; he was able to come around to third on a Hunter Phillips single to center. Joseph Estrada pushed home Dunson to trim the lead to 5-3, before Yamil Pagan trimmed the lead to 5-4 when he reached on a throwing error to score Phillips.

Pagan would then steal second, before Cage Cox put together a nine pitch at-bat and grounded into a fielders choice to score Estrada and tie the game at 5-all.

Prairie View A&M (0-1) score two more – which would prove to be their final runs of the game – in the bottom of the seventh before Alabama State fought back to tie the game again in the top of the eighth.

Allen led off the inning with a two-strike double to right center and later scored on a Ray Hernandez single down the right field line to trim the deficit to 7-6. After Hernandez stole second, Santiago Garcia drew a four-pitch walk to put runners at first and second with no one out in the inning. After a one-out passed ball allowed Hernandez to advance to third and pinch runner AJ Gardner to second, Estrada reached on a throwing error to score Hernandez and tie the game.

After a scoreless eighth for Prairie View A&M, Cox led off the ninth inning with a triple to center on the second pitch of the at-bat. He scored when the very next batter, Gustavo Rios, hit a sacrifice fly to center to give Alabama State their first lead of the game in the top of the ninth. Laney was able to go out in the bottom of the ninth and ended the game with a groundball double play.

Estrada, Allen and Dunson each finished the night with a pair of hits each for Alabama State; while Allen scored a pair of runs.

Alabama State returns to action Saturday night at 6 pm against New Orleans, in a game that will be featured on MLBTV.

BOX SCORE

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University baseball, please follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

No. 1 Gwinnett wins duals, but Borodii, Goreau sparkle

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia — Xavier University of Louisiana's Mariia Borodii and Charlene Goreau ended a Georgia Gwinnett women's tennis streak Friday in the Grizzly Invitational.
     
Victories by Borodii and Goreau marked the first time in 61 dual matches that the Grizzlies lost the No. 1 and No. 2 singles matches. Borodii beat Emerald Able 6-2, 6-2 at the top spot, and Goreau defeated Henar Munoz 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. The ITA ranks Able third and Munoz 10th among NAIA singles players. Goreau is 23rd, and Borodii — who enrolled at XULA in January — is unranked.
     
Borodi and Goreau were the brightest spots for XULA, whose 13th ranked women lost 7-2 to Gwinnett and whose second-ranked men lost 9-0 to the Grizzlies. Both Gwinnett teams are No. 1 in the NAIA and are multiple-defending national champions — two straight years for the women, four years for the men.
    
"Today was a tough match for us, and Mariia battled through an injury to win," XULA coach Alan Green said. "She is super tough and is such a fighter. I was really happy to see Charlene close out her match. The team didn't get the win, but Charlene needed that for herself, and it will pay off for us down the road."
     
Georgia Gwinnett's men are 6-0 and have won 61 consecutive dual matches. Its women are 2-0 and have won 36 straight. The Gold Rush — the NAIA national runner-up in 2016 and 2017 — are 1-5, and the Gold Nuggets are 1-6.
     
Both XULA teams will return to the Grizzly Invitational Sunday. On Saturday the Nuggets will visit NAIA No. 20 Brenau in Gainesville, Ga., at 10 a.m. EST, and the Rush will visit NCAA Division III No. 1 Emory in Atlanta at 3 p.m. EST.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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