BRITTANY THUNE 2008 A-SUN RUNNER OF THE YEAR
2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY BELMONT UNIVERISTY
MEDIA RELATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Location: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nashville, Tenn. Founded: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1951 Enrollment: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,017 Nickname: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruins Colors: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Navy, Red, and White Affiliation: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NCAA Division I Conference: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Atlantic Sun President: . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Robert C. Fisher Alma Mater: . . . . . . . . . .Henderson State, ‘70 Athletics Director: . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Strickland Alma Mater: . . . . . . . . .Georgia Southern, ‘71 Department Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . 615-460-6420 Home Arena: . . . . . . . . . . . . Curb Event Center Capacity: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,000 Press Row Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . 615-460-8554
Cross Country Contact: . . . . . . . . . .Brian Karst Office Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615-460-8023 Email : . . . . . . . . . . . . .brian.karst@belmont.edu Fax: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615-460-5584 Web Page: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . belmontbruins.com Mailing Address: . . . . . . . . . . Office of Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Media Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1900 Belmont Blvd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nashville, TN 37212
Quick Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Media Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 2009 Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Coaching Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5 Meet the Bruins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-14 2007 Cross Country Results . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13 Team Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Team Awards and Honors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Belmont University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 University Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Academics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Atlantic Sun Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TEAM INFORMATION 2008 Conference Finish: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1st Returning/Lost: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/1 Newcomers: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
COACHING STAFF Head Coach: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seth Sheridan Alma Mater (Year): . . . . . . . . .Belmont (1992) Graduate Assistant Coach: . . Jessica Schmidt
CREDITS The 2009 Belmont University Women’s Cross Country Media Guide is a product of the Athletic Media Relations Office, published by the Belmont University Athletics Department. It is intended to be a comprehensive resource of offical record to aid media in their coverage of Belmont Cross Country. Managing Editors: Brian Karst, Media Relations Graduate Assistant; John Langdon, Assistant Media Relations Director. Editorial Assistance: Greg Sage, Media Relations Director; Kenisha Rhone, Media Relations Women’s Director; John Langdon, Assistant Media Relations Director; Opponent Sports Information Contacts. Photography: Don McPeak, Glenn Gregory, ASunPhotos.com. Belmont University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer under all applicable civil right laws. BELMONTBRUINS.COM
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CATEGORY
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Roster MEDIA INFORMATION INTERVIEWS Interviews with Belmont runners and coaches can be arranged by calling Brian Karst at 615460-8237 or by email at brian.karst@belmont.edu. Runners and coaches are available before and after most practices, so please let us know in advance that you are coming, and we will help facilitate the interview. Player interviews are not allowed prior to the start of any race. Do not contact players personally. POST RACE INTERVIEW POLICES For all home and away matches, Belmont players and coaches will be available for postmatch interviews approximately 10 minutes after the conclusion of the race. Opponent interview policy will be determined by the visiting SID.
2009 SCHEDULE DATE 9/4 9/18 10/2 10/3 10/17 10/31 11/14 11/23
DAY Friday Friday Friday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Monday
EVENT Belmont Opener Crimson Classic Auburn Invitational Louisville Classic Evansville Invitational Atlantic Sun Championships NCAA South Region NCAA Nationals
LOCATION Nashville, Tenn. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Auburn, Ala. Louisville, Ky. Evansville, Ind. Deland, Fla. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Terre Haute, Ind.
TIME All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day
ROSTER NAME Aubrey Alexander Courtney Bishop Fallon Dickens Jessica Duble Katelyn Eberhardt Erin Mankin Kimberly Muldowney Nicole Muldowney Jena Rickards Dominique Roy Kara Sephel Caitlin Standifer Brittany Thune Shannon Titus
CLASS-EXP. Senior - 2L Freshman-HS Freshman-HS Freshman-HS Sophomore-1L Junior-2L Sophomore-1L Sophomore-1L Sophomore-1L Junior-2L Junior-2L Sophomore-1L Senior-3L Sophomore-1L
HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOL) Strongsville, Ohio (George Mason) Nashville, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy) Nashville, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy) Lookout Mountian, Ga. (Chattanooga Christian) Mishawaka, Ind. (Mishawaka HS) Nashville, Tenn. (Father Ryan HS) Hoover, Ala. (Hoover HS) Hoover, Ala. (Hoover HS) Sisters, Ore. (Sisters High) Halifax, Nova Scotia (King's College) Nashville, Tenn. (David Lipscomb HS) Plano, Texas (Plano West) Sioux Falls, S.D. (Roosevelt HS) Bowling Green, Ohio (Bowling Green HS)
COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Seth Sheridan (Belmont) Graduate Assistant Coach: Jessica Schmidt (Iowa)
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2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
MEDIA RELATIONS STAFF Greg Sage Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting office: 615-460-6698 greg.sage@belmont.edu -Men’s Basketball
Kenisha Rhone Director of Women’s Sports office: 615-460-5990 kenisha.rhone@belmont.edu -Women’s Basketball, Women’s Soccer, Track & Field
John Langdon Assistant Director office: 615-460-5609 john.langdon@belmont.edu -Golf, Tennis
Brian Karst*
PRONUNCIATION JENA Rickards Jessica DUBLE Kimberly, Nicole MULDOWNEY
ONLINE RESOURCES belmontbruins.com: The official website Belmont University athletics. atlanticsun.org: The official website of the Atlantic Sun Conference. ASun.TV: Source for live video webcasts for all 11 A-Sun schools. Membership basis, with limited free content. ncaa.com: The official website of the NCAA. twitter.com/BelmontXCTF: Belmont cross country and track & field’s official Twitter page, featuring exclusive updates throughout the season.
JEN-na DEW-bul mul-DOWN-ney
Graduate Assistant office: 615-460-8023 brian.karst@belmont.edu -Cross Country, Volleyball, Baseball
Anthony Dudley Graduate Assistant office: anthony.dudley@belmont.edu -Men’s Soccer, Softball
CATEGORY
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Radio/TV Roster
AUBBREY ALEXANDER
COURRTNNEY BISHHOPP
FALLONN DICKKENS
JESSIICAA DUBBLE
Senior - 2L Strongville, Ohio
Freshman - HS Nashville, Tenn.
Freshman - HS Nashville, Tenn.
Freshman - HS Lookout Mountian, Ga.
KATEELYNN EBERHARDT
ERIN MANKIN
KIM MULLDOWNNEY
NICOLLE MULLDOWNNEY
Sophomore - 1L Mishawak, Ind.
Junior - 2L Nashville, Tenn.
Sophomore - 1L Hoover, Ala.
Sophomore - 1L Hoover, Ala.
JENA RICKKARDS
DOM MINIQUE E ROY
KARA SEPHEL
CAITLLIN STAANDIFER
Sophomore - 1L Sisters, Ore.
Junior - 2L Halifax, Nova Scotia
Junior - 2L Nashville, Tenn.
Sophomore - 1L Plano, Texas
BRITTAANY THUNNE
SHANNONN TITUS
SETHH SHERIDAN
JESSIICAA SCHHMIDT
Senior - 3L Sioux Falls, S.D.
Sophomore - 1L Bowling Green, Ohio
Head Coach 14th Year
Graduate Assistant Coach 2nd Year BELMONTBRUINS.COM
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CATEGORY
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Coaching Staff
SETH SHERIDAN Head Coach | 13th Year at Belmont | Eight-time Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year whelming strides. The Bruins have finished a strong second place in each of the last two A-Sun Championships. Moreover, a record five studentathletes participated in the 2007 NCAA Regional meet in Columbia, Mo. - Lynette Rives, Liz Pollock, Jessica Giles, Khalia Turner and Christa Coppin. School and conference records continue to fall daily.
Seth Sheridan is entering his 12th year as the head coach of the Belmont women's cross country and track and field programs. Sheridan has brought much attention to Belmont's cross country program. This past fall, the Bruins secured their sixth Atlantic Sun Cross Country Championship in the last seven years. In addition, Sheridan was named A-Sun Coach of the Year for the seventh year in a row. The Belmont stranglehold on conference supremacy manifests individually as well. Lauren Williams Weaver became the first Bruin to win the A-Sun Individual title and Runner of the Year honors. Weaver went on to finish fifth at the NCAA South Region meet and 45th at Nationals - the best-ever performance by a Bruin runner, eclipsing Keely Weaver who qualified for the 2000 NCAA Cross Country Championship. Weaver paced three Bruins earning All-Conference honors, joined by Brittany Thune and Elizabeth Smothers. All told, Belmont has had an unprecedented 25 All-Conference honorees since joining the Atlantic Sun in 2001.
Prior to coming to Belmont, Sheridan served on the track coaching staff at Nashville’s Montgomery Bell Academy in 1996. From 1993-1994 Sheridan was an assistant coach for Elvis Ford at Austin Peay State University. While at Peay, he was instrumental in the development of the distance runners. Before his stint in Clarksville, he served as the boys' track coach at the University School of Nashville in 1993. A native of Mansfield, Pa., the quick-witted and outgoing Sheridan was an all-district performer and two-time national qualifier during his collegiate career at Belmont. He is married to the former Beth Tallent, a former All-American runner at Vanderbilt University. The couple has two sons, Brennen and Brooks. The Sheridan family resides near Franklin, Tennessee.
The program’s success has also permeated into unparalleled national academic distinction. Lauren Williams-Weaver was named to the 2007 NCAA Division I U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic team. Furthermore, Belmont’s team GPA has ranked in the Top-10 nationally a remarkable nine consecutive years, including leading the nation in 1999 and 2001. The Bruins’ team GPA of 3.77 in 2007 ranked second nationally. His track and field teams have also taken over6
2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
Eight-time Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year with Commissioner Ted Gumbart in 2008.
CATEGORY
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Coaching Staff
CAMERON HARVEY Assistant Coach | Second Season | Marquette, 2004 Cameron Harvey joined the Belmont women's track and field program for his first year in August 2008. He will use his experience and expertise to help the sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers move to the next level as well as assist with recruiting for the program. Harvey joins the Bruins after a two-year stint at his alma mater Marquette University as a graduate assistant. While with the Golden Eagles, he was responsible for designing and implementing workouts for all sprinters and hurdlers as well as handling scouting, recruiting and scheduling. While with the UM program, Harvey assisted in the development of two NCAA Division I qualifiers in the decathlon and indoor 800m and three USATF Junior National Qualifiers in the 100m, 200m and high jump. The program also saw an amazing 17 school records established in events ranging from the 60m to the outdoor pole vault on both the men's and women's side under Harvey's tutelage. Before beginning his career with the Golden Eagles, he served as assistant coach at Rufus King High in Milwaukee. Harvey, who helped oversee over 150 student-athletes at RKHS, once again pushed athletes to excel on the championship level. In 2005, a student-athlete claimed the state title in both the long and triple jumps. Harvey got his coaching start at Catholic Memorial High in Waukesha, Wisc., as assistant men's hurdles and sprints coach. Over the course of his tenure, he helped the program earn the WIAA State Championship and the men's 4x400 relay team to back-to-back championships (2003, 2004). In addition, CMHS became the team indoor state champions in 2004. Harvey, who earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Marquette, was a four-year member of the track and field team. MU's record holder in the 110 hurdles, he was also a two-time Conference USA finalist in both the 60m hurdles and 110m hurdles. A native of Oshkosh, Wisc., Harvey resides in Nashville.
JESSICA SCHMIDT Graduate Assistant Coach | Second Season | Iowa, 2008 Jessica Schmidt enters her second year as a graduate assistant coach of the Belmont women's track and field team and brings with her a wealth of high level competitive experience. A native of Hilliard, Ohio, Schmidt was a successful distance runner for the University of Iowa. As a senior competing for the Hawkeyes, she was a part of the team that placed 10th in the 2007 NCAA National Cross Country Championships and third at the Midwest Regional Championships. On the track, she placed fourth in the 3000m Steeplechase at the Big 10 Conference Championships and 15th at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships. Prior to attending Iowa, Schmidt was a stand-out runner for Hilliard-Davidson High School and helped her team to an Ohio state team title in 2002. Schmidt, who is still a competitive runner, lives in Nashville and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in sport administration at Belmont.
BELMONTBRUINS.COM
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CATEGORY
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
2008 Results Vanderbilt Invitational Nashville, Tenn. Sept. 20 5K
South Dakota St. Classic Brookings, S.D. Oct. 4 5K
Evansville Invitational Evansville, Ind. Oct. 18 5K
Atlantic Sun Championships Macon, Ga. Nov. 1 5K
NCAA South Regional Maryville, Tenn. Nov. 15 6K
77 Participants
161 Participants
188 Participants
83 Participants
156 Participants
DNR
20:04.66 37th
20:00 67th
19:32.26 67th
18:50.31 16th
23:58.70 103rd
15:32.27 28th
19:58.67 35th
20:12 76th
20:07.83 92nd
18:55.53 19th
24:39.70 132nd
17:35.76 79th
DNR
21:03 101st
DNR
DNR
DNR
16:03.50 49th
DNR
DNR
DNR
DNR
DNR
15:31.27 27th
19:22.46 16th
19:25 45th
19:05.11 42nd
18:37.25 13th
23:15.53 76th
17:32.48 78th
21:51.53 59th
21:47 121st
DNR
DNR
DNR
DNR
DNR
19:17 37th
18:38.11 21st
DNR
23:02.20 62nd
DNR
19:06.96 11th
19:50 51st
18:32.50 18th
19:03.19 20th
DNR
15:52.86 41st
19:30.35 21st
19:33 48th
18:53.23 32nd
18:26.44 8th
23:07.64 69th
DNR
DNR
18:07 12th
17:43.48 4th
17:39.06 1st
21:38.30 20th
15:51.37 40th
19:34.42 23rd
19:27 46th
19:06.12 44th
18:54.28 18th
23:34.87 86th
Belmont Opener Nashville, Tenn. Sept. 5 4K 103 Participants
Aubrey Alexander Junior Mason City, Iowa
Katelyn Eberhardt Sophomore Eldoret, Kenya
Erin Mankin Sophomore Lebanon, Tenn.
Kim Muldowney Sophomore Liberty, Mo.
Nicole Muldowney Senior White Bluff, Tenn.
Jena Rickards Senior Kitale, Kenya
Dominique Roy Junior Mason, Ohio
Mollie Schlarman Sophomore Carmel, Ind.
Kara Sephel Senior Fairfield, Ohio
Brittany Thune Senior Radcliff, Ky.
Shannon Titus Freshman Hadden Heights, N.J.
BELMONT OPENER 1. Vanderbilt . . . . . .44 2. Tennessee . . . . .83 3. UAB . . . . . . . . . .94 4. Samford . . . . . . .98 4. Alabama . . . . . . .98 6. MTSU . . . . . . .149 7. Belmont . . . . .180 8. Lipscomb . . . . .196 9. Austin Peay . . .214 10. UT Martin . . . .296 (12 schools total)
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VANDY INVITATIONAL 1. Vanderbilt . . . . . .31 2. Albany . . . . . . . .85 3. Emory . . . . . . . .93 4. Belmont . . . . . .99 5. Lipscomb . . . . .103 6. Tenn. Tech . . . .122 7. Rhodes . . . . . .157 8. TSU . . . . . . . . .255
SD STATE CLASSIC 1. Minnesota 2. Nebraska 3. South Dakota St. 4. South Dakota 5. North Dakota St. 6. Belmont 7. North Dakota 8. Minn. St.-Mankato 9. Morningside College 10. Sioux Falls
EVANSVILLE INVIT. 1. Southern Ill. . . . .50 2. Southern Ind. . . .94 3. Murray State . . .97 4. Belmont . . . . .117 5. Lipscomb . . . . .182 6. Valparaiso . . . .198 7. IUPUI . . . . . . . .202 8. Tenn. Tech . . . .224 9. Eastern Ill. . . . .235 10. Marshall . . . . .323
(15 schools total)
(19 schools total)
2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
A-SUN CHAMP. 1. Belmont . . . . . .56 2. Jacksonville . . . .78 3. Kennesaw St. . .90 4. Lipscomb . . . . .101 5. Campbell . . . . .104 6. North Florida . .172 7. USC Upstate . .187 8. ETSU . . . . . . . .202 9. FGCU . . . . . . .224 10. Stetson . . . . .243 11. Mercer . . . . . .270
NCAA REGIONAL 1. Florida St. . . . . .41 2. Florida . . . . . . . .64 3. Tennessee . . . .116 4. Georgia . . . . . .154 5. Auburn . . . . . . .156 6. UAB . . . . . . . . .198 7. Vanderbilt . . . . .200 8. Alabama . . . . . .219 9. Belmont . . . . .309 10. Jacksonville . .348 (23 schools total)
CATEGORY
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Records, Awards and Honors RECORDS 5K Race Keely Weaver
Auburn Invitational, 2001
6K Race Keely Weaver
NCAA South Regional, 2000
. . . . . . . 17:05 . . . . .20:47
AWARDS AND HONORS NCAA Championship Qualifier Keely Weaver 50th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2000 Lauren Williams Weaver 45th . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007 All-South Region Christy Csorna . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999, 00, 02, 03 Sarah Damen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2002 Margaret Elliott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001 Keely Weaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999, 00, 01 Lauren Williams Weaver . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006, 07
2001: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 runners Margaret Elliott FIRST TEAM Keely Weaver FIRST TEAM Sarah Damen SECOND TEAM Allison Mills SECOND TEAM Kelsey Reed SECOND TEAM
Atlantic Sun Runner of the Year Brittany Thune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006, 08 Lauren Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2004 Lisa Crampton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2003 Kelsey Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001 Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year Seth Sheridan . . . . .01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08
Atlantic Sun All-Conference Honors 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 runners Brittany Thune FIRST TEAM Kara Sephel SECOND TEAM Nicole Muldowney FIRST TEAM
Atlantic Sun All-Academic Aubrey Alexander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007 Elizabeth Benson . . . . . . . . . .2001, 02, 03, 04, 05 Katie Chinn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001, 02, 03, 04 Lisa Crampton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2003, 04 Christy Csorna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2003 Sarah Damen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2002, 03, 04 Margaret Elliott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001, 02 Kristin Furman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001, 02, 03, 04 Anna Giles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2003 Lindsay Honea . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2002, 03, 04, 05 Christi Beth Johnston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001 Constance Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001, 02 Courtney Laughead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001, 02 Ashley Lofton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2005 Erin Mankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007 Kristin McKnight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2003 Allison Mills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001 Kelsey Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001, 04, 05 Lynn Roessner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001, 02, 03 Dominique Roy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007 Megan Saunders . . . . . . . . . . . . .2004, 05, 06, 07 Mollie Schlarman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2005, 06, 07 Kara Sephel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007 Emily Sheffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001 Elizabeth Smothers . . . . . . . . . . .2004, 05, 06, 07 Abbie Sumrall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2005, 06 Keely Weaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001, 02 Lauren Williams . . . . . . . . . .2003, 04, 05, 06, 07 Brittany Thune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006, 07, 08 Whitney Thurman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
2006: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 runners Lauren Williams FIRST TEAM Elizabeth Smothers FIRST TEAM Whitney Thurman SECOND TEAM Brittany Thune SECOND TEAM 2005: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 runners Lauren Williams FIRST TEAM Elizabeth Smothers SECOND TEAM 2004: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 runners Elizabeth Benson FIRST TEAM Lauren Williams FIRST TEAM Sherri Bissing SECOND TEAM Elizabeth Smothers SECOND TEAM 2003: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 runners Christy Csorna FIRST TEAM Elizabeth Benson SECOND TEAM Lisa Crampton SECOND TEAM Anna Giles SECOND TEAM 2002: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 runners Sarah Damen FIRST TEAM Margaret Elliott FIRST TEAM Christy Csorna SECOND TEAM Kristin Furman SECOND TEAM
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2nd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2nd
Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team 2006: Brittany Thune 2005: Laura Kaplan 2004: Lauren Williams, Sherri Bissing, Elizabeth Smothers 2003: Lisa Crampton, Anna Giles 2001: Kelsey Reed, Sarah Damen
Atlantic Sun Conference Championships (7) 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008
2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 runners Lauren Williams Weaver FIRST TEAM Brittany Thune FIRST TEAM Elizabeth Smothers FIRST TEAM
2004 2005 2006 2007
Kara Sephel was a first time all-conference runner in 2008.
WICCA Division I Academic All-American Team (Team GPA Rankings) 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1st 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3rd 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1st 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8th 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10th BELMONTBRUINS.COM
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MEET THE BRUINS
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Seniors
BRITTANY THUNE
AUBREY ALEXANDER
SENIOR - 3L SIOUX FALLS, S.D. ROOSEVELT HS
SENIOR - 2L STRONGSVILLE, OHIO STRONGSVILLE HS (GEORGE MASON)
PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14:36 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17:39.06 (11/1/08) 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21:38.30 (11/15/08)
PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16:55 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18:50.31 (11/1/08) 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23:58.70 (11/15/08)
2008: Atlantic Sun Runner of the Year ... All-Conference First Team ... Placed first at the A-Sun Championships with a 5K personal-record of 17:39.06 ... That time was the conference’s fastest sinice 2005 and the fourth-best finish ever ... A-Sun Runner of the Week twice (10/8; 10/22) ... Ran a 6K personal-record of 21:38.30 in the NCAA South Regional (11/15) to finish 20th out of 156 runners ... Placed fourth at the Evansville Invitational (10/18) ... Finished 12th in her home state at the South Dakota State Classic (10/4). 2007: Built on freshman success to emerge as one of the premier runners in the conference and region ... First Team All-Atlantic Sun ... Three Top-10 and Four Top-40 finishes in six starts ... Third at Atlantic Sun Championships ... Sixth at Belmont Opener ... Ninth at Vanderbilt Invitational ... Ran strong 21:55 in 6K PreNationals ... Finished solid 39th at NCAA South Region meet in Gainesville ... Academic All-Conference. 2006: Named A-Sun Freshman of the Year... Earned 2nd team All-Atlantic Sun honors... Posted two top-10 and four top-25 finishes... Earned A-Sun AllFreshman honors... Placed 6th at the Evansville Invitational October 14, 2006... Earned A-Sun All-Academic honors. High School: Prepped at Roosevelt High School... Two-time All-State performer in cross country and three time All-State in track and field... As a senior, she placed 12th at the state cross country championships and fifth and seventh in the 800 and 1600 meters respectively... Named Roosevelt's Female Athlete of the Year in 2006. Personal: Born on April 18, 1987 in Alexandria, Va. ... Parents are John and Kimberley Thune ... Father represents South Dakota as a U.S. Senator ... Has one sibling, Larissa ... A business major ... Plans to persue graduate school in business or law.
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2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
2008: Participated in five races ... Helped lead team to the conference title with a season-best 5K time of 18:55.53 in A-Sun Championships ... Ran a 6K time of 23:58.70 at NCAA South Regional. 2007: Made six appearances, with her highest finish as 46th coming at Atlantic Sun Championships ... Also ran at NCAA South Region meet. Prior to Belmont: Attended George Mason University for one year before transferring ... Participated in 2006 cross country season ... Recorded a season-best at the Towson Invitation ... Finished 88th at CAA Championships. High School: Twice Pioneer Conference MVP for Strongsville High School ... All-Ohio DI in 1600m ... Set school record in 1600m and 4x800m relay ... Twice cross country MVP and track MVP at Strongsville ... Twice State Qualifier in cross country (2002, 2003) and twice State Qualifier in track (2003, 2004) ... AllState in 1600m ... Team captain ... National Honor Society. Personal: Born January 15, 1988 in Strongville, Ohio ... Daughter of Don and Rae Alexander ... Both parents are competitive runners ... Has three siblings, Andy, Kellen and Colby ... Majoring in entertainment industry studies.
MEET THE BRUINS
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Juniors
ERIN MANKIN
KARA SEPHEL
JUNIOR - 2L NASHVILLE, TENN. FATHER RYAN HS
JUNIOR - 2L NASHVILLE, TENN. DAVID LIPSCOMB HS
PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17:35.76 (9/5/08) 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21:03 (10/4/08) 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NA
PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15:52.86 (9/5/08) 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18:26.44 (11/1/08) 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23:07.64 (11/1/08)
2008: Participated in two races ... Ran season-best time of 21:03 at South Dakota State Classic (10/4) ... Posted a 4K time of 17:35.76 in the Belmont Opener (9/4). 2007: Made one appearance in the Belmont Opener. High School: Attended Father Ryan High School in Nashville ... First Team AllState ... First Team All-Metro .... Team captain for distict and region team champions ... Lead runner ... Set school record in 4x1600m at Doug Hall Relays ... Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance student. Personal: Born November 2, 1988 in Nashville, Tenn. ... Daughter of Jay and Suzanne Bingham ... Has one brother, Corey ... Majoring in Business ... High school teammates Laura Stewart and Andrea Kalmanek also running collegiately ... Cites winning region championship as biggest sports thrill.
DOMINIQUE ROY JUNIOR - 2L HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA KING’S COLLEGE ST. PATRICK’S HS
2008: A-Sun Freshman of the Year ... All-Conference Second Team ... Participated in all six races ... Big piece of the Bruins conference title after running a 5K personal-record of 18:26.44 at the A-Sun Championships (11/1) for 8th place ... Placed 32nd out of 188 participants at Evansville Invitational (10/18) with time of 18:53.23. 2007: Made one race appearance as freshman, 81st in collegiate debut at Belmont Opener ... Academic All-Conference. High School: Prepped at David Lipscomb High School in Nashville ... Tabbed Female Athlete of the Year in 2007 ... Named Runner of the Year in 2003 and 2004 ... Cross country team's MVP all four years ... All-Metro and All Mid-State cross country teams five times (2002-2006) ... Helped DLHS cross country team to state championship title three years in a row (2002-04) ... Tabbed Most Valuable Distance Runner five consecutive years (2003-07) ... Three-time Region Individual champion ... Three event (3200m, 1600m, 800m) state qualifier in 2005 and 2007 ... Was state champion in 1600m in 2005 ... Freshman city champion in the one and two mile events (2004) ... Participated in Music City Track USATF Junior Olympics in 2004 and 2005. Personal: Has an older sister, Alysse, and an twin sister, Erin ... Daughter of Greg and Stephanie Sephel ... Born on February 3, 1989 in Nashville, Tenn. ... Majoring in Spanish.
PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15:22 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18:38.11 (10/18/08) 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23:02.20 (11/15/08) 2008: Participated in three races to help lead the Bruins to the conference title ... Ran time of 18:38.11 at Evansville Invitational (10/18) to finish 21st out of 188 runners ... Ran at the NCAA South Regional (11/15) with a personal-record 6K time of 23:02.20. 2007: Made six appearances as freshman, with two top-25 finishes ... 23rd at Atlantic Sun Championships ... 24th in collegiate debut at Belmont Opener ... 55th at Vanderbilt Invitational ... Ran at Pre-Nationals and NCAA South Region meet in Gainesville, Fla. ... Academic All-Conference. Prior to Belmont: Attended University of King's College for one year before transferring ... Prepped at St. Patrick's High School ... Third in 300m, 1500m and fourth in 1500m and 3K senior year at Provincials (Canadian State's) ... Cross country MVP senior year ... Ran at Canadian Nationals 2005 ... Canadian Junior Championships 2006 ... Led team to capital region team championships in 2004 & 2005 ... Record holder in several distances. Personal: Born January 29, 1988 in Halifax, Nova Scotia ... Majoring in Sociology ... Daughter of Andree Roy. BELMONTBRUINS.COM
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MEET THE BRUINS
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Sophomores
KATELYN EBERHARDT
NICOLE MULDOWNEY
SOPHOMORE - 1L MISHAWAKA, IND. MISHAWAKA HS
SOPHOMORE - 1L HOOVER, ALA. HOOVER HS
PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15:32.27 (9/5/08) 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18:55.53 (11/1/08) 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24:39.70 (11/15/08)
PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15:31.27 (9/5/08) 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18:37.25 (11/1/08) 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23:15.53 (11/15/08)
2008: Atlantic Sun All-Freshman team ... Participated in all six races ... Ran season-best time of 18:55.33 at the Atlantic Sun Championships (11/1) to finish 19th ... 6K time of 24:39.70 at NCAA South Regional (11/15). High School: Standout performer at Mishawaka High for coach Chris Kowaleski ... Three-time First Team All-Conference N.I.C. ... Indiana State Qualifier in cross country ... Also State Qualifier in outdoor track events, 3200m and 4 x 800m relay ... Two-time conference champion in 3200m ... Part of high school recordsetting 4x800m relay team ... Earned Frank M. Steele Mental Attitude Award ... National Honor Society. Personal: Exercise Science major ... Three siblings; Mary Beth, Christopher, and Ryan ... Daughter of Thomas and Christine Eberhardt ... Born March 16, 1990 in South Bend, Ind.
KIMBERLY MULDOWNEY SOPHOMORE - 1L HOOVER, ALA. HOOVER HS PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16:03.50 (9/5/08) 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NA 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NA 2008: Participated in just one race due to injury ... Recorded a 4K time of 16:03.50 at Belmont Opener (9/5). High School: A highly-decorated runner from Hoover High program for coach Devon Hind ... Four-time Alabama All-State in Cross Country ... Four-time AllMetro ... 2006 All-South selection ... Member of 2006 Alabama 6A High School State Champions in Indoor Track ... Also three-time State Runner-up in Cross Country ... Two-time State Runner-up in Indoor Track and 2005 State Runner-up in Outdoor Track ... Holds school record in Indoor 800m at 2:22.20 ... Also part of school record relay teams in Indoor 4 x 800, Outdoor 4 x 1600m, and Outdoor Distance Medley ... Four-time letterwinner ... Also named 2004 Defensive Player of the Year for the soccer team ... National Honor Society ... Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society ... Spanish National Honor Society. Personal: Born June 13, 1990 in Staten Island, New York ... Daughter of Ken and Teresa Muldowney ... Runs with twin sister, Nicole, at Belmont and has another sister, Michelle ... Hopes to major in Pharmacy or Physical Therapy ... Eight high school teammates running collegiately.
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2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
2008: A-Sun All-Freshman team ... All-Conference Second Team ... Participated in all six races as a freshman ... Recorded 5K personal-record of 18:37.25 to place 13th at the A-Sun Championships (11/1) ... Finished 76th out of 156 runners at NCAA South Regional (11/15) with a 6K time of 23:15.53 ... Ran 19:05.11 at the Evansville Invitational to finish 42nd. High School: A highly-decorated runner from Hoover High program for coach Devon Hind ... Four-time Alabama All-State honoree ... Two-time All-South Team honoree ... Four-time All-Metro Team ... Hoover Top Runner Award 2004-2007 ... Four-time letterwinner ... Member of 2006 Alabama 6A Indoor Track State Champions .. Three-time State Runner-up in Cross Country ... Two-time State Runner-up in Indoor Track ... 2005 State Runner-up in Outdoor track ... Holds numerous Hoover High school records; 1600m indoor, 3200m Indoor, 1600 Outdoor, 3200m Outdoor, 4 x 800 Indoor relay, 4 x 1600m Outdoor relay and Outdoor Distance Medley relay ... Four-time letterwinner ... Twice named Midfield Player of the Year as part of soccer team ... National Honor Society ... Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society ... Spanish National Honor Society ... Three-time Hoover High Community Service Award recipient. Personal: Born June 13, 1990 in Staten Island, New York ... Daughter of Ken and Teresa Muldowney ... Runs with twin sister, Kimberly, at Belmont and has another sister, Michelle ... Hopes to major in Pharmacy or Physical Therapy ... Eight high school teammates running collegiately.
MEET THE BRUINS
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Sophomores
JENA RICKARDS
SHANNON TITUS
SOPHOMORE - 1L SISTERS, ORE. SISTERS HS
SOPHOMORE - 1L BOWLING GREEN, OHIO BOWLING GREEN HS
PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17:32.48 (9/5/08) 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21:47 (10/4/08) 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NA
PERSONAL RECORDS 4K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15:51.37 (9/5/08) 5K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18:54.28 (11/1/08) 6K: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23:34.87 (11/15/08)
2008: Participated in three races ... Ran career-best 5K time of 21:47 at South Dakota State Classic (10/4) ... Recorded 4K time of 17:32.48 in first race as a Bruin at the Belmont Opener (9/5). High School: Member of the All-State Conference first team all four years of high school ... Served as team captain in junior and senior seasons ... Mainstay for Oregon State Runner-up at Suster High for coaches Charlie Kanzig and Bob Johnson ... State qualifier all four years of high school ... First place in district in 2004 and 2006 ... 5K times ranked second in Oregon High School Cross Country in 2007, Fifth in 2006 and 2004 ... Holds Sisters High school record in 5K at 19:40 ... Honors and CIM graduate. Personal: Born January 27, 1990 in Trenton, Wash. ... Has three siblings; Kyle, Emily and Evan ... Daughter of Daniel and Julia Rickards ... Majoring in Music Business.
2008: Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team ... Participated in all six races ... Placed 18th at the A-Sun Championships (11/1) with a 5K personal-record of 18:54.28 ... Recorded a 6K time of 23:34.87 at NCAA South Regional (11/15) as the thirdhighest placed Bruin ... Finished 44th out of 188 runners at the Evansville Invitational (10/18) with time of 19:06.12. Prior to Belmont: Decorated product of tradition-rich Bowling Green HS program for coach Brian Tucker ... Four-time Ohio State Cross Championships Qualifier ... Member of two Ohio State Cross Country Team Championships at BGHS ... Personal-best time of 18:44 in the 5K senior year ... Attended Nike Team Nationals ... Also a standout high school swimmer, part of All-Ohio 400m free relay. Personal: Born March 8, 1990 in State College, Pa. ... Sister, Christy, is a runner at Boston College ... Has two other siblings, Ben and Kelly ... Daughter of Phil and Jeanne Titus.
CAITLIN STANDIFER SOPHOMORE - 1L PLANO, TEXAS PLANO WEST HS
2008: Did not compete with the cross country squad. High School: Two-time Regional Qualifier in the 4x400 ... Helped Plano West team to appearances at District and Regional Championships and two fourthplace finishes at 5A State. Personal: Born on February 11, 1989 in Plano, Texas ... Daughter of Steve and Sheryl Standifer ... Majoring in Entrepreneurship.
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MEET THE BRUINS
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Freshmen
COURTNEY BISHOP
JESSICA DUBLE
FRESHMAN - HS NASHVILLE, TENN. BRENTWOOD ACADEMY
FRESHMAN - HS LOOKOUT MOUNTIAN, GA. CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN HS
High School: Led Brentwood Academy to a second-place team finish in the 2008 Cross Country State Championship … A four-time All Mid-State selection … Earned All-State track honors in 2009 … Cross country team captain junior and senior years … Qualified for the cross country state meet all four years … Finished second at the state cross country meet as a senior … Coached by Cathy Cheeseman. Personal: Courtney Mae Bishop … Born May 20, 1990 in Pensacola, Fla. … Parents are Robert and Annette Bishop … Mother graduated from Belmont in 1982 … Father is a family practice M.D. … Uncle, Rob Parrish, also graduated from Belmont … Has an older sister, Brooke, and a younger sister, Grace ... Spanish major.
FALLON DICKENS FRESHMAN - HS NASHVILLE, TENN. BRENTWOOD ACADEMY
High School: Prepped at Brentwood Academy under head coach Cathy Cheeseman … Qualified for state all four years … Great 8 Conference Champion as a junior in the 800m race … Lists greatest sports thrill as advancing from fourth- to first-place in the last leg of the distance medley relay at the Doug Hall Relays during senior year … All Mid-State selection. Personal: Fallon Elizabeth Dickens … Born June 8, 1991 in Pasadena, Calif. … Parents Matthew Dickens and Alisa Gyse both work in the music industry.
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2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
High School: Prepped at Chattanooga Christian School under head coach Mike Fingerle … Graduated from CCS holding three records in cross country and track … 5K record of 18:47 … 3200m record of 11:18 … 1600m record of 5:14 … Named cross country team MVP all four years and track MVP two years … Three-time All-State selection … A three-time TSSAA Class A-AA State Champion … Captured first cross country state title as a sophomore with a 5K time of 19:31 … Repeated as a junior with a time of 18:59 … Also won the 1600m state championship on the track as a junior with a time of 5:14. Personal: Jessica Rheay Duble … Born June 30, 1991 in Chattanooga, Tenn. … Parents are Greg and Debbie Duble … Chattanooga Christian School valedictorian for the Class of 2009 with a 4.22 GPA … National Merit Scholar Finalist … Malone Scholar … Has two younger siblings, Ryan and Rebecca ... Undecided on a major at Belmont.
THIS IS BELMONT
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Belmont University BELMONT HISTORY Belmont University sits on 75 historic acres two miles southwest of downtown Nashville, Tenn., a thriving metropolis known worldwide as Music City USA. In the mid-1800s, the land the university now occupies was known as the Belle Monte estate, the Victorian home of one of Tennessee’s wealthiest couples, Joseph and Adelicia Acklen. Their antebellum mansion remains today, flanked by university buildings separated in age by more than a century. The first educational institution on the estate was the original Belmont College (1890-1913), offering elementary school through junior college education to young ladies. The school merged with Ward Seminary to become the prestigious Ward-Belmont School for Women (1913-1951) and in 1951, with the support of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, the school became the coed Belmont College. Since becoming Belmont University in 1991, Belmont has grown not only in size but in quality. The mansions, gardens and statues of Belmont's historic past now sit side-byside with state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the best technology and teachers to train today's students with the right tools for real world success. Belmont University is among the fastest growing Christian universities in the nation with about 5,000 students hailing from almost every state and more than 25 countries. Since 2000, enrollment has risen from just under 3,000 to 4,756 students for the 2007-08 school year, marking an increase of more than 60 percent. As enrollment steadily increases, so does the quality and diversity of each new class. Incoming 2007-08 freshmen represented 43 states and seven foreign countries and scored an average of 26 on the ACT. ACADEMICS In addition, Belmont continues to excel academically and was ranked 11th on the U.S News & World Report listing of “Best Universities” in the South in the master’s category for their 2008 edition of America’s Best Colleges, making Belmont the highest-ranked university in Tennessee in this category. Both Rolling Stone and Time magazines have hailed Belmont's Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business as one of the best music business programs in the country. The Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business has been named the best MBA program
in the region, while Belmont’s business administration and accounting programs have been accredited by AACSB International, the premier accrediting agency in that arena. Located in the heart of Music City USA (Nashville, Tenn.), one of Belmont’s consistent success stories is its world-renowned music and music business programs. Several big names in the music industry started their careers at Belmont including “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle, Christian recording artists Ginny Owens and Steven Curtis Chapman, and country stars Trisha Yearwood, Lee Ann Womack, Brad Paisley and Josh Turner. The annual “Christmas at Belmont” concert showcases performing ensembles from many different genres and has been broadcast nationwide on PBS four years in a row. The University recently added a songwriting major to its offerings, one of only a few such programs in the country. CAMPUS GROWTH As Belmont’s academic program offerings grow, so too does the physical campus. Recent additions include the 2003 opening of a $52 million entertainment and student life complex which houses the Curb Event Center arena, the Beaman Student Life Center and the Maddox Grand Atrium. In 2005, Belmont opened the first university-based electronic financial trading center, which includes a digital stock ticker, data wall, TV monitors and workstations. The Gordon E. Inman Center opened in 2006, providing a state-of-the-art $22.5 million facility that houses Belmont’s nursing, social work, occupational therapy and physical therapy programs and will be the temporary home for the new School of Pharmacy. The School of Nursing was recognized earlier this year by Laerdal Medical Corporation as a Center of Educational Excellence in part due to the advanced training the school’s multiple simulation models offer to its students. A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF LEARNING AND SERVICE In 2007, the university’s formal relationship with the Tennessee Baptist Convention ended. In recent years, Belmont broadened its mission and can now include on its Board of Trustees members of all Christian denominations. In addition, Belmont joined the Lilly Fellows Program’s National Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities, a collective that also includes Baylor University, Boston College, Villanova and Notre Dame, among others. Belmont is a student-focused, Christian community of learning and service where students hear from their first visit to campus until the day they graduate that they are created for a purpose in life. The Belmont faculty and staff dedicate themselves to preparing and empowering students to find their passion and use it to change the world. The university seeks to show every student how the love of Christ can compel them to lead lives of disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage and faith. With more than 75 areas of study, 12 master’s programs and three doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon.
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THIS IS BELMONT
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
University President
DR. ROBERT FISHER Belmont University President | 2008 Tennessean of the Year Dr. Robert (Bob) Fisher serves as President of Belmont University, a position he has held since April 2000. During his tenure the university’s enrollment has risen by nearly 70 percent while the campus itself has expanded significantly with the additions of the Curb Event Center and Beaman Student Life Center, the Gordon E. Inman Center, the Troutt Theater complex and several new residence halls and parking garages. But Dr. Fisher’s greatest sense of accomplishment comes not from new campus structures, stronger endowments or a larger student body. Rather, he measures achievement through witnessing education’s impact on each individual student. “The student is the focus of all our efforts here at Belmont,” Fisher said, “and our top priority is meeting the needs of those students. My life's mission is to help create experiences that transform people, especially students, in ways that enable them to become all they were created to be.” Prior to his appointment at Belmont, Fisher was vice president for academic affairs at Arkansas State University for four years and was dean of the School of Business at Henderson State University, his alma mater, for 10 years. Fisher earned a B.S.B.A. from Henderson State, an M.B.A. from the University of Memphis and a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. In addition to his success as both faculty member and higher education administrator, Fisher is also an accomplished author with his most recent work, Life Is a Gift: Inspiration from the Soon Departed, released in 2008. Co-authored with his wife Judy, Life Is a Gift features a collection of lessons learned from interviews with 104 terminally ill patients of Alive Hospice in Nashville. Dr. Fisher previously co-authored Real Dream Teams: Seven ractices Used by World-Class Team Leaders to
Achieve extraordinary Results, published by St. Lucie Press, with Belmont’s Vice President of University Advancement Dr. Bo Thomas. Dr. Fisher has published numerous articles on management and leadership and has consulted with a wide variety of organizations on human resource and strategic planning issues, including Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Alltel, Arkla Gas and the U.S. Department of Transportation, among others. In 1992, Fisher served in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as a Fulbright Scholar, conducting research and consulting with the National Institute of Public Administration. He also provided a keynote address at the Arabian Society for Human Resource Management Conference in Bahrain in 1998. Active in his community, Fisher has served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, the Country Music Foundation, the Boy Scouts of Middle Tennessee, the Nashville Symphony, the PENCIL Foundation, the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, TICUA, Cumberland Region Tomorrow, Fifth Third Bank and the NCAA Division I Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Nashville, participates in Nashville’s Agenda, and is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Nashville. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Arkansas Enterprise Group, a division of Southern Development Bank. Married for 38 years, Dr. Fisher and his wife Judy share in their commitment to Belmont University. The Fishers are the proud parents of three grown children and have two wonderful sons-in-law and four perfect grandsons.
ENROLLMENT GAINS UNDER FISHER Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Enrollment (gain) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,129 (153) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,344 (215) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,629 (285) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,959 (330) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,319 (360) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,484 (165) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,765 (281) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5,017 (252)
Enrollment is up 69 percent since Fall 2000. The overwhelming progress is “the latest validation that Belmont University has the right vision for its future," said Dr. Robert Fisher, president of the university. "Belmont University is on a roll. The abilities of our incoming freshmen and our rapidly rising enrollment show we are on the right track."
MISSION STATEMENT Belmont University is a student-centered Christian community providing an academically challenging education that empowers men and women of diverse backgrounds to engage and transform the world with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage and faith.
VALUES OF BELMONT Integrity Inquiry Collaboration Service Humility
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2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
THIS IS BELMONT
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Director of Athletics
MIKE STRICKLAND Director of Athletics | 14th Year at Belmont
ABOUT MR. BIRTHDATE
STRICKLAND
June 4
HOMETOWN Atlanta, Ga.
EDUCATION Georgia Southern B.S. Political Science University of Georgia M.A. Public Administration
EXPERIENCE Belmont, Director of Athletics 1996-present Murray State, Athletics Director 1987-96 Wichita State, Associate AD 1983-87
PERSONAL Wife: Martha Daughters: Leanna, Sara (Vaughn)
Now entering his 14th year as Director of Athletics, Mike Strickland has led Belmont's Department of Athletics through its infancy stages as a new NCAA Division I program to become one that sees annual success on the field and in the classroom. During his tenure at Belmont, the program has expanded the number of teams it fields, joined the Atlantic Sun Conference, enhanced its facilities, and established a reputation producing winning teams and distinguished student-athletes. Since arriving in Nashville in 1996, Strickland has overseen the inception of six new sports at Belmont: women's soccer, women's golf and men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field. In addition, the University has built the Frances Bond Davis Tennis Courts and the Whitten Soccer Complex, as well the most recent partnership with Metro Parks for athletic fields at Rose Park. This exciting new venture will house Belmont baseball, softball, soccer, and track & field. Two of the most important achievements of his tenure at Belmont are the acceptance of Belmont into the Atlantic Sun Conference and the opening of the Curb Event Center. During his tenure, Strickland has overseen a program expansion from 11 to 17 teams of competition, spearheaded membership into the Atlantic Sun Conference, spurred athletic facility enhancement and forged a reputation of producing winning teams and distinguished student-athletes. In 2008, Belmont became the first school in Atlantic Sun Conference history to represent the league in three consecutive NCAA Men's Basketball Championships. Adding conference championships in women's cross country, women's soccer and volleyball during the past academic year, Belmont Athletics has won a staggering 26 Atlantic Sun Conference Championships since becoming a member institution in 2001-02 - far and away the league standard. In addition, the school has hosted nine conference championships over the past five years, most recently the 2006 A-Sun Volleyball Championship. Strickland has taken a leadership role in the A-Sun serving as chairman of the tournament committee and presently serves as a member of the conference's membership committee. In addition to the program's success on the field, his tenure has seen the building of the exquisite Curb Event Center. The $52 million facility, which opened in the fall of 2003, has become the centerpiece of the athletics program. The complex houses a new 5,000-seat arena for basketball and volleyball, locker rooms for all sports, a training facility and weight room, as well as administrative offices for the Athletic Department. Off the field, the athletic department has made academic achievement the cornerstone of its definition of success. Belmont has won the Atlantic Sun Academic Trophy seven of the past eight years. The Bruins boast-
ed over two-thirds of their student athletes with a gradepoint average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale during the past academic year. Belmont is the only school to win the trophy five straight times (2002-2006). Also of significance, Belmont has earned distinction from the NCAA in each of their Academic Progress Rate (APR) reports. Strickland brings varied years of experience to the program, including nine years as athletics director at Murray State University prior to coming to Belmont. While at Murray State, Strickland served on numerous Ohio Valley Conference committees as well as serving on the NCAA I-AA football advisory committee and the NCAA rifle committee. Prior to serving at Murray State, Strickland was an Associate Athletics Director at Wichita State University from 1983-87, where he was responsible for all business operations for the department. Strickland earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Georgia Southern University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Georgia. In June of 2009, Strickland received the Under Armour National Assocation of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Division I Southeast Region A.D. of the Year Award. Strickland was honored at the annual NACDA convention in Orlando, Fla. Strickland is married to the former Martha Thomas, an English instructor at Nashville State Community College. The couple has two children: Leanna Elizabeth, an undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee, and Sara Grace, a Belmont University graduate who is married to Jared Vaughn. In 2008, Mike and Martha celebrated two milestone events: their 35th wedding anniversary and the arrival of their first grandson, Jacob. In his leisure time, Mike enjoys travel, history, and spending time with his family.
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THIS IS BELMONT
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Senior Woman Administrator / Administration
BETTY WISEMAN Assistant AD/Senior Woman Administrator | 43rd Year at Belmont For five decades, Betty Wiseman has been an active figure at Belmont University. As a student, coach, and professor, Wiseman has been a great ambassador for the University and the Department of Athletics. As Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator, Wiseman advises the athletic department on the status of women's sports and conducts administrative tasks in relation to all sports. She serves as liaison between Athletics and Student Affairs, coordinates counseling, discipline, and all random drug-testing for athletes, and serves as advisor to Belmont’s Student-Athletes Advisory Committee. In addition, she works with teams as they participate in service opportunities throughout the year, including organizing and leading a yearly foreign mission trip with athletes to do Sports Evangelism overseas. Countries served through these trips include Poland, Portugal, Costa Rica, Brazil, Venezuela, and Ukraine. In May 2009 she will lead a team to Cape Town, South Africa. Wiseman also serves on many committees and boards. In 2008 she completed a four-year term as one of the Atlantic Sun Conference’s representatives on the NCAA Management Council. The Management Council serves as the main legislative body for Division I sports. She has been a member of many Atlantic Sun Conference committees. After graduating from Belmont in 1965, the Portland, Tennessee native was named as Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education in 1966 and began a teaching career of 40 years. She was named Professor Emeritus in the Department of Health and Human Performance in 2006 where she served as Chair for six years. In 1968 the former high school basketball standout began a new career as a women’s sports trailblazer when she founded the women’s basketball program at Belmont, one of the first programs, not only in the state, but in the southeast. Wiseman was the head women's basketball coach at Belmont for 16 seasons, compiling a 248-152 record. She led Belmont to four consecutive berths in the National Women's Invitational Tournament from 1973-1977. In those tournaments, her teams knocked off such programs as Alabama, Nebraska, and North Carolina. She was inducted into the Belmont Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981. Wiseman has been honored by several organizations for her contributions to collegiate athletics. In 1999 she was given the Josten-Berenson Service Award by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association during the NCAA Women’s Final Four in San Jose, California to recognize her lifelong commitment to women's basketball. In 2003 Belmont honored her by naming part of the university’s new athletic facility the Striplin-Wiseman Athletic Office Complex. Finally, in 2004, Wiseman was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame for her contributions to promoting women’s basketball in the state. She is the first Belmont coach or athlete to be so honored. In July 2007 she was featured in an article on the front page of The Tennessean, as a Tennessee Sports Legend. She is a member of Brentwood Baptist Church where she serves as Trustee, is a member of the adult choir, serves as a substitute teacher in Sunday School, and is an active missions volunteer.
ABOUT MISS WISEMAN BIRTHDATE February 19, 1943
HOMETOWN Portland, Tenn.
EDUCATION Belmont, B.A. Physical Education Vanderbilt, M.A. (Peabody College for Teachers)
COACHING EXPERIENCE Belmont Women’s Basketball (1968-84) Belmont Tennis (1976-84)
Administrative Staff
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STEVE BARRICK
JULIE BEAZLEY
WES BURTNER
Associate AD
Program Assistant
Bruin Club Director
DEBBIE CHENOWETH HEATHER COPELAND Basketball Operations
Director of Compliance
COLETTE KEYSER JOHN LANGDON Academic Compliance
Assistant Director of Compliance
AMY MCGINNIS
KENISHA RHONE
GREG SAGE
SEAN SAWYER
RENEE SCHULTZ
JOYCE WATSON
Finance
Women’s Director of Media Relations
Director of Media Relations
Director of Corporate Sales
Academic Coordinator
Budget Assistant
2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
CATEGORY
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Belmont Head Coaches
RICK BYRD Men’s Basketball
LISSA BRADFORD Women’s Golf
TONY CROSS Women’s Basketball
EARLE DAVIDSON Men’s Soccer
2008-09 ATHLETICS YEAR IN REVIEW
SCOTT FLYNN Men’s Golf
DAVE JARVIS
Team Overall Conference (Finish) Baseball 29-29 15-15 (T-6th) M. Basketball 20-13 14-6 (T-2nd) W. Basketball 18-13 12-8 (T-4th) M. Cross Country - (2nd) W. Cross Country - (1st) Men’s Golf - (10th) Women’s Golf - (7th) Men’s Soccer 11-8-2 4-3-2 (5th) Women’s Soccer 13-7-3 6-3-1 (3rd)* Softball 11-35 3-17 (11th) Men’s Tennis 14-8 7-3 (4th) Women’s Tennis 8-11 2-8 (9th) M. Track & Field - (5th) M. Indoor T&F - (5th) W. Track & Field - (8th) W. Indoor T&F - (4th) Volleyball 25-8 16-4 (3rd)* *Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Champions
Head Coach Dave Jarvis Rick Byrd Tony Cross Jeff Langdon Seth Sheridan Scott Flynn Lissa Bradford Earle Davidson Lisa Howe Amy Tudor Jim Madirigal Mark Srouji Jeff Langdon Jeff Langdon Seth Sheridan Seth Sheridan Deane Webb
CHRIS KUHLMEYER
Baseball
JEFF LANGDON Men’s Cross Country Men’s Track & Field
LISA HOWE Women’s Soccer
Softball
JIM MADRIGAL Men’s Tennis
SETH SHERIDAN Women’s Cross Country Women’s Track & Field
MARK SROUJI
DEANE WEBB
Women’s Tennis
Volleyball
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CATEGORY
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Academics
COLETTE KEYSER
RENNE SCHULTZ
ACADEMIC COMPLIANCE OFFICER KENTUCKY WESLEYAN
ACADEMIC COORDINATOR
Colette Keyser enters her eighth year with Belmont University's Department of Athletics. In addition to overseeing the department's academic support programs for student-athletes, Keyser serves as the primary liaison to the Belmont campus regarding issues related to student-athlete eligibility. Keyser is responsible for reporting all APR (Academic Progress Rate) and GSR (Graduation Success Rate) data to the NCAA. Her duties also include academic advising and monitoring student-athletes' academic progress to meet NCAA requirements for continuing academic eligibility and University requirements for timely graduation and good academic standing. She works closely with coaches in the recruitment of prospective studentathletes and manages the department's Academic Enhancement Fund. Keyser earned her Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Kentucky Wesleyan College and her Master's in Communication from Western Kentucky University. She serves on various campus committees, including the Sport Administration Advisory Council, the Scholarship and Awards Nomination Committee, and the Academic Integrity Review Committee. She also holds memberships in various professional organizations, including N4A (National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics) and NACADA (National Academic Advising Association). A native of Benton, Ky., Keyser spends much of her leisure time sailing on Kentucky Lake with her husband, Jerome, and her two sons, Max and Dennis. She and her family reside in Brentwood.
ACADEMICS IS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF Belmont University's Department of Athletics. Since the move to Division I in 1997, Belmont student-athletes have excelled in the classroom bringing great recognition to individuals, specific teams, the department as a whole and the entire university.
era, all of Belmont's athletic teams posted a GPA of 3.0 or higher, both fall and spring semesters. Belmont also received distinction from the NCAA for outstanding academic achievement in the Academic Progress Rate (APR) report in 2009.
ALL-ACADEMIC TROPHY Since joining the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2001-02, Belmont University has enjoyed unparalleled success in regards to the league's All-Academic Trophy. Belmont University won the award seven times, including each of its first five years in the conference, 2002-2006. No other university in the history of the Atlantic Sun has earned this honor five years in a row. In 2009, over two-thirds of Belmont's student-athletes received A-Sun Academic All-Conference honors during the academic year.
ALL-DISTRICT HONORS Nine Belmont student-athletes were honored as Academic All-District during the 2008-09 academic year. Over the past 10 years, 15 Belmont student-athletes have been named Academic All-Americans while 45 have earned AllDistrict honors. The program honors thousands of student-athletes across the country for combining the best of competition with academics.
GPA TRADITION CONTINUES Belmont University's Department of Athletics posted a 3.231 GPA in the Spring of 2009, marking the 23rd consecutive semester in which the departmental GPA has exceeded a 3.00. In 2008, for the first time in the Division I
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Renee Schultz enters her fifth year as Academic Coordinator for Belmont's Department of Athletics. She coordinates the extensive academic support programs offered to Belmont student-athletes which include weekly, one-on-one academic counseling sessions for new student-athletes, academic advising and class scheduling, tutoring, team-assigned laptops, and monitoring class performance. She also manages the student-athlete academic center located within the athletic offices in the Curb Event Center. The academic center provides study tables and computers in a quiet, monitored study environment exclusively for Belmont student-athletes. Schultz earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a M.Ed. in Sports Administration from Belmont University. While at Belmont, she was a part of the Women's Soccer Program and helped Captain the team in both 1999 and 2001. Schultz served as the Assistant Coach for the Women's Soccer team from 2003-2004. She also holds memberships in various professional organizations, including N4A (National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics) and NACADA (National Academic Advising Association). A native of University Place, Washington, Schultz currently resides in Nashville with her husband, Donovan.
2009 BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
CATEGORY
BELMONT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Atlantic Sun Conference
THIS IS THE
ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE For 30 years the Atlantic Sun Conference has stood for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for its studentathletes. The A-Sun consists of a blend of the Southeast’s most dynamic and prestigious private universities and public institutions in the region; the conference commits itself to Building Winners for Life. The experience for a student-athlete in the A-Sun is supported by the entire university community, from coaches to faculty, and from the CEOs to the athletic and academic support staff. With All-America selections, National All-Academic honorees, teams and individuals qualifying for and advancing in NCAA Championship play, Atlantic Sun student-athletes achieve at the highest levels of collegiate athletics. ACADEMIC SUCCESS Continuing a tradition of academic achievement, more than 57 percent of all student-athletes earned All-Academic status during the 2008-09 academic year. Fifteen student-athletes earned places on the 2008-09 CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic AllDistrict Teams. Belmont led the impressive institutional totals in the race for the All-Academic Trophy for the seventh time in eight years with 66.5 percent of its the student-athletes achieving All-Academic status with grade point averages of a 3.00, or better. Belmont senior Andy Wicke, Jacksonville senior Jeremy Gillan, Lipscomb junior Kellie Sirus and Campbell senior Karlie Love earned spots on CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America teams. Lipscomb’s men and women track and field teams and the women’s cross country team ranked among the top 10 GPAs in NCAA Division I, in being recognized as All-Academic Scholar Teams from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The Belmont men’s cross country team posted the fifth-highest GPA, according to the USTFCCCA.
Wicke, one of the Bruins’ most celebrated studentathletes, shared the conference’s male Scholar Athlete of the Year award and earned the conference’s Postgraduate Scholarship. Mercer’s Chereese Rowe earned the conference’s second Postgraduate Scholarship. Wicke earned national acclaim as he became one of just two men’s basketball players to receive an educational grant through the NCAA postgraduate scholarship program. For his dedicated academic success and community service, Wicke landed on the Lowe’s All-Senior AllAmerica Second Team and was one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award. ATHLETIC SUCCESS For the second straight season, the A-Sun made early headlines on the hardwood as Mercer, under new head coach Bob Hoffman, went on the road and defeated Alabama and Auburn within a four-day span, shooting the Bears up to the top spot in the RPI. At the General Shale Brick Atlantic Sun Championship, ETSU ended Belmont’s three-year reign, winning its first A-Sun Tournament title and making the NCAA field for the eighth time. During the Championship, Courtney Pigram became just the second player in league history to reach the 2000-point plateau. Two players could reach that mark this season in Mercer’s James Florence and Campbell’s Jonathan Rodriguez. Florence and Campbell begin the season as the second- and third-highest active scorers in the nation. During the baseball season, three A-Sun hurlers, Lipscomb’s Rex Brothers and Kennesaw State’s duo of Chad Jenkins and Kyle Heckathorn moved up the draft boards of Major League teams with every dominating performance. Brothers turned in one of the league’s top single-season strikeout performances; Jenkins posted a 41-inning scoreless streak and Heckathorn capped his season with a dominating 15-strikeout performance against UNF, earning National Player of the Week honors. On draft night, Jenkins became just the seventh A-Sun player to be a first-round selection, going to the Blue Jays. In the supplemental phase of the first round, the Rockies picked Rex Brothers and the Brewers tabbed Heckathorn. In softball, the conference turned in one of its finest seasons in history, especially during the non-conference season. Against out-of-conference opposition, A-Sun schools posted a .602 win percentage, the fifth-highest in the nation, trailing only the SEC, Pac10, ACC and Big 12. Five schools finished with win percentages better than .600 and FGCU and Mercer reached the 40-win mark. The Eagles established a league record for win percentage at .839 in posting
a 47-9 record. For the second-consecutive May, Campbell emerged victorious at the A-Sun Championship, led by the dominating performance of MVP Brittany Stanley. She pitched all 31 innings, recorded two shutouts and struck out 26 against only two walks. One of the most dominating athletes in Atlantic Sun history closed out her career in Jacksonville’s Natasha Harvey. She led the Dolphins team titles in both Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field for a fourthstraight year and won the inaugural MVP honors at both meets as well as the Most Outstanding Field Performer award. During her four years, she won a combined 18 individual events, five Most Outstanding Performer awards, both Most Outstanding Freshman performers in addition to the two MVP honors. Off the track, she won the A-Sun’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award, was the A-Sun’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award and appeared on the U.S. Track & Field and cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team for a fourth-straight year. The 2009-10 athletic year promises to be an exciting one for the Atlantic Sun as UNF and Kennesaw State earned full Division-I status and will be eligible for all postseason tournaments. FGCU’s champion volleyball and baseball programs and USC Upstate’s soccer and softball programs have also gained access to A-Sun and NCAA postseason play. For the first time in league history, Mercer and it’s University Center will play host to the General Shale Brick Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. The Baseball Championship leaves Florida for the first time in 16 years for Nashville, Tenn. and Lipscomb’s Dugan Field. FGCU landed its first championship, and will host volleyball in November. These new additions and venues make the upcoming year a hotly anticipated season for the Atlantic Sun. MEMBERSHIP The A-Sun is a blend of the southeast’s finest private and most dynamic state schools. Belmont Bruins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nashville, Tenn. Campbell Camels . . . . . . . . . . .Buies Creek, N.C. ETSU Buccaneers . . . . . . . . .Johnson City, Tenn. Florida Gulf Coast Eagles . . . . . . .Fort Myers, Fla. Jacksonville Dolphins . . . . . . . . .Jacksonville, Fla. Kennesaw State Owls . . . . . . . . . .Kennesaw, Ga. Lipscomb Bisons . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nashville, Tenn. Mercer Bears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Macon, Ga. North Florida Ospreys . . . . . . . .Jacksonville, Fla. USC Upstate Spartans . . . . . . .Spartanburg, S.C. Stetson Hatters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DeLand, Fla.
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