ATHLETICS REPORT: INTRODUCING NEW TEAMS

National championship appearances, conference tournament berths, new varsity staff and teams, plus renovated spaces highlighted a banner calendar year for Guilford Athletics. The College’s continued commitment to excellence and equity in the fields, gyms and diamonds bears fruit in the over 500 student-athletes competing for 22 varsity teams, the most in school history.

After hiring the School’s first full-time director of athletics since the mid-1990s, President Jane Fernandes teamed with senior leaders to pave the way for two new teams, renovated athletics facilities and a softball field. The investments showed early dividends as the Quakers’ basketball teams enjoyed successful seasons and Guilford’s golf team turned in another top-five national finish.

Over the summer, Jane announced the addition of women’s rugby and women’s triathlon to the Quakers’ list of varsity offerings. Since 2002, women's rugby has been considered an emerging sport by the NCAA, which means it is intended to help schools provide more athletics opportunities for women and more sport-sponsorship options for the institutions, and also help that sport achieve NCAA championship status. This spring, Guilford will compete in Tier 2 of the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) under the auspices of USA Rugby. Emily Record, a former Assistant at Queens University in Charlotte, was named the team’s Head Coach.

"Emily is ideally suited to lead and build an outstanding rugby program as we usher in a thrilling new era in women's athletics," said Jane. "The experience and enthusiasm she brings as a highly respected coach and mentor will be a winning combination."

Also an NCAA emerging sport, women’s triathlon starts competition in the fall of 2020. “We are proud to welcome Guilford to the women's collegiate triathlon family, as the sport achieves another milestone on its way to full NCAA inclusion," said Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO. "Guilford is well-placed to compete regionally while offering an education that will attract talented student-athletes." Guilford received a three-year grant from USA Triathlon in support of the new program. The Quakers will run on campus trails and swim at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Cycling training will take place on bike-friendly roads in Guilford County.

Marty Owens, Guilford’s Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Operations, serves as the Quakers’ first Director of Triathlon. Marty is a certified triathlon coach, a 2015 USA Triathlon All-American and has twice competed in the IRONMAN World Championships in Hawaii.

Brad Herndon, in his second season as the Quakers’ Women’s Swimming Coach, serves as the triathlon team’s Head Coach. He has three IRONMAN finishes under his belt and is a Level 4-certified swim coach.

Guilford Strong

After unveiling new locker rooms in August 2018, the College embarked on a renovation of the Mary Ragsdale Fitness Center in 2019. The $250,000 gift-funded project titled ‘Guilford Strong’ provides new flooring, equipment and branding in the College’s primary fitness space for the benefit of all community members.

The updated fitness center

Photo by Jenna Schad