A Look Back at the Athletic Accomplishments of 2004-2005

Seventy Mid-South Conference All-Conference athletes; one MSC Player of the Year; fifty-two MSC Academic All-Conference members; two MSC Coaches of the Year; two Mid-South Conference titles; and the Mid-South Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Eight National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Region XI team members, twenty-eight Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar Athletes; forty-two All-Americans (36 from the NAIA); and nine top 25 rankings in the NAIA with four in the top ten. All of these accomplishments in one year for a small college seem extraordinary and beyond reach, but all were achieved by the Patriots in 2004-2005. With all 22 of the varsity sports competing tremendously well, the Patriots once again brought home the coveted Mid-South Conference President’s Cup and a USSA Director’s Cup ranking of 13th out of the 232 NAIA schools. Both cups are designed to measure the strength of the athletics programs at individual colleges and universities. The President’s cup if for the members of the Mid-South Conference while the Director’s Cup is for the entire nation.

Patriot baseball started the season off at the top being preseason ranked first in the Mid-South Conference and tenth in the NAIA. The Patriots finished the season overall 38-21, claiming a second place conference finish, and were the NAIA Region XI Runner Up. The Patriots definitely saw their ups and downs in their season. The team battled through injuries from day one, with at one time as many as 14 players on the injured list with eight out for the entire season. Their schedule was packed with tough competition including University of Kentucky, Belmont University, and North Georgia. Many players saw awards from the Mid-South Conference. Receiving first team all-conference honors were BJ Foley, Roman Cox, and Adam Walker. Receiving honorable mention all-conference honors were Daniel Guttridge, Chris Wood, and Isaiah Ruffner. Receiving academic all-conference honors were Joel Dobney, Justin McDonald, Adam Garrett, and Isaiah Ruffner. The Patriots received an at large bid to the NAIA Region XI Tournament, where they upset the number one seed Travecca Nazarene on the very first day of play, Campbellsville University on the second day of play, and Lambuth University on the third day of play. The Patriots were defeated twice, once on the third day and again of the fourth day of play, by the defending National Champions Cumberland University. These were the first ever wins in Cumberland College history in the region tournament. The Patriots season then came to an end as they became the Region XI Runner Ups. Leading the Patriots statistically were: batting average, Tommy Guinn (.372); runs, Roman Cox (57); hits, Roman Cox (62); RBIs, Chris Wood (44); stolen bases, Roman Cox (22 of 24); and strikeouts, Adam Walker (59). The Patriots finished receiving votes in the final NAIA Top 25 poll. The Patriots proved they are not a team to be taken lightly in the post season and have revealed that the 2006 season should be an exciting one.

Patriot basketball definitely made their impact this season finishing with an overall record of 22-9 and being ranked nationally as high as seventh throughout the season. The Patriots took a third place finish in the conference. Despite their tough competition such as Mountain State and conference foe Lindsey Wilson, the Patriots took an at large bid to the national tournament where they were forced out in the first round of play by Louisiana State-Shreveport in double overtime by only a mere four points. Leading the Patriots statistically were: points, Terrico Smothers (409 / 13.2 per game); rebounds, Patrick Deveney (215); assists, Jake Elder (129); blocks, Patrick Deveney (28); steals, Jake Elder (54); three point field goals, Terrico Smothers (62 of 162). Several members of the team received honors from the Mid-South Conference. Receiving All-Conference were Patrick Deveney and Terrico Smothers. Receiving Honorable Mention All-Conference was Jake Elder. Receiving Academic All-Conference were Patrick Cureton, Jake Elder, David Morris, and Ryan Williams. Recognized nationally by the NAIA were Patrick Deveney, making third team All-American, and David Morris, being named a Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete. The Patriots graduated six seniors and will look for the returning veterans to guide their team back to the national tournament.

Patriot ladies basketball impressed many with their rollercoaster season. The ladies made it as high as being ranked 13 th nationally. They finished their season with an overall record of 21-10. Though the Patriot ladies took a third place finish in regular conference play, they took the championship in the MSC tournament, which automatically secured their play in the national tournament. Trevecca Nazarene ended the Patriots post-season play in the first round of the national tourney. Several Patriot ladies were honored by the Mid-South Conference. Those receiving honors were: All-Conference Tenille Cann; Honorable Mention All-Conference Tiffany Stewart and Kirsten Roberson; and Academic All-Conference Stephanie Isaacs and Jennifer Nagy. Also recognized nationally were Honorable Mention All-American Tenille Cann and Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete Stephanie Isaacs. Losing only four seniors this season, the Patriot ladies still have several talented players and will see several more talented recruits join the team.

The Patriot Cheerleaders brought back a second place finish in the Mid-South Conference Competition held in Frankfort, KY. This was a large achievement for the cheerleaders, especially under the guidance of a new coaching staff. The Mid-South Conference is the only conference in the NAIA to hold a cheerleading competition each year. Several cheerleaders were honored by the MSC. Those honored were: All-Conference Greg Foley and Nicole Powers and Academic All-Conference Laura Adams, Shawna New, Matt McCoy, Nicole Powers, Tarrah Minor, and Lindsey Hufford. The Patriot cheerleaders are going to be once again under new coaching staff in the upcoming season and are shooting for a championship.

The Cross Country team undeniably made some noise in their past season. Both the men and women’s teams took the Mid-South Conference championships and the NAIA Region XI championships. The men made it as high as sixth in the NAIA Top 25 poll throughout the season. At nationals Patriot men took thirteenth and the women took twenty-fifth. Josiah Melly was name Mid-South Conference Runner of the Year. Others receiving honors from the MSC were All-Conference Josiah Melly, Michael Veatch, Adam Honnold, Brad Wells, Carl Roberts, Landon O’Banion, Malcom Tipton, Christy Sumner, Kelly Schnee, Whitney Brainard, Shelly Schnee, and Amanda Hayes and Academic All-Conference Erin Clouse, Angela Martin, Megan Rawe, Kelly Schnee, Shelly Schnee, Christy Sumner and Michelle Warnky. Those receiving a place on the NAIA Cross Country Scholar-Team, having a team GPA of 3.41, were Barb Davies, Angela Martin, Kelly Schnee, Shelly Schnee, and Christy Sumner. For the men, Josiah Melly had the fastest run of the season in the 8,000 meter race with a time of 25:16 and for the women, Christy Sumner had the best time in the 5,000 meter race with a time of 19:42. Though the team lost several key runners from this season, their 2005 season should live up to our expectations.

The Patriot football team unquestionably had a memorable season. With their last game being one for the record books, as well as a heartbreaker for several seniors, the Patriots season ended abruptly with a loss to conference rival Georgetown College 27-21 in the final seconds due to a 90 yard kick-off return. This game also cost the Patriots their NAIA play-off berth. With a final record of 8-3, the team gained a NAIA ranking as high as 12 th. Offensively, Phillip Petway led the way recording 859 yards rushing averaging 6.6 a carry. Larry Hay was dependable at the QB position, amassing 824 yards rushing and 490 yards through the air. His leading receiver was Lawrence McGee who hauled in 25 catches for 458 yards, an average of 18.3 a catch. Defensively, the Patriots were once again fantastic. Leading the way was Matt Rhymer who racked up 77 total tackles, 28 of those were solos. Behind him was Frank Shope who recorded 71 total tackles and led the team in sacks with three for a loss of 17 yards. On the secondary front, Dustin Huffaker led the way with seven interceptions for 43 yards and becoming the career record holder for interceptions with 21. He also added 26 tackles to his resume.

Several players were honored by the Mid-South Conference. Ben Beeler and Phillip Petway were named First Team Offense; Frank Shope and Dustin Huffaker were named First Team Defense; Quincy McNair, Lawrence McGee, Larry Hay, Derrion Gee, and Mark Gotcher were name Second Team Offense; Brandon Luca, Denny Earls, and Adam Housely were named Second Team Defense; John Patton and Michael Crowder were name Honorable Mention Offense; and Derrick Hightower was named Honorable Mention Defense. Adam Housely and Frank Shope also received Academic All-Conference honors. Receiving All-American status were Ben Beeler, 2 nd Team Offense, and Dustin Huffaker, 3 rd Team Defense. Ben Beeler was also named 3 rd Team Offense on the Don Hansen’s Football Gazette 2004 All-American Team. The Patriots may have lost nineteen seniors this past season, but in the 2005 season they plan to “take it all.”

The Patriot men’s golf team found themselves excelling each tournament as the season progressed. In the fall season, the Patriots took a fifth place finish in the Cumberland College Fall Invitational, third in the Bluegrass Fall Classic, eleventh in the EKU Colonel Classic, third in the Don Bishop Invitational, third in the Lambuth Invitational, and fourth in the Jack Shadwick Invitational. Barron Davis took a first place finish in the Cumberland College Fall Invitational and the Kentucky Independent College Tournament. Tyrus York got his career low (71) in the Bluegrass Fall Classic. Eric King made his career low (70) in the Don Bishop Invitational. The spring season for the Patriots was one of many accomplishments. The Patriots took fifth in the Campbellsville Spring Invitational, twelfth in the 15 th Annual Eagle Invitational, first at the Kentucky Independent College Tournament, fourth at the Southeastern Kentucky Intercollegiate, second at the Pikeville College Invitational, took the Mid-South Conference Championship, and a second place finish in the NAIA Region XI Tournament. Eddie Parman took a second place finish in the region tournament and was named to the Region XI Tournament team. Davis took a first place finish at the Kentucky Independent College Tournament and second at the MSC Championship. King took a second place finish at the Pikeville College Tournament. Eric King and Eddie Parman were named MSC All-Conference team members, while Coach Bill Sergent was named MSC Men’s Golf Coach of the Year.

The Patriot women’s golf team saw a rollercoaster fall and spring season. In the fall they took sixth place in the Bluegrass Fall Classic, third at the Cumberland College Invitational, fourth in the Don Bishop Invitational, and fourth in the Lambuth Invitational. Jennifer Kieffer took third in the Cumberland College Invitational and at the Don Bishop Invitational. In the spring they took third in the Campbellsville Spring Invitational, fifth in the 15 th Annual Eagle Invitational, third in the Kentucky Independent College Tournament, third in the Cumberland College Invitational, second in the Pikeville College Invitational, third in the Mid-South Conference Championship, and fourth in the NAIA Region XI Tournament. The MSC tournament did not provide favorable conditions as the weather was horrible and Katie Bowers took an injury mid-course. Kieffer took first in the Campbellsville Spring Invitational, first in the Cumberland College Invitational, third in the Pikeville College Invitational, and third in the NAIA Region XI Tourney where she was named to the Region XI team. Bowers made her way back to the course in the Region XI Tourney to make her career low (79). Kieffer was named to the MSC All-Conference team. Trisha Price, Bowers, and Kieffer were named MSC Academic All-Conference members. Bowers and Price were also named Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes.

The Patriot Judo team finished second in the nation, a feat only accomplishable by an outstanding team. Senior Daisuka Hirata placed first in the 220lbs division to become a two-time national champion. Junior Steve Combs placed second in the 145lbs division, sophomore Eddie Linuma placed third in the Heavyweight division, and freshman Everett Pavo placed fourth in the 141lbs division at the Collegiate National Championships. As the national championship runner-up team, the judoka squad saw many first place finishes from its athletes. Junior Robin Friedley took four first place finishes, freshman Everett Pavo took seven first place finishes, junior Steve Combs took three first place finishes, senior Daisuke Hirata took eight first place finishes, senior Padraic Finnegan took five first place finishes, sophomore Eddie Linuma took two first place finishes, and freshman Nathan Goltz took one first place finish.

This season was an outstanding one for the Patriot judoka, coming up just shy of another Nation Championship was phenomenal, but replacing senior Daisuke Hirata, a two-time Nation Champion in his weight division will be a difficult task. With Coach Fortune hot on the recruiting trail, the Patriot judoka will be looking to regain the National Championship next year.

The Patriot men’s soccer team made school history in their 2004 season. They pulled off the best overall record yet of 16-5-1, just falling short of their goal to make it to the NAIA national tournament. The Patriots also made it the farthest any team in post season play had in the history of the sport. The Patriots made it to the NAIA Region XI Tournament where they beat Lambuth University and top 20 ranked Martin Methodist College. They went on to lose to conference rival Lindsey Wilson College. The Patriots took a second place finish in the Mid-South Conference. Several Patriots were honored by the MSC. Those honored were: First Team All-Conference Steven DeGeorge, Shawn Picou, and Ashleigh Townsend; Second Team All-Conference Will Wilson, Bosco Cupac, Gino Ray, and Gerry Brennan; and Honorable Mention All-Conference Russell Stewart. Receiving Academic All-Conference were Steven DeGeorge, Charlie Pait, Stephen Reddy, Tyler Sweeney, and Jonathan Strange. Steven DeGeorge was also named MSC Scholar Athlete of the Year, which is given to one male and female student athlete from the conference. Picou and Stewart were both named to the Region XI Team, while Stewart was an All-American Honorable Mention. Though the Patriots are going to be under new supervision in the 2005 season, they are still driving their way to a National Tournament appearance.

Women’s soccer finished the season with an overall 8-9-3 after a loss to conference foe, Georgetown College, in the NAIA Region XI Tournament. Several Patriot ladies received honors this season. Receiving conference honors were: first team members Lesley Bryan and Dana Ferguson; second team members Dawn Marshall, Melissa Neale, Jennifer Wiggington, and Tina Winebrinner; honorable mentions Kristen Tepe and Melanie Roberts; and Academic All-Conference Tori Hogg, Dawn Marshall, Sarah Martin, Rachel Morrin, Melanie Roberts, Ashley Tepe, Lindsey Whiteman, and Tina Winebrinner. Receiving honors on a national level were: NAIA Region XI second team member Dana Ferguson and NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes Dawn Marshall, Rachel Morrin, Melanie Roberts, and Tina Winebrinner. Leading the Patriot ladies statistically were: goals, Lesley Bryan (9); assists, Dana Ferguson (7); shots on goal, Lesley Bryan (25); points, Lesley Bryan (21); and saves, Jody Adams (126). The Patriot ladies will also be under new management in the 2005 but plan to have another excellent season.

Patriot softball had an overall finish of 18-17 this past season. The ladies finished third in the conference and had several ladies receive honors this past season. Taking All-Conference honors were: Brittany Frank, Marie Vickers, Sabrina McCullough, Ashley Rismiller, and Whitney Piar. Taking Academic All Conference honors were: Erica Breitenbach, Erin Clancy, Brittany Frank, Sabrina McCullough, Rachel Reagan, and Lindsey Whiteman. Though the Patriot ladies did not make it to NAIA Region XI play, they had several ladies honored. Taking first team Region XI honors was Sabrina McCullough and taking second team Region XI honors were Whitney Piar and Ashley Rismiller. Sabrina McCullough, Brittany Frank, and Erin Clancy were also named NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes. Leading the ladies statistically were: ERA, Whitney Piar (1.94); strikeouts, Ashley Rismiller (68); saves, Ashley Rismiller (4); shutout, Whitney Piar (1) and Ashley Rismiller (1); batting average, Sabrina McCullough (.389); runs, Ashley Rismiller (20) and Erin Clancy (20); hits, Sabrina McCullough (37); homeruns, Ashley Rismiller (9); RBI, Sabrina McCullough (28); and stolen bases, Stephanie Ewing (11 of 11). With several of the Patriot ladies returning, the 2006 season should prove to be one for the record books.

The Patriot swimming program had a year nothing short of exceptional featuring five NAIA All-Americans, eight NAIA All-American swims, six Daktronics NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes, one NAIA National Champion, 14 College Swim Coach’s Association Honorable Mention All-Americans while breaking 18 school records at nationals and closing the season with a third place NAIA National finish for the women’s team and a sixth place finish for the men’s team. NAIA All-American honors go to each individual who finishes in the top three of there event. Those honored were: Natasha Perry (800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, 100 Yard Freestyle Relay, 100 Yard Backstroke, 200 Yard Backstroke), Rebecca Shanks (800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, 500 Yard Freestyle, 1650 Yard Freestyle), Christen Heideman (800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 100 Yard Butterfly, 200 Yard Butterfly), Raven Maples (800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 200 Yard Freestyle Relay), and Lane Royer (200 Yard Freestyle Relay). Several Patriot swimmers received top honors by being named Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes; those honored were: Christen Heideman, Catherine Mack, Raven Maples, Rebecca Shanks, Noel Zvonar, and Lewis Jackson. The Patriots are losing several key seniors this season, but a new recruiting class will bring the team back where it should be.

Patriot tennis made vast improvements in the ’05 season. The men’s team took a second place finish in the conference while the women took fourth. The men’s team finished the season ranked 23 rd in the final NAIA rating, which was their highest ranking all season. The men’s team made it as far as the second round in the NAIA Region XI Tournament, while the women’s play was halted at the MSC Tournament. The men’s team finished 11-7 overall, while the women finished 2-14. The women’s team definitely had some struggles this past season; of the six members three were new to the team. Several Patriots received honors from the MSC. All Conference Singles were Veronica Sizemore, Wai Kin Khoong and Leos Vanzure. All Conference Singles Honorable Mentions were Ignacio Guerrero and Alejandro Beiderman. All Conference Doubles Honorable Mentions were Wai Kin Khoong & Leos Vanzura, Alejandro Beiderman & Ignacio Guerrero, and Veronica Sizemore & Nikki Dugger. Alejandro Beiderman was also named Academic All Conference. Only two members will be graduated from the Patriot tennis team and the new recruits are extremely qualified to fill the empty places.

Patriot track and field made several accomplishments during their past season. The Patriots managed to garner 241 top ten finishes in their super season. Several Patriots made All-American status: Jordan Jeffers (100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash, and 4x100 Meter Relay), Lawrence McGee (4x100 Meter Relay), Moses Cochran (4x100 Meter Relay), Jared Tackett (4x100 Meter Relay), and the second woman to ever receive All-American status in the history of Track and Field, Stephanie Woodfin (100 Meter Dash). Jared Tackett, Christy Sumner, and Erin Clouse received honor on the Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete list. Several school records were broken during the indoor and the outdoor season. For the indoor season Caleb Dodson broke the Pole Vault record (4.60m) and Stephanie Woodfin broke the 55 Meters record (7.23) and the 200 Meters record (26.44). For the outdoor season Thetlon Detry broke the 400 Meter Hurdles record (54.98); Caleb Dodson broke the Pole Vault record (4.60m); Stephanie Woodfin broke the 100 Meters (11.93) and the 200 Meters (25.00); Shelly Schnee broke the 800 Meters (2:13.79); Christina Sumner broke the Marathon record (3:17.40); and LeNita White broke the Discus record (43.9m). The Patriots definitely added to the record book with their astonishing 2005 season.

The Patriot volleyball team finished their season with an overall record of 28-10. Coach Jon Campbell received honor as the MSC Volleyball Coach of the Year. Patriot ladies honored by the MSC were: First Team All-Conference member Marla Harris; Second Team All-Conference members Liz Bowling, Keri Stallworth, and Lisa Van Berkel; and Academic All-Conference members Laura Adams, Anna Clemenz, Shawna New, Sara Straub, Lisa Van Berkel, and Aslean White. Marla Harris was named Honorable Mention All-American while Lisa Van Berkel was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete. Statistical leaders for the Patriot ladies were: kills, Marla Harris (512); assists, Liz Bowling (1350); solo blocks, Keri Stallworth (44); and block assists, Keri Stallworth (135). The Patriots have several key returnees for the 2005 season. The Patriots are looking forward to an excellent season and under new management anything is possible.

The Patriot men’s wrestling grabbed a third place finish in the NAIA National Championship. This finish was this highest in the history of men’s wrestling. Several Patriots were named All-Americans: Delrico Choates (125 lbs), Todd Allen (174 lbs), Matt Juncal (184 lbs), and Eric Flinchum (197 lbs) and Honorable Mentions Ernie Spreitzer (149 lbs) and Chris Wilkes (184 lbs). Matt Bishop was named a Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete. The season had many wins in duals and in the individual arena. Delrico Choates, Todd Allen, and Matt Juncal all placed first at the Lindenwood Open. Many members of the team placed in the Patriot Open that was held at home. Ken Prophete, Josh Boggs, Cornelius Wiggins, Earl Waller, Dan Muncy, Eddie Hernandez, Robert Jablonski, and Chris Wilkes, all placed first, while Nick Newton placed second. Mikeal Brooks, Jose Medrano, Nate Jolly, Travis Lovett, Bryan Reed, and Ethan Baker all placed third in the Patriot Open. The team dismantled Campbellsville University in the two duals that were held, as well as gaining “W’s over head Coach Jess Wilder's alma mater, Carson Newman. Other valuable wins for the Patriots came from the Ohio University Dual and the Cumberland University Dual. The year was solidified at the last tournament, Ed-South. The Patriots slammed their competition to the mat and won the open. Choates, Cooper, Bertsch, and Flinchum all received first place. In addition, Juncal, Allen, Waller, Spreitzer, and Wiggins all received second place accolades. The Patriots will be under a new coaching staff for their 05/06 season, but plan to beat their already excellent third place finish at the NAIA Championship.

The Patriot ladies wresting team had an excellent season as well. The team finished ranked number one by TheMat.com. With Olympian Toccara Montgomery out for the season due to a knee injury, several Patriot ladies stepped up to lead their team. At the Senior National Tournament several ladies took their place: Alaina Berube claimed a national title in the 63 kg; Heather Martin took third in the 67 kg; Shelly Ruberg took fourth in the 67 kg; Suekoilya Shelly took fourth in the 59 kg; and Tabetha Golt took seventh in the 72 kg. Each of these girls earned the right to compete in the World Team Trials. Berube took a second place finish in her weight class, while Martin moved up a weight class and took a third place finish along with teammate Shelly. Golt took a fifth place finish. The Patriot ladies look to a young and talented team to maintain the University's number one ranking in North America for the 2005-2006 season.

With so much outstanding talent and athletic ability, the Patriots made a mountain of milestones in the 2004-2005 year. It’s hard to believe that so much goes on at such a small college and it only proves that good things come in small packages.