Spring Sports champs
TENNIS (men) - Shaw swept all singles and doubles competition to win its fourth consecutive championship. Shaw's Alexandre Lord-Andrade was named MVP. Johnson C. Smith was second.
TENNIS (women) - The Virginia State Lady Trojans won their first ever championship knocking off defending champ Fayetteville State in the finals.
OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD (men & women) - The St. Augustine's Falcons successfully defended their men's and women's outdoor crowns.The Falcon men won convincingly (241-95 over Bowie State) while the Falcon women topped Virginia State (181-152.5). The sweep was the second straight and the 10th in 11 seasons for the Falcons.
The Falcons were led by men's MVPs Ken Samoi (track - 1st in 1500 & 5000 meters) and Joe Kindred (field - 1st in high jump & long jump, 3rd in triple jump), and women's MVP Barbara Pierre (track - 1st in 100, 200 and 4x100 meters). Damara Parrish (1st in long jump, triple jump) of Bowie State was named women's field MVP.
BASEBALL - Virginia State captured its second straight baseball championship and 24th overall with a 14-7 clinching win over St. Augustine's. VSU shortstop Michael Knight was the Tournament MVP.
SOFTBALL - Bowie State completed an undefeated run thru the tournament knocking off Virginia State 5-0 in the title game. BSU third baseman Annete Makle was named tournament MVP.
GOLF - Sophomore medalist Jerel Whiting led Virginia State to a two-stroke (576-578) victory over defending champion Fayetteville State to take its first-ever golf title.
Whiting carded a 3-under-par 141 for the two-day event to tie teammate Kalani Bretos and FSU's Joel "Chip" Lynn. On the second hole of sudden death competition, Whiting broke the tie, and was named the Individual Medalist for the tournament.
VSU wins the automatic bid to the NCAA Super Regionals, to be held May 5-7, 2008 at the Point Lake Golf Club in Belmont, N.C.
SIAC
TENNIS - Tuskegee (men)
TENNIS - Tuskegee (women)
BASEBALL - Stillman's bullpen preserved 9-4 and 6-5 wins over Paine to give the Tigers their second consecutive SIAC baseball championship. Graham Wright, the tournament Most Valuable Player, allowed just two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in relief to earn the win in game two.
MEAC
TENNIS (men & women) - The South Carolina State women's and men's teams captured the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships. The Lady Bulldogs defeated Norfolk State 4-0 in winning their fourth consecutive MEAC title and fifth overall. SCSU's Marcela Rodezno recorded a 3-0 mark at the number two singles position and was named the outstanding performer. The Lady Bulldogs' Head Coach Hardeep Judge was named the Outstanding Coach for the fourth time on the women's side.
In men's action, SCSU topped Florida A&M 4-1, to win their seventh MEAC crown. SCSU's Tomas Dobrotka was 2-0 in singles to win outstanding performer.
With the wins, both teams receive automatic qualifications to the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Championship. Team selections will be announced on ESPNews on Tuesday, April 29, 2008.
SWAC
GOLF (men and women) - Shasta Averyhardt received medalist honors, as she led the Jackson State Lady Tigers to their fourth straight Southwestern Athletic Conference title. JSU shot a 616 (305 - 311) for the two day tournament. The win is the 11th for head coach Eddie Payton's womens program. Averyhardt earned her fourth straight SWAC medalist honor, as she shot a 149 (73 - 76) for the tournament. Jennifer Sells was named SWAC freshman of the year, as she finished with a 154 (77 - 77). Averyhardt and Sells were also named to the All-Tournament team. Two other Lady Tigers Merielle LeBlanc and Nikeya Peay, as well as Kyla Reay of Alabama State made the All-Tournament team.
The JSU men are in first place after two days at the SWAC championships. JSU has a team score of 606 (308 - 298). Texas Southern is second with a total of 632. Men's play resumed with the final round beginning at 7:30 am Tuesday.
OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD - Jackson State (women) narrowly outscored Grambling State, 182.5 to 180 to take the women's crown. JSU's Ledrianna White won the hammer throw, javelin and discus to win outstanding field performer. Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Vasity Chemweno won the 800 and 1500 meters to win the track award.
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