MCC Coaches Awarded Coach of the Year Honors from the Miss. Assoc. of Coaches

(MERIDIAN, Miss.) -Meridian Community College coaches Sean Covich and Wanda McPhail have been named two of the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Community College Coaches of the Year.

Along with eight other community college coaches, Covich and McPhail will be honored Friday, July 6th in Jackson at 7 p.m. at the MAC Coaches Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet at the Hilton hotel.

The MAC award is the first for Covich, while McPhail will receive the MAC award for the third time since she’s has been at MCC.

Covich recently completed his first season as the MCC head golf coach. During his rookie season, Covich led MCC to a school record nine tournament victories, including the MACJC State/Region 23 championship. His squad finished third in the NJCAA national championship, with two Eagles being named All Americans.

In addition to his upcoming MAC coaching honor, Covich was also named both the Mississippi Association Community/Junior Colleges and NJCAA Region 23 Golf Coach of the Year.

Prior to coming to MCC, Covich was the Tour Director of the Mississippi Junior Golf Association while completing his master’s degree in sports administration at Mississippi State.

McPhail recently completed her seventh year at MCC. This past spring, she led the MCC men’s team to their third MACJC State/Region 23 championship in the last four seasons. The Eagles placed in the top-15 at the national championship. The men have competed in the national tennis tournament six years consecutively.

Her women’s squad claimed runner-up honors in the MACJC State/Region 23 championship and competed in their sixth consecutive NJCAA National championship. McPhail coached two-time All American, Sierra Woolery to a top-ten national finish.

In addition to McPhail’s upcoming MAC coaching honor, she was also named both the Mississippi Association Community/Junior Colleges and NJCAA Region 23 Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year.

Prior to coming to MCC, McPhail coached at West Lauderdale for nine years.

In addition to Covich and McPhail, the MAC will honor the following Community/Junior College coaches as Coaches of the Year: Marty Cooper- Itawamba CC, men’s basketball; Glenn Davis- Copiah Lincoln CC, football; Neal Holliman- East Central CC, baseball; Peter Jarjoura- Northwest Mississippi CC, women’s soccer; Paul Johnson- Itawamba CC, women’s tennis; Kenneth Long- Mississipp Gulf Coast CC, softball; Doug Williams- Hinds CC, men’s soccer; and Gwyn Young- Copiah Lincoln, women’s basketball.

The MAC will also induct five new members into its Hall of Fame.

Norris Ashley, began his basketball coaching career in 1969 at Coahoma County; 2006-07 marks his 36th year at Ingomar High School where he has earned 8 state championships (4 boys and 4 girls) while also serving as head baseball coach and athletic director.

Van Chancellor, served as girls basketball coach at Noxapater, Horn Lake, Harrison Central (where he earned 2 state championships) and Ole Miss (1992 SEC Championship); and the WNBA Houston Comets, he currently is head coach of the LSU Lady Tigers.

"Mack" Fanning, state championship coach in softball (slow pitch and fast pitch)and baseball; began his coaching career in 1968 at Hickory, then coached at Newton County from 1990 thru 2004, also serving as athletic director for 10 of those years; now coaching slow pitch softball at SE Lauderdale and fast pitch at Clinton.

Jack French, started his football coaching career at DeSoto Co. Academy in 1975, then coached at Hillcrest Academy, Olive Branch High, Pelahatchie High and Itawamba AHS before landing at Forest High in 1987 where he earned 3 state championships over the next 14 years; now serves as head coach at Pearl High School.

Mike Justice, Caledonia, Calhoun City, & Louisville were his 1976 - 1990 coaching stops, with his years at Louisville producing 2 state championship football teams; in 1990, he took over as head coach and athletic director at Madison Central where he won the 5A state championship in 1999 before accepting a coaching position in Oxford, AL in 2002.

Troy University golf adds three for 2007-08

From School Reports

TROY, Ala. – Two high school seniors and a junior college transfer have signed national letters-of-intent to play golf at Troy University, head coach Matt Terry announced today. Reid Merritt of Slocomb, Zach Portemont of Andalusia and Justin Eaves of Louisville, Miss., will enroll this fall and be eligible for the 2007-08 season.

Eaves comes to Troy from Meridian (Miss.) Community College, where he was named Mississippi Junior College Player of the Year this spring. He was named second-team All-America twice and finished this season ranked in the top-25 among NJCAA Division golfers. A two-time first-team all-state and all-region selection, Eaves led the Eagles to third-place finishes at NJCAA National Championship in both 2006 and 2007. This year, he finished tied for seventh in the individual standings at two-under 286.

A native of Louisville, Miss., Eaves was the 2002 Class AA Player of the Year and the 2003 Class A Player of the Year for Mississippi. He won 15 tournaments as an individual and helped Winston Academy to three Mississippi Private Schools Association state championships.

“I am extremely excited to have three players of this caliber coming to Troy next year,” Terry said. “Justin has two years of collegiate experience under his belt, both at the highest level of junior college, while Reid and Zach are used to winning championships throughout high school. All three of these players should compete for tournament time next year.”

Troy returns five letterwinners and two redshirts from this year’s team.

MCC's Woolery named All American

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Meridian Community College sophomore tennis player Sierra Woolery picked up her second career All American honor following MCC’s participation in the 2007 NJCAA national championship tournament.

Woolery, a Morton, MS native, was named an ITA All-American for the second time in her junior college career. To garner All-American honors, a singles player must finish the year ranked in the top ten in the nation. Woolery had one of the more difficult draws at the NJCAA national tournament. In the first round, she faced the no. 5 seed from Broward County Florida. This placed her in the consolation bracket. Woolery moved easily through the consolation bracket, losing only one game in three matches to finish in the top-ten.

According to Coach McPhail, “Sierra had several offers to pursue her tennis at the next level, but she has opted to finish her degree in the PTA program at MCC in May, 2008. Sierra will put her tennis career on hold for the time being.”

Itawamba Community College tennis coach, Paul Johnson, who has over thirty years of coaching experience, said of Woolery, "She is the best female JUCO player Mississippi has had."

As a freshman Sierra finished sixth at the national tournament and garnered ITA All-American honors. She came into he 2007 national tournament ranked number eight in the nation in singles and tenth in doubles. She has finished her dual match career at MCC with a 37-8 record overall and a 33-4 JUCO record. In the fall of 2006, she and fellow MCC tennis player, Alycia LeMerle, qualified for the National Small College Championships which was held in Ft. Myers, Florida.

MCC Releases 2007 Soccer Schedule

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Seven home dates, including the Rush Invitational in late-September and a season ending meeting with conference foe Copiah Lincoln in late October, highlight the 2007 Meridian Community College soccer schedule announced Thursday afternoon by head coach Alex George.

The slate features 12 games against MACJC South Division teams, including match-ups in Meridian against Jones, East Central, and Gulf Coast. MCC will also host the reigning MACJC/Region 23 men’s champion Hinds. MCC will play half of its conference contests at home, in addition to hosting the Rush Invitational with non-conference foes coming at the end of September.

MCC will begin its 2007 campaign on the road. First stop is in Moorhead, MS with an August 17 game against Mississippi Delta, before hitting the road again for dates at Itawamba and the Shelton State Invitational Tournament. MCC will face host school-Shelton State, Marion (AL) Military Institute, and Andrew (GA) College when they travel to Tuscaloosa, AL. The Eagles will then kick off an eight-game MACJC South Division stretch, Aug. 28-Sept. 25, with matches against rivals Jones, Pearl River, and East Central.

MCC will host the annual Rush Invitational, Friday-Saturday, September 28-29. The Eagles will entertain Bossier-Parrish, Gordon, Hinds and Mississippi Delta that weekend.

Three of MCC’s final four contest will come at home as the Eagles close out the schedule with East Central, Southwest Mississippi and Copiah-Lincoln at home.

The women’s squad returns 6 letterwinners from last season’s club including sophomore McKinze Butler. On the men’s side, Coach George will return 8 sophomores including Starkville native, Terry Silva. The Eagles inked an exceptional recruiting class and can expect a 18-person roster for the women’s squad and a 19-person roster for the men come opening day.

MCC 2007 Soccer
Date Opponent (BOLD= Home, *= Division Game)
17-Aug vs. Ms. Delta
21-Aug vs.Itawamba
24-Aug Shelton State Tournament
25-Aug Shelton State Tournament
28-Aug vs.*Jones
31-Aug vs.*Pearl River
5-Sep vs.*East Central
8-Sep vs.*Southwest
15-Sep vs.*Gulf Coast
19-Sep vs.*Co-lin
22-Sep vs.*Jones
25-Sep vs.*Pearl River
28-Sep Rush Inv.
29-Sep Rush Inv.
3-Oct vs.*East Central
6-Oct vs.*Southwest
13-Oct vs.*Gulf Coast
17-Oct vs.*Co-lin

MCC's Martin inks with Florida Marlins

MERIDIAN – Meridian Community College pitcher, Kedrick Martin, has singed a professional baseball contract with the Florida Marlins organization, according to MCC head coach Chris Rose.

A left-handed starting pitcher for the Eagles, Martin led the team in wins with 10. The former Meridian High School Wildcat had a 3.33 ERA for MCC his sophomore season and led the team in innings pitched (69.1) and complete games (4). Martin also had the teams second most strike outs with 85 (team high- Wade Weathers- 88).

In 2006, Martin set a NJCAA Div. II record for most strikeouts in a 7-inning game v. Hinds Community College with 17 K’s. That season he posted a 5-3 record with a 3.30 ERA and the southpaw fanned 68 batters in 56 innings

Martin, who originally signed with Southeastern Louisiana University, was picked in the 28th round of the 2006 MLB draft and signed with the Marlins organization this year.

MCC's Swindle named All American

MERIDIAN – The individual awards and honors keep coming for members of the Meridian Community College baseball team.

MCC right handed pitcher, Lee Swindle, has been named a 2007 All American for Division II National Junior College Athletic Association Baseball. The NJCAA announced their All-American teams following the conclusion of the Division II Juco World Series earlier this month.

During his sophomore season, Swindle was a starting pitcher for MCC. The Eagles won the 2007 MACJC Central Division Championship and had a record of 41-15 (14-2). Swindle was also a unanimous First Team All-State selection his freshman and sophomore season. This year he was also dubbed a First Team All-Region 23 pick.

Swindle, who signed to play for Mississippi State University next season, went 7-1 on the season for MCC. He led the team in ERA with a 1.93 and had three complete games. He started in 11 games for MCC, pitching 65.1 innings. Swindle also allowed the fewest base-on-balls among the starting rotation.

Swindle was a two-sport all-state performer at Eupora High School, where he lettered three seasons in both football and baseball. On the diamond he compiled a 1.30 earned run average as a senior, registering 120 strikeouts over 63 innings and earning all-state and district MVP honors in 2005. That summer he was the winning pitcher in the 2005 Crossroads Diamond Club High School All-Star game. Coached by Lee Berryhill, Swindle was a pitcher on Eupora High School's 2003 state championship team.

MCC Softball adds new talent

(MERIDIAN) – Meridian Community College head softball coach Robert Eakins announced Tuesday the signing of five new players for the 2007-08 season.

Latoya Braxton, Constance Jones, Chasiddy Roberts, Stephanie Stevens, and Andrea Wilson signed to play with the Lady Eagle Softball program.

“We have high expectations for this class,” said Eakins.

“We are in the process of adjusting our offensive approach to the game and we think each of these young ladies will help with this new approach of quickness and contact.”

“They are multiple positions players which will be a plus for us as we try to put together our team during the fall. Most of these ladies have been a three sport participant during their high school career.”

LaToya Braxton, who signed with MCC earlier in the spring, comes to MCC from Bogue Chitto High School where she played under Coach Leggett. She was a three sport letterman there, playing basketball, slow pitch, and fast pitch softball. Eakins said that initially she will be in the outfield but that she has the experience and ability to help out the infield if needed. Offensively, Braxton has the combination of size, speed, and power to make her a dual threat in the lineup.

Constance Jones comes to MCC from Quitman High School where she played under Coach Kaci Leubbers. She helped spark the QHS program which made the playoffs over her last two years. According to Eakins, under Coach Leubbers, Jones developed a great work ethic and desire to be a champion. Defensively, Jones will start off at first base and work on her pitching game. Offensively, she has good power and will be using that to drive in runs.

“We will work with Constance this fall to make the adjustment to this level of competition,” said Eakins.

“The quicker she does this the better our chance at success this spring will be. Look for her to have a highly successful career here at MCC.”

Chassidy Roberts comes to MCC from Clarkdale High School where she played under Coach Rick Roberson. She was three sport participant in basketball, slow pitch, and fast pitch softball during her athletic career at CHS.

“All of Coach Roberson’s players are fundamentally sound and have always factored into our programs success,” said Eakins.

“Being a left-handed hitter we will be using her speed to help develop our short game and her power to help drive in runs. We are looking for her to step in immediately to help us.”

On defense Roberts will be playing outfield, while offensively she will be a dual threat with speed and power.

Stephanie Stevens comes to us from Amite School Center from Liberty, MS where she played under Coach Billy Jones. Also during the summer she played for the Louisiana Patriots under Ben Guidry.

“Stephanie has received a good training background from two coaches that I have great respect for,” said Eakins

“She received several awards during her career with the most rewarding one being selected team captain. Instantly she brings leadership qualities to our team.”

Defensively, Stevens will help MCC immediately at the corner positions on the infield (1B & 3B) and behind the plate (C). Offensively, she is known as a good contact hitter that spreads the ball around the field. Stevens has some experience in the pitching department if needed.

“The thing that caught our attention is her desire to excel and work ethic,” said Eakins.

Andrea Wilson comes to from Russell Christian Academy in Meridian, MS where she played under Coach Terry Pippin. She was a three (3) sport player having participated in basketball, slow pitch and fast pitch softball. She was selected All District in softball for the MPSA. She is a catcher and utility infielder.

“We look forward to her using her versatility to help us rebuild our infield depth on defense and help us with our contact and short game on offense,” said Eakins.

Jarrod Moulds Inks with MCC Golf

(MERIDIAN) – Meridian Community College head golf coach Sean Covich announced Tuesday the signing of Meridian native Jarrod Moulds to play for the MCC Golf team starting in the fall of 2007. Moulds is the third member of Lamar’s State Championship golf team to sign with MCC this season, he will join former high school teammates, Clay Bounds and John Everett at MCC.

"Jarrod adds a lot of talent to an already strong recruiting class," said Covich. "I expect him to be one of the top players on the course and be a leader in the classroom, Jarrod has all the potential in the world and I am excited to see him become part of the MCC golf tradition."

Moulds, a member of the golf team at Lamar High School, led the Raiders to back-to-back MPSA Overall State Championships in 2006 and 2007. As a junior, Moulds shot even-par at the 2006 Overall State Championship and finished runner-up medalist. As a senior, Moulds placed in the top-five individually at both the Class 3A and Overall State tournaments. He shot six rounds of 75 or below for Lamar and won the Tuscaloosa Academy Invitational medalist title. Following his senior campaign, Moulds was given the Raider Award for golf by Lamar High School.

Before becoming a member of the Lamar squad, Moulds played for West Lauderdale, leading the Knights to a State Championship in 2004, being named All District 5-3A for WLHS.

On the junior golf tour circuit, Moulds has become one of the more decorated players on the MJGA Tour. In 2005, he claimed three top-ten finishes including the Mississippi “Big I” State Championship, shooting rounds of 78-74 to claim 6th place, the MJGA Northwood Classic where he shot 79-72 to finish 9th and the State Farms Boys Junior Amateur Championship, where he shot rounds of 73-77-75 to finish in a tie for 8th.

Following his 2005 campaign, Moulds was named to the 2005 MJGA Junior Cup Team, where he teamed up with current MCC sophomore Curt Sparks to win their Day One Four Ball match. Moulds went 1-1 in helping the North Team to victory.

In 2006, Moulds participated in the SJGT Laura Walker Junior Classic in Waycross, GA. Moulds shot even-par for two days (72-72) to claim 8th place. He also played in the MJGA Tour Northwood Classic, shooting 73 to finish 3rd. Moulds then claimed two more top-ten finishes, the first at the Mississippi “Big I” State Championship in Starkville, shooting 75-74 to claim a tie for 7th and the second at the Mississippi-Louisiana Junior Golf Championship in Brookhaven, shooting 71-71 to claim 6th.

Other accomplishments on the course for Moulds include winning the prestigious Bill Davis Fourth of July Match play Championship twice (2005-2006) with partner Nicholas Brown. Moulds and Brown also teamed up to claim runner-up honors at the 2006 Ed Lewis Memorial Day Championship.

Moulds’ home course is Northwood Country Club where he works closely with PGA Club Professional Jimmy Gamblin. Moulds was a member of the varsity soccer team- a sport in which he was named All District four consecutive times from 2004 thru 2007. In 2006 he was named MVP for the Lamar soccer team. Jarrod is the son of Benton and Karen Moulds.

MCC Golf, Softball to ink players Tuesday

(MERIDIAN)- Both the Meridian Community College golf and softball teams will add new players to their roster for the upcoming seasons. MCC head golf coach, Sean Covich and MCC head softball coach, Robert Eakins, will sign more talent to their programs on Tuesday, June 12th at 2:00 pm.

Lamar High School golfing standout, Jarrod Moulds, will become the third member of the 2007 MPSA State Championship Raider golf team to ink with Covich and the MCC program.

Local standouts, Constance Jones of Quitman High School and Chasiddy Roberts of Clarkdale High School will be among five players expected to ink with the Lady Eagle softball program. The signing will take place on the campus of MCC in the Damon Fitness Center.

Roberts, an outfielder, and Jones an infielder/pitcher, will join Latoya Braxton (Bogue Chitto), Natalie Parker (Biloxi) and Stephanie Stevens (Amite) as new MCC softball commitments on Tuesday.

More information/stats will be available Tuesday at the signing of these players.

MCC announces soccer camp dates

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Meridian Community College soccer coach, Alex George has announced the dates for the upcoming MCC Soccer Camp. MCC will conduct their four-day clinic starting on Monday, July 30 and concluding on Thursday, August 2.

Featuring members of the MCC coaching staff and players, camp participants ages four years old and up, will be tutored on the basics of offense, defense, and the rules of the game. Participants will also receive a t-shirt, soccer ball and instruction time.

“We’ve had some great feedback from the previous camps,” Head Coach Alex George said, “and we’re looking forward to another fun camp this year.”

The camp – which runs from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day– will be held at the soccer field on the campus of MCC. Registration begins in July and will run until July 30. Cost for the camp is $80 per person. Those interested in participating can call the MCC soccer office at 601-484-8694 or 1-800-MCC-THE-1.

Meridian's Tyler Moore is named Player of the Year for NJCAA Division II Baseball

(MERIDIAN)- The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) has selected Meridian Community College (Miss.) first baseman Tyler Moore as the 2007 NJCAA Division II Baseball Player of the Year.

Moore, a sophomore from Brandon, Miss., ranked in the top 10 in the NJCAA Division II ranks in batting average, home runs and RBIs. Moore ranked fourth in the nation with a .472 regular season batting average. His 19 home runs ranked first, which also set a new Meridian school record and his 62 RBIs was good for 10th-best in the country.

He also posted a .989 fielding percentage at first base, recording 410 putouts, 56 assists and just five errors.

“I really didn’t expect to get this award, but it feels great,” said Moore in a phone interview on Tuesday afternoon.

“I credit this award to good coaching. Coach (Chris) Rose and Coach (Joe) Caruso did an outstanding job. Coach Caruso really taught us hitting and more specifically how to hit college pitching. I feel like half of this award belongs to our coaches.”

A 33rd round selection of the Washington Nationals last year, Moore led his team in almost every offensive category: home runs (19) - school record, doubles (22), RBIs (62), Runs (48), on base percentage (.535) - school record, and slugging percentage (.927).

Moore's play helped lead the Eagles to a 41-15 overall record. He will continue his academic and baseball career at NCAA Division I Mississippi State University.

Moore became the second MCC baseball player in the past four years to be named the NJCAA Division II Baseball Player of the Year. In 2005, MCC’s Michael Murray was named both the NJCAA Div II Athlete of the Year and Baseball Player of the Year.

Moore started as a freshman on the 2006 MCC squad that went 39-17 and captured the MACJC Central Division title as well as the MACJC State Championship for then rookie head coach Chris Rose.

“The first thing that stands out about Tyler is the person that he is,” said MCC head baseball coach Chris Rose.

“He’s done so much for this program. On the field he hit for power and average, set school records and had amazing success. Off the field he was a leader. Tyler will be successful at whatever he does in life, which I expect to be playing professional baseball.”

Moore played mostly first base for the Eagles during the 2007 season in which the Eagles won over 40 games on their way to the MACJC Central Division championship.

“As a coach, you hope that you made an impact on this kind of player, but I know for certain that he made me and this coaching staff better.”

First year assistant coach, Joe Caruso, who was Moore’s hitting coach at MCC, said that it wasn’t a surprise to see Moore receive this award.

“It wasn’t surprising simply because of the hard work that Tyler put in,” said Caruso.

“Tyler worked harder than anyone else and it’s good to see when players that work that hard get rewarded.”

“His presence made everyone else better; Tyler is a guy that you want on your team every year.”

MCC Softball to ink players on June 12

(MERIDIAN)- Meridian Community College head softball coach Robert Eakins will sign more talent to his 2008 squad on Tuesday, June 12th at 2:00 pm. Local standouts, Constance Jones of Quitman High School and Chasiddy Roberts of Clarkdale High School will be among five players expected to ink with the Lady Eagle softball program. The signing will take place on the campus of MCC.

Roberts, an outfielder, and Jones an infielder/pitcher, will join Latoya Braxton (Bogue Chitto), Natalie Parker (Biloxi) and Stephanie Stevens (Amite) as new MCC softball commitments on Tuesday.

More information will be available Tuesday at the signing of these players.