Meridian Community College Golf Announces 2008-09 Schedule

Eagles venture into Division I play this season

MERIDIAN - The Meridian Community College golf team has released its 2008-09 schedule which features trips to some of the nations top golf courses including Dancing Rabbit Golf Club (Philadelphia, MS), Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (Huntsville, AL), and Kokopelli Golf Club (Marion, IL).

The Eagles, who are the only Division I golf program in NJCAA Region 23, will start the season by hosting the annual MCC/Rush Fall Invitational at Briarwood Country Club on Sept. 8-9. The tournament will feature three former national championship teams: Central Alabama, Darton College and Faulkner State.

“Undoubtedly the strongest field for an MCC hosted event since I’ve been here,” said MCC golf coach, Sean Covich.

“We have over 10 national titles represented by these school plus traditional Mississippi powers like, Gulf Coast and Meridian; it should make for a wonderful competition.”

One week later, MCC will play in the John A. Logan Fall Invitational. The tournament is set for Sept. 14-15 and will be played at famed Kokopelli Golf Club in Marion, IL.

“What a treat it is for us to play Kokopelli,” said Covich.

“Its a great links-style course that is suited to host a US Open because its 7,000 yards long with big, rolling bent grass greens, a stern test for our Southern team that is use to Bermuda grass.”

The Eagles then have a month to prepare for the NJCAA Division I National Championship Preview hosted by Central Alabama on Oct. 13-14. The Preview will be held at the popular Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Huntsville, AL.

MCC will then travel to Gulfport for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Fall Invitational. The tournament will be contested at Windance Country Club on Oct. 20-21.

Meridian will then venture to Mobile, AL to play Herron lakes Country Club in the annual Mobile Fall Classic hosted by the University of Mobile.

“It’s always a big recruiting tool when you play in four year college/university-hosted events,” said Covich.
“This is the best of both worlds because you’re getting to play top notch competition plus our players are being looked at by university coaches.”

MCC will round out the fall portion of the schedule with a return trip to Dancing Rabbit Golf Club for the ECCC Fall Invitational on Nov. 10-11.

The Eagles will crack the lid on the spring portion of the schedule on Feb. 16-17, at the Faulkner State Invitational in Mobile, AL.

A week later, Meridian will play in the prestigious Wynlakes Wynter Nationals at Wynlakes Country Club in Montgomery, AL on Feb. 23-24.

“Wynlakes is a prestigious country club in Montgomery with a great layout,” said Covich.

“Plus it is hosted by Huntingdon College which is has a wonderful four year golf program.”

The Eagles will then head to Scottsboro, AL for the Spring Fling Intercollegiate on March 20-22. Goospond Golf Course will host the event; it was the site of MCC’s third place national championship finish in 2007.

MCC will also host a Spring Invitational in Meridian sometime in March (date TBA).

The 2009 NJCAA Division I National Championship is set for the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Huntsville, AL. on May 20-23 The Eagles finished fifth in 2005, third in 2006 and 2007 on the Division II level.

“This will be our first season at the DI level and we’re excited,” said Covich.

“Being the only DI Juco team in Mississippi and Louisiana comes with a great deal of responsibility to represent this region well and to continue the winning MCC golf tradition at a higher level.”

The Eagles will be led this year by team captain Clay Bounds who is a sophomore. Bounds, a former Lamar standout, shot a team best five rounds of even par or better last year, including a team low 67 at the NW Shoals Invitational. He was named MCC’s Freshman of the Year and was apart of the All Academic Team.

“Clay is a great leader and a great golfer but he is an even better young man that represents this program with class,” said Covich.

The rest of the team will include local players, Tyler Rainer and Matthew Stephens of West Lauderdale; Mississippi prep stars John Cleveland of Madison Ridgeland Academy, Chris Cochran of Oxford High School, Tanner Sparks of Belmont High School, and Cory Williamson of Simpson Academy. Out of state players, Mark Drube and Garret Westbrook, both form Louisiana, look to make an impact as well as England junior golfer, Nick Hawkes.

“Usualy at this point I can tell you who my top five players are going to be,” said Covich.

“But there is a lot of talent on the team which will set up for some competitive qualifying rounds… and competition is good!”

2008-2009 MCC Golf Schedule
Sept 8-9, MCC/Rush Fall Innovational, Briarwood CC, Meridian, MS
Sept 14-15, John A Logan Fall Invitational, Kokopelli GC, Marion, IL
Oct 13-14, NJCAA DI National Championship Preview, Robert Trent Jones, Huntsville, AL
Oct 20-21, Miss Gulf Coast Fall Invitational, Windance CC, Gulfport, MS
Nov 3-4, Mobile Fall Classic, Herron Lakes CC, Mobile, AL
Nov 10-11, ECCC Fall Invitational, Dancing Rabbit GC, Philadelphia, MS
Feb 16-17, Faulkner State Invitational, TBA, Mobile, AL
Feb 23-24, Wynlakes Wynter Nationals, Wynlakes CC, Montgomery, AL
Mar 20-22, Spring Fling Intercollegiate, Goosepond GC, Scottsboro, AL
Mar TBA, MCC/Rush Spring Invitational, TBA, Meridian, MS
May 20-23, NJCAA Division I National Championship, Robert Trent Jones, Huntsville, AL

Soccer wins in Georgia

James Taylor scored a goal on a penalty kick and Matt Clifton scored a goal on a header to lift the Meridian Community College Eagles to a 2-0 shutout victory over Gordon College in Georgia on Friday night.

The win came in MCC's first regular season game.

A quartet of Meridian Community College freshmen led the Lady Eagles soccer team to a 4-0 shutout victory over Gordon College in Georgia on Friday afternoon in their first regular season game.

Lindsay Honsinger, Christina Murray, Taylor George, and Mary Beth Weber, each scored one goal for the Lady Eagles.

Heavy rains cancelled the remainder of the Gordon College Tournament that was scheduled to conclude on Saturday.

The Eagles (1-0) and Lady Eagles (1-0) will play their next home game on September 2 vs. Andrew College.

Former MCC track star apart of the Olympics

Former Meridian Community College track star, Vonnette Dixon, made her first Olympic appearance for her home country of Jamaica in Bejing this month.

Dixon, originally from Westmoreland, Jamaica, posted a season best 12.69 seconds in the Women's 100m Hurdles Round 1 as she won Heat 2. However, Dixon was not as fortunate in the semifinals as she placed fifth and failed to quality for the finals.

Dixon ran track for Meridian Community College in 1996 where she won the Junior College Indoor National Championship in the 55m and 200m and also won Junior College National Championship in the 100m hurdles and the 200m. After her time at MCC, she transfered to Auburn University where she was a 1999 All-American in the 60m hurdles, earned All-SEC honors in 1999 in the 60m hurdles and was the 2000 SEC Indoor Champion in the 60m hurdles. She still holds Auburn women's indoor record for the 60m hurdles (7.94); ranks sixth all-time in the 55m with a 6.82, fourth in the 60m (7.27), ninth in the 200m (24.05) and fourth in the 55m hurdles (7.65). She also holds the Auburn outdoor record in the 100m hurdles (12.93), set in 2000 and Ranks 10th all-time at Auburn in the 100m with an 11.40. She is the 16th-fastest woman in the world in 2008 in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.71, set in January in Berlin, Germany.

Dixon finished eighth in the 100m hurdles at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada with a time of 13.02 and won a silver medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games (Manchester, UK) in the 100m hurdles with a 12.83. She placed ninth in the 2003 World Championships in Paris with a 12.87. She also finished fifth at the 2007 World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, Germany, with a 12.90.

Belhaven soccer sweeps MCC

Meridian Community College went on the road Tuesday night to face Belhaven College in a pair of soccer matches. The host-Lady Blazers defeated MCC 3-1 in the women’s game. Meridian freshman, Christina Murray, scored the lone goal for the Lady Eagles (1-1).

The MCC men also lost their match with Belhaven. The host-Blazers won 3-2. Heath Carroll and Matt Clifton scored for the Eagles (1-1).

Both MCC teams will be in action this Friday and Saturday in the Gordon College Tournament in Barnesville, GA.

MCC ushers in CD Smith Field with a sweep

The Meridian Community College soccer program hosted their 2008 preseason opener at newly named C.D. Smith Field Saturday night with a sweep over Jones County Junior College in a pair of scrimmage games.

The Lady Eagles were led by freshman, Lindsay Honsinger, who scored two goals in MCC’s 3-0 shutout victory over JCJC. In the nightcap, MCC sophomore Matt Clifton scored a “hat trick” (3 goals) en route to the Eagles winning 6-3.

MCC will play next on Tuesday, August 19 when both the Lady Eagles and Eagles take on Belhaven College Junior Varsity teams in Jackson.

MCC soccer field dedication

The dedication of the C.D. Smith Soccer Field and Field House will be Saturday, Aug. 16, at 1:30 p.m. at the soccer field and fans are encouraged to attend.

MCC’s Board recently named the facility in honor of Smith’s 17 years of service as a trustee of the college. The announcement was made by MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott at a recent dinner honoring Smith, who retired from the MCC Board on July 1. Smith was appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour to the Institutions of higher Learning (IHL) Board, necessitating his retirement as a MCC trustee.

“Our Board of Trustees tried to think of an appropriate way to honor C.D.,” Elliott said, “and we decided naming the soccer pitch after him was a good idea because soccer has been a big part of C.D.’s life. Two of his children played intercollegiate soccer, including his daughter, Danielle, who started for Mississippi State University in the Southeastern Conference. That’s soccer at the highest intercollegiate level. Also, soccer is one of our many student activities at MCC, and C.D. has always been a strong advocate for students in his role as a MCC trustee.”

Elliott noted that the soccer pitch’s scoreboard is adorned with the lettering “C.D. Smith Field” as well as the new press box and concession facility, which was built by the college’s Construction Trades program.

2008 MCC Soccer Preview

It’s hard for Alex George to hide his smile these days. The soccer coach at Meridian Community College just can’t seem to tone down his excitement for the upcoming soccer season.

“This year feels like a breath of fresh air,” said George, in reference to the direction of the MCC soccer program for 2008.

“Not only did we have one of the best recruiting classes since I’ve been here, but we’re returning a lot of key players from last years squad.”

Last year’s MCC Lady Eagles team went 15-2-2 and won the programs first ever South Division title and the 2007 MACJC State Championship.

“Our leading scorer Holly Head is returning. She was named All Region 23 last year and is very explosive offensively for us,” said George.

In addition to key returning players for the Lady Eagles, George is excited about the freshmen that report to campus August 1.

“Christina Murray is a high profile Jamaican soccer player who is inline to earn a spot on the Jamaican national team one day,” said George.

“She’ll be headlining one of the best recruiting classes ever here at MCC.”

On the men’s side, Matt Clifton returns to head the Eagles squad that went 11-5-1 last year en route to a Runner-Up finish in the South Division.

“I’m equally as excited about our men’s team too,” said George

“There’s just so much optimism in the entire athletic department as a whole right now.”

George may be feeling that optimism a bit more these days, not only because he’s returning a championship team from last year, but because the soccer field may actually feel like “home sweet home” to him this year.

The MCC’s Board of Trustees recently named the soccer facility in honor C.D. Smith, who has served over 17 years as a trustee of the college.

“MCC has enjoyed an outstanding tradition in soccer,” said MCC President, Dr. Scott Elliott who also is sharing in the excitement about the 2008 soccer season.

“I believe MCC is the only junior college in Mississippi to ever win a national title in men’s soccer, and our women won their first-ever state championship last fall under Coach Alex George. Having C.D.’s name officially associated with the program adds to its esteem. We’re really looking forward to the upcoming fall season at MCC at C.D. Smith Field.”

In addition to a new name for the soccer field, MCC is adding a state of the art press box for the soccer field that will be a great addition for the program.

“The new press box will house the concession stand, bathrooms, PA/broadcasting booth, audio/video equipment, pavilion, observation decks, coach’s offices and much more,” said George.

“The addition of this facility will add great comfort, amenities and excitement for our fans.’

George also added that plans are underway for a new dressing facility/locker rooms for the soccer teams to begin this fall.

In addition to the facility upgrades, the coaching staff received an “official” upgrade this off-season. The MCC Board of Trustees approved Michael Smith as the new full time assistant soccer coach for MCC, once again, to the excitement of Alex George.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to Dr. Elliott and the Board of Trustees for having the insight in hiring an assistant coach,” said George

For the past five seasons, George had been in charge of two teams with over 50 total players by himself. Now, with the addition an assistant, he won’t have to go it alone.

“Michael is no stranger to the Meridian program. In fact, he played for me at West Lauderdale in 2000 where we went 24-6 and won the State Championship,” said George.

“After West Lauderdale, he played for MCC in 2000-01 and won a National Championship and for three seasons he’s been the volunteer assistant coach at MCC, I’m just beyond excited that he’s here. Michael brings a ton of knowledge to the table and the players already know and respect him.”

MCC fans have a chance to meet the new assistant coach, along with the 2008 Lady Eagles and Eagles and see the new facilities on “Eagle Day.” August 16, MCC will host Jones County in a pre-season contest at 5 p.m. at C.D. Smith Field, but before the game kicks-off a slew of festivities are slated all day for families, friends and fans of the MCC soccer team.

“Come on out and eat some BBQ, get a t-shirt, cap, listen to music, have a blast and then watch us kick some… soccer balls,” said George about the Eagle Day activities which are scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. with the field dedication on August 16.


Eagle Day Schedule
Saturday, August 16
MCC soccer Field
1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m C.D. Smith Field Dedication
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m BBQ Tailgate Lunch; Raffle, door prizes, give-a-ways; and Player introductions
5:00 p.m. Lady Eagles vs. Jones Co.
7:00 p.m. Eagles vs. Jones Co.