Lady Eagles win Region 23 Championship

(RAYMOND, Miss) - Meridian Community College Lady Eagles soccer team found themselves in a familiar spot Friday night in Raymond, Miss.

After playing rival Mississippi Gulf Coast to a 1-1 tie in the Region 23 championship game, the Lady Eagles went into overtime in the region tournament just like they ended their season in 2007 with an OT loss against Hinds.

But 2008 is a new year.

Jantzen Oliver from Pascagoula, a freshman for MCC, scored the Lady Eagles two goals and propelled MCC into the NJCAA District tournament and secured the program's first ever Region 23 title.

The Region win comes just one year after MCC won their first ever MACJC State Championship on the same field.

Oliver scored her first goal in the second half at the 28:00 minute mark off an assist from fellow freshman Christina Murray.

Gulf Coast answered late in the game and tied it up at 1-1.

Regulation ended at that score and MCC once again, went into overtime with the season on the line.

Oliver would score the lone goal in the extra period of play to secure MCC's Region 23 title.

The Lady Eagles will advance to the District tournament to be played in Texas on Nov 7-8.

After the Region 23 championship victory, MCC head coach Alex George was named the NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year; this award comes one year after being named the MACJC Soccer Coach of the Year in 2007.

Former MCC Golfer Named All America

Former Meridian Community College golfer, Joshua Ivy, was named a NCCAA All America after placing tenth in the 2008 National Christian College Athletic Association Men’s Golf National Championship last week in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Ivy posted rounds of 75-77 (+8) to earn All America honors and help his current team, Southern Wesleyan University of South Carolina, claim a tie for third at the NCCAA Nationals.

Ivy was a key member in MCC’s run to a third place finish in the 2007 NJCAA national Championship. He was also chosen as the team captain for two consecutive seasons. He was a member of the MCC Golf All Academic Team and was given the 2007 MCC Golf Sportsmanship Award.

Twenty colleges and universities from across the United States were represented at the NCCAA championship tournament as they played for the national title in Christian College golf. It was the fourth out of six years (2003, 2004, 2007) that the NCCAA National Golf Championship has been held at Hombre Golf Club.

The National Christian College Athletic Association, headquartered in Greenville, SC, is a non-profit organization that serves approximately 100 member colleges with 23 National Championships and Invitational’s annually. For more information and championship results, please visit www.thenccaa.org or call 864-250-1199.

MCC soccer teams prepare for regional title games

(MERIDIAN) - Soccer practice at C.D. Smith Field on the campus of Meridian Community College will be a bit hectic this week for head coach Alex George.

The coach of both the men’s and women’s soccer teams for MCC is busy trying to prepare both his teams for the NJCAA Region 23 soccer championship this week.

Both the men’s and women’s championship games will be hosted by Hinds Community College in Raymond, MS.

The Lady Eagles will face MACJC State Champions, Mississippi Gulf Coast Lady Bulldogs on Friday at 6:00 PM.

The Lady Eagles are coming into Friday’s championship showdown with a 7-2-1 record.

The Eagles will face MACJC State Champions and home standing Hinds Community College at 8:00 PM Friday.

The Eagles will enter the championship game with a 5-3-2 record.

“These teams are very good and balanced. It’s going to be a good challenge for us,” said George.

“Fortunately everyone is pretty healthy and we have this week to execute a game plan.”

One year removed from a State Championship for the Lady Eagles, George and both his squads experienced a different schedule in 2008 than that of the familiar MACJC teams.

MCC faced teams from Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana, including four year university teams

“We have played some real strong competition this year so I feel like it has given us a lot of experience’” added George.

“We are excited about both matches and look forward to getting out there and competing this week.”

For some good karma, Hinds was the host of last years MACJC State Tournament, won by the Lady Eagles which propelled the program to their first ever NJCAA Region appearance.

Eagles drop to a tie for sixth at Gulf Coast Inv.

GULFPORT, Miss. – The Meridian Community College golf team shot a team score of 311 in the final round of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Fall Invitational Tuesday. The team dropped one spot on the final day, finishing tied for sixth in the 18-team field with a 922.

Freshman Garrett Westbrook led the Eagles in the 54-hole event with rounds of 75-73-80 to finish with a 228 total.

Cory Williamson, also a freshman, posted rounds of 80-74-75 to finish one shot behind his teammate with a 229 total.

One shot behind Williamson was sophomore team captain, former Lamar School standout, Clay Bounds. Bounds was the only Eagle golfer in the 70’s all three rounds as he shot 78-76-76 for a 230 total.

Nick Hawkes and Mark Drube, both freshmen, rounded out MCC’s scoring. Hawkes posted rounds of 80-77-80 for a 237 while Drube shot 78-79-85 for a 242.

“Our goal was a top five finish in this big event,” said MCC coach Sean Covich.

“We were once again just a few strokes from reaching our goal,” added Covich.

“I’ve got to find a way to save us some shots; we’re starting rounds with too many mistakes and at this level we cant afford to get off to a bad start every time and still expect a top three finish.”

Eagles will take a break for a couple of weeks before finishing their fall season at the East Central Invitational at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club in Philadelphia, Miss. on November 10-11.

MCC Scores
311-300-311= 922 (t6th)
Garrett Westrbook 75-73-80
Cory Williamson 80-74-75
Clay Bounds 78-76-76
Nick Hawkes 80-77-80
Mark Drube 78-79-85

MCC golf in fifth heading into final round at MS Gulf Coast

GULFPORT, Miss. – The Meridian Community College golf team completed the first two rounds at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Fall invitational today with scores of 311 and 301 respectively. The Eagles currently stand fifth amongst the 18-team field with a score of 612.

Improving on a tie for seventh place finish in round one, MCC worked its way up the standings early in round two with the play of freshman Garrett Westrbook who leads the Eagles in competition. Westrbook is currently in the top ten individually. He posted a 3-over par round of 75 in round one and improved two strokes on round two closing with a 1-over par 73.

Clay Bounds bounced back after an opening 6-over par 78 on round one to score a 4-over par 76 on round two. But the biggest improvement for the Eagles was made by Cory Williamson. The freshman from Collins, Miss., shot an opening round 8-over par 80 then improved six strokes to shot a 2-over par 74 on round two.

Other scores for MCC included: Nick Hawes 80-78 and Mark Drube 78-79.

South Mountain (AZ) C.C. leads the event by one stroke over Central Alabama. Darton (GA) College is in third.

William Carey University’s Matt Hungerman leads the individual race with rounds of 74-67.

Final round is scheduled for 18 holes Tuesday with a 7:30 AM shotgun start.

Eagle golf returns to action at Gulf Coast Invitational

GULFPORT, Miss. – One week after its top ten finish at the NJCAA National Championship Preview, the Meridian Community College golf team travels to Gulfport, Miss., as they return to competition at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Fall Invitational. MCC will look to continue building on their strong fall season as they compete in the 18-team field at Windance Country Club.

So far on the season, MCC has claimed four top ten finishes, including two top fives and a runner-up.

Making the trip will be sophomore Clay Bounds, who is coming off a season best score of 72 (E) at the National Preview. Freshmen Nick Hawkes, Garrett Westbrook and Cory Williamson will be making their fourth start of the fall season in as many tournaments, while fellow freshman Mark Drube makes his third start.

Hawkes is also coming off a season low round of 71 (-1) at the National Preview.

The 18-team field will include the University of Arkansas-Monticello, Andrew (GA) College, Darton (GA) College, Central Alabama, Faulkner (AL) State, Mississippi Gulf Coast, South (AZ) Mountain, Spring Hill (AL) College, Wallace (AL) State, William Carey University, and others.

Meridian will be paired with Central Alabama, Faulkner State, and Wallace State for day one. Tee times are set to begin at 7:30 a.m. on Monday. The tournament is set for 36 holes on day one and then a final 18 on day two.

MCC releases 2008-09 basketball schedule

Meridian Community College announced its 2008-09 men’s and women’s basketball schedule this week, according to MCC athletic director Hilary Allen.

It’s an exciting slate that features over 25 regular season games for both the Eagles and Lady Eagles, including six men/women doubleheader games at the Graham Gymnasium.

In addition, Meridian will face three familiar rival teams that remain on the MCC slate, including Mississippi teams- Jones County and Hinds, plus longtime Miss-Lou foe, Delgado.

The Lady Eagles went 23-6 last season and won the MACJC South Division along with claiming a MACJC State Runner-Up finish. They officially open their campaign with back-to-back games on the road against Selma on November 1 and at Andrew College on November 2.

Meanwhile, the MCC men, who made it to the postseason last year making showings in both the MACJC State and NJCAA Region 23 tournaments, will open up at home against Mississippi Elite before traveling to Southern Union on November 8.

For a full look at the MCC 08-09 schedule, please see below:


Month Day H/A OPPONENT WOMEN MEN
NOV 1 A SELMA 5:30
NOV 2 A ANDREW 4:00
NOV 6 H MS ELITE 7:00
NOV 8 H SELMA 6:00
NOV 8 A SOUTHERN UNION 7:00
NOV 11 H TRINITY VALLEY 6:00
NOV 13 A SHELTON 6:00 8:00
NOV 15 H SELMA 4:00
NOV 17 H LSU-EUNICE 6:00
NOV 18 H AL SOUTHERN 6:00
NOV 19 H GENESIS ONE 7:00
NOV 22 H MARION INSTITUTE 2:00
NOV 24 A BISHOP STATE 5:15 7:30
NOV 25 H SOUTHERN UNION 7:00
DEC 3 A SELMA 7:00
DEC 6 H ALBANY TECH 2:00
DEC 6 A HANCEVILLE 2:00
DEC 13 A AL SOUTHERN 4:00
DEC 13 A MARION INSTITUTE 7:00
DEC 17 H SHELTON 6:00 8:00
DEC 19 H BISHOP STATE 6:00 8:00
JAN 8 A COLUMBIA STATE 6:00 8:00
JAN 10 A VOLUNTEER STATE 2:00 4:00
JAN 17 H DELGADO 2:00 4:00
JAN 20 A SHREVEPORT 5:00 7:00
JAN 22 H JONES COUNTY 6:00 8:00
JAN 24 A GA PERIMETER 2:00
JAN 25 A HORIZON 2:00
JAN 28 H GENESIS ONE 7:00
JAN 31 H SHREVEPORT 2:00 4:00
FEB 5 A HINDS 6:00 8:00
FEB 7 H DELGADO 2:00 4:00
FEB 10 H SHREVEPORT 7:00
FEB 12 A DELGADO 5:30 7:30
FEB 14 H GA PERIMETER 2:00
FEB 16 A JONES COUNTY 6:00 8:00
FEB 18 A LSU-EUNICE 6:00
FEB 18 H MS ELITE 6:00
FEB 21 H HANCEVILLE 2:00
FEB 24-25 S MISS/LOU TOURNEY
MAR 2.3.4.5 REGION 23 TBA TBA

Soccer drops a game to Wallace St

(MERIDIAN) - The Meridian Community College men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to visiting Wallace State Community College Tuesday afternoon at C.D. Smith Field.

With the loss, the Eagles drop to 6-3-1 on the season and now prepare for their match up versus Tr-County Community College on Friday.

The Lady Eagles will be in action Thursday when they face Shelton State at C.D. Smith Field.

MCC golf claims top ten finish at NJCAA National Preview

(Huntsville, Ala.) The Meridian Community College golf team struggled on Tuesday in the NJCAA National Championship Preview with a final round team score of 313.

The Eagles were in fifth place after round one and were in seventh going into the final round. MCC finished the tournament in tenth place out of 18 teams.

"It was a disappointing finish to say the least," said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

"We were only a few shots off the lead after the first round and just let it slip away."

"But still, it was a great learning experience for this young team, with just one sophomore on the squad we need all of it we can get."

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Hampton Cove "River" course was the site of the National Preview and will host the 2009 NJCAA Division I National Championship in May. The River course plays to a par 72 at over 7,200 yards.

Lon Morris College of Texas won the Preview with team score of 874, after a playoff, Darton College of Georgia claimed runner-up with 874. MCC finished with a 910 total in tenth place.

Western Texas golfer Matt Law won the event with rounds of 69-69-72 (-6).

For MCC, Nick Hawkes shot 71-78-81, Clay Bounds shot 78-72-77, Garrett Westbrook shot 74-77-79, John Cleveland shot 82-73-77, and Cory Williamson 74-83-80.

18 schools from nine states participated in the event.

MCC will be in action again next week at Windance Country Club in Gulfport for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Invitational, Monday- Tuesday, Oct 20-21.

MCC in top ten at NJCAA National Preview

(HUNTSVILLE, Ala) - The Meridian Community College golf team posted their season low team score of 297 in round one of the NJCAA National Championship Preview at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Hampton Cove "River course in Huntsville, Ala.

After round one, MCC was in fifth place out of 18 teams.

In round two of the three round tournament Monday afternoon the Eagles posted a 300 team score.

MCC currently sits in seventh place with a 597 team score with 18 holes left to play.

The Eagles were led by Nick Hawkes who shot a 1-under par 71 in round one and a 6-over par 78 in round two. Hawkes is currently in 29th place out of 90 golfers. Clay Bounds shot 78 in round one and then bounced back in round two with an Even-par 72.

Garrett Westbrook shot rounds of 74-77, Cory Williamson shot 74-82 and John Cleveland posted scores of 82-73.

Darton College of Georgia leads the event with scores of 294-286.

Matt Law of Western Texas leads the individual race with scores of 69-69 (-6).

Final round of the NJCAA National Championship Preview will take place Tuesday with an 8 AM shotgun start.

MCC golf in action at NJCAA National Preview

(HUNTSVILLE, Ala.) – The Meridian Community College golfers will continue their 2008 fall season on Monday in Huntsville, Ala., at the NJCAA Division I National Championship Preview. Hosted by Central Alabama and Wallace State, the event will feature 18 squads from across the nation, including former national championship teams, Darton (GA), Central Alabama, and Faulkner (AL) State.

The tournament is being played on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the Hampton Cove “River” course, which plays to a par 72 at well over 7,200 yards long.

“This is a wonderful event for us to play in because these are the teams that will be in the national championship and this is the same course we will play,” said third year MCC coach, Sean Covich.

“The Preview has quickly become ‘the’ tournament for DI teams to play in. A great opportunity to play four rounds on the same course you’ll battle for the National Championship on come May.”

The Eagles will be led by Baton Rouge-native, Garrett Westbrook. The freshman leads MCC in scoring average and was named to his first collegiate all tournament team at the John A. Logan Invitational in Illinois last month.

Playing No. 2 in the MCC lineup will be sophomore captain and former Lamar School standout, Clay Bounds of Meridian.

Nick Hawkes of England will play No. 3 in the five man lineup while freshmen John Cleveland and Cory Williamson will round out the lineup. Cleveland is from Madison while Williamson is from Collins.

Play gets underway Monday with an 8 AM shotgun start. Players will play 36 holes on Monday and then a final 18 holes on Tuesday.

The tournament committee will recognize, All Tournament Team members, Medalist, Team Champion, and Team Runners-Up following play.

Three Eagle netters advance to National Championship

By Chris Brennaman
assistant sports editor

Meridian Community College hosted the Wilson/ITA Southern Regional Championships at Northeast Tennis Center over the weekend and three Eagle netters qualified for the National Small College Championships.

Anna Vavrik won the women's singles division by beating fellow MCC teammate Kelly Sterling of Meridian 6-0, 6-1 in the final.

Vavrik and Sterling were the seeded one and two in the tournament, respectively.

Gabriel Nicotra and Lucio Cangiano, the top seed in the men's doubles division, beat Michael Parker and Daniel Shidler — representing Hinds Community College —8-5 in the final to earn the automatic bid to the national championship.

Ashton Hartley and Sterling were upset in the women's doubles final losing 8-4 to second seeded Daria Egorova and Aline Ferreira of Hinds.

Vavrik,Nicotra and Cangiano will participate in the NSCC at the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center in Mobile Oct. 16-19.

Former MCC pitcher, Cliff Lee named AL's Comeback Player

Wednesday, October 01, 2008
www.cleveland.com
By: Paul Hoynes

Manager Eric Wedge, at his end-of-the-season press conference Tuesday, predicted it would be a busy off-season for Cliff Lee.

Wedge was talking about Lee hitting the banquet and postseason awards trail. He saw CC Sabathia go through it last year and it's already started for the 30-year-old left-hander.

Lee was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year by Major League Baseball. Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge received the award in the National League.

After going 5-8 last year, Lee made himself the Cy Young favorite this season by going 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA. Lee, the Indians first 20-game winner in 34 years, led the AL in victories and ERA.

Lee missed spring training in 2007 with an abdominal injury. He never righted himself and was sent to Class AAA Buffalo at the end of July. When he returned in September, he was put in the bullpen and didn't make the postseason roster.

During the winter, he was nearly traded to Arizona.

This year, Lee, in a career high 223 1/3 innings, struck out 170, walked 34 and threw four complete games.

MCC Soccer: Rush Recap

The Rush Showcase was another great success for the Meridian Community College Eagles. Coming off a big win at Hinds earlier in the week, the Lady Eagles went into the match with several key injuries Friday night against national contender Tyler Junior College out of Texas.

MCC went down to goals early in the match but were able to sustain a 2-2 tie by halftime.

Unfortunately, the tide would turn quick as Tyler was able to punch in five more goals in the second half to take a 7-2 win over the Lady Eagles.

Sunday’s contest with Itawamba Community College saw the Lady Eagles struggle once again as some of the starters were nursing injuries and could not go the entire match.

The game ended in a 2-2 tie but MCC coach, Alex George, feels like it was a good weekend overall for his ladies.

“Coming into the weekend I knew we had already had a very tough battle at Hinds a couple days earlier and we had several injuries so I knew it was going to be hard on us but I am really proud of the way the girls reacted to the weekend and continued to play hard,” said George.

“Several girls came off the bench to give us what we needed and I am equally proud of that,” added George.

“The most important thing for us right now is to get healthy going in to the final stretch of regular season.”

The Lady Eagles only have one lost against other NJCAA Div. I opponents which boast well for MCC as they look toward post season play in 2008.

The MCC men’s team took two big wins during the Rush Showcase and a huge win on the road Tuesday at Delta State University.

The Eagles defeated Gordon College 2-0 Friday night and Itawamba Community College 2-1 Sunday.

“We, as well, are banged up. When you bring us and Hinds together you are going to see a brutal contest and I think it left both teams pretty sore from that match so we weren’t at our peak this weekend but the wins are good,” said George.

“I think we are beginning to gel at the right time and we are finding the back of the net which is something you got to be able to do against tough opponents.”

The Eagles traveled up to Cleveland, MS Tuesday to take on the Statesmen of Delta State University and came away with a 2-1 decision in that contest.

Both teams will have a few well deserved days off to recover and will be in action again on Wednesday, October 8 at C.D. Smith Field to host former MACJC-rival, Pearl River Community College at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.