Three Former MCC Soccer Stars To Be Inducted Into HOF

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College soccer program remains the only junior college program in the state of Mississippi to win a NJCAA Division I National Championship and the program can also boast about another incredible honor. Three former MCC soccer stars will be inducted into the 2013 class of the NJCAA Men’s Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The ceremony to honor the three former players will take place in November as a part of the NJCAA Division I Soccer Banquet in Tyler, TX.

The three former MCC standouts that will be honored include: Brad Wagner, Ryan Sims, and Lee Baldwin. The three players will join 76 other coaches, contributors, and players already named to the Hall of Fame.

Brad Wagner captained the 2000 NJCAA National Champions while starting at left back for Meridian Community College.  As a freshman, he led MCC to a national third place finish in 1999.  The Eagles were 45-4-1 during his junior college career.  He moved on to the University of Central Florida where he was also the team captain and named to the Atlantic Sun All-Conference team in 2002.

Ryan Simms competed in two NJCAA National Tournaments as the starting goalkeeper for Meridian Community College. He was in goal for the schools only National Championship in 2000 and was named to the National All-Tournament team.  He stills holds all the goalkeeping records for the Eagles program.  He completed his college career at Birmingham Southern University.

Lee Baldwin made the National All-Tournament team in 1999 and was named to the NJCAA All-America team that same year while playing in the midfield for Meridian Community College. He is the all-time assist leader for the Eagles.  He moved on to North Carolina State University and was named to the Atlantic Coast All-Conference team in 2001.

MCC Tennis Star Wins Arthur Ashe Award

From School Reports

Another group of extraordinary student-athletes from college varsity tennis programs across the country were honored for their service and leadership over the weekend.

The ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. National Leadership and Sportsmanship Awards are given annually to collegiate students who have shown great achievements on and off the court. A select group of accomplished student-athletes have been honored in this way since 1982. Ashe himself inaugurated the award and personally made the presentations until his tragic passing in 1993. For the past 20 years, former NYC mayor David Dinkins has given out these prestigious awards.

Meridian Community College women’s tennis star Tara-Beth Hall received the award Saturday at the ceremony. As a Pre-Vet major, Tara-Beth carried a GPA of 3.87, earning her President's list scholar honors and induction into the National Two-Year Honor Society. She also served as the President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter for the past two years. Tara-Beth was also actively involved in her community, volunteering with the Special Olympics, the Salvation Army, Laurie's Kids (a benefit for special needs children), and Love's Kitchen, a local soup kitchen for the homeless.

The award takes into account a player's tennis accomplishments, scholastic achievements and extracurricular endeavors, and recognizes players who excelled on and off the court as Ashe did during his life.  Sportsmanship, leadership and character are important criteria, as is giving back to the community.

The ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. National Leadership and Sportsmanship Awards honors outstanding individuals in all collegiate tennis divisions at the regional and national level, including NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO men's and women's players.    

The 2013 ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. National Leadership and Sportsmanship Awards will be given out Saturday and the national winners were honored during a special ceremony hosted by the USTA during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day inside Ashe Stadium.

The following day, the award winners are invited to a special luncheon honoring winners of the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Arthur Ashe Essay Contest. One of Arthur Ashe's many legacies is a network of youth-serving organizations that provide tennis and education for all. His wish was for the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) to be a resource for kids to develop skills for leadership and academic excellence.

MCC Soccer Opens Season With Road Split

From School Reports

The 2013 Meridian Community College soccer season kicked off this past Friday with a road doubleheader at Holmes Community College and the Eagles returned home with a road split to begin the season. The MCC Lady Eagles were able to preserve a 1-0 victory over Holmes, while the MCC men dropped a 2-1 decision to HCC to begin the 2013 campaign.

Former Meridian High standout MeMe Huff scored the lone goal in the contest for the Lady Eagles which occurred in first half of action. The MCC women will return to action Wednesday on the road to face Itawamba Community College at 2 p.m. The MCC men fell behind 1-0 in the opening three minutes of its match against Holmes, but would battle back to tie the game at 1-1 thanks to a goal by Lyle Daughtery moments later in the half. Holmes would eventually score the winning goal in the final minutes of the game to grab the one-goal victory over the MCC men.

The Eagles will return to action Wednesday afternoon with a road match against Itawamba at 4 p.m.

 

MCC Soccer Sweeps Pair

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College soccer season is just around the corner and both squads took to the road Wednesday night for a pair of scrimmage games to gear up for the regular season. The Lady Eagles opened the night by taking a 2-0 victory over Hinds, while the MCC men secured a 3-2 victory over Hinds to complete the road sweep. Both squads will return to action Saturday as a part of the 12^th Annual “Meet The Eagles Celebration” at CD Smith Field. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. followed by alumni games at 11:30 a.m. (men) and 12:30 p.m. (women). The public is invited to attend this event before MCC begins the regular season with a pair of road games August 23 against Holmes Community College.

MCC will open its home portion of the 2013 schedule on September 3 with a doubleheader against Hinds Community College beginning at 5 p.m.

The MCC women were led by former Meridian High star MeMe Huff and Taylor Hanes who each had a goal in the scrimmage. Kristin Morris and Kayla Phillips each added one assist apiece in the road win over Hinds. The MCC men were led former West Lauderdale star Lyle Daugherty and Evinn Watson who each had a goal in the victory for the Eagles. Kyle Roblin added an assist in the scrimmage win for the Eagles.