CARY, N.C. – In their first ever appearance, the Alabama State University women’s cross country team won the 2014 Robert Shumake HBCU Challenge, which was held Saturday morning at the WakeMed Soccer Park. As the men’s cross country team had a strong showing.
The Lady Hornets tallied 27 points, dominating the race. Seven ASU runners finished in the top 15 – including individual champion Paige Rankin and second-place finisher Artrailia Lesane.
Rankin ran an 17:52.93 over the 5K course, and Lesane ran a 18:03.64.
Shantia Wilson ran a 18:56.91 to finish third, while Santina Williams came in eighth after running a personal best time of 19:32.02 and Sade Lavallis came in 13th with a time of 19:45.51.
Brandee Ebert ran a 19:51.24 to come in 14th, and Kimberly Wedderburn ran a 19:59.22 to finish 15th.
“Our ladies ran strong today,” said head coach Ritchie Beene. We had several runners finish in the top eight as well as run their personal best times. This win gives our ladies program a positive look heading into the rest of our season.”
ASU finished with 141 points in the men’s 8K race, with North Carolina A&T taking the team title. Bryont Brown was the lone Hornet to finish in the top 15, coming in 14th after completing the 8K course in a personal best time of 27:11.73.
Gregory Thigpen ran a 28:07.72 to come in 26th, while Andrew Coicou ran a 28:16.86 to finish 28th and Teven Avant was 31st after turning in a personal best of 28:36.49.
Christian Jones ran a 29:35.86 to round out the Hornets for the day placing 42nd overall.
“It was a solid team performance from our men”, said Beene. “One of our top runners went down with an injury today which is a tough loss but, we will go back and reevaluate this meet in order to plan for the rest of our season on the men’s side.
ASU will return to action Oct. 17th, when they run in the Crimson Classic meet hosted by the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Lady Hornets Win at Alcorn State
NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Alabama State women’s golf team won the Matthews/Brown Memorial Golf Tournament, hosted by Alcorn State.
Mia Campbell was the low medalist at the event, shooting three-over par 147 (75-72) in the 36-hole event as the Lady Hornets took the top four individual finishes in the tournament, held at Duncan Park. Dismary Marquez (75-73) and Chanelle Avarcio (77-71) each shot 148 to tie for second place, one shot ahead of teammate Janelle Kraakman’s 149 (78-71). Sylvia Masango’s 156 (83-73) completed the scoring for Alabama State.
“Our girls played at a higher level today and displayed a recipe for performing at the highest levels of collegiate golf,” head coach Dr. Gary Grandison said. “Every Lady Hornet contributed to our success, and Mighty Mouse (Campbell) led the way. This tournament is a memorial for the past two Alcorn State University golf coaches (Thomas Matthews and O.C. Brown) and they would be proud of (Alcorn Head Coach) Lynette Smith’s efforts in hosting this tournament in their honor.”
The Lady Hornets return to action October 21-23 at the Rainbow Wahine Invitational, hosted by the University of Hawaii.
Hornets in First Place at Tennessee-Martin
BUCHANAN, Tenn. – Alabama State men’s golf continues its strong play during the fall by taking a lead after 36 holes at the Skyhawk Classic, hosted by Tennessee Martin.
Paced by Francis Berthiaume’s nine-under par 135 (68-67), the Hornets leads the nine-team field, including the host Tennessee Martin, by six shots in the 54-hole event. Berthiaume blistered the par fives, combining to shoot eight-under par, which tied for best in the field, carded an eagle, and leads the field with 13 birdies over two rounds.
Berthiaume is tied for first place overall, while teammate Branson Ferrier shot six under 138 (70-68) and is tied for third overall, three shots off the pace. Ferrier leads the field in par four scoring at five-under par.
Brandon Collins is in seventh after consecutive rounds of 70 to post a score of 140. Ian Mmbando’s 147 (74-73) and Daniel Park’s 150 (73-77) completed the team scoring for Alabama State. In individual play, Jose Rodriguez shot 146 (69-77).
Hornets close dominate fall with Fourth Tournament win
BUCHANAN, Tenn. – The three-time defending SWAC champion Alabama State men’s golf team completed its fall schedule by winning for the fourth time in five events, winning the Skyhawk Classic hosted by Tennessee Martin.
The Hornets shot 294 in the final round to post a 54-hole total of 853, winning by three shots over host UT Martin in a nine-team field which included Southern Illinois, Tennessee State and Jackson State among others at the Paris Landing Golf Course (par 72, 6,685 yards).
Alabama State had three players in the top five in scoring, each earning all-tournament honors. Francis Berthiaume shot one-over par 73 Tuesday to finish at eight-under par 208, finishing second. Andrei Collins shot one of the best final rounds of the tournament with a one-under 71 to finish at five-under 211 to finish fourth. Branson Ferrier posted a final round 74 to finish at four-under par 212 to tie for fifth place.
Ian Mmbando (final round 76, 223 total) and Daniel Park (76; 226) completed the team scoring for Alabama State. In individual play, Jose Rodriguez shot 77 to finish at 223.
The Hornets had several players among leaders in key scoring categories. Berthiaume led the field in both par five scoring (-10) and birdies (16), Ferrier led all players in par four scoring at four-under par, while Collins tied for third in pars (37).
Alabama State won its own Fall Classic Labor Day Weekend, and, after a 10th-place finish at St. Johns, won at Murray State, the National Black College Hall of Fame Tournament, and the Skyhawk Classic to complete the fall.
“The conditions were sloppy wet but our guys played well,” Alabama State head golf coach Dr. Gary Grandison said of the assessment of assistant coach Robert Clark, who travelled with team. “Today, the conditions were more difficult but our guys persevered. We had an amazing fall season by winning four of five tournaments. In golf, such a winning percentage is very rare. Our men prepared well this off season and the preparations are yielding dividends.”
The Hornets will return to action in early March at the Texas Southern Invitational in Alexandria, La.
