Oit. Sce^te^
Sophomore Kim Garcia: “We never gave up.”
Chowan softball: AIw(q;s faithfid
A
Iways faithful.
The Lady Braves of Chowan said
this year’s 29-3 record, that set a
school record for winning percent
age, was the testament to their faithfulness to
each other.
“I thought the fact that we all finally came
together as a team this year and played to the
best of our ability is the main reason we were
29-3,” junior hurler Cindy Jo Rash said. “It was
a great year”
Classmate Kim Hetherington agreed.
“1 thought we had a great season and really
came together as a team,” the junior second
baseman said. “The team unity was like having
14 sisters.”
Junior Jennifer Murden said the record of
the team was good, but the fact they played
together so much is what made it better
“1 felt like we came together as a team and
started playing together well on the field,”
Murden said.
Freshman Neely McCulley agreed.
“It felt great to play with such an outstand
ing team,” McCulley said. “I enjoyed playing
with everybody.”
Sophomore first baseman Tracy Bennett was
out last season and said she found out this
year how much she missed her teammates.
“After being out for a year, I realized how
much this program really affected me.” Bennett
said, “The girls on this team are a very special
bunch.
“We fought to the end together and came
out victorious,” she added. “It’s been a
wonderful year. Good job. Lady Braves!”
That fighting spirit was also a key to many
of those on the team.
“What made this team so great was nobody
ever gave up,” sophomore pitcher Kelly
Rothery said. “We got behind on some occa
sions, but nobody ever gave up and that was
the difference for us.”
“The best part of this season was the way
we came together,” sophomore outfielder
Heather Cahoon said. “We came back in a lot of
games to win and that was great.”
Another sophomore outfielder, Kim Gracia,
said she was pleased with the season and felt it
was more enjoyable than her freshman year.
“When we were down, we battled back,”
Gracia said. “We never gave up.”
Junior infielder Heather Britt, whose roles
included starting, pinch-hitting, pinch-running,
and being a designated hitter, said she had a
By TH AD WHITE
Staff Writer, The R-C News-Herald
This article appeared in the May 9. 1996, issue of
The R-C News-Herald, Ahoskie, NC. and is repro
duced with the permission of the author and the
publisher. Thi photos accompanying the feature
article were made by Thad White
Mandy McCain (left) and Meredith Davies, two seniors who have
been the cornerstone of the softball program, have watched
Chowan softball rise from the ashes of a junior college to one of
the most respected NCAA Division III teams in the country.
Tracy Bennett slams a hit to help the
Lady Braves post another victory.
Cindy Jo Rash and Kristina Sublett
cheer on their team during the Method
ist College Invitational Tournament.
good time with the team again this season.
“Playing on a team that has been this
successful is something I’ll never forget,” she
said. “In high school, I don’t think we ever had
a winning record. To go from that to 91 victories
in three years is amazing.”
Freshmen Missy Newby and Kristina Sublett
said they felt the pressure of playing on a top-
notch team as freshmen.
“It was tough to be in a starting role as a
freshman,” Newby said. “I knew there was no
room for error I couldn’t make mistakes.”
“The team was great,” she continued. “After
not winning in high school, it was a completely
different experience.”
Sublett said, “It was difficult at first, but I
came around later in the year. Playing on this
team was a much different experience than high
school. I really had a good time this season.”
The team, serving with Chowan College a
three-year provisionary membership to the
NCAA, was unable to qualify for what would
have been a certain NCAA regional berth.
In lieu, many looked to the Montclair State
University Invitation, a tournament in which 16
of the nation’s best teams clash, for their post
season competition. Unfortunately, the tourna
ment was snowed out.
“Although we didn’t get to play in New
Jersey, I think with our record and how well we
did, this season was worthwhile,” sophomore
Kim Annis said. “1 think we showed how good
we were.”
Summing up the season, junior catcher
Michelle “Mickey” Mitchell said she was
satisfied the Lady Braves were as good as
anyone.
“It was hard to walk off the field for the last
time this year after having such a successful
season and knowing we could have contended
with the best teams in the nation,” she said.
“Even though we weren’t able to show our
talents at a higher level, I know, without a
doubt, we were a championship team,” Mitchell
concluded.
1996 Spring Athletic Awards
Male Athlete of the Year
Brian Canaday
Female Athlete of the Year
Michelle Mitchell
Men’s Tennis - Record 0-11
Most Valuable Player Chuck Allen
Most Improved Sean McClafferty
Coaches' Award Chris Brown
Cheerleaders
Most Valuable Player Gwendolyn Quarles
Most Improved Melissa Matthews
Most Spirited Mia Cornell
Academic Award Heather Madren
Women’s Tennis - Record2-6 (Division III- 2-3)
Most Valuable Player Meg Jackson
Most Improved Rebecca Crouss
Coaches’ Award DelkaRoland
Golf
Coaches’ Award Preston McElheney
Most Valuable Player Rancfy Stilwell
Women’s Basketball - Record 6-18
Coaches’ Award Judy Enteman
Defensive Award Michelle Mitchell
Most Improved Catherine Taylor
Most Valuable Player Judy Wilkerson
Dedication Award Kristen Faucette
Hustle Award Amy Norris
Spirit Award Stacey Pierce
Men’s Basketball - Record 13-12
Most Valuable Player Tyrone McCreary
Most Outstanding Defensive Player Tyrone McCreary
Coaches’ Award The Entire Team
Most Improved Herman Spencer
Men’s JV Basketball - Record 3-13
Most Valuable Player Jeff Bean
Defensive Award Rudy Crichlow
Coaches’ Award Greg Melton
Softball - Record 29-3
Golden Glove Jennifer Murden
Hitting Meredith Davies
Pitching Mandy McCain
Most Valuable Player Meredith Davies
JV Baseball - Record3-7
Coaches; Award Mike Coplin
Best All-Around Player Dean Dowdy
Athletic Trainers
Outstanding Trainer Judy Hill
Outstanding Student Sergio Serrano
Men’s Baseball - Record 16-15
Hitting Award Chris Whitesel
Golden Glove Mike Yusko
Pitching Award Chris Coombe
CHOWAN TODAY, June 1996 — Page IS