With the bar set pretty high after Friday's performances, there was somewhat of an emotional letdown in the finals today. The women's 4x100m relay and Dionne Gibson in the 200m dash each carded a seventh-place finish, while Levi Brooks finished eighth in the 400m dash.
That said, the performances were still outstanding and I know I speak on behalf of the entire department that we are extremely proud of these athletes and the way they went out and represented CSU.
The season is still not over, though. Even though we did not get any automatic bids to the NCAA National Championships, there is a pretty good chance that our relay team will get an at-large bid, which will again pave new paths in the Big South. As we are driving back from Greensboro, Coach Langford and Levi are also looking at the 400m standings and there is an outside chance of him getting an at-large bid in the 400m dash, so keep your fingers crossed for both.
If you didn't catch the articles on CSUsports.com, the future of the program is bright as three freshmen have qualified, and will compete, at the USA Junior Nationals in Eugene, Ore.
I'll try to post some more pictures later, but the camera got packed in the back so I can't right now ... Thanks for following us on the blog this weekend. I know I'm not quite as exciting to read as the athletes, but the set up wasn't what I expected, and i didn't want to distract them too much.
If this is something that you have enjoyed and would like to see more of, or if you have other ideas for the blog, please let us know.
NCAA East Region Recap
NCAA East Region - Day 2
As you can see, it wasn't all business as Coach Goode took time to show off her best modeling poses. I think this was still part of the celebration over the showing by the 4x1 relay team.
Now that I have a second, I do want to put out my plea on behalf of the track programs. If you are a CSU fan, you need to try to make it out to a meet like this. Even if you can't make it to regionals, go to one of the bigger meets that we are in. There is a real sense of pride when you see our athletes going against some of the best athletes in the country, and WINNING! The relay is a great example of that, when you see them rounding the turn, leading everyone and hear "Charleston Southern in the lead" over the PA. To further the point, the women's relay beat Virginia Tech, Florida and Penn State, among others. Tomorrow they will go toe-to-toe with Florida State, South Carolina, Miami, North Carolina, Jacksonville, UCONN and Charlotte.
It is easy to get complacent when you see CSU continually dominating the sprint events (men and women) in the conference, but when you see what they are doing on a national level, it really is impressive. We are really lucky to have the coaches we do representing CSU.
As for the guys, they are obviously upset that they finished ninth in the relay, but it was a good experience for the freshmen (Javon Young and Anthony Ward), and hopefully will fuel their fire for next year.
Alright - we just had our fourth (or maybe fifth or sixth) meal of the day, and I think today took the energy out of everyone. I'll write more tomorrow, hopefully bragging about a trio of CSU victories!
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The meet couldn't have started any better for us as the women's team clocked in the fifth-best overall team, easily making the finals. It was exciting down to the wire as CSU and Miami were neck-and-neck coming off the final turn. Their time SHATTERED the Big South record, and helped them in their quest to become the first Big South relay team to ever qualify for nationals.
The men's team ran well, clocking in a season-best time as well, but it was heartache as they finished ninth, missing the finals by one measly spot. We momentarily thought a DQ had gotten rid of a team, putting us in, but it was not to be. Thankfully, all four guys will be back next year as a team of freshmen, a sophomore and a junior proved that they belong among the nation's elite.
Levi Brooks got into the finals in the 400m dash, claiming the eighth spot, forcing us to once again count teams and sweat out the results. He is in, though so we will cheer him on tomorrow in at least one event.
Still to come: Dionne Gibson and Gabrielle Houston in the 200m dash on the women's side, and Brooks in the 200m on the men's side.
Pictures to come later too, but here is a taste of what I was able to get.
NCAA East Region - Day 1
Weekly Recap - May18 - 24
would like to say a huge “Thank You!” to all of those who have sacrificed for our freedom. We realize that our ability to live the way we do is because of what those soldiers, past and present, have been willing to go through. Whether today is a day off or not, I hope that you will take a quick minute and say a prayer for all those fighting at this moment, and also thank someone in the military, whether it be a family member, friend or complete stranger.Things have continued to wind down as all but the Track and Field programs have concluded their 2008-09 campaigns. Baseball was the latest group to finish up having faced High Point in the Big South Championships, falling in a tight battle, ending their season. Mark Perry was named to the Big South’s All-Academic team as part of the festivities.
As for the game, CSU tallied 12 base hits, but could not seem to string them together as they got just one run in the top of the sixth inning, but fell 2-1. Jesse Cadenhead and Keith Hustedt combined to pitch all nine innings, giving up just seven hits and two runs. Offensively, Tom Burkett went 3-for-4 on the day, while Brantley Meier, Tyler Thornburg, and Mark Perry each had a pair of base hits. It was a sacrifice fly by Derek Smith that scored Nick Chinners to give CSU their only run.
The baseball team also announced the placement of 10 athletes in summer baseball leagues.
For his effort in the tournament, Keith Hustedt has been named this week's CSU Athlete of the Week.What’s coming up:
The men’s and women’s track programs will head up to Greensboro, N.C., this weekend to compete against the best athletes in the southeast in the NCAA East Regional. You can follow their progress in a number of ways, including live results on N.C. A&T’s Web site. We will also have a live blog going and will twitter updates on the CSU athletes as they try to qualify themselves for the NCAA National Championships.
Weekly Recap - May 11-17
As we thought it would, things have slowed down considerably since the students left campus. Baseball and track are still in full swing, with championships right on the horizon. The baseball team will leave Monday afternoon to being their quest for the 2009 Big South Baseball crown at McCormick Field in Asheville, N.C. Live Video and Live Stats will be available for all games, with CSU taking on High Point in the opening round, Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Athlete of the Week:
Brandon Roberts has been named this week’s CSU Athlete of the Week after a pair of outstanding outings on the mound. In two appearances, Roberts pitched 10.2 innings with 17 strikeouts and just two runs.
Roberts had his best outing of the season in just his fourth start of the year, going the distance in a 7-inning game. He struck out 12 Tiger hitters, which ties the team-high this season for strikeouts in a game, matching Jesse Cadenhead, who did it in nine innings of work. He gave up just one run on three hits in the victory.
Later in the week, Roberts notched a relief appearance, pitching 3.2 innings at Coastal Carolina, giving up just one run on two hits while striking out five.
Results From Last Week:
May 12, Baseball vs. Savannah State – W / 5-1, L / 5-6
After rain in the area switched the final home games to a Tuesday double header, the Bucs finished out their home slate with a pair of 7-inning games against Savannah State. Making just his fourth start of the year, it was an inauspicious one for Roberts, who gave up a homerun on the first pitch of the game. He would settle in to provide one of the best performances on the hill this season for CSU, striking out a season-high 12 hitters in a complete game victory.
The second game was much closer, but CSU held a 5-4 lead going into the top of the seventh inning, when a two-RBI double by Dexter Kelley put the Tigers on top for good. Even with the loss, CSU took the season series 2-1 over Savannah State with a win back on March 10.
May 14-16, Baseball @ Coastal Carolina – L / 1-8, L / 4-6, L / 1-3
Facing the best team in the League, the Bucs made some noise and put a scare into the Chanticleers, despite suffering the sweep at the hands of Coastal. CSU averaged five hits a game, and pounded out five doubles in the losses. Mark Perry and Brantley Meier each had three hits in the series to lead CSU while nine of the 10 pitchers who saw action in the series recorded at least one strikeout.
May 15-16, Track & Field @ Georgia Tech Invitational
It was wet and windy all across the Southeast, including Atlanta, where the track programs were attempting to qualify additional athletes for the upcoming NCAA East Regional. Even though no additional athletes would qualify at the meet, the 4x100m relay (which has already qualified) set the CSU record, tying the Big South mark with a final time of 45.28 seconds. The Lady Bucs easily won the event in the process. Dionne Gibson finished third overall in the 200m dash, while Levi Brooks finished eighth in the 400m dash for the men. The men’s 4x100m relay team finished in a virtual tie with Virginia Tech for fourth place.
What’s Coming Up?
Tuesday, May 19 – Baseball vs. High Point (@ Big South Tournament) – 4 p.m.
Wednesday – Sunday, May 20-24 – Baseball @ Big South Tournament
Weekly Recap - May 4-10
FINALLY we had competition again after a 10-day break that seemed like forever. Hopefully all of our students survived finals week and will enjoy their time at home before coming back to us in the fall.
The Athletics Department was well represented at graduation, and we are so proud of each person that was able to walk across the stage to get that degree, whether a bachelor’s or master’s. Track star Dionne Gibson (pictured left) was awared the 2009 Hunter Cup.
While on the academics, we are also proud of the six perfect APR scores (baseball, men’s basketball, women’s golf, softball and soccer) that came out in the NCAA’s 2009 report. In addition to the one-year success, 14 of our 16 sports came in over the 925 threshold over a four-year period with the other two receiving a squad-adjustment, meaning CSU made it through without any penalties.
Athlete of the Week:
Misha Morris has been named the CSU Athlete of the Week this week after shattering the 100m school record, qualifying herself for the NCAA East Regional in the event.
Morris’ time of 11.52 was just 0.01 seconds off the Big South record, breaking the CSU mark by 0.2 seconds and winning the event at the Orange and Purple Classic, hosted by Clemson. She also ran a season-best 24.20 in the 200m dash on Saturday.
Results from Last Week:
May 6, Baseball @ College of Charleston, L/ 10-3, L/5-2
The C of C bats were hot once again as they took both games of a double header to get the competition started back. Both were seven-inning games to allow for a late (5 p.m.) start time. Derek Smith knocked his first homerun out of the park, while Jake Cox and Patrick Dolan also hit homers in the series. Usually weekend starters, Jesse Cadenhead and Anthony Markham got the starts, and unfortunately took the losses for CSU, with Cadenhead pitching a six-inning, complete game.
May 7, Baseball @ USC Upstate, L/10-3
Back on the road the next night, the Bucs had to travel to Spartanburg to face USC Upstate, a team that shut out Tennessee earlier in the season for a 1-0 victory. CSU scattered nine hits and got another homer by Derek Smith, but could not hold down the Spartans, despite using a total of seven pitchers. After three tough losses in two nights, CSU got the weekend off before facing Savannah State in a double header on Tuesday, May 12.
May 7 – May 9, Softball @ Big South Tournament 
All five times that CSU and Gardner-Webb have faced off on the softball diamond this year have been interesting games to say the least. During the regular season, CSU took the series with a walk-off hit on what was supposed to be an intentional walk. That win gave CSU the fourth seed going into the 2009 Big South Championship, hosted by Radford. It also gave GWU the fifth-seed, meaning the two teams would face off again in the first round. CSU did not get a hit in the game until the sixth inning, when a three-batter stretch ended with a three-run homerun by Gail Matsushima to give CSU a 3-2 lead, despite having just two hits. Needing to get just one more out to seal the victory in the seventh, GWU came through with a two-run double to take the lead back. They went on to add an insurance run and won the opening game 5-3.
CSU would have to think about the disappointing loss all night before facing the second seeded Eagles of Winthrop with their tournament life on the line. Wellons pitched an incredible one-hitter to give CSU a chance, and the bats responded, giving the Bucs a 3-1 victory, setting up a rematch with GWU.
Tied 2-2 after the full seven innings, the game went into the bottom of the eighth before lightning and rain forced the two teams to spend the night, resuming play first thing the next morning. After a squeeze play failed in the bottom of the 10th, it was up to Megan Hall, who came through with an RBI single to plate the game-winning run, knocking GWU out of the tournament and advancing CSU to within one game of the championship.
To get there, they would have to go through the #3 seed Liberty. Despite three hits from Megan Hall, and loading the bases in the first inning, CSU fell 3-1, ending their tournament run just shy of their ultimate goal. Coach Winkler, in his first year, saw his team to a 26-33 overall record and their best regular season record since 2001, and best tournament finish since 1993.
Jamie Wellons and Megan Hall were each named to the all-tournament team, while Amy Trenkamp, Jamie Wellons, (both first-team), Melissa Adams and Megan hall (second-team) were all selected as all-conference. Gail Matsushima was named to the academic all-conference team.
May 9, Women’s Track @ Orange and Purple Classic
The final event of the week was another exciting one as CSU went to Clemson with hopes of qualifying additional athletes for the upcoming NCAA East Regional meet. They did just that as Misha Morris ran 11.52 in the 100m dash, shattering the old record (11.73) held by Dionne Gibson. Morris won the event and easily hit the NCAA mark to qualify for the East Regional. Gabrielle Houston also won her event and qualified for the NCAA meet with a 23.78-second finish in the 200m dash. Houston improved her mark for Junior Nationals as well as the freshman ran a new personal-best. Amerikorie Odey finished as the runner-up in the 400m hurdles, while Christi English finished fourth in the triple jump.
What’s coming up:
Tuesday, May 12 – Baseball vs. Savannah State (DH/7 inning games) – 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 14 – Baseball @ Coastal Carolina – 6 p.m.
Friday, May 15 – Baseball @ Coastal Carolina – 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 16 – Baseball @ Coastal Carolina – 2 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, May 15-16 – Track @ Georgia Tech Invitational
Life is Goodenough - May 7, 2009
It is very quiet around our office these days. The players have all completed final exams and have gone home for the month of May. We will have all ten returners and our five new freshmen in Charleston for summer school. This is an invaluable opportunity for the freshmen to 
make the transition from being a senior in high school (most awesome and supreme students on campus) to a freshmen in college (scum of the earth, affectionately known :-) ) The experience is similar to summer camp - take a couple of new classes, meet new friends, eat in the cafeteria, sleep in the dorm, participate in unfamiliar workouts, then go home. It’s long enough to possibly discover homesickness, yet short enough that the players are back home before they really need their parents to come visit. We have ascertained that having the freshmen in college for just one summer term, empowers them with confidence and courage about returning in the fall and beginning college for “real.”
Crystal Carpenter, Kelsey also established a new standard for 3’s made in a season with 76. Katie, being out for 9 games with a torn mcl, was ineligible from being included in the national stats, where she would have placed 6th among the nation’s leaders in 3’s per game. Because of our loyal fans, we also finished 2nd in the conference in home game attendance.
Our team was well represented with All-Big South honors. Tina DeCarvalho was on the All-Academic team. Pam was selected 2nd team all-conference, while Kiki and Ali were recognized on the five person all-freshmen team.
successes, foster relationships, and grow through the many experiences in which we were blessed. And I speak on behalf of our team when I say thank you to all the many people who support, pray, and encourage our team. You are so appreciated. Have a great summer!Rejoice always. Pray continuously. Give thanks in everything for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess. 5:16-18
Weekly Recap - April 27 - May 3
As expected, it was a quiet week around CSU athletics, as the biggest opponents were final exams. Just a couple more days of finals and we are back to action with our final two sports of the year.
There was still some good stuff going on campus, including a pair of CSU Athletes (Brittany Giannini and Mike McCann) earning All-American honors from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
The women’s basketball team posted their spring recruiting class that includes three new members of the program. With a 6-3 center, a 6-0 power forward and a combo guard that averaged 18 points a game, Coach Goodenough and her staff seem to be continuing in the right direction.
The volleyball team was named the Best Volunteer Group for their service with the Dorchester branch of Habitat for Humanity.
Also, make sure you plan to attend the All-Comers Track Meets. Coach Ryan Thompson is organizing the meets as a fundraiser, but it is a great way to get some exercise and feed that competitive spirit inside of you.
Last but not least, Herve Gevers was named our CSU Athlete of the Week this week after finishing sixth overall at the recent Big South Championship.
What’s Coming Up:
Wednesday, May 6 – Baseball @ College of Charleston (DH) – 5 p.m.
Thursday – Sunday, May 7-10 – Softball @ Big South Tournament (Radford, Va.)
Thursday, May 7 – Baseball @ USC Upstate – 6 p.m.
Friday – Saturday, May 8-9 – Track & Field @ Orange and Purple Classic
Hope everyone gets a chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful Charleston weather. GO BUCS!