MOREHEAD, Ky. — Morehead State Athletics concluded one of its most successful years in 2013-14 with a high rate of awards, conference championships, academic successes and much more. Below are many points of pride for the athletic department during the year.
Conference Championships
Two fall sports claimed Ohio Valley Conference championships. The volleyball team won regular-season and tournament titles, while the soccer squad won a tournament crown. The volleyball program made its second NCAA Tournament appearance, while the soccer program earned its third berth in the national tournament.
National Titles and Competitions
Morehead State’s all-girl cheerleading squad won the Division I national championship, while the co-ed cheerleading team placed second. The national title was MSU’s 35th in program history. Ethan Cole, from the rifle program, was one of just eight individuals to compete in the NCAA Smallbore Championship.
OVC Athletes of the Year
Four student-athletes earned top awards from the OVC. Briar Preston was named Player of the Year in women’s tennis, Jade Flory picked up Player of the Year honors in soccer, Angela Black was named Freshman of the Year in soccer and Leslie Schellhaas notched the Defensive Player of the Year accolade in volleyball.
OVC Coaches of the Year
Two coaches earned OVC Coach of the Year awards. Warren Lipka was voted by his peers as the top coach in soccer, while Kevin Fulton earned a share of the accolade in women’s tennis.
[adsenseyu1]
Conference Awards
Nineteen student-athletes were named to official OVC postseason award teams, while eight others claimed official PFL postseason honors. The men’s track and field team received the OVC Team Sportsmanship Award.
Conference Athletes of the Week
MSU student-athletes received 25 OVC or PFL Athlete of the Week awards.
Men’s Basketball Success
The men’s basketball team finished 20-13, reaching the 20-win pleateau in Head Coach Sean Woods’ second season. It marked the fourth time in six seasons with at least 20 wins. MSU led the conference in rebounding margin for the sixth straight season. The Eagles earned a postseason berth in the College Basketball Invitational.
Baseball Success
The baseball team finished 29-28, tying for the most wins since 2005. Junior right fielder Brandon Rawe led the league in hits and doubles, and the squad set numerous individual and team records en route to a berth in the OVC Tournament.
Academic Progress Rate Success
All 16 teams again reached the NCAA’s multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) threshold of 900. The NCAA’s latest study covers the 2009-10 through 2012-13 school years. Volleyball, women’s golf and women’s track & field were publicly recognized for a perfect multi-year APR score.
Academic Success
MSU student-athletes recorded a 3.17 cumulative grade point average during the fall semester, while 11 athletic programs posted better than a 3.00 GPA and 39 individuals registered a 4.00 GPA. In the spring, student-athletes recorded a 3.08 cumulative grade point average during the spring semester, while 12 athletic programs posted better than a 3.00 GPA and 32 individuals registered a 4.00 GPA.
Volleyball’s New Facility
The former McClure Pool, in the Academic-Athletic Center, is being transformed into a volleyball-only facility set to open for the 2015 season. The facility will feature a main playing floor, practice courts, weight center, lounge, video room, refurbished locker rooms, office space and two-level seating area for fans.
New Head Coaches
The department welcomed two new head coaches during the 2013-14 school year. Mark Coleman was named head cheer coach in August. Greg Todd, who has won nearly 80 percent of his games over 22 years as a head coach, was introduced in April as the new leader of the women’s basketball program.
Sports Medicine Partnership
The athletic department announced a sports medicine partnership with Timothy Kremchek, M.D., and Beacon Orthopaedics of Cincinnati. Kremchek will serve as senior orthopaedic consultant, and he and his staff will make regular visits to MSU’s training room.
Comments
