2002-03 Year in Review
 

BASEBALL

Virginia Wesleyan won the conference championship with an 11-3 decision over Washington and Lee University.  The Marlins advanced to NCAA play in the South Regional, which was held in Hickory, North Carolina.  Virginia Wesleyan went 2-2 in the regional tournament, defeating Mary Washington (7-5) and Averett (20-7), and losing to Thomas More (3-2, 10 innings) and Christopher Newport (6-5).  The Marlins finished the season 34-9 overall ... Washington and Lee's Jeff Stickley was named the Coach of the Year after leading the Generals to a runner-up finish in the conference tournament. W&L shortstop Michael Hansen was named the league's top player while GC's Brian Slate was tabbed the top freshman.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Randolph-Macon won the conference championship after knocking off Hampden-Sydney College, 48-47 in the tournament final.  Both HSC and RMC advanced to the NCAA DIII Tournament with Hampden-Sydney reaching the Final Four. The Tigers defeated Savannah A&D, Illinois Wesleyan and Wisconsin-Oshkosh en route to Salem.  HSC then lost to Gustavus Adolphus, 79-68 in the national semifinals and fell again to The College of Wooster, 78-74 in the consolation game.  Randolph-Macon defeated Alvernia, 72-69 in overtime before falling to Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 53-47.  The Yellow Jackets finished the season 28-2 overall while the Tigers were 28-4 ... Randolph-Macon swept all the top awards in the league. Head Coach Mike Rhoades was named Coach of the Year. Forward Jared Mills was named the Player of the Year with newcomer Justin Wansley the top freshman in the league.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Randolph-Macon won the conference title by defeating Roanoke College in the tournament final, 80-68.  Randolph-Macon, the tournament’s #5 seed, then advanced to the NCAA DIII Tournament where it defeated Meredith College in the first round, 77-74.   The Yellow Jackets then traveled to Hardin-Simmons in Texas and were defeated, 104-80.  Randolph-Macon finished the season 20-10 overall ... Emory & Henry mentor Joy Scruggs was named the conference Coach of the Year. RMC guard Megan Silva was named the conference Freshman of the Year, while Roanoke guard Katrina Williams was named the league's Player of the Year.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Lynchburg won the conference championship for the fourth consecutive year. The Hornets blitzed the men’s field placing seven runners in the top 10 spots and finished with 18 points…Washington and Lee finished second with 55 points, while Roanoke ended the day in third place with 64 points…Only one runner from the conference advanced to compete in the NCAA meet.  LC’s Greg Useem qualified and finished 104th with a time of 26 minutes, 27 seconds...Lynchburg’s Brian Tullock was named ODAC Runner of the Year, while Lynchburg’s Dr. Jack M. Toms took home Coach of the Year honors for the fourth consecutive season...Tullock ran a championship time of 26:23 to lead all runners.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Roanoke College won the conference title as they scored 28 points at the meet…Washington and Lee finished second with 53 points, while Eastern Mennonite ended the day in third place with 58 points… Only one runner from the conference advanced to compete in the NCAA meet.  EMU’s Andrea Good qualified and finished 92nd with a time of 23 minutes, 16 seconds... Good was named the conference’s Runner of the Year, while Roanoke’s Finn Pincus took home Coach of the Year honors.

FIELD HOCKEY

Roanoke College won the conference championship with a 3-1 victory over Lynchburg College and both teams advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament…The Maroons were defeated by Mary Washington College, 2-0 while the Hornets fell to Cortland State, 5-2…EMU’s Kristen Moyer was named Player of the Year as she scored 24 goals and dished out nine assists for the Royals, who finished the season 15-5 overall…General head coach Wendy Orrison was named the Coach of the Year after leading W&L to a 10-9 overall record in just its second varsity season…EMU’s Jonalyn Denlinger grabbed the conference Rookie of the Year award.  She started in all 20 of the Royals’ contests tallying 11 goals and nine assists.

FOOTBALL

Bridgewater won the conference championship with a perfect 6-0 ODAC record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament by way of the ODAC automatic berth.  The Eagles received a first round bye and went on to defeat King’s (Pa.), 19-17 in the Second Round.  The Eagles then faced SCAC powerhouse Trinity University in the quarterfinals and were defeated 38-32…BC’s Jermaine Taylor was named ODAC Player of the Year.  He finished the season with a team-best 124 tackles (57 solo, 67 assisted) and four sacks for a loss of 25 yards …Eagle head coach Mike Clark was named the conference Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season...Randolph-Macon’s Clay Muench was named the conference’s Rookie of the Year after finishing the season with 494 receiving yards in eight games played.

GOLF

Guilford College won the conference championship for the seventh time in the past twelve years.  The Quakers were then invited to the NCAA Championship in Delaware, Ohio.  The defending national champions finished in 17th place after shooting a 1223 in the four-day event.  The Quakers were led by freshman Chris Lowman’s 16-over-par 300, which ranked 31st among the 120-player field.  Teammate Dave Patterson finished 43rd ... Patterson was named the conference's top golfer, while Bridgewater head coach Lee Williams was named the Coach of the Year for the first time.

MEN’S LACROSSE

Lynchburg College won their first-ever conference title by defeating Washington and Lee in the ODAC Men’s Lacrosse Tournament.  The Hornets defeated the Generals, 6-5 in overtime to clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  Hampden-Sydney received one of the tournament’s at-large bids.  Lynchburg fell to Franklin & Marshall, 13-12 in overtime in the national tournament.  The Tigers defeated Washington College, 10-8 before falling to Whittier, 19-15.  Lynchburg finished the season 12-5 overall while Hampden-Sydney finished with a 12-3 mark ... Lynchburg head coach Steve Koudelka was named the conference Coach of the Year after leading the Hornets to their first conference championship. Roanoke's Andy Bonasera was named the Player of the Year. LC midfielder Scott McAlee  was tabbed the conference Rookie of the Year.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Washington and Lee won the conference tournament with an 11-7 win over Roanoke College in the conference finals.  The Generals advanced to the NCAA DIII Tournament, losing to Mary Washington, 12-7.  Washington and Lee completed the season with a 15-3 overall mark ... General mentor Jan Hathorn was named the conference Coach of the Year after leading W&L to the conference title. W&L defender Sarah Janowitz was named the conference's top player with VWC's Laura Wallace recognized as the conference Rookie of the Year.

MEN’S SOCCER

Roanoke captured the conference title with a 6-1 win over Randolph-Macon. The Maroons received the automatic bid and advanced to the NCAA Tournament…Roanoke was defeated by Greensboro in the South Region semifinals, 1-1 (4-2 PKs)…The Maroons finished the season 18-4-1…Roanoke’s Regi Francois was named ODAC Player of the Year as he finished the season with 14 goals and five assists for 33points...Roanoke’s Scott Allison was named Coach of the Year for the fifth time…Roanoke’s Elliott Stallings completed the Maroon sweep of post-season awards as he was selected as the conference Rookie of the Year.  Stallings led the Maroons with 35 points on 14 goals and seven assists.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Washington and Lee won the conference title game with a thrilling 0-0 (5-4 PKs) double overtime victory over Lynchburg…The Generals received the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament where they defeated Greensboro, 2-0 but then fell to University of Texas-Dallas, 1-0…Roanoke’s Shelley Olds was named Player of the Year after recording 15 points on four goals and seven assists...W&L’s Neil Cunningham was selected by his peers as the ODAC’s top coach after leading the Generals to their first-ever conference title and trip to the national tournament…Gina Von Sternberg of W&L was voted as ODAC Rookie of the Year after finishing the season with 10 goals and five assists for the 17-2-3 Generals.

SOFTBALL

Emory & Henry College won their first-ever conference championship with a 2-0 win over Virginia Wesleyan College in the tournament final.  The Wasps advanced to the NCAA DIII Tournament where they faced Millsaps in the Atlantic Regional.  E&H defeated Millsaps, 7-5 before dropping games to Emory University (3-1) and Millsaps (4-0).  Emory & Henry finished the 2003 season at 22-12 overall ... Lynchburg swept the post season honors led by head coach Dawn Simmons being named Coach of the Year. Pitcher Michelle Edelen was tabbed Player of the year while her sister Brittany Edelen was named Rookie of the Year.

SWIMMING

Washington and Lee won the conference championship at the ODAC/Atlantic States Invitational in Radford, Virginia.  Randolph-Macon’s Erin Ewalt and Tiffany Pearsall were named the ODAC Co-Swimmers of the Year while Yellow Jacket Head Coach Dave Holland took Coach of the Year honors.  Six ODAC records were broken this season by Randolph-Macon College swimmers.  Five of the six records were broken at the Atlantic States/ODAC Championships.  Erin Ewalt broke the 200 IM record with a time of 2:12.11.  In addition, the 200 free relay team of Elizabeth Belch, Ewalt, Kimberly Leedom and Tiffany Pearsall touch the wall in a record 1:40.73.  Pearsall also broke her own 200 Free record in a time of 1:55.75 and teamed with Ewalt, Christeen Hodge and Belch to win the 800 free relay in 8:04.45.  The 400 free relay team of Pearsall, Ewalt, Sara Hirsch and Belch touched the wall in 3:40.12 which broke the previous record of 3:43.09 held by Washington and Lee and set exactly six years ago to the date.

MEN’S TENNIS

Washington & Lee University won all six singles titles and the three doubles championships en route to its eighth-straight Old Dominion Athletic Conference Men’s Tennis Tournament title. Lynchburg finished in second place, while Emory & Henry placed third.  W&L’s Paul McClure, a winner at #1 singles and #2 doubles, was named the Player of the Year, while General mentor David Detwiler was named the ODAC Coach of the Year. The Generals advanced to the NCAA Atlantic South Regional where they were defeated by Washington College, 4-2. Hampden-Sydney freshman Paul Gee wrapped up the post season awards being named the Freshman of the Year.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Washington & Lee University won all six singles titles and the three doubles championships en route to the 2003 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament title. Hollins University finished in second place, while Sweet Briar placed third.  W&L’s Erika Proko, a winner at #1 singles and #3 doubles, was named the Player of the Year, while General Head Coach Cinda Rankin was named the ODAC Coach of the Year. The Generals advanced to the NCAA tournament defeating Salisbury (9-0), Swarthmore (8-1), Pomona-Pitzer (8-1) and Amherst (7-2).  Washington and Lee fell to Emory University in the national title match, 5-1.

MEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Lynchburg College won its sixth-straight Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) men’s indoor track title by scoring 137 team points at the conference meet.  Hornet head coach Dr. Jack M. Toms took home his sixth-straight men’s ODAC Coach of the Year hardware while Lynchburg’s Mike Lansdowne was named the Athlete of the Meet.  LC’s Josh Zobenica was named an All-American in the 800 meters after competing in the national meet.

WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Lynchburg College won the conference meet, scoring 165 team points, out-distancing the Maroons who had 120 points on the day.  Eastern Mennonite’s Andrea Good took home the women’s Athlete of the Meet award while Roanoke’s Finn Pincus and Lynchburg’s Dr. Jack M. Toms were named Co-Coaches of the Year.  EMU’s Claire Thomason competed in the shot put at the national meet while Lynchburg’s Megan Wiseman was named an All-American in the 800 meters.

MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Lynchburg College won the conference title and seven ODAC student-athletes advanced to the national championships.  Bridgewater’s Ricky Easterling (high jump) and Jermaine Taylor (100 meters), Eastern Mennonite’s Adam Starks (110 hurdles, 400 hurdles) and Kai Orenic (400 meters) and Lynchburg’s Doug Thomasey (decathlon), Mike Lansdowne (400 meters) and Josh Zobenica (800 meters) all competed in the national meet which was held at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.  Taylor and Zobenica each earned All-America honors.  Bridgewater’s Shane Stevens won ODAC Coach of the Year honors while EMU’s Adam Starks was named the Athlete of the Year.

WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Lynchburg College won the conference title and two ODAC student-athletes advanced to the national championships held at St. Lawrence University.  Lynchburg’s Ashley Palmer competed in both the heptathlon and the 400-meter hurdles while teammate Megan Wiseman competed in the heptathlon and javelin.  Wiseman finished fourth in the heptathlon to take home All-American honors in the event.  EMU’s Paul Johnson took home ODAC Coach of the Year honors while Wiseman was named Athlete of the Year. 

VOLLEYBALL

Washington and Lee won the conference championship with a 3-0 victory over Bridgewater. The Generals then went on to the NCAA Tournament, by way of the ODAC automatic bid. W&L defeated Christopher Newport in the South Region Quarterfinals before falling to Trinity in the South Region Semifinals…Guilford’s Jennifer Pue-Gilchrist was named Player of the Year for the Quakers as she completed the season with a .285 hitting percentage, 4.25 kills and 4.2 digs per game...General head coach Brian Snyder was named the ODAC Coach of the Year after leading W&L to a 32-8 record and the ODAC Championship.  In three seasons at W&L, Snyder has posted a 82-23 overall record…Washington and Lee middle blocker Susan Gaillard won the conference Rookie of the Year award…Gaillard finished first in the conference in hitting percentage (.385) and averaged 2.94 kills per game.  In addition, the freshman tallied 0.81 blocks per game.