Thursday, April 24, 2008

TUSCULUM COLLEGE FINISHES RUNNER-UP FOR SAC ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

ROCK HILL, S.C. --- In one of the closest races in the history of the league, Tusculum College finished runner-up in the chase for the 2007-08 South Atlantic Conference Athletic Excellence Award. The Pioneers finished a half a point behind Wingate University, who wins the award for a second straight year.

The SAC Athletic Excellence Award is presented annually to the member athletic department that earns the highest overall finish based on final regular season standings in each of the 14 conference-sponsored sports. Points are based on final tournament standings in the sports of men’s cross country, women’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s golf. The trophy is presented at the SAC Annual Business Meeting at the conclusion of each year.

Wingate edged out Tusculum College by a 75-to-74.5 point margin, matching the same point total of the 2002 race involving Presbyterian College (75) and Catawba College (74.5).

Wingate had a seven-point lead over Tusculum heading into the spring season, but the Pioneers put together a strong finish, picking up 34 points in the final three months of the academic year. TC won conference titles in men’s tennis, and finished second in women’s golf and women’s tennis, to narrow the gap.

Tusculum also won conference championships in women’s basketball and men’s soccer, while finishing second in volleyball and third in football and baseball.

“I’m very proud of our student-athletes and coaches for working so hard to get us to this point,” said Tusculum Director of Athletics Frankie DeBusk. “Our department has made tremendous strides this season, both on the playing field and in the classroom. Our coaches and players should be commended for their efforts.”

Tusculum led the conference with its five SAC Scholar Athlete Award recipients. Pioneers honored this season were: Jarrell NeSmith (Football), Alexis Rowles (Volleyball), Nicole Ferris (Women’s Soccer), Dustin Morrow (Baseball) and Chase Carroll (Men’s Golf).

Carson-Newman College finished third with 69 points, followed by Newberry College (63.5), Catawba (61.5), Lenoir-Rhyne College (61), Lincoln Memorial University (49) and Mars Hill (47.5).

Tusculum 74.5 points earned this year are the most by the Pioneers since joining the conference in 1999-2000. The second place finish matches the best by Tusculum in 2004.

- SAC -

2007-08 SAC Athletic Excellence Award Standings
Pl.	School	Pts.
1	Wingate	75.0
2	TUSCULUM	74.5
3	Carson-Newman	69.0
4	Newberry	63.5
5	Catawba	61.5
6	Lenoir-Rhyne	61.0
7	Lincoln Memorial	49.0
8	Mars Hill	47.5