>

Sidelines

Cheerleaders are national runners-up

The Georgia Southern All-Girl cheerleading squad finished as runner-up in the 2010 National Cheerleaders Association/National Dance Alliance Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships behind West Virginia University. Rounding out the top 10 were: Morgan State, Sam Houston State, Texas A&M Competition Squad College, North Carolina State, the University of Georgia, Iowa State, Robert Morris and Austin Peay.

The All-Girl squad won the national title in 2008.

In its first trip to the finals, the Co-ed cheerleading squad finished in fourth place of the Cheer Division I competition behind Stephen F. Austin, Weber State and Central Arkansas.

Eagles finish second at SoCon golf tourney

Senior Ryan Zabroske finished tied for fifth place and closed with a 2-under par 214 at the 74th Southern Conference Men’s Golf Championship, helping Georgia Southern to a second place finish.

As a team, the Eagles recorded two individual ‘Top 10’ finishes with an aggregate 865 (+1) after shooting the lowest final round at The Country Club of South Carolina, a par 72, 7,062-yard course.

Tied with UNC Greensboro through 18 holes, second place was left to be decided on the final hole. Eagle senior Spence Fulford of Rocky Mount, N.C., made par to UNCG’s Ryan Heisey’s double bogey, giving the Eagles sole possession of second place.

Netter Puigventos named to All-Freshman Squad

Juan Manuel Melian Puigventos has been named to the All-Freshman tennis squad of the Southern Conference.

A Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, native, Puigventos posted a 14-6 overall record in dual singles action including a six-match win streak from March 7-April 3. Puigventos won each of those matches in straight sets from the No. 2 position where he went 10-2 overall.

He won nine of 10 matches in the middle of the season and defeated nationally ranked Dusan Miljevic of No. 43 Georgia Tech in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3, to open the season. In doubles action, Puigventos paired with Gregory Bekkers, Alain Garrido and Matthijs Verdam. The Eagle went 8-11 overall in doubles play.

Scholar Athletes of the Year honored

Junior Caroline Bevillard and senior Spence Fulford were named the University’s female and male 2010 Scholar Athletes of the Year for their performances in athletics and in the classroom.

Bevillard, a member of the swimming and diving team, has a 3.96 GPA in sport management. She holds several University records and has been a member of the team for three seasons. She was named All-Conference her freshman campaign and broke the school record in the 200 freestyle at the CCSA Championships her sophomore season.

Representing the men’s golf team, Fulford carries a 3.68 GPA in management. During fall competition, Fulford tied the all-time low round in program history, launching a 63. Fulford helped lead the Eagles to their first NCAA Regional since 2006 last season where he finished fifth individually after shooting a then-best 54-hole total 205 (-8).

Men’s basketball presents year-end awards

All-Southern Conference selection and junior guard Willie Powers III was recognized as the team’s Most Valuable Player at the annual team banquet.

Ranked as the Eagles’ top scorer and assists leader, Powers averaged 14.7 points (6th SoCon) and 5.5 assists (1st SoCon) per game. He recorded 27 double-figure scoring games, including 13 straight, to go along with two double-doubles during the 2009-2010 season.

Freshman forward Cameron Baskerville was honored with the team’s Student-Athlete award. Baskerville earned a 3.3 grade-point average. Sophomore guard Antonio Hanson was named Offensive Player of the Year, racking up team season- and career-best 39 points against Elon, and becoming the first Eagle to eclipse the 30-point mark since 2007. Defensive Player of the Year, junior forward Rory Spencer, led the Southern Conference with an average of 1.9 blocked shots per game, a national ranking of 56th. Recognized for his work ethic and dedication, Jeb Brannen was honored with the Coaches Award. A sophomore walk-on, Brannen was part of the Eagles’ “energy squad” with the purpose of giving the team a spark at the start of the second half.

Eagles shine at Track & Field Championships

Senior Shaunta Hamilton captured the Heptathlon event at the 2010 Southern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Hamilton added 1679 points to her total, including 715 points for winning the long jump event en route to a 4,573 two-day total and first place. Hamilton and senior Demetrise Anthony, who defended her 2009 championship in the long jump, were the two top finishers for the Eagles.