Tucker MacDonald, freshman sport management, putts during the tournament at Cherokee Valley last week. The Crusaders finished in 4th place and the Lady Crusaders will be back in action next week at the Aramark Collegiate Invitational in Etowah, N.C. Photo courtesy of Cory Guinn.

Last week, North Greenville University’s men’s and women’s golf teams hosted the Cherokee Valley Invitational tournament at Cherokee Valley Golf Course, just minutes from campus.

The women came in second at the tournament. Erskine took first place winning by three strokes. Some of the other teams that played were Mars Hill, Brevard and Limestone.

The men’s team placed fourth in the competition.The schools that went up against the men were Tri-County Technical College, Limestone, Brevard and Montreat.

“Obviously I was a little nervous at first, but when I got out there and began playing, I fell into my comfort zone,” Ben Farist, first year team member said.

Adam Black was NGU’s top finishing golfer, earning a third place finish with a total of 76-72-148.

Danny Dippel finished in the top 10 by placing seventh with a score of 73-80-153. Joshua Hopwood also earned a top 10 spot by placing 10th  with a score of 75-80-155.

For the women’s team, Anni Dibert finished third overall with a final score of 78-82-160. Anna Padgett and Regan Ouzts both tied for eighth place. Padgett’s score was 85-84-169 and Ouzts’ score was 83-86-169.

Denise Shirley claimed a top 10 spot with a final score of 82-89-171.

“I am thankful to have the opportunity to be able to play for NGU’s golf team,” said Farist.

The next event for the Lady Crusaders is April 9-10 at the Aramark Collegiate Invitational in Etowah, N.C.

The men’s next invitational will be on April 9-10 as they also compete in the Aramark Collegiate Tournament.

North Greenville’s women’s soccer team is experiencing change. Former head coach Jesse McCormick stepped down after four seasons and is taking the head coaching position at Bob Jones University.  Bob Jones will be competing in intercollegiate athletics in the NCCAA Div 1 beginning this fall, 2012. McCormick’s replacement is former assistant coach Rachel Baer.

Laney McGarity, freshmen art major, a forward for the women’s soccer team, said, “We’re all really excited for Rachel.  We know she is going to be a great coach for us and we know there is so much we can learn from her.”

Baer takes over the program after one season as assistant coach. The 2009 Kennesaw State University graduate boasts an extremely impressive resume. She played collegiately at UNC-Charlotte and Kennesaw State, both NCAA Division 1 programs.

At Kennesaw she led the Owls in goal scoring and led the Atlantic Sun Conference in points, goals, shots, shots on goal and game-winning goals for the 2008 season. She was named to the 2008 NSCAA/Adidas NCAA Division I All-Mid-Atlantic Region Third Team, received Atlantic Sun First Team All-Conference honors and was selected for the Atlantic Sun All-Tournament Team, as well as being  named the 2008-2009 Kennesaw State University Female Athlete of the Year.

Coach Baer has trained internationally with the Paraguay and South African Women’s U17 and U20 national teams, and spent a summer training with Sparta, the top women’s professional soccer team in the Czech Republic. She has played one season of pro-amateur soccer for the Charlotte Eagles (part of the USL W-League) and plans to play with them again this summer.

Baer said, “I’m most excited about taking over as head coach because I have always had a passion for the game of soccer, and I recognize how competing at a high level athletically can build character and teach life lessons that athletes can carry with them for the rest of their lives. I see this job as an opportunity to teach women to be better soccer players, but to also help them to grow strong character and to be better individuals.

“My goals for recruiting are to find young women who can raise the level of our program for the future, helping us to be more competitive, but who also want to challenge themselves both on and off the field,” Baer said.

The goal for her new team is to glorify God, work hard and build team unity.  And while winning is important, it is not the number one priority.

“Having played college soccer myself, I can really relate to my players,” said Baer. “I plan to raise the level of expectation when it comes to training and the work we put in both on and off the field, but I also plan to focus on our team unity. The women’s game is very different than the men’s game in that regard, so it is of utmost importance that we be unified as a team both on and off the field,” she said.

Baer plans to give her players freedom when it comes to style of play saying, “Soccer is a player’s game, not a coach’s game. I plan to do everything necessary in practices to prepare the girls for games, but come game time, I want to give them space for creative freedom,” she said.

“Soccer is such a beautiful game that allows for so much creativity from the individual, and I never want to take that away from my players,” said Baer

“Over the years I’ve found that players who can delight in the game without a fear of failure play so much better and with so much more joy. As a coach, I want to give my players the freedom to fail as long as they never stop fighting for success,” she said.

The women’s soccer team has not released its 2012 schedule yet but should begin play sometime in early September.

It is that time of the year that casual golf fans come out of the woodwork, and the diehard golf fan lives for.  It is Masters week.

This year’s Masters tournament much like in years’ past, promises to be one of the best tournaments of the golf season.  There are several big name golfers who are looking to make history by winning their first green jacket and then there are those looking for their second, third or fourth green jacket.

If you didn’t know, the green jacket is the prize given to the winner of the The Masters along with a trophy and a hefty check.

Like every other year in the past, there are the household names that have a chance to win every single tournament.  They are Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and last years’ champion Charl Schwartzel.

Any one of these golfers could win this year’s Masters and one of them probably will.  However, there are a number of young golfers who could make their way to the forefront of the golfing world by winning this weekend, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan and Kyle Stanley, just to name a few.

This article will highlight a few of the favorites and some of the guys that could surprise the world and walk out of Augusta, Ga with a Masters championship.

Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson, known by many around the golfing world as “Lefty,” is looking for his fourth green jacket. Mickelson has been in the running for a Masters championship for the past decade and this year he should find his name at the top of the leaderboard again. Mickelson is a favorite going into the tournament and should be able to head into the weekend easily inside the cut.

Rory McIlroy

The number one golfer in the world comes all the way from Northern Ireland. McIlroy’s best Masters finish is 15th but in a year after winning his first major championship he could be the best golfer in the field. If he plays solid golf and doesn’t stumble he should win his first green jacket and be on his way to a career that rivals that of some of golfs’ greatest.

Tiger Woods

Once again Tiger Woods is back and looking to get that statement victory that he is “back”. Woods will be looking for his fifth green jacket after winninghis last in 2005. Woods has played much better golf this season, but a leg injury is a big question going into this weekend. If his leg is fine, Woods could be the golfer to beat at a course that he has dominated over the past 15 years.

Rickie Fowler

Fowler is one of the young guns in this year’s field playing just his second Masters. Last year Fowler scored a 38th-place finish, a remarkable finish for someone in his first Masters as a professional. Fowler was the 2010 PGA Tour rookie of the year and could make the biggest statement of his career by walking away with a green jacket come Sunday. Fowler will have to bring his A game for four rounds this week and if he does, he could be at the top of the leaderboard on Sunday.

Kyle Stanley

Competing in his first Masters as a professional, Stanley has a tall task in front of him but a championship is not out of the equation. He earned his first PGA victory earlier this year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open after coming back from eight shots down on Sunday. Not only was the win remarkable for the Sunday comeback, but the week before, Stanley let a tour victory slip away as he lost a five-shot lead at the Farmers Insurance Open. Stanley has the talent to compete this weekend and it will be interesting to see if the pressure of the Masters gets to him or not.

The Masters should be exciting as always and if you are like me you will be glued to the television and internet for most of this weekend.

Spring semester will be head coach McCray's debut with the Crusaders . Photo courtesy of Josh Landum.

Spring practice has begun for the North Greenville University football team. This is the first spring practice for new head coach Carroll McCray.

The Crusaders will head into the 2012 season with lofty expectations after a record breaking 2011 season in which they went 11-3 and made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA division II playoffs.

The Crusaders will look to veteran players to make an impact.  Isaiah Johnson, junior sport management, will be one of those players who can make an impact on both sides of the ball and on special teams.

Aaron Seigler drops back to make a pass during practice. Photo courtesy of Josh Landum.

For the first time in several years the Crusaders will have a quarterback battle for the starting position. Aaron Seigler, senior business administration, will be one of the quarterbacks under consideration along with Nelson Hughes, freshman education.

The defense will also be a big question going into 2012. The Crusaders graduated a number of starters from the 2011 team and replacing them will be a key to their success.

The football team will conclude its spring practice on April 14 with its annual spring game in Younts Stadium. Until then, the Crusaders will continue to practice and scrimmage every Saturday.

Two weeks ago the tournament field of 68 was released and now we find ourselves with the only four teams left to make up the final four. Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State and Kansas are this years’ final four teams.

The first matchup in the Final Four is between two teams who know each other pretty well. It only seems right  that Kentucky and  Louisville, two  rivals, find themselves pitted against each other on such a big stage. In their meeting earlier this year Kentucky won 69-62 but one could argue that this Louisville team is better than the one Kentucky played in December. But the same could be said of Kentucky.

This should be a fantastic matchup of two great teams and should come down to the wire. Anthony Davis of Kentucky has been completely dominant during the tournament but did get banged up in their Elite Eight game against Baylor. Point guard Peyton Siva, who is a game changer and can take a game over at any time, leads Louisville and should make this game very entertaining.

Saturday’s contest could go either way and I believe that it will come down to the end but it is hard to pick against the Kentucky Wildcats, especially if Anthony Davis is healthy.

The second matchup is between two teams who are very familiar with what the final four is and what it feels like to be on this national stage.

Ohio State is a team that has quietly been one of the best teams in the country for most of the year. Jared Sullinger is one of the best players in the country and he will need to have a great game for the Buckeyes to move on to the national championship. The Buckeyes play some of the best defense in the country and will look for that to turn into offense on Saturday night.

The Kansas Jayhawks have also been overshadowed for most of the year but are one of the best teams in the country. The Jayhawks  have one of  the best guards in the country in Tyshawn Taylor. Although he is one of the best, he also may be the most inconsistent. At times he looks like an NBA superstar and then the next day he looks like he has never played basketball. If the good Taylor shows up, the Jayhawks would have an excellent shot at besting the buckeyes.

The  Jayhawks knocked the Buckeyes off earlier this year 78-67 but the Buckeyes were without Jared Sullinger. In this matchup he could be the difference in the Buckeyes getting revenge over the Jayhawks.

If Kentucky and Ohio State both win we could see one of the best national championship games in recent history. Right now I think Kentucky will be to much to handle and will walk away with the 2012 national championship.

Dylan Fulk, senior history, swings during an at bat against West Virginia State last week. Photo courtesy of Cory Guinn.

The North Greenville University baseball team is in the midst of another historic season. The Crusaders are currently third overall in Conference Carolinas and second in the western division.

The  Crusaders are trying to do something that no other team has done at NGU and that is win a conference championship at the NCAA Division  II level. The Crusaders are also looking to make the NCAA tournament for the first time after going to the NCCAA tournament the last two years.

The  Crusaders have had an up and down year so far but have reached the 20 win mark and currently sit at 20-11 overall and 10-4 in the conference.

Marlin Morris, freshman undecided, Ryan Woodring, sophomore accounting, and Drew Provence, senior sport management, have led the Crusaders on the mound. Morris and Woodring are each 5-1 while Provence is 4-1 on the year.

The Crusaders have had great offensive  production at times this year. Derek Fulmer, senior business administration, has had a great year and is currently hitting .407 with 12 doubles and four homeruns. The  Crusaders have also gotten excellent production from Allen Staton, freshman undecided, who is hitting .391 with 10 doubles.

The Crusaders will be back in action this weekend in a crucial series against the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey Friday’s game will be at 2 p.m. and Saturday’s double-header will begin at noon.

The North Greenville University women’s basketball team’s 2011-2012 season has come to an end.

The Lady Crusaders finished the season with a 21-9 overall record and a 14-4 conference record. Their season ended at Emmanuel College, as the Crusaders fell to the Lions 80-69 in the NCCAA South Regional title game for the second time in two years.

The loss to Barton Collegeon March 1 put an end to North Greenville’s conference season. The Lady Crusaders dominated at home with a record of 11-2.

Three Lady Crusaders received post-season recognition by making the All-South Region Women’s Basketball team. Karly Stache, senior math, and Christina Carlis, senior business management, made the team along with Krisceda Cotton, junior sport management.

Carlis also was named to the 2012 Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team. Stache averaged 13 points a game during the 2011-2012 season and led NGU in scoring for the fourth season in a row. Stache shot 38.2 percemt from behind the 3-point arc. Stache also broke NGU’s all-time scoring record this season with her 1,449th point.

Christina Carlis, also found her way into the North Greenville record books this season after she dished out her 363rd assist to become NGU’s all-time assists leader. Carlis averaged 11.7 points per game and 4.3 assists. Carlis also reached 1,000 points for her career this season.

Kimberly Robertson, junior health promotion and wellness, slides safely into home during a game earlier this season. Photo courtesy of Josh Landrum.

The 2012 North Greenville University Softball has had quite a year since winning their first National Championship last May.

Karli Taylor, senior sport management, who plays third base on the team said,“When we won the national championship I was shocked after the kind of season we had, but I was so proud of our team stepping up.”

Junior education major Kansas Wofford feels that the team has formed a special bond this season. “I think the team this year is closer than it ever has been. Before every game, we pray together in a huddle and everybody grabs a hand,” she said.

The softball team so far has played 12 games in conference and remain undefeated. This is their first year in the Conference Carolinas.

So far, the women have played St. Andrews, Southern Wesleyan, King, Coker, Erskine, Mount Olive, and Lander, among others, and have accumulated a 13-3 overall record.

Their next game will be on Saturday, March 24 at Southern Wesleyan in Central, SC at 3 p.m.

“We are a much closer team and we are playing relentless, never giving up no matter what happens during the game,” said Taylor.

Spring training is in full blast and opening day is a mere 15 days away as The Skyliner continues its preview of the Major League baseball season.

This week we look at the division that could potentially have two of the best clubs in the league in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Texas Rangers.

Favorites:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels may have made the most noise of any team in the MLB this off-season as they acquired star first basemen Albert Pujols and all-star pitcher C.J. Wilson. With these two acquisitions, along with the roster the Angels have returning they feel that this is the year in which they surpass the Rangers once again.

The Angels will look this year for Pujols to bring their offensive fire power to another level with Torii Hunter, Erick Aybar and Vernon Wells, along with young talent Alberto Callaspo and Howard Kendrick.

While the offense should be solid for the Angels, the pitching should be more than superb. Jered Weaver and Dan Haren will hold down the top two spots in the rotation, while newcomer C.J. Wilson will be the number three man. With their top three starters the Angels could contend with the likes of the Philadelphia Phillies as having one of the best rotations in baseball.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers once again have one of the most experienced lineups in the American league. With Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, Nelson Cruz and Adrian Beltre the Rangers can compete with the Angels at the plate. There are few holes in the Rangers’ lineup this year as they look to once again make a run at a World Series championship.

If there is one area the Rangers have questions about, it would be on the mound. Colby Lewis will be the ace of the staff and a newcomer to the world of Major League baseball. Yu Darvish from Japan will follow him in the rotation. The Rangers will also be transitioning Neftali Feliz from the closer role to the starting rotation. If Darvish and Feliz can be as good as the Rangers hope, then the American League West could come down to the wire.

What to watch for:

Yoenis Cespedes

The Oakland Athletics, still using their moneyball tactics, signed one of the best young Cuban players in recent memory. It will be interesting to see how he develops into a major league outfielder and if he will have an impact for the A’s in 2012.

Felix Hernandez

The Mariners don’t have a whole lot going for them other than Ichiro Suzuki and Felix Hernandez, who has quickly become one of the best pitchers in baseball.

The North Greenville University cheerleading team competes at the Christian Cheer Nationals last week in Concord, N.C. Photo courtesy of Josh Landrum.

The North Greenville University cheering squad won their second title at the competition on Saturday, March 3.

The competition was held in Concord, N.C. Senior Brad Shetley, health promotion and wellness, said, “My job was mainly to assist in building our pyramids as well as throwing our big basket toss and stunting during the coed part of the routine.”

There are rules and regulations to go by and if those rules are not met, then there are disqualifications and other consequences. “Practices were pretty stressful at times, but I was really proud of our team for pulling together and encouraging one another committing to and achieving our overall goal of winning our second national championship.” he said.

“During the competition season, we would practice every Monday and Wednesday night from 8 to 10 o’clock.  Early in the semester we would work on building each individual portion of our routine by working with the music,” Shetley said.

Baseball
The NGU baseball team has caught fire since beginning conference play. The Crusaders are currently leading the conference with an 8-1 record (16-6 overall). The Crusaders beat top 25 Tusculum last week before sweeping Conference Carolinas preseason favorite Limestone over the weekend. The Crusaders will be back in action today as they host Anderson University at 3 p.m. before traveling to Pfieffer University this weekend.

Jonathan Bozymowski drives the lane for a layup against Fayetville State in a game on Jan. 24 in Hayes Gymnasium. Photo courtesy of Josh Landrum.

Cut off the lights, turn off the cameras and close the doors the 2011-2012 North Greenville men’s basketball season is over.

The Crusaders season ended February 28, when the Crusaders lost to Queens College in the first round of the Conference Carolinas tournament.

The Crusaders got off to a good start this year opening the season with two wins and finishing the first half of the season with an 8-5 record. NGU would not finish the season like they started, losing 10 of their last 14 games during the second half of the season.

The Crusaders were a much better home team then road team, going 8-6 at home but only 4-9 on the road. The team finished the season with a 12-15 record and finished 5-11 within the conference, good enough for a fourth place finish in the Western Division and eighth overall in conference.

NGU graduate’s five seniors this year: Luke Lattimer, senior Sport Management, Jonathan Bozymowski, senior sport management, Zack Shields, senior sport management, Jason Wray, senior biology, and Paul Harrison, senior sport management.

The seniors will be greatly missed. Shields averaged 6.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game for his career.

Bozymowski is seventh all time in assists and ninth all time in steals.

Wray was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court, the highest award for excellence in academics for college basketball players.

Lattimer was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court with a 3.4 GPA. He will graduate with a degree in sport management.

Harrison, the most decorated athlete in men’s basketball history, played in 108 career games as a Crusader, including 98 career starts and is the career leader in points and rebounds, while also ranking second in blocks, 8th in assists and 10th in steals.

He holds records for most rebounds in a single game (17 four times) and season (281 in 2011-12). He also holds the record for most field goals made in a season (243 in 2009-10), free throws made and attempted in a season (141-for-198 in 2009-10) and scoring average in a season (22.4 in 2009-10).

Kentucky freshmen Anthony Davis blocks a shot against the University of North Carolina earlier this year. Davis will be trying to lead the Wildcats to their first national championship since 1998. The Wildcats enter the tournament with a 32-2 record and are the number one seed in the south. Photo from UK Athletics.

When March, the time of the year that hardcore basketball fans wait for year round and casual fans actually pay attention. It is indeed time for the NCAA basketball tournament or more commonly known as March Madness.

Within days most of us will have fallen in love and jumped on the bandwagon of teams we have never heard of and players that we will forget in a matter of weeks. Many people across America have been working on their brackets since the announcement of the field on Sunday night in hopes of picking the perfect bracket.

Men will study and think hard about their picks while some women go by school colors or mascots. Sadly, the women usually have the better bracket, especially if they have any knowledge about the game.

Even though the first four games began last night and most have already filled their brackets out there are still some things, you should know about this years’ tournament.

Mid-Major To Watch

Every year there are those pesky mid-major schools that seem to trip up and get in the way of the big boys. In the past two years it has been Virginia Commonwealth University and Butler University. This year is no different, but the mid major to watch for has a different name.

The Racers of Murray State started the year 23-0 and go into the tournament at 30-1. This team is one of the best mid-major teams in the past three or four years and has dominated most of its schedule this year. If you are going to pick a mid-major to make a big run in the tournament, this is the team to pick. Unfortunately for the Racers, they were given a six seed and will more than likely have to play Missouri in the sweet 16 if they can get past Colorado State and Marquette.

Favorites

This year there are a number of teams that could dominate the competition and easily win the national championship but there are just two that have been at the top for the entire year; The University of Kentucky and Syracuse University.

Kentucky Wildcats

The Wildcats have been one of the best teams in the country this year and after going undefeated in SEC play until losing in the conference championship, the Wildcats may finally be poised for that championship run their fans have been waiting for. Anthony Davis has been nothing short of exceptional in his freshman campaign and will more than likely be the first overall pick in this year’s NBA draft. Look for Davis to carry this team all the way to the final four and possibly another national championship.

Syracuse Orange

The Orange, much like the Wildcats, have spent their fair time at number one this year and have a sour taste in their mouths after falling in the Big East tournament semi-finals. The Orange are led by a number of star players, but none other than Scoop Jardine will be the catalyst for the Orange in the NCAA tournament. Syracuse has all of the talent to compete with anybody in the country, including Kentucky. It would not be surprising if Syracuse and Kentucky faced off in the national championship game.

Other favorites in this year’s tournament are Kansas, Michigan State, Missouri, and North Carolina.

The 2012 tournament could be one of the best in recent years with a number of very good teams at the top and some quality teams sprinkled throughout the rest of the field. The 2012 tournament should be nothing short of madness with several big upsets and a ton of great games. With that said, let the madness begin.

North Greenville’s best kept secret on campus–The Ninja Geese.  Don’t know them?  My point exactly.

The Ninja Geese, North Greenville’s representatives on the ultimate Frisbee field, boasted a 10-5 record last year with four of the five losses coming from Division 1 teams by two points or less.

What’s more remarkable is this level of success comes with no official school support at all.  North Greenville cannot declare the ultimate frisbee team an official club sport since the championship rounds of tournaments are played on Sundays.

Facing stellar competition from schools such as Clemson, Florida, Alabama, and Florida State, the Ninja Geese are at a great disadvantage.  Since players have to pay for their own travel, lodging, meals and entry fees, the team is limited to the number of people who can even make it to the tournaments.  With tournaments lasting from sun-up to sun-down on Saturday, the team faces great opposition competing against teams with deeper rosters and rested players.

Furthermore, the team cannot compete in regional or national tournaments without endorsement and recognition from NGU.  “Whether or not we are sponsored, doesn’t matter.  People still recognize us as the North Greenville Team,” said Caleb Furrow, junior, broadcast media.

How can you get involved and promote the Ninja Geese?  Just play.

After rigorous three-hour team practices on Monday nights, team members encourage students to come play with them.  Around 7 p.m. pick-up games are begun and last as long as people hang around.

The Ninja Geese are North Greenville’s most successful secret.

The American League East has been one of the strongest divisions in all of baseball in recent years, and 2012 will be no different.

With that said here is a breakdown of frontrunners and darkhorses for the 2012 season.

Front Runners

New York Yankees

Like every other year in recent memory, the New York Yankees are the favorites to win the American League East. With an all-star at nearly every position, the Yankees have themselves in position to dominate the competition once again in 2012.

With everyone returning to their defensive positions in 2012 and nearly the entire lineup intact, the Yankees could have the best lineup in all of baseball.

The Yankees return the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano among a handful of other powerful bats. The one question mark is at the designated hitter position. The Yankees acquired Raul Ibanez, who has been a member of the Phillies for the last few years. If Ibanez can adjust to the designated hitter position, then the Yankees lineup could be the best in baseball.

The one position that could be a problem is starting pitching. The Yankees have ace left-hander CC Sabathia who will have to be the catalyst for this pitching staff. The Yankees will also look for big years on the mound from Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes. The bullpen for the Yankees is solid, especially if the Yankess can get to the ninth inning with a lead. With arguably the best closer in the history of baseball, Mariano Rivera, waiting for the opposition the Yankees should be okay in the pitching department.

Boston Red Sox

Along with the New York Yankees the Boston Red Sox, whom happen to be two of the biggest rivals in baseball, have opened up their pockets in recent years to acquire an extremely talented team. The Red Sox will look for big years from second year members Carl Crawford and Alex Gonzalez who compared to earlier seasons had down years in their debut seasons with the Red Sox.

The Red Sox will also look to veterans David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Kevin Youkilis to carry the lineup this year.

The Red Sox will once again have a deep pitching staff with Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz in the starting rotation. The Red Sox do have to replace closer Jonathan Papelbon, and the Sox will look to Andrew Bailey to carry the load in the ninth this year.

The Red Sox will be looking for redemption after a heartbreaking end to the 2011 season. After being nine games up with only a month to play the Red Sox failed to make the playoffs. The Red Sox have the firepower to make a run at the playoffs in 2012 and new manager Bobby Valentine could be that one piece to the puzzle the Red Sox needed last year.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays who have played spoiler over the last few seasons in the AL East could do it once again. The Rays have some of the best talent in the East but with about half the payroll. The deep pockets of their competitors have hurt the Rays in the past but those days could be over.

The Rays have several good pieces to their offensive puzzles that will look to once again carry the team. Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist and Carlos Pena will likely be the meat of the lineup in 2012. BJ Upton and Matt Joyce will also have to have big years for the Rays to compete in the very competitive AL East.

The Rays will not lack pitching in 2012 with starters James Shields, David Price and Jeremy Hellickson returning to the mound for the Rays. Kyle Farnsworth who had 25 saves a year ago will handle the closer duties once again for the Rays.

Dark Horse

Toronto Blue Jays:

The Toronto Blue Jays have firepower to compete but can they compete for 162 games? The Blue Jays have one of the best bats in baseball with Jose Bautista and he will have to carry the offense if the Blue Jays are to have success. The Blue Jays also will look to veterans Colby Rasmus, Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson to help out Bautista at the plate.

The pitching staff for the Blue Jays may be the biggest question mark for the Blue Jays. Ricky Romero will be the ace of the staff and will have to have a big year for the Blue Jays to have success. Brandon Morrow will also be in the starting rotation but after that the Blue Jays will have a huge drop off in pitching.

With an extremely young team look for the Blue Jays to possibly hang around for a couple months and maybe even until the all-star break, but the big three in the East will be too much for the Blue Jays to handle in the end.

Billy Watson
Sports Editor

Alisha Hope, freshman sport management, attempts a layup in the Conference Carolinas first round game against Coker on Monday. Photo courtesy of Josh Landrum.

The NGU women’s basketball team achieved a first on Monday night.

The Lady Crusaders played in their first Conference Carolinas tournament game as they hosted the Coker Cobras.

They advanced to the second round of the tournament with a 67-64 overtime win.

The Lady Crusaders were led by Christina Carlis, senior business, who had 20 points on the night.

They will now travel to Barton College on Thursday March 1 in round two of the Conference Carolinas tournament.

The Lady Crusaders fell to the Bulldogs 75-64 in the only meeting between the two this year.

The NGU Crusader club has the honor of hosting the 25th annual golf tournament at the Cliffs Valley Golf Course in Travelers Rest, SC.

The Crusader Club Golf Classic is a one day event that is held April 10 after the Masters tournament. The reason for this tournament is for men and women to become involved in a fundraiser that helps more than 400 student-athletes.

Wayne Landrith, who oversees the Crusader Club, will be at the tournament. “My role is to provide overall leadership for our annual Crusader Club Golf classic,” said Landrith, “I plan the entire event, help solicit major sponsors and gifts for the event and oversee the event on tournament day.”

Landrith also said he feels blessed to have help and support from his NGU family. “Although I provide leadership for the event, it takes a team effort from the NGU family, faculty/staff and students in putting this tournament together. We could not do it without the loyal support of the NGU family,” said Landrith.

The tournament is opened up to anyone who would like to play in the fundraising event.  There are several ways for people to be involved. For example people can sponsor the event as gold, silver or scarlet sponsors. They can participate by playing in the event or they can volunteer and assist anyone who is needing help that day. Finally, they can solicit gifts and door prizes for players.

This event may be to help raise money for athletics, but the reward is still sweet for the golfers.  All golfers will walk away from the tournament with gifts provided by sponsors.  Winners will receive a trophy.

Those who win closest to the pin on the par three holes will walk away with either a pre-owned car, a flat screen TV, gas grill or cordless power tools.

“For those really lucky golfers that make a hole in one on the par threes, they will win either a new car or $50,000 in cash,” said Landrith.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. on April 10. For more information, see Wayne Landrith or Phil Gardner in the University Advancement office located in the Administration Building.

The North Greenville University Track and Field Program kicked off its inaugural season this spring.

Coached by Michael Bayne, the track team competed in four indoor events: The USC Indoor Meet Jan. 25 at the University of South Carolina, the Clemson Invitational Jan. 27-28, the Tiger Paw Invitational Feb-11 and the NCCAA Indoor Championships Feb. 18.

Both the men’s and women’s teams competed well against various teams, including the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, Belmont Abbey and Mars Hill, among others.

The women’s team was led by Shiobhan Fraser, freshman political science,  who at nationals tied her personal best with a flight of 4’ 9” while also setting the school record in the triple jump with a flight of 34’ 2”, good enough for seventh place overall in the event.

The team was also well represented by Nastassia Sanford, freshman undecided, who brought home a 10th place finish in the long jump with a flight of 15’ 5”.

The men’s team was also well represented with four athletes taking home All-American honors. Ravon Wamer, sophomore mathematics, and Will Belue, sophomore outdoor leadership,  both received All-American honors for their roles in the 4×400-meter relay team, which finished third at nationals.

Jacob Simms, junior secondary education,  was honored as a double All-American for his second place finish in the 800-meter run, while also being a member of the 4×400-meter relay team.

The men’s team was led by Freddie Martino, sophomore accounting. He was named NCCAA Indoor Championship MVP. Martino accumulated 23 total points as an individual. He placed first in the long jump and placed third as a member of the 4×400-meter relay team. Martino was also honored as a double All-American.

Christina Carlis (center) is given a commemorative ball after setting the assists record in a game against Converse College. Photo courtesy of Josh Landrum.

Last Tuesday, Christina Carlis, senior business, scored her 1000^th point at North Greenville University. Carlis also recently set the assist record at NGU.

Coach Arledge has coached Carlis for four years. She will be graduating in May.

Carlis scored her 1000th point in Limestone game on Feb. 14 in Hayes Gymnasium.

The Lady Crusaders have had a winning season thus far. They have made the playoffs by defeating teams within their conference (Conference Carolinas).  On Feb. 2, the women won against King College 69 to 58.  Shortly after, they dominated Coker College with a home court advantage scoring 78 points to Coker’s 56.

The Lady Crusader softball team went 3-1 last week to even their record at 3-3. They swept a Saturday double header with St. Andrews Presbyterian College to get their first wins in Conference Carolinas. NGU will host Southern Wesleyan University in a double header today starting at 3 p.m.

Intramural sports have always been a hit around college campuses and North Greenville University is no different.

North Greenville offers a variety of intramural sports, including Flag Football, Co-ed Sand Volleyball, Co-ed Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Disc Golf, Spades Tournaments, Men’s Softball, Women’s League Basketball, Competitive League Basketball, Recreation League Basketball, Co-ed Softball, Competitive League Indoor Soccer, and Recreation League Indoor Soccer.

The goals of NGU intramural sports as described on the school website are “to place an emphasis on sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal fitness within the context of a Christ-centered environment. Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of skill level or past experience. Intramural sports are fun, free, and an excellent way to build relationships with those possessing similar interests.”

Aaron Chappell, sophomore social studies education, said, “It’s great for former high school athletes who do not participate in college sports and those students who want to play sports with their friends.”

The current intramural sports are basketball and men’s softball and indoor soccer and co-ed softball will begin after spring break.

Those who want to compete in intramurals, learn more, or suggest a new intramural sport should contact Coordinator for Intramural Sports Dillon Key via E-mail at dillon.key@ngu.edu, or call him Dillon at (864)-977-7126. Students can also find out about NGU intramurals on Facebook and Twitter.

It is that time of the year again, when cold weather exits and spring is in the air. With that comes one of the best times of the year, baseball season.

The Major League Baseball season is quickly approaching with pitchers and catchers reporting during the past week and many teams beginning spring training this week. With that comes the time of preparation for not only players and coaches but fans and prognosticators as well.

Opening Day is a mere 44 days away and there are a ton of stories that have to be settled before then.

Over the next few weeks The Skyliner is going to take a look at each division across the league and point out some things to watch for as well as make some predictions on what may happen this season.

First, comes one of the strongest divisions in the National League over the past 20 years, the National League East.

Once dominated by the Atlanta Braves, the Philadelphia Phillies have taken over the top spot in recent years. But 2012 promises to be more than a two-horse race as several teams have made some big moves in the offseason in an attempt to become players in the division.

Frontrunners:

Philadelphia Phillies

Once again in 2012 the Philadelphia Phillies will be a favorite to win the NL East. The Phillies coming off of their fifth straight division title will be looking to make it six in a row.

With one of the strongest starting rotations in the game with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamel,. the Phillies attempted to sure up their bullpen with the addition of closer Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon who has been the closer for the Boston Red Sox in recent years will look to get back on track after a couple of down years in Boston. Look for the Philadelphia Phillies to have another great year in 2012.

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are looking to rebound from a disappointing finish in 2011. The Braves will once again lean on a very good pitching staff and bullpen in 2012. The question is can they stay healthy?

The Braves will have a number of qualified pitchers in spring training vying for a spot in the starting rotation. With Tim Hudson likely out until at least May the Braves will look to their veterans to carry the load. Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrgens, Julio Teheran, Randall Delgado and Mike Minor will all likely find a place in the starting rotation. The question is if Kris Medlen will make his way into the starting rotation or if he will stay in the bullpen.

The Braves bullpen will once again be a strong point in 2012  if they can keep players rested throughout the year, especially closer Craig Kimbrel, who was the National League rookie of the year in 2011. If the Braves can keep Kimbrel healthy throughout the year and keep their bullpen rested the Braves could make a push at the end of the year.

The Braves return most of their position players in 2012. The one question is at shortstop. The Braves will look to Jack Wilson and rookie Tyler Pastornicky to fill that void. Many of the experts believe that Pastornicky could be a breakout player in 2012.

Darkhorses:

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals, who have been the doormat of the National League in recent years ,are poised to have a breakout 2012 season. With Stephen Strasburg ready for an entire MLB season, the Nationals will look to him to be an anchor of the pitching rotation along with Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman and Edwin Jackson. The Nationals are ready to show Major League Baseball that they can compete.

The Nationals will look for Jayson Werth to have a bounce back year in 2012 after a rough 2011. If he can bounce back and the Nationals can get some help from Ryan Zimmerman, and Adam LaRoche they feel they can compete in the East in 2012.

Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins, formerly known as the Florida Marlins, are probably one of the biggest stories in 2012. The Marlins will open up a new stadium in 2012 and with that comes the expectations from the local media and fans to succeed quickly.

The Marlins acquired superstar José Reyes in the offseason and they are hoping that he and Hanley Ramirez will give the lineup some stability in 2012. The Marlins will also look for big years from Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez.

On the mound, the Marlins will look for big years from Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell. If things fall the right way for the Marlins, they could make a push toward the top in 2012.

What to watch for:

Marlins Park Opening:

The Miami Marlins will open a new stadium in 2012 and that is one of the biggest early stories of the year. The elaborate stadium is one of the nicest in all of the majors. There will be several features for fans in the new ballpark but none more exciting than the backstop that will feature two giant aquariums stocked with live fish.

Bryce Harper:

One of the biggest stories as far as players goes is when Bryce Harper will make his way to the Nationals lineup. Harper is one of the most-anticipated prospects in the last 10 years and many expect him to be in the majors by the end of 2012. The question is when and for how long. Some think he could make a push for the roster coming out of spring training, but the more realistic prediction would be by the end of May.

The North Greenville University women’s golf team is in the midst of its second year as a program and is looking to improve on a good fall season as it starts its NCAA portion of the schedule.

The Lady Crusaders finished as high as fourth during the fall semester and will look to several veterans to lead the way as the competition picks up. Denise Shirley, sophomore marketing, is the leader and will look to carry the Lady Crusaders during the spring.

“We’ve been working really hard and everyone on the team is excited about the spring season,” said Shirley “We are focused on getting serious as a program and making a name for ourselves this year.”

Anna Padgett, sophomore social studies education, and Taylor Threatt, senior secondary education math, will look to have a strong season during NCAA and Conference Carolinas play.

The Lady Crusaders finished no lower than 10th during the fall and finished in sixth place at the NCCAA National Invitational. The Crusaders will play in several tournaments before traveling to the Conference Carolinas tournament.

First, the Lady Crusaders will travel to Columbus, Ga, to compete in the Lady Cougar Invitational Feb. 27-28. The Lady Crusaders will then travel to Carrolton, Ga, to play in the UWG Women’s Invitational March 17-18, before hosting the Cherokee Valley Spring Invitational March 26-27.

The Lady Crusaders will then play in the Aramark Collegiate Invitational in Etowah, N.C. April 9-0. They will then travel to their first Conference Carolinas tournament in Vass, N.C. April 21-24.

In just its second year of competition, the women’s golf team has the oppurtunity to win its first ever conference championship

“We are very excited to be hosting our own tournament in March,” said Shirley, “ Then we get to play in the Conference Carolinas tournament for the first time in April, I am personally excited about this great opportunity,” she said.

The Women’s golf team is  ranked seventh in the conference preseason polls tied with King College and Limestone College. Queens University was voted number one in the conference. The Lady Crusaders will be looking to prove to the naysayers that they are a legitimate contender in Conference Carolinas.

The Women’s golf team is coached by Jeff Pittillo.

Photo courtesy of Cory Guinn.

David Frazier, senior sport management, slides safely into home in a 10-1 win against Anderson University on Feb. 14. The NGU baseball team went 3-1 last week and will host Tusculum College today at 2 p.m. The Crusaders will then begin their conference schedule with a weekend series on Friday and Saturday as they host St. Andrews Presbyterian College at Ashmore Field.

The North Greenville golf program kicked off its season last week with the men’s team playing in the Outback Steakhouse Invitational in Panama City, Fla.

The event was hosted by the Catawba College at the Hombre Golf Club. The men’s team went into the tournament ranked 10 out of 10 in the conference preseason polls. Chase Hawkins, junior sport management, said,“When the preseason rankings came out we as a team felt as though we had a lot to prove. It is definitely motivation for us; we want to prove we’re better than that ranking.”

After finishing sixth of 16 and placing better than four of their conference opponents, look for that ranking to change. JoshO’Neal, sophomore outdoor leadership, who finished sixth overall in the tournament, led the men’s golf team.

O’Neal is looking to build on his strong fall season in which he had two top 10 finishes and a 74.6 stroke average. The men’s team will also be looking to Tucker MacDonald, freshman sport management, who had two top 10 finishes including one win and three rounds in which he shot under par.

The men’s team will play in five more tournaments this semester, The Richard Rendleman Invitational in Salisbury, N.C., hosted by Catawba College at the Salisbury Country Club March 5 and 6; the Barton Intercollegiate in Wilson, N.C. hosted by Barton College at the Wilson Country Club March 19 and 20; the Cherokee Valley spring invitational in Tigerville hosted by NGU at the Cherokee Valley Golf Club March 26 and 27; the Aramark Collegiate Invitational in Etowah, N.C.hosted by Brevard College at Etowah Valley Golf Club April 9 and 10.

The team will finish off the season with the Conference Carolinas tournament in Vass, N.C. at the Woolake Golf Club.

The men’s golf teamis coached by Jeff Pittillo.

The North Greenville University men’s and women’s tennis teams started their seasons on February 4, 2012.

The men’s tennis team did not have such a great start (so far, their season is 0-2 ) but that is not going to stop them from winning the rest of the season.

The women struggled at the beginning of the season, but played some intense defense against Lander and Coker. The tennis team will be up against some hard schools in the next few weeks. So far, the weather has been rather chilly for the team to really get outside and play.

Many of the tennis players come from different parts of the world. Brazil, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. Their love and passion for the sport has drawn them to NGU and the Lord has been working in mighty ways with the team. The tennis teams are led by head coach Mark Elliot.

Cassie Curtis, senior secondary education in English language arts, has been playing tennis for 10 years and has enjoyed being at NGU for the past four years.

“We practice every day from 1 to 3. At practice, we run drills to improve various aspects of our game: volleys, groundstrokes, and serves. We also play a lot of sets of singles and doubles to stimulate competitive play,” said Curtis. Curtis also said she enjoys the way that Elliot coaches. “Though we work hard and seek to improve every day, practice is simply fun. Coach Elliot makes us laugh every day,” Curtis said.

Curtis also said “The camaraderie of the team is great.” Practice is not only for getting better and getting ready for their matches, but also a time of relaxation and working the stress out from their long day of school.

“For me, afternoon practice is a chance to unwind from a day of class, spend time with my awesome teammates and improve my game.” Curtis said.

The next match will be February 18 here at NGU.

Karly Stache (center) is presented a commemorative ball by head coach Jayne Arledge (right) and assistant coach Scott Moore (left) after breaking the women's basketball scoring record in a game against Converse College.

With ease, Karly Stache, senior math, launches the basketball into parabolic flight. Any observer can ascertain that this girl loves to win, loves to see the ball make a connection with a net.

Heralded with countless accolades including two All- American awards, Stache embodies hard work in her studies and on the court. Not standing taller than 5 foot, 3 inches, she has never allowed herself to make excuses for her lack of anything.

“I didn’t come into school thinking about breaking records. I just wanted to play to the best of my ability and hope my teammates would do the same. If we could all do that, then some pretty awesome things would happen,” said Stache. Though all these accomplishments are appreciated.

This year has been the culmination of all the effort Stache and her teammates have invested in their season. Even though they were underestimated at the beginning, “this whole season has been memorable because we have been coming back from the start. Everyone keeps underestimating us. I hope they continue to do so… right to the championship game,” said Stache.

She is the quintessential and often-told poster child for work ethic. Often staying well after practice and shoot arounds to perfect her stroke, she strikes fear into the heart of her defender. One misstep results in point payment ending in a loss of morale and the realization that effort was wasted when even an inch was unnecessarily surrendered.

She is lethal on the court, often giving new meaning to the cerebral player. Fermented in routine and repeated perfection, Stache forces opponents to play with physicality, emotion, and intelligence to win a battle roughly every 30 seconds.

Though not particularly fast or tall, Stache seperates herself by providing what her team needs, which can often simply be a bounce pass or something a little more complicated, like a self-sacrificing charge.

She said the best thing at North Greenville University is friendship. “I have met some amazing people here at NGU, and I know I won’t lose touch with them either,” said Stache.

Make no mistake, Stache is not a perfect player by any means. Like everyone else, she goes through slumps and bad games, but what really makes her different, what places her at the pinnacle of NGU Women’s Basketball is her ability to rebound, both figuratively and mentally.

Stache has been a fixed presence, consistent and resilient. She gives her team the best effort every time she laces her size 5 Adidas shoes. These traits will always be something remembered about Stache, even as she faces graduation in May of 2012.

Regardless of how many records the Lady Crusaders break or leave intact, Stache and every loyal fan of this team agrees that this season has been one for the books.

Three Crusaders were invited to play in Virginia Beach, Va. at the annual Hansen bowl on Jan. 16.

The game consisted of senior football players from small colleges that are in the NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III.

Defensive backs Jereme Green, senior print media, Nick Rosamonda, senior sport management; and linebacker Nathan Batchelor, senior business administration, all played in the game. The two teams were the Pony Express and the Riverboats. Green, Rosamonda, and Batchelor were on the Pony Express team.

The competition was fierce as the Pony Express and the Riverboats played neck in neck with one another up until the final quarter where the Riverboats scored two touchdowns, claiming their victory with the score of 14-9.

The Pony Express kept their heads up and played hard defense against the Riverboats. Green and Batchelor each had a tackle.

The Crusaders were excited to be a part of a whole different kind of world.  “I met a lot of guys from different teams. Some I didn’t know and then some I knew from Delta State and Campbelsville,” said Rosamonda.

Nathan Batchelor also had a great experience at the game. “It was just an overall good experience playing in the all -star game with NFL rules,” said Batchelor. For Batchelor, it was a big deal for him to be invited to the all-star game. “All three of us were ranked among the best,” said Batchelor.

The Crusaders played their hearts out for this was their last time to be on the field. “While I was on the field, I just kept on reminding myself this is the last guaranteed game I’m playing, so I played every play like my last,” said Rosamonda. The crusaders felt out of their comfort zone at times because their fellow brothers on the team were not there beside them during the game. “ It was weird to look at the guy next to me and not see my old teammates,” said Rosamonda.

Green, Rosamonda, and Batchelor have had a wonderful four years here at NGU and have had a great football career. NGU was proud to have these three players represent in the Hansen Bowl.

Although Green, Rosamonda, and Batchelor will be graduating in May, they will still be honored for their accomplishment in making the all-star game. Their names will go up in Crusader history and will never be forgotten.

The North Greenville University baseball team held their inaugural fundraising “Night of Support” this past Thursday to help with equipment needs and facility improvements. The guest speaker for the night was former professional baseball player Darren Holmes. The event also featured a silent auction.  Auctioned items ranged from autographed memorabilia from the likes of Josh Hamilton, John Smoltz, and Tim Tebow to a five-day, four-night stay at the Augusta Bay Resort in the Bahamas, airfare included. The NGU Baseball team would like to thank North Greenville Hospital, Dick Brooks Honda and those who attended.

The North Greenville University women’s basketball team ended last week atop the Conference Carolinas standings for the first time ever. After winning four straight games in the past week and a half the Lady Crusaders have gotten hot at the right time. The Lady Crusaders will look to continue their success tonight against Converse College and will then travel to Barton College on Saturday.

New Head Baseball coach Reggie Reynolds talks to the team after a game against Newberry College. Photo by Billy Watson.

The North Greenville University baseball team has been preparing for what it hopes to be a special season in 2012.

The Crusaders will be entering their first year as a member of Conference Carolinas and will be looking to make a statement to the rest of the league that NGU is here to stay. The Crusaders will be led by new head coach Reggie Reynolds who took over for former head coach Travis Henson after he stepped down as head coach during fall practice.

The Crusaders may have new leadership at the top but they will once again be led by a group of seniors who have been through a lot since their freshman year.

A 10-40 season is not what most had in mind when they decided to play baseball for the Crusaders. Since that season the Crusaders have gone 47-14 with an NCCAA National Championship and 38-17 with a second place finish in the NCCAA World Series, not only turning their careers around but also the program. Reynolds will look for their big game experience to play a  role in 2012.

“They are character guys who have proven themselves, and have had the chance to play in some big games,” said Reynolds.  Even though the stage of the big game is changing, there is no trade for having prior big game experience to draw confidence,” Drew Provence, senior sport management, a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association second team pre-season All American, will lead what should be a very good pitching staff, along with fellow starting pitcher Derek Fulmer, senior business administration. Ryan Woodring, sophomore accounting, after a stellar freshman campaign will also start on the mound for the Crusaders.

When the Crusaders have to go to their bullpen, they will be in safe hands. Nate Richards, senior interdisciplinary studies, will help fill the hole where Bubba Giles, senior sport managment, once was. Griffin Spires, junior business administration, and Caleb Phillips, junior media ministry, will also help to fill that hole.

In mid-relief the Crusaders will look to familiar faces once again. Dylan Fulk, senior history, and Sean Willingham, junior sport management, will help to anchor the relief for the pitching staff.

The Crusaders will have a veteran infield and outfield once again as they only replace two starters.

Allen Staton, freshman undecided, will start at second base and Andrew Lawrence, junior accounting, will take over at first base where he saw some time last season.

Two veterans will cover both shortstop and third base defensively; David Frazier, senior sport management, will start at shortstop for the fourth season in a row and Taylor Hollifield, sophomore social studies education, will start at third base. Behind the plate the Crusaders will look to Anthony Foulk, senior sport management, who has started 151 games in his career and has been the starting catcher since his freshman year.

The outfield will be anchored by star power in 2012. NGU returns three starters from the last two years. Markus Duckworth, senior history,  a third team NCBWA pre-season All- American who had to sit out the 2011 season with a thumb injury, will return and play centerfield.

In right field Adam Taylor, junior business administration, who has been nothing short of stellar in his career, will once again look to have a standout year. Taylor was also named to the pre-season all-american third team by the NCBWA. In left field when he is not pitching, Fulmer will start for the second consecutive season. When he is pitching however, John Reinholz, junior broadcast media, will start. Reinholz started in center field in 2011 due to the absence of Duckworth.

The Crusaders will host Emmanuel College today at 2 p.m.

As the college basketball season winds down over the next couple of months, two former Wren High standouts are putting the finishing touches on a duo that has spanned 10 years.

Dating back to their days at Powdersville Middle School, and then on to Wren, where they graduated in 2008, and now at North Greenville University, Jonathan Bozymowski, senior sport management and Tim Franklin, senior sport management,  would be hard pressed to remember a time when one took the court without the other.

“I look at him as a brother,” Franklin said of Bozymowski, who he often refers to as “Boz.” “It feels good to actually go to college and play with somebody that has been on your team for so many years. It’s been fun.”

Bozymowski, a 6-6 power forward, and Franklin, a 5-9 point guard may seem like polar opposites, but their former coach would argue that they are actually quite similar.

After his senior year at Wren, in which he averaged more than 10 points and four assists per game, Franklin was quick to commit to North Greenville. This provided Bozymowski with an enticing opportunity.

“I knew that he had committed, and I wanted to come and play with him,” said Bozymowski. “He’s just a great point guard.”

Franklin says the duo’s success can be attributed to their years of experience together.

“That (success) just comes from years of playing together,” said Franklin. “His game is totally different from mine, but I know what he is capable of doing. He’s a great guy to play with.”

Despite the difference in size, both players have been known to play a little point guard. Bozymowski, who Campbell referred to as his “second best ball handler at Wren,” says he was able to fill a void when Franklin sat out his freshman year at NGU with a redshirt.

“It was funny because coach (Lister) actually put me in the point guard spot for a couple of games my first year when Tim wasn’t playing, so I was able to fill a little bit of his position,” said Bozymowski. “Tim kills me in every aspect, though. He leads the team in assists. He’s a great penetrator. He does everything for us.”

More than just success on the basketball court, this relationship has turned into something both say they can be proud of.

“It’s been a great opportunity to be with each other for 10 years playing basketball together,” said Bozymowski. “We have great chemistry together on and off the court. He’s a great friend to have and a great teammate to have on the floor.”

Although their time on the court is limited, Franklin says this is a relationship that will not stop after the final buzzer sounds.

Christina Carlis brings the ball up the court against Lees-McCrae College. Photo by Josh Landrum.

The 2011-2012 school year has been a year of firsts for the North Greenville University Athletic Department, a first berth into the playoffs for the football team, first time in a conference, to name a few.

The Crusader Women’s Basketball team is looking to continue this year of firsts. Led by Erin Gray, senior business,  Karly Stache, senior math and Christina Carlis, senior business, the lady Crusaders have battled through the 2011-2012 season so far and earned an impressive record of 13-4 with a conference record of 8-1.

The 2011-2012 team consists of much depth with three players averaging double figures in points and rebounds. Their offensive attack has been balanced and efficient with the rotation consisting of more than 8 players each game.

The lady Crusaders have seen one player, Crisceda Cotton, junior sport management, receive two player of the week nods this season and Carlis receive the honor once so far this season.

Though accolades are not the objective in their season, the Crusaders welcome the attention because it proves their relevance to those who doubted their abilities at the beginning of the season.
Statistics aside, this fast-paced start to the season comes as a surprise to many, for the Lady Crusaders were chosen to finish in the bottom of the conference according to a preseason poll.

Attempting to prove their toughness and ability to succeed, the Crusaders have purposefully committed to defense with their opponents shooting just below 36 and 25 percent from the floor and three-point line, respectively.

Furthermore, the lady Crusaders have also amassed more steals and forced more turnovers than their opponents this season, while moving the ball more effectively and having a more efficient assist-to-turnover ratio.
With three of their four losses coming by a margin of less than seven points, the lady Crusaders are well on their way to a great season, but they still have a long way to go.

On the road to the end of the season are a slew of sure to be physically and emotionally taxing battles between conference foes, including the conference’s East Division leader, Mount Olive, and an in-state rival in Limestone, who not only beat the Crusaders in heartbreaking fashion but also leads the West Division standings.
Needless to say, the Crusaders have a daunting task ahead but as the team’s motivatonal quote on the back of their t-shirts says, “Nothing great is ever achieved without sacrifice.”

The Lady Crusaders will travel to King College on Thursday and will host Coker College on Saturday Feb. 4, 2012 at 2 p.m.

New head football coach Carroll McCray speaks to members of the media at a press conference on January 18. Photo by Billy Watson.

After North Greenville’s breakout 2011 season and head coach Jamey Chadwell and several assistant coaches departed to take over at Delta State University (MS), to whom the Crusaders lost in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs, the NGU football program found itself where no program ever wants to be.

NGU was then in a full-fledged coaching search to try and fill the coaching vacancy as quickly as possible. After getting countless phone calls and emails from coaches around the country and conducting a full fledged coaching search NGU had found its man.

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, in front of a packed president’s boardroom President Jimmy Epting introduced Carroll McCray as the new head football coach.

“It is an exciting day for us at North Greenville,” Epting said. “We’re very proud of what our football team did this season, and this is another beginning for us.  Carroll McCray is a man of faith and a more than qualified football coach.”

McCray comes to NGU after being an assistant coach at numerous division I schools, including South Carolina, Mississippi State, Furman and most recently, Mercer. McCray also served as the head coach at Austin Peay from 2003 to 2006.

“I welcome the opportunity to come alongside President Epting and Jan McDonald and help the young men on the team continue to take steps forward in all areas of their lives,” McCray said. “I want to improve the guys on the team spiritually, mentally, physically and socially. I want them to grow in their walk with God. Walk across the stage and graduate after four years. Finally, be diverse socially so when they leave North Greenville, they can communicate with others in a job atmosphere and provide for their family,” added McCray.

When it comes to x’s and o’s, McCray has a plan in mind. “We are going to want to stretch the field horizontally and vertically, but we will always want to run the football. We’re not going to be a true option team but I think we need to have that threat,” said McCray. “On defense, I think a 3-4 is great, but we have to be sure that our personnel continues to lean toward that,” added McCray.

McCray’s first priority is to get on the recruiting trail and try to get as many men as possible before signing day. He will then begin assembling his staff.

“As I start looking, I’m going to ask people about their faith. Some won’t know how to answer, and I will know they’re not right for this job,” McCray said. “I want to see a transformation in the players that come in from the time they’re recruited until they graduate and I need a staff that will encourage that.”

It is an exciting time to be a fan of NGU football. With the Crusaders coming off one of the best seasons in school history and now with a coach who has the passion to have his players succeed, not only on the field but also off the field the Crusaders are poised to have another great season in 2012.

McCray has a wife, Angel, a son Trey and a daughter, Meredith.

Paul Harrison dunks over defenders from Fayetteville State University in a game last week in Hayes Gymnasuim. Photo by Josh Landrum.

Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 is a day that Paul Harrison, senior sport management, will never forget. Harrison a fifth year senior from Alpharetta, Ga. did what few people that play basketball at the collegiate or pro level can say that they did. Harrison became the schools all time leading scorer just two minutes into the contest against Conference Carolinas foe Lees-McCrae University. The team honored Harrison with a commemorative ball during a timeout to a standing ovation from a packed Hayes Gymnasium.

Harrison finished the game with 16 points putting his total at 1,791 a number that continues to grow from game to game as he takes his place in NGU basketball history. Harrison is not only the all time leading scorer at North Greenville, but he also owns the record for the most rebounds in a career with 880.

“It’s really more of a shock than anything,” said Harrison. “It just shows you what hard work and dedication will get you.” Harrison is currently second on the teamin points per game (17.8) and leads the team in rebounds per game (10.8). Something that five years ago Harrison himself may not have expected.

The 6-8 forward has made his presence known on the court and will be remembered for the emphatic dunks and blocks he has made over his years as a Crusader, but Harrison also hopes that he has made an impact on people off the court.

“It would be nice to be remembered in the record books for sure,” Harrison acknowledged. “But it would mean a lot to me if I was remembered for who I was as a person rather than what I did on the court.”

As much as Harrison is honored to be the all-time leading scorer he is more worried about the next game and trying to help the team win its first ever conference championship in its first year in Conference Carolinas.

Quotes used with permission from ngcrusaders.com

The 2011-2012 North Greenville University men’s basketball team has reached the midpoint of its season and what a season it has been so far. The Crusaders are 10-6 at the halfway point; they are 4-4 within the conference and 6-2 out of conference.

The Crusaders have been almost unbeatable at home, winning seven of their nine games at home, while getting big wins against the likes of Toccoa Falls, Saint Andrews, and Fayetteville State. The Crusaders dominance at home has started on the defensive end where they have stymied opposing teams, giving up just 66 points a game.

The Crusaders are winning by an average of 15 points while at home and Chris Dean, sophomore sport management and Paul Harrison senior sport management, have been a key part of that success. Dean has been the team’s leading scorer this season averaging 18.5 points while shooting 56 percent from the field; Dean has also averaged 6.2 rebounds in 33 minutes of play. Harrison is making the most of his senior season. The reigning NCCAA Player of the Year is averaging 17.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, all while shooting 54 percent in an average of 32 minutes per game.

The one down side to the Crusaders’ season so far has been their inability to win on the road; The team is just 3-4 so far on the road and the defense that is so good at home has struggled on the road, giving up an average of 84 points a game.  The Crusaders will look to Luke Lattimore, senior sport management, Jonathan Bozymowski, senior sport management, Jason Wray, senior biology and Zack Shields senior sport management, to help turn it around on the road.

Lattimore has been averaging 8.1 points per game while shooting 42 percent this season but has only appeared in 10 of the teams’ 16 games. He’ll have to find a way to stay healthy and stay on the floor to help the team turn it around. Bozymowski, Wray, and Shields have made appearances in all the Crusaders’ 16 games this season and have played admirably, providing the team with much-needed depth and a variety of scoring and rebounding as well as providing leadership and experience.

The Crusaders seem primed for a tremendous second half and will look to build on their first half success at home and improve their play on the road to make a run in the conference tournament.

Christina Carlis, senior business administration, found herself in the zone as her 27-point night gave the Lady Crusaders their first win of the season last Friday, Nov. 11 in Spartanburg, S.C.

North Greenville cruised to a 75-57 win over Division I opponent USC Upstate behind a strong offensive effort.

“This was a great win and I am very proud of the girls and the way they responded,” said head coach Jayne Arledge in an interview with ngcrusaders.com “This should surely go down as one of our biggest wins in the last few years.”

A win did not come easy as the Lady Crusaders had to battle through a first half that saw five lead changes.

After leading by eight at one point during the first 20 minutes, North Greenville was only able to manage a single-point advantage going into halftime.

Both teams battled in the second half, but it was the Lady Crusaders that pulled away in the end behind a 26-6 run and a massive offensive night.

Four Lady Crusaders finished in double figures, including Carlis, Karly Stache, senior mathematics, Krisceda Cotton, junior sport management, and Erin Gray, senior business administration, who had 11, 12, and 10 points respectively.

Carlis, who led all scorers with 27 points, went six for nine from the field and buried 15 out of 18 free throws in the victory.

As a team, North Greenville shot an impressive 43 percent, and managed to out rebound Upstate 45-34.

Arledge says this is exactly the kind of night she wanted to see from her team to start a new season.

“I was very pleased with how we played,” she said. “The teamwork was awesome and we played together.”

North Greenville took on Johnson C. Smith College yesterday, and will return to Tigerville early next week with games against Emmanuel College and Southern Wesleyan University.

Tip off against Emmanuel is set for 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21 in Hayes Gymnasium.

A breakout season and some new faces are turning the cross-country teams into a force to be reckoned with.

A year full of firsts saw North Greenville finish on top in two of their six regular season meets, setting quite individual records along the way.

“We were very fortunate to bring in some strong runners to go with a good core group of kids that we already had at North Greenville,” said first year head coach Michael Bayne. “This season we were able to set several personal records and some school records as well. The fellowship of the team together is something I would not trade for anything.”

Many of the runners on both teams were able to set personal bests this season including John Shealy, sophomore undecided, who set a school record with an 8-Kilometer time of 27:07, and Brandon Southern, junior health and wellness, who recorded the school’s second fastest 8-kilometer time, finishing in 27:55.

Girl’s team member Kelly Knutson, freshman secondary education, was also able to set the schools best 5-kilometer time, finishing in 21:13.

Bayne says his team put in some serious work over the offseason, and it paid dividends over the course of the year.”

“Some of our runners were running 60-80 miles a week over the summer,” said Bayne. “As a coach, I always worry about messing up the chemistry from one team to another, but the chemistry was awesome this year

Not only did the Crusaders set some personal records, but the program reached some milestones as well. North Greenville hosted its first ever home meet in school history.

Bayne says he believes this was a big step for the University

“We were put in the most difficult cross country conference in the nation,” said Bayne. “There are some unbelievable teams in this conference and we were very excited about how well our kids did.”

For the first time in school history, the North Greenville football team has a chance to bring a NCAA Division II National Championship back to Tigerville.

The 23^rd ranked Crusaders received an at-large bid to the Division II tournament last Sunday, capping a historical day for the North Greenville athletic program.

“It was an emotional moment,” said head coach Jamey Chadwell. “At a place like ours, this is a once in a lifetime experience. Being able to see them [the players] realize some goals and dreams was pretty awesome.”

The Crusaders will face Albany State in the first round, hosting their first ever Division II playoff game in Younts Stadium. Although it is a time for excitement, Chadwell says his team will have their hands full.

“They’ve probably got the best program in Georgia,” said Chadwell of his first round opponent. “It’s going to be a huge challenge for us, but we’re excited about having it here.”

The way the brackets are set up, North Greenville could possibly face a rematch with Mars Hill in the second round. Both teams finished with identical South Atlantic Conference records, and Chadwell says a rematch would be enticing.

“I don’t think we could have drawn up [the seedings] any better,” said Chadwell. “I know if we can get to that game our guys will be excited about playing them [Mars Hill].”

Quarterback Willy Korn, senior broadcast media, says the team has been dreaming bigger this season, and the teams goals are finally within reach.

“Last year was a productive year with the Victory Bowl, but this year we’ve had our sights set on something bigger this year,” said Korn. “We set a goal to make the Division II playoffs. That’s something that’s unheard of around here, because the school’s never been there.”

President Jimmy Epting says he hopes to have support from the entire state going forward.

“I think the alliance with the South Atlantic Conference gave us some good credibility,” said Epting. “We’re the only school in South Carolina that’s in the NCAA Division II playoffs so its’ time for the community and the state to get behind us. Lets whip those Georgia boys.”

“We expect to be playing on December 17 in the Division II championship game,” said Korn. “We’re not overlooking the first round game, but we’re ready to win this thing. It’s not enough just to be in the playoffs, we want to win the whole thing.”

Kickoff for round one is set for 12 p.m. this Saturday in Tigerville.

Nick Rosamonda (29) and the Crusader defense held Notre Dame College to just 78 total yards in North Greenville's 62-0 victory on Saturday. With the win, the Crusaders secured themselves a spot in the Division II playoffs beginning on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Younts Stadium against Albany State (Ga.) at noon.

No, not that Notre Dame. North Greenville amassed a school record 720 yards of total offense and also set a scoring record as the Crusaders dominated Notre Dame College of South Euclid, Ohio 62-0 on Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day at Younts Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 5 in Tigerville.

The Crusaders finished the regular season with a 9-2 record and seven consecutive victories.

Quarterback Willy Korn, senior broadcast media, completed 20 of 23 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns, and NGU had eight different players score touchdowns.

North Greenville’s 720 yards were the most since the 2006 season and the 62 points were the most in school history as well. (NGU defeated Ohio State Newark last season 63-0, but Newark was a club program and the statistics did not count toward the NCAA marks).

Teryan Rucker, sophomore secondary education, rushed for 93 yards, Kyle Peck, sophomore mathematics, had a career best 91, Idris Anderson, sophomore undecided had 43 and Aaron Seigler, junior business administration, had 40 yards for NGU.

Freddie Martino, sophomore accounting, caught six passes for 165 yards. In a game that marked probably the most complete game in NGU’s short history as a Division II program, the Crusaders limited the Falcons to 78 total yards and dominated time of possession 36 minutes to 16.

North Greenville set the tone of the game immediately by scoring on a seven-play, 76 yard drive when Korn hit Harold Small, junior art, with a 12-yard touchdown. Anderson scored on a two yard run, and Martino caught a 27-yard touchdown pass to put NGU up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The scoring parade continued when Justin Gravely, freshman business administration, kicked a 30-yard field goal, Sean Wright, junior secondary education, caught yet another circus-like touchdown catch and Gravely added a 24 yard field goal with 1:11 left to give North Greenville a 34-0 halftime lead.

Korn, who wrapped up his collegiate regular season by leading NGU to a school-best two-year 18-5 record, connected with Taylor Malphrus, junior business administration, for a 15-yard touchdown that put NGU up 41-0 with 11:24 left.

Korn gave way to Siegler, who scored his own touchdown on a five-yard run that made it 48-0. Marcus Wilson, sophomore biology, broke four tackles and scored on a 30 -ard run with 11 seconds left in the third to make it 55-0.

Troy Jones, junior sport management, completed North Greenville’s scoring parade with his first career touchdown on a 23-yard run after a pitch from freshman quarterback Joseph Carter, sophomore biology.

“This really added a big exclamation to a very good season,” said NGU head coach Jamey Chadwell. “I have to give all the credit to our seniors, who bought into what we threw at them three years ago. They stuck it out and have really been the true leaders who made this happen. The sophomores who were with us three years ago hung in there and made a major difference in our success. We added a few transfers like Willy [Korn] and Daniel Adderley, but you have to truly applaud the seniors.”

The Crusaders’ next game will be another first for the football program as North Greenville will host Albany State (Ga.) in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Division II playoffs in Younts Stadium at noon.

Guard Chris Dean goes up for a dunk during pre-game warm ups against Toccoa Falls on Saturday, Nov. 5. The Crusaders opened the 2011 season with a convincing 102-74 victory over the Eagles in Hayes Gymnasium.

The North Greenville University men’s basketball team began the 2011-2012 season on a high note with a 102-74 victory over Toccoa Falls College on Saturday night in Hayes Gymnasium.

The Crusaders’ home opener was an exciting one from the beginning as North Greenville and Toccoa Falls traded baskets until a three-pointer by Chris Dean, sophomore sport management, put the Crusaders ahead for good.

North Greenville built a commanding 21-point lead with 2:28 left in the first half and went into half time leading 59-40 after shooting 61.5 percent from the floor, including 50 percent from beyond the arc, while holding the Eagles to 45.8 percent shooting in the first half.

After intermission, head coach Chad Lister and the Crusaders continued to push and opened the second half with an 18-7 run. The second half was highlighted by a high-flying slam dunk by Jason Wray, senior biology.

The Crusaders shot a stellar 55.1 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from three-point range, while the defense held Toccoa Falls to 41.5 percent shooting in the game and forced 17 total turnovers.

Dean led North Greenville with a career-high 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-5 from long range, with three rebounds in 24 minutes.

Paul Harrison, senior sport management, dominated in limited time on the floor as he finished the game with 19 points and a team-high seven rebounds in just 15 minutes of play, while Jonathan Bozymowski, senior sport management, was the only other Crusader to score in double-digits with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.

The bench played a crucial role for Lister as the Crusader reserves outscored the bench players of Toccoa Falls 35-13 in the game.

Jimmy Ellis, junior biology, led all bench players with eight points in the game, while Zack Shields, senior sport management, finished the game with seven points and five rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench.

Jamaal Pryor, junior sport management, had the most complete game of any Crusader as he finished with four points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in the contest.

The Crusaders (1-0, 0-0 in conference) will host their second straight home game tonight, Nov. 16 when they tip off against South Atlantic Conference member Brevard College at 7 p.m. in Hayes Gymnasium.

In last season’s game between the two schools, Brevard downed North Greenville 99-83 in Brevard, N.C.

In the game, Harrison recorded a double-double while leading the team with 25 points on 12-of-19 and 11 rebounds.

The volleyball team wrapped up their season with a strong weekend at home, improving their overall record to 16-18.

The Lady Crusaders picked up wins over Erskine College and Converse College last weekend, sending the seniors out in proper fashion. With the victories, North Greenville concluded its first season as a member of Conference Carolinas in a tie for ninth place.

A slow start to the week had the Lady Crusaders itching to get home, as they took a tough loss to King College on November 2. The trip to Bristol was all but memorable for North Greenville, and the Lady Crusaders departed with a 3-1 loss.

To no ones surprise, Rebekah Mayes, sophomore undecided, and Kaitlyn Pierce, senior health and wellness, led the offense with a combined 25 kills on the day. Abigail Frame, junior elementary education, recorded 39 assists in the contest.

A return to Tigerville seemed to remedy the problems for North Greenville. The Lady Crusaders managed to pull out two wins on senior night and alumni night last weekend.

The weekend opener against Erskine was a hard fought match, but the Lady Crusaders maintained composure and took home a 3-2 win.

Fittingly, Pierce led the Crusaders with 16 kills on the night, while fellow senior Kaitlyn Harris, senior sport management, added 32 digs to the defense effort for North Greenville.

After a gutsy performance on senior night, the Lady Crusaders wrapped up the season by dominating Converse College in a 3-0-shutout victory.

Everything was going right for North Greenville, and the ladies took all three sets by scores of 25-10, 25-17 and 25-12.

Pierce led the team with 11 kills in her final regular season game and Mayes also contributed eight of her own to the effort. Frame concluded her season with a solid 29 assists.

The weekend wins gave the Lady Crusaders a final conference record of 6-12, and a positive end to an up and down season.

Senior forward Paul Harrison, a two-time NCAA Division II Independent Player of the Year, needs just 243 points to become the school's all-time scoring leader. Harrison has already claimed the top spot as the school all-time career rebounds leader with 722 and is second in school history with 80 career blocks.

Cory Guinn
Sports Editor

After recording a 22-7 record in 2010, the best in team history, the North Greenville men’s basketball enters its first season as a member of Conference Carolinas ranked ninth overall in the pre season coaches poll and fourth in the Western Division with a renewed energy and great level of experience.

“As a team, we have a good nucleus returning,” said head coach Chad Lister. “We will lean heavily on our seniors for leadership on and off the floor.”

The Crusaders return five seniors from last year’s squad that finished second in the NCCAA South Regional Tournament.

Among the returning seniors is the reigning two-time NCAA Division II Independent Player of the Year, Paul Harrison, senior sport management, who led the team with 18.4 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game on 61.2 percent shooting from the field.

The other seniors returning for Coach Lister include Luke Lattimer, senior sport management, the team’s second-leading scorer in 2010 with 10.4 points per game, and Jonathan Bozymowski, senior sport management, who is the Crusaders most versatile player in terms of being involved of every area of play. In 2010, Bozymowski average 5.4 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the floor and 41.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc along with 2.8 rebounds per game and 2.2 assists per game.

Seniors Jason Wray, senior biology, and Zack Shields, senior sport management, will be relied on for production off the bench and with opportunities to be in the starting lineup. Wray, the Crusaders emotional leader, averaged 4.1 points per game on 51.1 percent shooting from the floor, while three-point specialist Shields overcame early season injuries to finish with 6.1 points per game on 42.7 percent shooting from long range.

“Obviously our seniors will dictate our success.  Paul is a tremendous post presence.  He has the potential to be one of the premier players in our conference.  I have been very impressed with his off-season work,” said Lister. “If Lattimer can stay healthy, he will have an opportunity to turn heads in our league.  Shields, Bozymowski, and Wray continue to be very steady for us.  Their effort and leadership is tremendous.”

Other returning players who will be counted on for immediate impact include starting point guard Tim Franklin, junior sport management, and reserves Jamaal Pryor, junior sport management, Jimmy Ellis, junior biology, and Chris Dean, sophomore sport management.

Franklin is the team’s unquestioned floor leader on offense and dictates the tempo of the defense on the majority of the possessions. During last season’s campaign, Franklin average 6.3 points per game and a team-high 4.1 assists per game. He also led the team with 1.6 steals per game, while pulling down 3.6 rebound per game.

Juniors Pryor and Ellis provide sparks for the Crusaders in two opposite areas of the floor. Pryor is a low post presence who has consistently improved in his first two years and in 2010 averaged 7.7 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting a team-high 61.7 percent from the floor. Ellis is another long range shooter that will come off the bench and provide an energy boost on offense as he finished last season with a career-high 7.1 points per game on 41.4 percent shooting from three-point range.

Dean, a member of the 2010 NCAA Division II All-Freshman team, averaged 7 points per game on 48.8 percent shooting from the floor and 2.2 rebounds per game.

“Chris Dean really came on strong at the end of last season.  He will have an opportunity to be a major contributor this season.  Freshmen Vince Lewis and Wesley Armbrust are two new faces to our program that have a chance to make an early impact.  Both have done good things in the pre-season,” said Lister. “I would not trade any of our 16 roster spots.  They have all worked very hard to get to this point.  We would love to make a run at the conference title in our first year as a member of Conference Carolinas. “

As a team, the Crusaders will focus on making the most of their offensive opportunities and look to improve on the defensive end of the floor against much tougher competition in the new conference.

Quarterback Willy Korn (15) threw for 303 yards and rushed for 81 more totaling five touchdowns in the Crusaders 54-7 victory over Wingate College on Saturday Nov. 5 in Wingate, N.C. Photo by Cory Guinn.

After a year long search for respect, it would probably be safe to say the Crusaders have found it.

A demoralizing 54-7 win over Wingate College on Oct. 5 gave North Greenville a seat atop the South Atlantic Conference, with an overall conference record of 7-1 on the season.

Of course, North Greenville is technically not part of the SAC, but the Crusaders cruised through the first year of their “scheduling alliance,” and claimed top honors among conference’s most elite teams.

“We’ve gone through a lot [this season],” said wide receiver Sean Wright, junior secondary education. “We set a goal at the beginning of the season to earn some respect, and I think we’ve made a statement. We just want to keep playing and keep winning.”

The Crusaders certainly kept winning last Saturday, dominating Wingate on both sides of the ball and coming away with a lopsided victory to add to their resume. North Greenville used a 300-yard effort from quarterback Willy Korn, senior broadcast media, and an aggressive running game to get their offense going in a hurry.

Wright led the offense with two touchdown catches on the day, while Idris Anderson, sophomore undecided, and Marcus Wilson, sophomore biology, added scores of their own. Kyle Peck, sophomore mathematics, Harold Small, junior art, and Daniel Adderley, junior international business, each recorded touchdowns in the game.

The Crusader defense was the story in this game, however, forcing six total turnovers and five first half takeaways.

After a day where nothing could go wrong for North Greenville, head coach Jamey Chadwell said he could not be more proud of his group.

“You can now spell ‘respect,’ NGU,” said Chadwell in an interview with ngcrusaders.com. “Prior to this season, we had never beaten a South Atlantic Conference team. Now, we’ve beaten seven of the eight schools.”

Chadwell says his offense is now clicking on all cylinders and it has everything to do with his veteran quarterback.

“Willy Korn had a big time performance,” he said. “We were able to use about every offensive weapon we have today and that was a very significant victory for our football program.”

After a 2010 season that resulted in a Victory Bowl appearance, North Greenville players and coaches say they want to move on to bigger and better things. A strong performance against SAC schools has put the Crusaders in a position to reach the Division II playoffs for the first time in school history, and it has coach Chadwell on the edge of his seat.

“Our ultimate goal is still the NCAA Division II playoffs, and with this win, we’re still on track for that,” he said. “Right now, if they were to end the season today, we would be in.”

Wright, who has picked up five touchdowns in North Greenville’s last three games, says this team will reach the goals their head coach has set.

“We want to go to the Division II playoffs and we’re going to stop at nothing,” said Wright. “We get another win and we should be in.”

North Greenville will wrap up the regular season at home against Notre Dame College this Saturday. Kickoff at Younts Stadium is set for 1 p.m.

The North Greenville University men’s soccer team was downed 6-0 by Limestone College on Tuesday, Nov. 1in the first round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament.

The game got off to a rocky start early for North Greenville when Limestone scored its first goal just 28 seconds into the contest, as forward Jack Bailey received a through ball from midfielder Daniel Mohsen and put the shot into the back of the net.

After the lone first half goal, the Saints came out strong in the second half and the game became lopsided in favor of Limestone as four different players scored a goal.

Limestone scored goals in the 53rd, 58th, 74th, 76th and 83rd minutes of play as the Crusader defense was unable to stop the Saints’ potent offensive attack.

Keeper Justen Braddock, junior sport management, recorded 10 saves in the game as Limestone fired 16 shots on goal compared to just 7 by North Greenville.

The Crusaders end the 2011 season with a 8-8 record overall and a 6-5 record in conference, good enough to finish in fifth place in the Conference Carolinas’ standings

Alex Redding, sophomore sport management, finished the season as the team’s leader with six goals in 2011.

Mark Sterr, sophomore sport management, finished second on the team with four goals, while Jon Restrepo, senior international business, finished third on the team with three goals. Restrepo finished his tenure at North Greenville with 24 goals for his career and placing him second on the all-time scoring list.

Chandler Patterson, senior media ministry, led the team with five assists on the year, while Resrepo was a close second with four helpers of his own.

Braddock led the Crusaders in goal with 84 total saves and only 24 goals allowed with two shutouts.

The Lady Crusaders gathered their second win in a seven-game road stint, moving their overall record to 14-17 on the season.

North Greenville suffered losses to St. Augustine College and Mt. Olive College, before scoring a much-needed win over Barton College last weekend.

A trip to Raleigh, N.C. last Thursday, Oct. 27, did not give the Lady Crusaders the results they had hoped for going into a tough weekend.

North Greenville battled through four sets, but was unable to prevail in a 3-1 loss to St. Augustine.

The Lady Crusaders held a 24-22 advantage late in the first set, but gave up three straight kills and lost the first set by a score of 26-24.

North Greenville bounced back quickly, however, using a strong offensive attack to propel them to a 25-19 set two win.

St. Augustine proved to be the more durable team, however, gaining wins in the next two sets by scores of 31-27 and 25-21 and pulling out the match victory.

In the losing effort, Lauren Seeley, freshman undecided, led the attack with 12 kills, while Rebekah Mayes, sophomore undecided, was a close second with 11 kills. Mayes also recorded a team-high 19 digs in the contest, while Kaitlyn Harris, senior sport management, tallied 14 digs of her own.

Friday, Oct. 28 provided some relief as North Greenville was able to grind out a 3-2 match over Barton College and snag its fourth conference win of the season in Wilson, N.C.

The teams traded set wins, but it was the Lady Crusaders who came out victorious in the fifth and final set by a score of 15-13.

The team effort provided some impressive individual statistics for the box score.

Mayes and Kaitlyn Pierce, senior health promotion and wellness,  provided the offense with a combined 40 kills.

Abigail Frame, junior elementary education, continued her impressive distribution with 52 assists in the match. Harris also hustled her way onto the stat sheet with 23 digs.

The final game of the weekend was a tough one, and resulted in heartbreak for North Greenville.

The Lady Crusaders battled hard, but were unable to grab a decisive set five win in their 3-2 loss to Mount Olive College last Saturday, Oct. 29 in Mount Olive, N.C.

After trading points most of the night, the Lady Crusaders were edged out by a score of 15-10 in the final set.

Mayes led the effort for North Greenville, recording 18 kills and 15 digs in the contest. Frame also racked up some big numbers, adding 39 assists to her season total.

The Lady Crusaders have just one game left on their seven-game road trip, as they take on King College in Bristol, TN today at 7 p.m. North Greenville will wrap up their regular season with two home games this weekend.

The North Greenville men’s soccer team’s two-game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday, Oct. 25 as the Crusaders dropped their final contest of 2011 regular season 1-0 to Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, N.C.

The Falcons (3-12-1, 2-7-1 in conference) broke through with the game’s only goal in the 8th minute of play as forward Fahret Salihovic scored on a ball played to him by defender Kris Jaggers.

The Crusaders had plenty of opportunities on goal as they outshot the Falcons 15-11 in the contest but were unable to put any shots into the back of the net.

Keeper Justen Braddock, junior sport management, recorded four saves in the game as Pfeiffer totaled five shots on goal.

With the regular season coming to an end, the Crusaders (8-7, 6-5) have turned to the postseason for at least one more game as North Greenville has made the Conference Carolinas playoffs at a six seed. The Crusaders opened up tournament play with a game against Limestone College last night in Gaffney, S.C.

JV Soccer

In a rematch with Anderson University, the North Greenville JV soccer team was downed by the Trojans 3-1 on Monday, Oct. 24 in Anderson, S.C.

The Crusaders first goal was scored early in the game as Corey Tillinghast, junior secondary education, scored his fourth goal of the season in the fourth minute of play.

The goal was scored on an assist from Thomas McGill, junior secondary education, to give the Crusaders a 1-0 halftime lead.

The second half was all Anderson as the Trojans scored three goals to secure the win.

Anderson’s first goal came in the 47th minute off a header into the net. The second goal of the game was scored when an Anderson forward received a through ball and beat keeper Nick Williams, senior print media, one-on-one in the 67th minute. The Trojans third and final goal came off a free kick in the 88th minute.

Williams recorded two saves as the Crusaders were outshot 13-9 in the contest.

“It was a tough loss but we battled hard the whole game,” said head coach Kyle Walden.

Despite a few ups and downs, the JV soccer team finished its 2011 regular season in winning fashion with a 5-0 victory over Belmont Abbey in Pepsi Stadium.

The Crusaders’ first goal came just 12 minutes into the game as Tillinghast scored his fifth goal of the season after placing a strong shot into the upper corner on an assist from Nate Brown, junior psychology.

Brown recorded his second assist of the game as Cameron Neal, junior elementary education, scored his first goal of the season in the 28th minute to put the Crusaders up 2-0 at the half.

North Greenville’s attack did not let up in the second half as the Crusaders put three more goals on the scoreboard.

James Lobbestael, junior secondary education, began the second half on the right foot as he scored his first goal of the season on an unassisted goal in the 52nd minute of play.

Brad Loftis, junior sport management, recorded his third goal of 2011 in the 61st minute on an assist from Jonathon Cleary, freshman sport management, while Cleary tallied his first goal of the season and final goal of the match in the 85th minute on an assist by Morgan Bylo, senior international business.

The Crusaders outshot Belmont Abbey 17-3 in the contest as Williams recorded just one save thanks to a stellar defensive effort.

“This was great way to end the season,” said Walden. “We had our ups and downs but the guys finished strong.”

Senior guard Karly Stache needs just 17 points to become the school's all-time leading scorer among women's basketball. She will begin her quest for the record in the Lady Crusader's season opener on Nov. 11 against USC-Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C. Photo courtesy of NGU Sports Information.

A veteran squad led by seniors is hoping to reach the big dance for the first time ever this season.

The North Greenville women’s basketball team is getting set for their first season as a member of Conference Carolinas, and head coach Jayne Arledge says she is excited to see what her team can do.

“We’ve got great athletes that are going to be on the floor,” said Arledge. “We’ll have a high scoring attack and we should be very good on the offensive and defensive end.”

Arledge anticipates  most of the team’s success will come from the upperclassmen.

“I’m really pleased with the seniors we have,” said Arledge. “We’ve got Karly Stache, who is our leading scorer returning, Christina Carlis, who led in assists and was one of the second or third leading scorers, Erin Gray, who is a big post player coming back, and Krisceda Cotton, who will also be a big key for us.”

Stache, senior mathematics, who is known for her lights out shooting, averaged just over 15 points per game last season.

“We’ve got a good group of leaders this year. We’ve got a lot of talent coming back that have played together for two or three years,” said Arledge. “That’s going to be a huge benefit for us.”

Arledge says she is happy that the seniors will have the opportunity to go deeper in the postseason than ever before.

“It’s great for our seniors to finally get to compete in a conference,” said Arledge. “They’re going to have to play hard game in and game out, but I know this group and I think they will respond very well.”

Although the Lady Crusaders are itching to get underway, the coach says her team is going to have to learn to take care of the ball a little bit better, after turning the ball over 596 times last season.

“We need to make our game a little bit smoother,” said Arledge. “We need to make the better pass and avoid turnovers. Last year turnovers and not rebounding were keys and that is also going to be a big key this year.”

Managing turnovers and grabbing rebounds will help North Greenville reach its goals, which are set pretty high.

“Our goal is to win the division and make it to the tournament,” said Arledge. “We would love to win the tournament and go to Nationals. We’d really like to be in the big dance.”

The Lady Crusaders will get their season underway on November 3 with their home-opening scrimmage against Truett McConnell College. North Greenville will then travel to Raleigh, N.C. where they will take on ACC powerhouse N.C. State University in an exhibition game on November 6.

Billy Cannada
Senior Writer

The North Greenville "Black Swarm" defense held Catawba College to just 216 total yards of offense, including 36 yards on the ground in the Crusaders' 25-7 win over the Indians on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Tigerville. Photo by Cory Guinn.

A stingy defense and relentless running game fueled the Crusaders to their fourth home win of the season.

A Homecoming crowd provided the boost North Greenville needed to slide past a feisty Catawba College last Saturday, Oct. 29 in a 25-7 victory.
The win gives North Greenville a 7-2 record on the season, with six of those wins coming against South Atlantic Conference opponents.

“Week by week we’re gaining more respect,” said running back Idris Anderson, sophomore undecided, who tallied two touchdowns on the afternoon. “By the end of the season these teams will figure out that we are the real deal.”

Earning respect didn’t seem to be to hard for the Crusaders in this one, however, as North Greenville’s defense pitched a shutout for 56 minutes of the ball game.

Isaiah Johnson, junior sport management, jump started the Crusader attack with a 63-yard punt return to open the second drive for North Greenville. Anderson then punched in his first score of the game, giving the Crusaders a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.

Both offenses remained quiet for the majority of the half, but Sean Wright, junior history, broke the silence with an acrobatic one-handed grab that moved North Greenville 56 yards down field, and set up a 19-yard field goal by Justin Gravely, freshman business administration.

Wright said his catch, which was described by head coach Jamey Chadwell as “unbelievable”, was even harder than it looked.

“The sun was really in my eyes and I couldn’t see the ball,” said Wright with a smile on his face. “I just threw my right hand up and caught it. It kind of surprised me when I caught it. I forgot I had to run afterwards.”

The 10-0 cushion gave the Crusaders the momentum coming out of halftime, as the defense forced a safety just five minutes into the third quarter. Gravely added another field goal with 14 minutes left in the game that put his team on top by 15.

After Anderson added his second score of the game to make it 22-0, Teryan Rucker, sophomore sport management, got into the action by reeling off a 41-yard run that set up another Gravely field goal.

Although the score may not have reflected it, Chadwell says his team struggled to figure out what to do with this Catawba squad.

“[Catawba] got after us,” said Chadwell. “They played a defense that they haven’t shown all year, and it threw us off. I’m really glad we were able to finish it and run the clock out there at the end.”

Anderson, who has had quite a few multiple touchdown games this season, says the Crusaders are hard to stop when the team is running well.

“The offense is very hard to stop when the line is blocking,” said Anderson. “You saw what happens today, we put up 25 points and get wins.”

The team says they believe it has been a long journey to earn respect around the SAC, and coach Chadwell says it comes one game at a time.

“The only thing you can do is beat the guys in front of you,” said Chadwell of the conference alliance. “Afterwards, when we look back I think people will say ‘we’ve got to give those guys some respect.’”

With one more SAC win, the Crusaders would be tied for first place in the conference. Chadwell says although his team can’t actually win the conference, they will still treat it like a championship

“If we win I’m going to fly a flag that says ‘South Atlantic Conference Scheduling Alliance Champions’,” said Chadwell. “We can’t technically play for a conference championship, but in our mind that is what we’re shooting for.”

The Crusaders have two games remaining on the schedule with the next contest coming on Saturday, Nov. 5 in Wingate, N.C. as North Greenville travels to take on Wingate University at 1:30 p.m.