Key highlights of Panthers fall season
By: Folasade Omogun
Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: Sports
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Now that fall sports have come to an end, the spring semester welcomes a new season for Panther basketball, track & field, baseball, softball and tennis.
To bring in spring sports, here's a recap of memorable moments and highlights in cross country, football and volleyball.
CROSS COUNTRY
In a meeting with the cross country team in September, Dr. Carlton Brown told the teams he is expecting them to "set the stage for everyone else." And they did just that.
As the Southern Intercollegiate Athlete Association (SIAC) predicted, the men and women's cross country teams ended the season as top five teams in the conference. The women finished as runner ups, behind Albany State University. They were led by senior, Iris Pickett and juniors, Phyllis Shelman- Ford and Breanna Pleasant. The men, who were led by Miles Gaddy and Brandon Miller, finished fifth.
FOOTBALL
In a March interview with head coach, Ted Bahhur, he said he was more excited about this season, then any of his five seasons at CAU.
With 17 newcomers, the Panthers finished the season 6-5, winning three more games then last season. Although a disappointing lost game from Division I team, Savannah State, according to Panther fans, the most exciting game of the season was when the Panthers crushed Morehouse Tigers, 29-2. The Panthers received tremendous leadership from transfer quarterback, Cedric Johnson, who lead the team in passing. Junior running back, Winston Thompson, broke the SIAC record, as he became the first running back to rush for 1000 yards since 2006. Thompson, who finished the season with 1134 rushing yards, is the first player in CAU history to rush for 1000 yards.
Other awards went to offensive lineman, Alphonso Johnson, who was named the SIAC lineman of the week in October. The Panthers' defense, according to Bahhur has been the driving force in the Panthers success and was lead by seniors Norris Milton and Zimier McCloud. The Panthers ended the season with a 14-3 win over Benedict College.
VOLLEYBALL
The Panthers' volleyball squad ended the season with a third place finish in the SIAC Championship game. Krystal McGowan led the team in attacks, while senior Maegan Thompkins, led the defense in blocks. Other leading contributors for the Lady Panthers were Brittany Black, Angelica Porter and LaChelle Gutphen.
After their last home game against Claflin College, junior Krystal McGowan was named member of the SIAC's second All- Conference team. McGowan also received recognition as member of the All Academic team for maintaining a 3.72 GPA.
