More notes from a proud alum

Been awhile since I bragged on Messiah athletics, but it's time once again! Back in March, after the women's basketball team had lost in the national title game, I reflected on the incredible success Messiah athletics has seen since 2000. Well, we can add another individual national champion to that list! Messiah senior Amy Reed, who was actually a member of that national runner-up basketball team, has won the heptahalon at the 2008 D-III Track and Field championships, following up on her runner-up performance from last year. Furthermore, Amy's 5111 points in the event were an NCAA Championships meet record, eclipsing the previous record by almost 100 points. Amy's effort proved that the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association got it right when they named her the NCAA D-III Female Athlete of the year. And Amy's meet is not done, as she also qualified for the javelin and the triple jump, which are today. She's seeded 3rd in the javelin, meaning she's a legitimate threat for a second title at the meet. Here's hoping!

And while I'm talking about all of this as the spring athletics season wraps up, I have to acknowledge both Messiah's men's tennis team and the baseball team. Both teams won their conference championships and advanced to the NCAA tournament. It was the tennis team's 2nd appearance ever, and the baseball team's 3rd. The tennis team was defeated in their first round match, while the baseball team won their first game before losing two straight to be eliminated from their regional tournament.

While this was the first year in a few that Messiah didn't win a team national championship, and it's hard to forget the 2005-2006 year when both soccer teams won titles, 2007-2008 may rank as the best ever year for Falcon athletics as a whole. I'll have to do a little research and ponder that particular matter for a while!