Mississippi College

Mississippi College once again picked up a Gulf South Conference series win, defeating Christian Brothers twice on Friday night by final scores of 6-0 in game one and 5-0 in game two. It was the teams seventh straight GSC series win, as they look to go for the sweep tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the MC Softball Complex in Clinton. The Lady Choctaws collected one run in each of the first three innings of game one, including a McCall Lee solo home run to left field, for her 10th home run of the season, giving MC the 3-0 lead after three innings. With an RBI single by Jordan Moore in the fifth, a Brooke Fagan RBI single in the sixth, and a Shelby Samples home run in the sixth inning, MC pushed their lead out to 6-0. Freshman Camryn Bailey shut down the Lady Bucs the rest of the way, going the complete 7.0 innings, while giving up just four hits. Bailey picked up her 20th win of the season in the circle, moving her record to 20-2 overall. In game two, MC struck once again for single runs in each of the second, third, and fourth innings of play to take a 3-0 lead over CBU. Brooke Fagan hit her 11th home run of the season with a two-run shot to centerfield in the sixth inning, giving the Lady Choctaws the 5-0 lead. Avery Barnett was stellar in the circle, going 7.0 innings complete, giving up just four hits while striking out seven batters. Barnett and the Lady Choctaws picked up the game two win, 5-0, as Barnett improved to 9-4 overall on the season. In game one, MC tallied nine hits as squad before grabbing seven hits in the game two win. The Lady Choctaws improve to 32-7 overall on the season and 18-5 in GSC play.

The Perry Academic Awards were established by Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Perry (Marion Walter Perry, '32 and Effie Elaine McDonald Perry, '33) for the purpose of recognizing scholastic achievement at Mississippi College. Academic Awards, in the form of gold medals, are awarded to seniors from the following majors: biological sciences, business administration and business education, including accounting, computer science, and marketing; chemistry; history; English; languages; mathematics; physics; arts and music; medical technology and nursing; education and psychology; kinesiology and interior design; communication; sociology and social work. Consideration for the awards is with emphasis on academic performance with all nominees having not less than a 3.5 grade point average. Academic excellence will receive 75% consideration and 25% for qualities of leadership, citizenship, creative ability, activities, and moral character. The 2023 recipients are Timothy Martin for Biology, Lauren Michelle Hill for Political Science, Gracie Lee for Communication, Makayla Cole for Nursing, Camryn Bruce for English Education, Brennen Jeremiah Moss for Mathematics, Zack Edward Myers for Electrical Engineering, and Johnathan Riley Carpenter for Christian Studies.

The Student Experience Servant Leadership Award recognizes sophomore and junior students who have served the campus as a whole and are actively leading on campus through engagement, service to the institution and living out our Christian mission. The 2023 recipients are Lindsey Buie, Justin May, Mallory Burnside, Jay Youngblood, Marlee Rogers, Gracelyn Noss, JT Stokes, Janie Gray, CJ Reeves, Claire Price, Coulter Clement, Haleigh Roberts, Malie Kossina, Loren Degan, and Gabby Cobbins.

The Senior Awards of Excellence in Leadership recognize senior students who are distinguished by visionary leadership on campus and their vision of greatness. Students receiving this award may have shown leadership in a particular organization or department, or have served in various roles across campus. The 2023 recipients are Emma Barkley, Chloe Bell, Anna Pittman, Lillian Sisson, Avery Hederman, Kenzie Ricks, Queen Washington, Connor Stewart, Noemi Perez, Timothy Martin, Gracie Phillips, Camryn Bruce, David Torrent, Dylan Robertson, Corley Sullivan, Rachel Smith, Peyton DePriest.

Conferred upon the senior students chosen for having made a significant contribution to student life of the college exemplifying the ideals of the founders of the College, and their successors, in quality of living, leadership, and service. It is named in memory of Dr. Charles W. Scott and Dr. Chester E. Swor. The 2023 recipients are Erin Hederman and Anna Jane Vancor.

Emily Barnes, a Biology major and member of the class of 2023, was recently accepted into the University of Mississippi Medical Center Dental Hygiene School.

The Gulf South Conference announced its Softball Players of the Week on Tuesday Kamryn Eaton being tabbed the GSC Player of the Week for her performance over the weekend at Union. Eaton helped the nationally-ranked Lady Choctaws to a conference series win over Union, finishing the three-game set with three home runs while going 4-for-8 at the the plate. The sophomore also filled out her weekly ledger with six RBI, scored three runs and posted a 1.625 slugging percentage. Her three home runs move her to second in all-time in single-season school history with 13 HRs this season and just one shy of tying the record.

Mississippi College's Track and Field team dazzled spectators at the Rhodes 7-Way Meet, racking up an impressive number of wins and lifetime bests, and further cementing the Choctaws as a formidable athletic force. The Lady Choctaws distance runners set the tone early on, with Emily Berry clinching the Women's 5,000-meter run in 18:11.8 and leading five Lady Choctaws dominating the top five spots. Their male counterparts were no less impressive. Brock Kelly triumphed in the Men's 5,000-meter run, recording a lifetime best of 14:54.1, becoming the only sub-15 finisher, and securing the No. 8 All-time spot in school history. Hollis Johnson's 4:03.1 victory in the Men's 1500-meter run was nothing short of exhilarating, as he showcased a spectacular 61-second closing kick in the last 400m. The victories kept rolling in: Timothy Young soared to a Men's Long Jump win at 6.56 meters, Fabio Palmieri scorched the track with a 47.8-second Men's 400m win, and Kelechi Christian sped to a Women's 100m victory in 11.95 seconds. Palmieri's time, which met the NCAA Division II provisional standard, now ranks second in the Gulf South Conference, just behind Mississippi College's own Niklas Klei. Al Ferrill's exceptional day saw him set the school record with a 16.18-meter throw in the Men's Shot Put and secure a Men's Discus win with a 48.54-meter toss. Ferrill now ranks No. 4 All-time in the latter event. Haley Hall's 2:16.6 lifetime best in the Women's 800m placed her at No. 4 All-time in school history. Mississippi College's Women's Hammer team turned heads, with Sakari Faulkner and Rashanna Thorne seizing the top two spots. Faulkner's lifetime best of 43.19 meters was closely followed by Thorne's 42.94-meter lifetime best, placing the duo at No. 3 and 4 in school history. Thorne doubled her efforts to claim victory in the Women's Shot, claiming a massive lifetime best of 12.49 meters in the process. The grand finale was the Men's 4x400m relay, where Dorian Hurd, Brandon Williams, Todd McInnis, and Connor Stewart captured the gold, sealing an extraordinary day for Mississippi College Track and Field. Mississippi College's exceptional performance at the Rhodes 7-Way Meet brings the school's record count to 13 for the year, as they continue to build on the momentum generated with each and every competition. The Choctaws now set their sights on the 2023 George Tech Track and Field Invitational, slated for April 21-22.

Mississippi College did not flinch one bit after falling behind 1-0 in this weekend's three game series with Union on the road, as the Lady Choctaws handled business in games two and three with 22 combined runs in an 11-1 and 11-8 win over the Lady Bulldogs on Saturday. The Lady Choctaws utilized the long ball in both games, combining to hit seven home runs across the doubleheader, with Kamryn Eaton collecting three home runs, McCall Lee having two, and Jordan LaFosse and Jordan Moore each tallying one home run each. In game one, trailing 1-0 after the first inning, Eaton sent a two run home run over the centerfield wall, driving in Shelby Samples, to give MC the 2-1 lead. The next inning, McCall Lee homered with Brooke Fagan on base, as MC extended their lead to 4-1. Two batters later, Jordan Moore added a solo home run, as the Lady Choctaws closed out the third inning leading 5-1. After a two RBI single by Alexis Laughlin in the fourth, McCall Lee connected on her second home run of the game to take a 10-1 advantage. Caylee Comer collected an RBI in the fifth inning, as MC went on to win game one by a final of 11-1. The Lady Choctaws had 12 hits in the win, as Camryn Bailey picked up her 18th win in the circle, surrendering just five hits, one run, and two strikeouts. In game two, MC jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, after a throwing error allowed Alexis Laughlin to cross the plate. In the second inning, Jordan LaFosse homered to left field, pushing MC out to a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, Kamryn Eaton hit her second home run of the day to left center, scoring Shelby Samples, to put MC up 4-0 after two innings. Ahead 4-1, Eaton connected on her third home run of the day, a two run shot to centerfield. With the HR, the Lady Choctaws extended their lead to five runs, 6-1. With the help of RBI singles by Brooke Fagan, Jordan Moore, and Jordan LaFosse in the sixth inning, and a fielding error, MC sent five runs to the plate in the inning to go ahead 11-3. Union scored five runs over the next two innings, yet it was the Lady Choctaws that went on to win by a final of 11-8 in game two, clinching their sixth straight GSC series. Barnett picked up the win in the circle, her seventh of the year, going the full 7.0 innings. The Lady Choctaws collected eight hits as a unit, on their way to improving to 28-7 overall and 16-5 in GSC play. Eaton's three home run day put her tied for second all-time in home runs for a singles season with 13 along with former Lady Choctaw, Ty Buckley (2016, 13 HR's) and one shy of Brianna Caldwell's 14 home run season in 2018

The Mississippi College Track and Field team left an indelible mark at the prestigious Mt. Sac Relays and Bryan Clay Invitational, obliterating multiple school records and securing several NCAA Division II provisional standards in a display of unparalleled athletic prowess. The indomitable Jan Lukas Becker spearheaded the team's efforts with a jaw-dropping time of 28:43.2 in the elite Men's 10,000-meter run, clinching fourth place and demolishing the Mississippi College school record. Becker's extraordinary performance catapulted him to the third rank in all of NCAA Division II. In the Women's 5,000-meter run, Jazmin Hernandez and Lauren Wallace broke the school record with astonishing lifetime bests of 17:01.9 and 17:23.6, respectively. Hernandez's time not only earned her the NCAA Division II provisional standard but also cemented her position as the second-ranked runner in the Gulf South Conference (GSC). Wallace now ranks sixth in the GSC. But Wallace didn't stop there, going on to make history in the Women's 1500-meter run by snatching the school record with a GSC-leading time of 4:29.0. This monumental achievement makes her the first-ever Lady Choctaw to break the 4:30 mark in the event, earning her the NCAA Division II provisional standard and the 22nd rank nationally. Cole Benoit demonstrated his versatility with commanding performances in both the Men's 800-meter and 1500-meter runs. Benoit achieved a lifetime best of 1:51.5 in the 800m, earning him the second rank in the GSC. In the 1500m, Benoit ran a GSC-leading time of 3:46.7, meeting the NCAA Division II provisional standard and ranking 21st nationally. Additional standout performances included Hunter Kurz in the Men's 1500-meter run, securing a season's best mark of 3:51.8 and ranking fifth in the GSC. Gabe Poulin also delivered a season's best in the Men's 10,000-meter run, clocking in at 30:42.1. Jazmin Hernandez ran another season's best, 4:35.3, now ranking sixth in the GSC. In a remarkable testament to the team's collective talent, every athlete who made the trip to California now holds either first or second place in their specialty events in Mississippi College school record history. Cole Benoit and Hunter Kurz are the fastest-ever Choctaw performers in the Men's 1500-meter run; Jan Lukas Becker and Gabe Poulin hold the same distinction in the Men's 10,000-meter run; and Jazmin Hernandez and Lauren Wallace are the fastest-ever Lady Choctaw performers in every event from the Women's 800-meter run to the Women's 5,000-meter run in both indoor and outdoor track and field. The Mississippi College Track and Field team's meteoric rise is undeniable, as they continue to achieve great things and make their mark in the world of collegiate athletics. The Choctaws will now shift their focus to the 2023 Georgia Tech Track and Field Invitational, set to take place on April 21-22.

Kaylee Parks, an Education major at Mississippi College, is the recipient of a 2023 Linda Anglin Teacher Preparation Scholarship from the Mississippi Professional Educators (MPE). In addition to the $500 scholarship, Kaylee also received a complimentary membership to MPE for her first year of teaching. A resident of Clinton, Parks is a member of Alpha Chi and Mortar Board honor societies and serves as vice president of Kappa Delta Pi honor society. Founded in 1979, the Mississippi Professional Educators is Mississippi's largest and premier organization for professional educators, serving approximately 12,500 teachers, administrators and support personnel. MPE serves members in pre-K through graduate education in both public and private institutions with the purpose of promoting better education for the children of Mississippi. MPE offers an annual scholarship to an MPE student member from each School of Education at Mississippi's fifteen public and private institutions of higher learning.

The Hall of Fame of Mississippi College was established in 1960 to honor four senior students for outstanding leadership ability, scholastic achievement, extra-curricular activities participation, contribution to student life and dedication to the serving of God and fellowmen. The four honorees are announced each spring at the Student Experience Gala and presented with a plaque. The 2023 inductees were: Cole Benoit, Carly Fisher, Marion Pohl, and Evan Warnick.

Three Mississippi College softball student-athletes were named to the 2023 Tucci/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Player & Pitcher of the Year Watchlist, as announced by the NFCA on Thursday, March 30. OFFICIAL NFCA ANNOUNCEMENT The complete list included 115 names from across the country, and was broken down to the eight NCAA regions (Atlantic, Central, East, South, South Central, Southeast and West) with up 15 student-athletes named per region. 10 Gulf South Conference members were named to the watchlist with the Lady Choctaws leading the way in the GSC with three athlete (Camryn Bailey, Jaycee Dill, Kamryn Eaton). Bailey has tallied an impressive rookie campaign with an overall record of 16-2 in the circle. The freshman has thrown 100.1 innings with a team-best 61 strikeouts with a 1.94 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .220 off of Bailey in 2023. Dill currently is hitting .383 with 18 hits, two doubles, two triples, four home runs and 12 RBI's. Eaton is second on the team with a .429 batting average, along with 33 hits, eight doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 35 RBI's, and a .948 slugging percentage. The list is compiled and the award is voted on by the elected members of the NFCA Division II All-American Committee with one head coach representing each of the eight NCAA regions. To be eligible, a student-athlete's head coach must be a member. The 2023 Tucci/NFCA Player and Pitcher of the Year will be announced on June 1. All student-athletes are eligible for the end-of-the-season award and do not have to be on this list to be considered. GSC STATS The Player of the Year award was created in 2015 to honor the outstanding athletic achievements among softball student-athletes throughout NCAA Division II. In 2019, the Association expanded the award to include a Player and Pitcher of the Year.

Queen Washington, a social work major and member of the class of 2023, recently accepted a Counselor Position with the Youth Villages in Memphis, TN.

The Gulf South Conference announced its Softball Players of the Week on Tuesday with Shelby Samples being name the GSC Freshman of the Week for the second time in 2023. This week's awards were for games played between March 20-26. Samples was instrumental in Mississippi College winning its series over Auburn Montgomery. The rookie outfielder went 6-for-9 from the plate in the series and posted a .667 batting average with five runs scored and three RBI. In the series opener, she registered a 3-for-4 afternoon as she scored twice and drive in one. Samples helped lift MC to a series win with a 2-for-3 outing and two RBI and two runs scored. The freshman is third on the team in hitting with a .424 batting average, 39 hits, five doubles, four triples, two home runs, 24 runs batted in, and 28 runs scored. She has started at 32 games for MC. The Lady Choctaws will return to action on the road on Friday-Saturday, April 7-8 at Union. The two teams will square off on the diamond at 5 p.m. on Friday in Jackson, Tenn. Player of the Week: Sadie Thompson, So., OF, Alabama Huntsville Thompson helped Alabama Huntsville to its first-ever series sweep at Delta State, as she led the UAH offense with a .600 batting average while going 6-for-10 at the plate. The sophomore outfielder also registered eight RBI, scored three times, and tallied four steals, while posting a .636 on-base percentage. In the series finale, Thompson posted a standout performance with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, driving in six and scoring twice with a walk a grand slam home run in the 7th inning. Other nominees: Taylor Macera (VSU); RJ Janke (UWG); Zoey Neal (UU); Kelsie Gilliam (UWA); Kayla Mayo (UWF); Kat Fallen (AUM); Shelby Samples (MC); Cara Alexander (CBU) Pitcher of the Week: Samantha Richards, Sr., P, Valdosta State Richards went 2-0 in three appearances, two starts, two complete games and one shutout for an 0.54 ERA in a three-game sweep of Lee this weekend. The senior, who improved to 21-2 this season, pitched 13.0 innings, allowed six hits, one earned run, walked one and struckout 16 as the Flames hit .133 against her. Richards opened the series with 10 strikeouts in a 3-0 seven-inning complete game shutout, allowing three hits and one walk. She then struck out six in a five-inning run-rule complete game as VSU won 10-1 to open a doubleheader allowing three hits, before tossing a perfect inning of relief in game two as she retired all three batters she faced in the fifth to complete the sweep. Other nominees: Madison Wright (UWA); Riely Vaughn (UU); Megan Shurtz (UAH); Montana Young (UWF); Avery Dickerson (AUM);

Mississippi College softball continues to raise the bar in 2023, knocking off AUM 5-1 on Sunday to clinch their fifth consecutive Gulf South Conference series. It was the first time in school history that the Lady Choctaws took the series over the Lady Warhawks, after winning game one on Saturday 12-11 before Sunday's four run win. On Sunday, AUM struck first in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Yet, freshman sensation Camryn Bailey would go on to shut out AUM the rest of the way after giving up the lone run in the first. MC went on to score five runs, scoring three in the second inning on a double by freshman Shelby Samples that scored Jordan LaFosse and Jordan Moore to give MC the 2-0 lead. Kamryn Eaton used a squeeze play to bring in Samples as MC took ta 3-1 advantage after two innings. Eaton added an RBI and run for the Lady Choctaws in the fourth inning, scoring Samples to give MC a 4-1 lead. In the sixth inning Ashley Lightcap drove in Jordan Moore on a sacrifice fly to left field and MC went ahead 5-1, on their way to picking up the game three and series clinching win. Bailey (17-2) picked up the win, giving uo just one run the entire 7.0 innings of her outing in the circle. Alexis Laughlin, Jordan LaFosse, and Shelby Samples each collected two hits in the win as MC finished with eight hits as a team. MC moves to 26-6 overall on the season with a GSC record of 14-4 after taking the series over AUM. Wednesday's games at home versus Southern Arkansas have been canceled due to a scheduling conflict within the SAU program, as the Lady Choctaws will now return to action on the road on Friday-Saturday, April 7-8 at Union. The two teams will square off on the diamond at 5 p.m. on Friday in Jackson, Ten.

Mississippi College picked up another weekly honor of Tuesday with Brooke Fagan being named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Week following her stellar performance on the field over the weekend at Lee. Fagan had a monster weekend offensively for the Lady Choctaws, finishing 6-of-11 at the plate with a .545 batting average. Fagan also had three home runs (50% of her hits were HRs) including eight runs batted in, six runs scored, two doubles, and three HRs. The #21 Lady Choctaws second baseman was instrumental in two comeback wins in games two and three. Trailing 6-3 in game two of the weekend (trialing 1-0 in the series at the time), Fagan's three run home run in the fifth inning - her second of the game - sparked the 6-6 tie, and eventually the 8-6 win for MC, tying the series at 1-1. In game three, trailing 8-5, a five run seventh innings, and an RBI double by Fagan helped give MC the 10-8 lead in the inning, as the Lady Choctaws went on to win game three and clinch their fourth straight GSC series. Fagan has had an outstanding 2023 campaign, hitting .405 at the plate with 32 hits, eight doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 33 RBI's and a slugging percentage of .899 #21 MC improved to 24-5 overall on the season and 12-3 in GSC play over the weekend and will return to the diamond this weekend at home versus AUM. The two teams will play a three game GSC series with doubleheader action on Saturday, April 1 beginning with game one at 2 p.m. at the MC Softball Complex. Game three will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m. GSC OFFICIAL RELEASE The Gulf South Conference announced its Softball Players of the Week for the 2023 season. This week's awards were for games played between March 20-26 Player of the Week: Brooke Fagan, Gr., 2B, Mississippi College Fagan had a stellar performance offensively for Mississippi College, finishing 6-of-11 at the plate with a .545 batting average. The graduate second baseman also eight runs batted in, scored six runs, two doubles and three home runs. Fagan was instrumental in two comeback wins in games two and three of Lady Choctaws series against Lee. Trailing 6-3 in game two of the weekend (trialing 1-0 in the series at the time), Fagan's three run home run in the fifth inning - her second of the game - sparked the 6-6 tie, and eventually 8-6 win for MC to tie the series at 1-1. Other nominees: Hannah Harper (UWF); Taylor Macera (VSU); Macey Neal (UU); Alexa Scalzo (LU); Kinley Adams (UAH); Taylor Clegg (UWA); Kat Fallen (AUM) Pitcher of the Week: Madison Wright, Jr., P, West Alabama Wright tossed another five-inning run-rule perfect game for her second week in a row, in West Alabama's series opener against Montevallo. In the outing, the junior hurler tallied four strikeouts as the Tigers rolled to a 12-0 win. She then started game two the next and worked three innings with five strikeouts, while allowing four runs, all earned, on three hits. She opened the week with five-inning appearance against Columbus State where she struck out four, and allowed four earned runs. Other nominees: Jeya Prasad (UWF); Samantha Richards (VSU); Riely Vaughn (UU); Katie Bracken (UAH); Morgan Ferguson (AUM) Freshman of the Week: Hannah Harper, Fr., 1B/DP, West Florida Harper had an impressive weekend, as she went 9-for-12 at the plate and posted a .750 batting average in the series against Shorter. The rookie finished the three-game set with multiple hits in every game, highlighted by a 4-for-4 outing in the series finale. Harper also drove in two runs in the third game, while scoring twice in the opener and finale. Other nominees: Emma Nixon (UWG); Riely Vaughn (UU); Jayme Prandine (VSU); Katie Bracken (UAH); Chloe Baynes (AUM); Ann Marie Stanbridge (UWA)

The Gulf South Conference announced it's Women's Tennis Players of the Week for the 2023 season on Wednesday with Mississippi College's Anna Valiaeva being named the GSC Women's Tennis Player of the Week. This week's awards were for matches played between March 27-April. 2 Valiaeva went 5-0 for the week in singles and 4-1 in doubles. The senior won 10-consecutive sets as she picked up singles wins on courts three, four and five, while playing on court three. Her and the Lady Choctaws return to action on Monday with first serve set for 2 p.m. at West Alabama in Livingston, Ala. VALIAEVA BY THE NUMBERS THIS WEEK 5-0 for the week in singles, 4-1 in doubles, and 9-1 overall. Delta State | March 27 (W, 7-0) 1-0 singles (#4 singles - def. Sofia Pepe, 6-3, 6-0) | 1-0 doubles (#3 Doubles - def. Lucia Chacon-Habis / Haley Rooks 6-1) #30 Auburn Montgomery | March 30 (L, 3-4) 1-0 singles (#5 singles - def. Nahia Izco, 6-4, 7-6) | 1-0 doubles (#3 Doubles - def. Nahia Izco / Isabella Pinto, 6-3) West Georgia | April 1 (W, 6-1) 1-0 singles (#3 singles - def. Karla Menendez, 6-2, 6-2) | 1-0 doubles (#3 Doubles - def. Kennedy Lewis / Lara Wedd, 6-2) #35 West Florida | April 1 (L, 3-4) 1-0 singles, (#5 singles - def. Luiza Daud, 6-4, 6-0) | 0-1 doubles (#3 doubles - lost, Guadalupe Martinez / Mayumi Saguchi, 4-6) Valdosta State | April 2 (W, 5-2) 1-0 singles, (#5 singles - def. Jorja Reynolds, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1) | 1-0 doubles (#3 doubles - def. Evelyn Altmaier / Natalie Kohoutkova, 6-4) Other nominees: Ashleigh Simes (LU); Kayla Greco (VSU); Haina Franco (UWA); Estefania Garcia (AUM); Mireia Turro (UM); Jenna Svatos (UWF) Freshman of the Week: Regina Urbiola, Fr., Auburn Montgomery Urbiola went a combined 4-2 in all matches she played earning a court two singles win against Delta State's Marie Guilaume (6-1, 6-4). The rookie also picked up three court one doubles wins.

The Gulf South Conference announced its Women's Tennis Players of the Week on Wednesday with Mississippi College's Anna Hudson, from Ocean Springs, Miss., being named the GSC Freshman of the Week for thee second time in her freshman campaign. Hudson helped Mississippi College upset No. 14 St. Mary's (Texas) during the week, securing the deciding point for a 4-3 victory. The result is considered as the biggest win in the program-history as member of Division II. The freshman tallied a 2-2 record for the week on court six in singles play, knocking off Alcorn State's Jaime Edwards (W, 6-4, 6-0) and STMU's Alessia Karol Terlizzi (6-7 (5), 6-2, 4-2, Ret.).

Mississippi College tennis entered Thursday afternoon with a pair of nationally ranked programs and came away with two wins as the #10 Lady Choctaws defeated Montevallo 5-2 while the #32 ranked men won 4-3. The women turned in two wins out of three courts in doubles play, with Ely Alas and Fernanda Cota defeating Mireia Turro and Cuba Ozzor 6-2 at #1 doubles. MC picked up their second win at #2 doubles with Gabrielle Geolier and Emma Roberts taking the court win over Emily Hafner and Lieselotte Hartlohner by a score of 6-0. In singles play, MC took court wins at #1-3 and at #6 as Alas won 6-3, 6-2, at #1 singles over Mireia Turro. Emma Roberts won 7-5, 6-0 at #2 singles, while Cota won 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 at #3, and Maria Rodriquez defeating London Breedlove 7-6, 6-2 at #6 singles. On the men's side, MC took an early 1-0 advantage in doubles, winning at #2 and #3 doubles, as Hsiang Yi Wang and Alvaro Saint Martin won at #2 doubles, 6-2, over Dylan Kamel and Paul Sobich, while Joe Jarvis and Antoine Nivault pulled the win off, 6-1, and #3 doubles. In singles, #23 Rafael Sabio defeated Julius Ziebart 6-2, 6-3 at #2 singles, with Jarvis taking #3 singles over Jules Dugue, 6-4, 6-4, and Felipe Iser winning at #5 singles, 6-3, 6-3, over Fabricio Sosa. MC took the win by a final of 4-3 over the Falcons, improving to 6-4 overall and 3-0 in GSC play. The Lady Choctaws moved to 10-1 on the season and 3-0 in GSC play with the 5-2 win. The men return to action on Sunday, March 19 at home versus Ouachita Baptist at 12 p.m. at the MC Tennis Complex with the women taking on Blue Mountain College on March 23 at home beginning at 2 p.m.

Mississippi College Track and Field proudly announces that their athletes have dominated this week's Gulf South Conference (GSC) Athlete of the Week awards by winning all six categories. The talented athletes who received the honors are Essence Tornabene, Kelechi Christian, Haley Hall, Al Ferrill, Niklas Klei, and Jake Keesee. Essence Tornabene has been named the Women's Field Athlete of the Week. The Kissimmee, Florida native broke school records in Women's Shot Put and Hammer Throw at the Southern Miss Invitational, achieving the NCAA Division II provisional standard in the Hammer Throw with an impressive toss of 53.01 meters. Tornabene now ranks 1st in the GSC and 15th nationally for the Hammer, and 3rd in the conference for both Shot Put and Discus. Kelechi Christian earned the Women's Track Athlete of the Week title, having run NCAA Division II provisional marks in the 100m and 200m at the Southern Miss Invitational. She is the only athlete in the GSC to achieve provisional marks in the 100m, 200m, and 400m this season. Christian won the 200m and placed 2nd in the 100m at the meet. She now ranks 17th nationally in the 200m and 22nd in the 100m. Freshman sensation Haley Hall secured the Women's Freshman of the Week award with her exceptional fourth-place finish in both the High Jump and 800m run at the Southern Miss Invitational. As the highest-ranking freshman in both competitions, Hall currently holds the fourth spot in the GSC for the 800m run and High Jump. Niklas Klei claimed the Men's Track Athlete of the Week honor after setting a school record in the 400m dash, winning the Southern Miss Invitational in 46.89 seconds. Klei now leads the GSC in the event and ranks 5th in NCAA Division II. He also achieved a lifetime best in the 200m and contributed to the Men's 4x100m relay, which hit the NCAA Division II provisional standard. Al Ferrill was awarded Men's Field Athlete of the Week. Ferrill set GSC-leading conference marks in Men's Shot Put, Hammer Throw, and Discus at the Southern Miss Invitational. He also moved up to No. 2 All-time in Mississippi College history for the Men's Hammer Throw. Lastly, Jake Keesee earned the Men's Freshman of the Week title, ranking as the top freshman in the GSC in Men's Hammer Throw (3rd overall) and Discus (4th overall), and sixth overall in Shot Put. Additionally, because of his outstanding performance at the Southern Miss Invitational, Keesee is also the third-ranked freshman in NCAA Division II in the Men's Hammer Throw. Mississippi College congratulates these outstanding athletes for their dedication and hard work, and their exceptional performances have created momentum for the program that they will likely bring into their next competition.

Budding entrepreneurs in the School of Business at Mississippi College are refining their business acumen while developing what could become the next great commercial startup idea by competing in the NextUP! Student Pitch Competition in Hattiesburg April 13.

The Mississippi College baseball team opened its three-game, Gulf South Conference series against Lee University with a 5-2 victory on Friday, March 24 at Larry Carpenter Stadium at Olympic Field. The win gives the Blue and Gold its second straight and 12th in the all-time series. MC now holds a 12-11 advantage over the Flames (15-13, 6-7 GSC) in the series. A trio of Choctaw (9-19, 5-8 GSC) recorded multiple hits on the afternoon led by JT Vance going 4-for-5 with two runs. The Union, Miss., native is the second MC player to recorded four hits this season as he joins Bridley Thomas, who accomplished the feat on Feb. 14. It is the team-best, ninth multiple-hit contest for Vance this season. Kolby McWilliams and Beau Kirsch joined Vance with multiple hits as they each logged a pair of hits. McWilliams provided the only multi-RBI effort as he drove in two. It's the fourth multi-hit effort for each of them this season and McWilliams' third multi-RBI performance. Caleb Jacobs (2-0) drew the start on the rubber and struck out a season-high six in seven innings as he scattered three hits and allowed just one run. Jackson Smith (1) picked up the second Choctaw save of the season as he allowed just a hit, run and struck out one in two innings of relief. MC jumped on the board early as it plated three runs in the top of the second. McWilliams got the scoring output started with a single up the middle that scooted Vance across the dish. The squad then capitalized on LU miscues to capture the two remaining runs. The Choctaw totaled two hits in frame and exploited two errors into the early advantage. It expanded on the lead in the top of the sixth as McWilliams and Bryce LaRocca each collected RBI hits that led to a 5-0 lead. The knocks were among a four-hit frame for the Blue and Gold. The Flames broke into the scoring column in the home-half of the frame on a Brandon Daniels' RBI-single through the right side, one of his team-best two hits in the game. The final LU run came on a Riley Black solo home run in the ninth. Cameron Land (2-2) garnered the loss in the game as he surrendered three runs - two earned - on five hits in five innings.

Mississippi College Track and Field's distance runners delivered an exceptional performance at the Belhaven Invitational on Saturday, March 25, with two event wins, 15 top-five finishes, and several lifetime bests. Josie Whipp led the charge, claiming victory in the Women's 5K with a season's best time of 18:44.9. Not far behind was Ava Dickerson, the Mississippi College Women's 3K Steeplechase record holder, who dominated the Women's 1500m, leading wire-to-wire and crossed the finish line in a blazing 5:00.1. Mississippi College freshman Maggie Triplett took runner-up in a lifetime best performance of 5:02.8, and Leslie Baxter took third, 5:04.7. Other notable performances include Baxter Friedman getting two Top-3 finishes bests in the Men's 1500m and Men's 800m, while Wyatt Whipp, Shana Sellers, all Caroline Perry also went home with heat wins in their respective events. Moreover, several Choctaw achieved lifetime bests during the Belhaven Invitational. Most importantly, the Choctaws showcased their talent and gained invaluable experience that will serve them well in future competitions. As the Mississippi College Track and Field team looks ahead to the Southern Miss Invitational, they will undoubtedly build upon their successes from the Belhaven Invitational, continuing to elevate their performance and drive the team to new heights.

Mississippi College women's golf finished third overall at the 2023 Hal Sutton Invitational, finishing the week with a score of 675 and just two strokes behind first place winner Tyler JC and second place Hardin-Simmons. Sarah Hodson had a stellar event, finishing the Invite as the overall women's champion, beating out Tyler Junior College's Jordan Davis in a playoff - one hole to win the women's individual title. Hodson shot an overall score of 80 in the opening round of the event before capping off day two with a score of 80 to finish the event at +16 and bringing home the indiviual title. Hannah Hinckley tallied an 81 on day one and another 81 in the second round of the Invite, placing third overall as she finished just two strokes behind Hodson. Lydia Welborn finished inside the top 10, placing T7, after shooting an 86 to start the week before finishing with an 81 for the final round. Miriam McCoy shot an 97 and a 91 for the week, placing 20th overall individually, while Ellie Smith capped off the event for the Lady Choctaws in 23rd place with scores of 95 and 99. MC returns to the course on April 3-4 at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn. The Lady Choctaws will tee off at The Hermitage Golf Club beginning at 9 a.m. CST.

The Mississippi College Track and Field team had a stellar performance at the prestigious Ole Miss Classic, breaking three school records, securing 12 top-five finishes, and achieving 18 lifetime bests. Standout Choctaw Kelechi Christian shattered the school record in the Women's 400m dash, winning the Ole Miss Classic with a blazing time of 55.19 seconds. Christian, a recent 2023 NCAA Division II All-American in the indoor 200m, now ranks No. 4 in the NCAA Division II in the event. Her record-breaking performance is now her fifth school record this season, including the Women's 60-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, and 4x400-meter relay during the indoor season, and now outdoor 400-meter dash. It should also be noted that Christian currently holds the Women's 200-meter dash in outdoors at 23.99 seconds. In the field events, Essence Tornabene made some noise by rebreaking her Women's Hammer Throw and Shot Put school records with impressive distances of 159-09 and 41-8.75, respectively. This is Tornabene's second meet in a row in which she has broken a school record, and the fourth school record for the Lady Choctaws' throws program just this outdoor season. The Men's 4x100-meter relay team, consisting of Shemar Patten, Niklas Klei, Fabio Palmieri, and Kevin Turner, delivered another noteworthy performance, winning their event in a swift 40.96 seconds. This victory now places them at No. 8 in NCAA Division II rankings, showcasing the depth of the Mississippi College men's short sprints squad. Additional standout competitors included Fabio Palmieri, Jazmin Hernandez, Tytavia Hardy, Al Ferrill, and the Men's 4x400-meter relay team of Gabe Hodson, Brandon Williams, Fabio Palmieri, and Connor Stewart. Each of these athletes contributed to the team's success with GSC-leading performances in their respective events. It should also be noted that fellow Choctaws Nicole Morris, Kevin Turner, and Timothy Young own GSC-leading marks from previous competitions. The Mississippi College Track and Field team will look to build on their successes at the Ole Miss Classic as they prepare for the Southern Miss Invitational to be held in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Friday, March 31, to Saturday, April 1.

An award ceremony was the last thing on Evan Warnick's mind when he elected to participate in service organizations at Mississippi College. Volunteering comes naturally to the senior kinesiology/pre-physical therapy major from Tupelo. So, when he received the Student Experience Servant Leadership Award during the Student Experience Awards Gala last year, he was floored. "Hearing my name called for an award was an honor," the 2022 Welcome Week co-chair said. "I never thought I would be a part of such a wonderful ceremony celebrating some of the leaders and servants on campus, and I was surprised that I would be among such outstanding individuals. "Highlighting organizations and leaders shows that Mississippi College is an institution that truly cares for them and does not take their hard work for granted. These amazing people have worked hard to make their organizations and leadership roles run smoothly, and I am glad there is a space and time to celebrate them for that hard work." The Division of Student Experience will recognize outstanding student leaders of all classifications who have contributed to campus life at MC during its fourth Student Experience Awards Gala on Thursday, April 20, in Anderson Hall in the B.C. Rogers Student Center. According to Jonathan Ambrose, associate vice president for the student experience and dean of students at MC, the ceremony has continued to grow each year. "We wanted to take the opportunity to recognize some of our stellar students," said Ambrose, who conceived of the gala. "We started by presenting some of the major awards that have been a staple at Mississippi College for many years - the Hall of Fame and Founders Award. "We recognized we were graduating some outstanding people who had done some amazing things on this campus and have given back to MC, so we decided to create some other awards to help recognize some of these students." This year, a dozen different awards will be presented to faculty, staff, and students who have illustrated by their actions what Mississippi College's culture of service and commitment to the cause of Christ truly means. "It's an amazing night to close the year out by honoring some of the best of the best of Mississippi College that have given back so much during their time here," Ambrose said. What makes the event special for Jonathan Nutt, assistant dean of students in the Office of Student Engagement, are the reactions from parents when their students' names are called. "The surprise on their faces is great, especially when they hear how their students have impacted the campus," Nutt said. "Watching the parents get emotional, seeing how very proud of their students they are . . . of course, it's cool to see the students be excited and honored by the awards as well." The Division of Student Experience solicits award nominations from the entire Mississippi College campus community, and a committee of staff members selects the winners from among the nominees. A student committee helps choose the Hall of Fame inductees. Those honored at the gala receive a standard invitation and the option to invite up to three guests, but the identities of the award recipients are kept confidential until they are announced during the ceremony. Warnick said the custom lends a welcome bit of intrigue to the ceremony. "Keeping the identities secret until the event allows us not to get ahead of ourselves," he said. "It lets those being celebrated and their families and friends enjoy the moment. "We do not get galas and award ceremonies every day - it makes each memory made at these ceremonies much sweeter." New this year are a pair of awards presented by the Office of Student Success. The Student Success Champion Award will recognize one MC faculty member and one MC staff member for promoting a holistic student experience and creating an environment that supports success in school and in life. For the first time, the editor of the "Tribesman" will formally announce the MC faculty or staff member to whom the MC student yearbook will be dedicated. Warnick said it's fitting that contributions made by faculty and staff members to the MC experience will be recognized alongside those of students. "The awards gala is a physical representation of the respect, love, and appreciation we have for all of those who serve Mississippi College, the city of Clinton, and the Jackson metropolitan area," he said. "I never want to take for granted the hard work that the students and organizations do day in and day out, and I am fortunate to be able to see some of the work that is shaping the culture of Mississippi College." Ambrose said the gala reflects the excellence of those who call Mississippi College home. "I tell people all the time the product that we produce in our students is the best in the world," he said. "It's incredible to stand before these students and recognize them for it. That is the culmination of their time at Mississippi College. "Many of these students have given much to make Mississippi College what it is. They are cemented in the tradition and history of this storied University, and to watch that come full circle is incredible." Awards to be presented during the gala include: Established in 1960, the Hall of Fame is awarded to four senior students - two female and two male - for outstanding leadership ability, scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, participation and contribution to student life, and dedication to serving God and their fellow man. Among the highest honors to be presented at MC, Hall of Fame members are chosen by a select student committee. The Scott-Swor Founder's Award recognizes a senior student for making a significant contribution to the student life of the college and exemplifying the ideals of the University's founders and their successors, quality of living, leadership, and service. The award is named in memory of Dr. Charles W. Scott, who served the MC community for 30 years, and Dr. Chester E. Swor, a Baptist evangelist, alumnus, and former MC faculty member. Senior Awards of Excellence in Leadership are presented to senior students who distinguish themselves by their visionary leadership on campus and their vision of greatness. The Community Impact Award recognizes a student who has devoted his or her time and energy to serving the greater Jackson metropolitan area and empower members of the MC community to love their neighbors in tangible, life-changing ways. Student Experience Servant Leadership Awards acknowledge sophomore and junior students who have served the campus as a whole and are actively leading through engagement, service to the institution, and living MC's Christian mission. The Freshman of the Year Awards recognize one female and one male student for their ability to emulate the vision and mission of the University throughout their first year at Mississippi College. Spirit of MC Awards are presented to freshmen students who have ignited their college careers at MC, stepping into their roles as young leaders by cultivating a positive atmosphere and experience for their classes and the campus community. The Student Organization Award of Excellence acknowledges a registered MC student organization committed to the continued advancement of MC's mission and the engagement of the student body in the vision of the student organization. The Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award of Excellence recognizes a faculty or staff sponsor of an MC student organization, club, or tribe who goes "above and beyond" to assist students and contribute to the life of the student organization he or she advises. The Community Partner of the Year Award is presented to a local business or organization that has served MC with excellence throughout the academic year. The Perry Academic Awards were established by Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Perry (Marion Walter Perry '32 and Effie Elaine McDonald Perry '33) to recognize scholastic achievement at Mississippi College. Student Success Champion Awards recognize one full-time faculty member and one full-time staff member engaged with undergraduate and/or graduate students at MC for their exceptional activities that involve broad, collaborative participation supporting a sustained commitment to student success.

The Mississippi College Track and Field program is thrilled to announce that Al Ferrill, Kelechi Christian, and Head Coach Matthew Reneker have received Gulf South Conference (GSC) Indoor Track and Field Yearly Awards. Ferrill was named the Men's Field Athlete of the Year, Christian won the Women's Track Athlete of the Year, and Coach Reneker was awarded Men's Coach of the Year after leading the men's team to its second GSC title in three years. Ferrill had a standout season, ending the year leading the GSC in both the Men's Shot Put and Men's Weight Throw, hitting provisional standard marks in both events. He went on to win both events at the 2023 GSC Indoor Track and Field Championships, earning him the Men's Field Performer of the Meet. The Tickfaw, La. native also broke the school records in both events this season. Christian was the only athlete in the entire GSC to hit the provisional standard in the 60-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and 400-meter dash, and ended the year ranked in the top three in each event in the GSC. At the 2023 GSC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Christian won the Women's 400-meter dash, landed on the podium in the Women's 200-meter dash, and scored in both the Women's 60-meter dash and Women's 4x400m relay. She also broke the school record in every event from the 60-meter dash to the 400-meter dash, including the 4x400m relay. Lastly, Christian was recently announced as a qualifier for the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in the Women's 200-meter dash. Coach Reneker led the men's team to their second GSC title in three years, with several athletes earning All-GSC finishes, as well as a total of 33 school records during the 2022-23 season. "I would first and foremost like to thank my hard-working staff that I have been blessed to work with," expressed Reneker. "I am also incredibly proud of Al, Kelechi, and the program as a whole for their hard work and achievements this season." The Mississippi College Track and Field program is excited about these awards and the bright future ahead. The team is looking forward to continuing their success in the upcoming outdoor season, as well as the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Mississippi College used the long ball to clinch a 12-5, series finale win over Valdosta State University on Sunday, Feb. 19 to gather its first Gulf South Conference decision of the season. MC improved to 3-8 on the season and 1-2 in league play. The Blazers fall to 7-3 and 2-1. The Choctaw belted four home runs in the contest, including two off the bat of JT Vance, as it moved its GSC-leading total to 17 on the season. It is the third time on the campaign that the team has hit multiple home runs in a game. The victory gave the Blue and Gold its first in Valdosta since Apr. 2, 2017 and snapped a five-game slide at Tommy Thomas Park. Vance, who went 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs on the day, got the scoring started early with a two-run home run in the first trip to the plate. The Blazers cut the lead in half in the home half of the frame and the narrow margin held until the top of the fourth when the Blue and Gold erupted for six runs in the fourth as Vance, Bridley Thomas and Tristan Tigrett each drove in runs during the spurt. After VSU got a run back in the bottom of the fourth, the Choctaw belted back-to-back-to-back home runs in the fifth to expand the deficit to 12-2. Jordan Rollins hit a two-run home run to start the scoring in the frame as Tigrett and Vance followed with solo shots. It marked the second RBI of the day for Tigrett as he, Thomas and Rollins each joined Vance with multiple RBI. The Red and Black added a run in the fifth, seventh and ninth in an effort to rally, but it would fall short and fail in the series-sweep attempt. Austin Huggins (2-0) picked up the win on the mound with three innings in relief. He allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one. VSU compiled nine hits on the day led at the plate by Jovanni Canegitta with two hits.

Mississippi College swept Harding on Monday, February 20th, with the men defeating HU 4-3 on the court while the women improved to 4-0 on the season with a 6-1 win. Harding jumped out early on the men's side, sweeping all three court in doubles, as HU took the early 1-0 lead. Rafael Sabio got things started for MC in singles play, winning #2 singles (6-3, 6-3), with Joe Jarvis tying the match up at 2-2 with a win at #3 singles. Antoine Nivault won (6-4, 6-3) at #4 singles, before Brady McDaniel clinched the final match point for the Choctaws with a win at #6 singles (6-3, 4-6, 6-1). The Lady Choctaws continued their winning streak, starting off with a 1-0 lead with wins at #1 doubles by Ely Alas/Fernanda Cota (6-2) and at #3 doubles by Anna Valiaeva/Anna Hudson (6-1). In singles play, Ely Alas picked up an early win at #1 singles, winning 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (4). MC went on to win courts #3-6 as Cota defeated Yang, 6-2, 6-1 at #3 single while Gabrielle Geolier beat Pecsi 6-1, 6-0 at #4. Anna Valiaeva won 6-2, 6-1 in # 5 singles play with Anna Hudson capturing the final singles point 6-0, 6-1, as MC went onto defeat Harding by a final of 6-1. The men improved to 2-2 on the season, knocking off Harding who had a bid in for the Top 25, while the women move to a perfect 4-0 on the season.