MARK JESTEL Sports Editor
November is the month remembered for winning championships, and Piedmont College brought them home this year in multiple sports.
The Lady Lions Soccer team won its second straight USA South title with a 2-1 win over Salem College in the Conference Final.
“It was the goal we set at the start of the season,” said Head Coach Stephen Andrew. “The players worked extremely hard from the very first day of practice in August, and winning the conference again is a great reward.”
The Lady Lions finished the season 15-7-1, and the senior class finished their careers with a 66-16-6 record overall – the most in school history. Senior Morgan Edelman was proud of the team’s accomplishment. “It’s a great feeling to be a part of this class,” said. Edelman. “It was a team effort, and that’s what makes it special.”
Coach Andrew praised his upperclassmen for their leadership during the championship run. “They did a great job of setting an example for our younger players in the way we do things in our program,” said Andrew.
The Piedmont College Cross Country teams ended their seasons with a USA South Championship win. The Men’s conference championship marks the second straight for Piedmont College in the third year under Head Coach Jeff Jenkins, who was named the USA South Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year for the second time. It is the only men’s sport at Piedmont to win a USA South championship.
“We knew that we would be the favorite going into the conference meet as the favorite after racing well in the regular season, but it still takes great execution on that day in order to bring home the trophy,” said Jenkins.
Both Cross Country teams ended their historic season with school record performances, with the men finishing 17th and women finishing 16th in the NCAA South/Southeast Regional. That marked the best ever finish for Piedmont in the regional. The previous high was 20th in 2009. Piedmont earned 7 of the 14 All-Conference awards for the men’s side and 6 of the 23 awards for the women – the most of any program. Among those receiving awards were Reese Bowles as the USA South Champion and Runner of the Year and Casey Todd as Rookie of the Year. Freshman Bryce Griggs as the fifth best freshman in the entire region at the Berry College championship meet.
The championship ring ceremony for the Cross Country teams will be held at halftime of each of the two basketball games on February 11, 2017 in the Cave Arena.