Second annual Lippy Awards honor excellence in athletics

Student athletes traded their uniforms for formal wear for the second annual Lippy Awards Wednesday evening in Allen Arena. The Lippys honor athletes, coaches and others who contribute in various ways to Lipscomb sports teams. Before the show, guests enjoyed live music from Marquee Mayfield and showed off their formal wear at photo booths. The show was hosted by soccer coach Chris Klotz and cross county coach Marcus Evans. To begin, the James R. Byers Award was presented to senior field thrower April Terry and senior baseball player Josh Lee. It is the highest award given to student-athletes. Terry quoted the Mary Mary song “God in Me” in her acceptance speech, saying, “I hope that you see that I’m really not that outstanding, but all of the accolades, the records, the titles – it’s all God working.” Lee, who made his way from Vandy to Central Arizona College and finally landed at Lipscomb, said that he’s blessed for the opportunities at Lipscomb. “This is a great accomplishment, but the one thing I’ll remember is all the relationships I’ve built with my teammates,” Lee said. Golfer Dawson Armstrong and cross country runner Paige Stoner took home the male and female Freshman of the Year awards. Senior soccer player Luke Gearin won International Player of the Year. Women’s soccer coach Kevin O’Brien received the Don Meyer Head Coach of the Year for his inspiration to the athletic program. “I think I have the best job in the world,” O’Brien said. “I’m so thankful to get to work with the girls I work with every day.” Luke Syverson, who coaches track and field, was...

Underclassman stand out at TSU Invitational

The Lipscomb Bisons Track and Field team saw many of the younger athletes succeed with personal records as well as in team records as they competed in their third indoor meet of the season at Tennessee State University. The Bisons saw success in both the field events as well as running events. Starting with the women’s team, several athletes set new personal records, and some broke even bigger records. Senior thrower April Terry, one of the Bisons’ leading throwers, broke the school record in the weight throw with a throw of 17.82m, and sophomore thrower Rachel Dixon set a PR in the shotput (10.01m). On the running side of the events, the Lady Bisons were at the top of many of the events with several of the younger athletes taking some of the glory. The Lady Bisons swept the mile. Madi Talbert took first with a time of 5:00.89, Barbara Lee Ball finished second at 5:01.05, and Sally Larson rounded out the top three running a time of 5:03.47. Freshman Kayla Montgomery won the 5k with a time of 18:02.39. Freshman Kacey Kemper won the 800 (2:16.06), and the team’s DMR team finished in first (13:10.94). When it came to the men’s events, it was the freshmen and sophomores that stood out as well. Sophomore Devon Wade won the pole vault with a jump of 4.10m, while freshman Grayson Webber took first in the weight throw (13.33m), and freshman Kade Hinkle set a personal record in the weight throw (11.35m). Senior Kenny Smith took second in the 400 meter race (0:50.71) with sophomore Brian Gentry following closely behind to take third (0:51.22). Sophomore...

Lipscomb track and field finishes season with successful Outdoor Championships

The spring semester may have ended two weeks ago for most students, but for spring athletics things have now just started to wrap up. For anyone that is a Bison fan, what an amazing spring it has been for all the athletes. The Lipscomb track and field team completed their Atlantic Sun Outdoor Championships in Jacksonville, Florida, May 16 and 17th. Much like the whole year, many Bisons found success. Madi Talbert received first place in the 3000-meter race. Talbert finished with a time of 10:28.76 making her the record holder in the A-Sun outdoor 3000 meter, but it did not stop there for Talbert as she finished with the gold in the 5000 meters. Freshman Sally Larson also received first place in her 10,000 meter event. April Terry was covered in bronze as she threw the shot put 13.10 meters and the hammer throw with a distance of 50.29 meters, both for third place finishes. “I didn’t feel ready the week before the meet. I prayed and meditated, asking God to help me with my attitude,” April Terry said. “In the hammer, I fouled my first two throws and threw a short throw to get into the finals. The same happened in shot. I had to trust that God was going to work it out and believe that I could do it.” “This meet taught me about trusting God and about prayer,” Terry said. “When I look at the two metals that I won, I just have to give thanks to God.” Also, receiving third place was Kevin Floyd who cleared 4.63 meters in the pole vault. Right...

Lippy Awards celebrate 2013-14 season for Lipscomb athletics

Student athletes and coaches filled the court of Allen Arena on Thursday night, but this time, it was not for a game. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the inaugural Lippy Awards in Allen Arena to honor various members of Lipscomb University’s sports teams. The awards show was hosted by student TJ Ojehomon and women’s soccer assistant coach Chris Klotz. Both female and male athletes of the year were competitive categories, but for the female award, sophomore cross country/track and field runner Dani Walker and junior volleyball player Jewell Dobson tied. On the men’s side, track and field high-jumper Gemikal Prude, who broke the high jump record earlier in the year, won as well. Prude said that winning the award was a blessing. “Winning this is quite the blessing,” Prude said. “It’s a feeling that can’t really be described, especially when you feel as if you’re undeserving.” The biggest award of the night, the Best Team Award, went to the women’s track and field/cross country. Senior runner Lacey Printz said that the team worked hard and credited the coaches and team captains for keeping the team focused. “This is the most incredible team we’ve had, and we just love running together and just having fun and doing it for God’s glory,” Printz said. To open the night, the James R. Byers Award was presented to senior track and field sprinter Tucker Peabody, senior volleyball player Caitlin Dotson and junior cross country/track and field runner Tessa Hoefle. The award is given to a top senior athlete who displays outstanding Christian leadership and excels academically and athletically. The honors had...

Track and field finds success at Vanderbilt invitational

Neither rain, wind nor cold weather can keep the Bisons from competing and succeeding. The Lipscomb Track & Field team competed in the two day Vanderbilt meet this past weekend. Vanderbilt, The Ohio State, Belmont, Austin Peay and Alabama A&M all took part in the meet. “This was the best meet we’ve had at Vanderbilt since I’ve been at Lipscomb,” Coach Bill Taylor said. “Traditionally, for some reason, we’ve struggled for the most part at this meet.” Setting the stage on Friday was Dani Walker winning the Invitational 1500 meters and setting a new school record with a record time of 4:21.34. Right behind her was Madi Talbert, who moved to No. 3 on Lipscomb’s all-time list. Ki’Ana Christy has really been excelling during this outdoor season. She has broken her jumping record for the second week in a row by jumping 11.36 meters. Setting her own personal record was Jazmyne McGill. She threw 38.09 meters in the hammer and in shot recorded 11.38 meters. Del McSpadden also found success in the hammer throw with a throw of 39.08 meters. Tucker Peabody found himself on the podium winning second place in the 200 meters with a 21.03 time. Peabody also came in second in the 100 meters crossing the finish line with a time of 10.55 “It’s very challenging to do the events in bad weather,” junior April Terry said. “In the rain it’s so easy to fall and slip. During your events, you have to have confidence, and you must trust yourself.” Confidence and trust are something the team proved they all possess throughout this meet. D.A. Lowery...