Dawson Armstrong has impressive showing in NCAA Regionals

Dawson Armstrong has impressive showing in NCAA Regionals

Lipscomb’s Dawson Armstrong missed nationals by just one stroke at the NCAA men’s golf Chapel Hill regional at the UNC Finley Course. But Armstrong ended with one of the best scores, shooting a seven-below-par 65, tied for second place. Armstrong said he can build off this success into next year. “The idea is that I am going to have a lot of experience,” Armstrong said. “What has happened in the last few months will help me realize what can happen in the future.” Dawson came into the tournament as the only mid-major golfer to finish in the top five. He said being in this position motivated him to finish strong in the NCAA regionals with the best college golfers. “It was neat to compete against some of the best players in the country,” Armstrong said. “I did not feel I had my best game, but it was encouraging to lose to only one person.” According to final rankings for college golf, Armstrong was considered to be the eighth-best freshman. Armstrong said he was impressed with this rating because of the level of competition he has faced while playing golf at a mid-major school. “At a mid-major school that is huge, because I was not playing in the same tournaments they are,” Armstrong said. “It is also the assurance of all the hard work I have put into the game of golf.” Armstrong said he believes he is not far from beating the best players college golf has to offer and is looking to use what he learned from the NCAA regionals as a way to build confidence going into next...

Lipscomb golfer Dawson Armstrong receives NCAA Regional bid

School history was made when Lipscomb freshman men’s golfer Dawson Armstrong was selected to compete in the 2015 NCAA Division I men’s golf championship. As the Atlantic Sun Conference Newcomer of the Year, Armstrong is one of 45 individuals chosen to advance to Chapel Hill, North Carolina regional hosted by the University of North Carolina at the University of North Carolina Finley Golf Course. “I am glad I have the chance to represent Lipscomb,” Armstrong said. Armstrong said hopes he can continue his success into the NCAA tournament and show how Lipscomb athletes can compete with the best players. “With college golf, anyone can be just as good as you are,” Armstrong said. “You have to play your best, and sometimes your best is not good enough against college competition.” Armstrong said he has pushed himself to play his finest golf game no matter what the competition is like. Armstrong’s skill has set him up to meet the goals he and Lipscomb head men’s golf coach Will Brewer made at the beginning of the season. “Coach Brewer knew what my goals were going into the season and knows that getting there is a process,” Armstrong said. “He has helped me see the big picture and knows that I have to take each goal little by little and figure out how I can achieve what I have set out to accomplish.” Armstrong will head to North Carolina from May 14-16. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...

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...

Men’s golf prepares for spring season after successful fall campaign

The men’s golf team at Lipscomb put the finishing touches on the most successful fall season since the athletic program made the move to NCAA Division I. Will Brewer, director of golf and the head coach of the men’s golf team, was impressed with the fall as the team met most of his expectations including winning a tournament as a team and also having an individual player win as well. But the team is still planning on improving by working on the basic fundamentals, and making sure that all of the players are in the right mindset during each match. “We continue to talk about process,” Brewer said. “How you think, how you prepare for a particular shot. It allows you to swing unimpeded and helps you take a better shot.” By focusing on the process, it allows for the players to gain confidence and produce a better shot. Brewer said maintaining concentration during a golf game is important. “We’ll continue to work on the fundamentals and the things that we have to do to get better.” Brewer said. The top finishes for the men in the fall included a first place finish at the Kenny Perry Invitational hosted by Western Kentucky, a third place finish at the Pinetree Intercollegiate hosted by Kennesaw State and a sixth place finish at The Grove Invitational, co-hosted by Lipscomb and Middle Tennessee State, in College Grove. The Bisons had an outstanding recruiting class for the 2014 season, and that showed out on the golf course. Freshman Dawson Armstrong was a standout new team member. Armstrong was the MVP of the season despite...

The Postgame: October brings success for Bisons

The Postgame brings you up-to-date on all of Lipscomb’s sporting events. Fall sports are in full swing, and the Bisons are finding success in October. WOMEN’S SOCCER The Lady Bisons soccer team is 3-1-1 in the month of October. Lipscomb tied with North Florida 0-0 after two overtimes. On Oct. 5, the Lady Bisons defeated Jacksonville 1-0, then traveled to Stetson to pick up a 4-2 victory on Oct. 10. Two days later, Florida Gulf Coast got the best of Lipscomb 2-1. However, the Lady Bisons bounced back getting a 4-0 shutout against USC Upstate. Junior Anna Lail has scored five goals in October, which has earned her two Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors. Freshman Elizabeth Ashwood recorded her first goal as a Lady Bison against USC Upstate. Lipscomb has clinched a spot in the A-Sun Championship tournament for only the second time in program history. The Lady Bisons will play their final regular season game Oct. 24 against Northern Kentucky at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex. The seniors will be honored as part of Senior Day. MEN’S SOCCER The men’s soccer team sits in third in the A-Sun with seven points. The Bisons posted a 1-0 win over North Florida on Oct. 18. Junior Reece Holcombe scored a goal in the 56th minute off a pass from redshirt junior Matt Kerridge. On Oct. 11, Lipscomb fell 3-1 to Stetson. Senior Luke Gearin scored the Bisons lone goal. The goal moved Gearin into a tie for third place on Lipscomb’s career goal rankings. Freshman goalie Nate Davis earned A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week honor for the week...