SPORTS
Sports Fan’s Dream Weekend
Freshman Kellan Grady soars head and shoulders over several University of Richmond players.
Some of you are probably wondering if I have my weekends out of synch since the Superbowl is next weekend, but this weekend was jam-packed on the Davidson College campus. And I need to say at the outset, I didn’t make it to every event.
Saturday morning kicked off with the women’s basketball team holding a walk-through practice that was open to alumnae returning for a women’s basketball reunion weekend.
Senior Anna Catherine Feaster serves in a doubles match against the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs.
Following that practice, the women’s tennis team took on the Runnin’ Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb. The ‘Cats shutout the ‘Dogs in this contest 7-0 in an indoor matchup in the Knobloch Tennis Center.
After a quick bite to eat at the Soda Shop, it was back to campus and to the Cannon Natatorium in the Baker Sports Complex where the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were also battling with the Runnin’ Bulldogs from Gardner-Webb. The Wildcats had a standing room only crowd on hand at the Senior Day event – recognizing 9 seniors. The men’s team defeated the Bulldogs 165-97, while the women came up short 157-123. The next big event for the Wildcats is Atlantic 10 Championships in Gambier, Ohio starting on February 14.
Men’s & women’s swimming took were also matched up against Gardner-Webb.
Back in John Belk Arena as the afternoon progressed, it was time for the women’s basketball game vs. conference leader Dayton. The Flyers came into Saturday’s game with an 8-0 Atlantic 10 conference record. The first 500 fans received orange rally towels in honor of Andrea Robinson, the Wildcat sophomore battling leukemia. The crowd also included more than 40 alumnae of the Wildcat women’s basketball program. The Flyers defeated the Wildcats to remain unbeaten in conference play, moving the Wildcats to a 4-5 record in the A-10. You can read the game wrap up here.
At halftime, Jen O’Brien, class of 2000, was honored by her alma mater as her jersey was retired – becoming only the second woman to earn the honor. The full story can be found here.
Davidson president Carol Quillen addressed women’s basketball alumnae at a reception following the Wildcats’ game against Dayton. Quillen highlighted the important role that alumnae play in advising and supporting current players.
Following the game, the basketball alumnae gathered in the Red Ventures Room for a reception. President Carol Quillen and head coach Gayle Coats Fulks talked to the gathering and thanked the alumnae for their support of Davidson and the women’s basketball program, in particular.
Since I was not able to be in two places at one time, I missed the men’s tennis match vs. Presbyterian. The Wildcats pulled off a 5-2 victory over the Blue Hose. The ‘Cats will be back in action on Saturday, February 3 at 1 p.m. when they host East Carolina University.
The last intercollegiate sports event of the day was a wrestling tilt vs Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. The Cougars defeated the Wildcats 34-6. The ‘Cats next home match up will be when they host The Citadel on February 8 at 7 p.m.
Wildcat wrestler Zamir Ode in his match up with an opponent from Southern Illinois University -Edwardsville.
After a brief night’s rest, it was back to the Vance Athletic Center on Sunday morning for an alumnae basketball game on the women’s practice court. Former players – representing classes from 1977 to 2016 – played a 3-on-3 half-court game with two 10 minute halves. The halftime entertainment included a lip-synch competition among the freshmen on the current team. It was the first such alumnae basketball game in recent memory, but coach Fulks promised that it wouldn’t be the last.
The final sporting event of the weekend was a sold-out men’s basketball game vs. the University of Richmond Spiders. After losing to the Spiders in early January, the Wildcats were seeking to even the score against the conference rivals from Richmond. However, it would be the Spiders who would be victorious in the second meeting, defeating the ‘Cats by a score of 66-63. The game write up and photos can be found here.
During halftime, the college introduced the newest members of the athletic Hall of Fame. The 27th induction class included: Megan Hollar Jenkins ’06 (Women’s Swimming & Diving), John Latting ’06 (Men’s Soccer), Dan Simonds ’87 (Baseball), David Sprinkle ’66 (Football) and Brendan Winters ’06 (Men’s Basketball).
(L-R) Athletic director Jim Murphy, Brendan Winters ’06, David Sprinkle ’66, Dan Simonds ’87, John Latting ’06, Megan Hollar Jenkins ’06, and Davidson College president Carol Quillen.
And when the game finished, your tired sports writer didn’t head home. It was time for a non-sports event in our town. I will soon be posting a short piece about the Davidson Historical Society’s event that was held at 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
In the meantime, if anyone is wondering if we can cover other sports in town…the answer is, in all likelihood, yes. If you have a sports event coming up, let NewsOfDavidson know. Even if we can’t make it, we’ll take your write up and photos to include in our Sports section.
Jane Campbell
Jane Campbell, U.S. Navy, Capt. ret., grew up in a military family and lived around the globe before graduating from Davidson College with a degree in Political Science. During a 25-year career in the Navy, she served aboard three different ships and held a variety of shore-based assignments. She was stationed on the East and West coasts, as well as overseas. She had tours at the Pentagon and the White House, and volunteered for a deployment to Afghanistan. She moved to Davidson in late 2014 and has become involved in a variety of volunteer activities with college, church, and community. She serves as a photographer and Sports Editor for News of Davidson.