Lincoln University Athletics - Top five finishes by Cannonier and Thomas lift Lincoln to victory at Virginia State

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Top five finishes by Cannonier and Thomas lift Lincoln to victory at Virginia State

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ETTRICK, Va. (September 20, 2008) – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania men’s cross-country team had two runners finish in the top five as it won the Virginia State meet Saturday afternoon. The Lions finished ahead of four schools by edging host Virginia State, 45-46. (MEET RESULTS TO BE POSTED LATER)

Lincoln sophomore physical education major Tarem “Gecko” Cannonier (Greenberg, NY/Woodland) and sophomore health science major Vincent “Blizzard” Thomas (Columbia, PA/Columbia) finished in the top five. Overall, seven of Lincoln’s eight runners placed in the top 20. The other schools competing in the meet were Shaw (56 points), Barton College and Virginia Union.

“This was a team victory,” Cannonier said. “Our goal coming into the meet was to run as a pack and stay with each other. We just wanted to come here and do our best. We are pretty excited about this victory.”

Of course, team members thought cross-country coach Cyrus D. Jones was joking when he told his team he felt they had an outstanding chance to win the meet after watching his team perform.

“We thought coach was playing or trying to be funny,” Thomas said. “When the results were announced, we looked at each other, smiled and clapped our hands. Everybody was pretty much smiling.”

They had good reason as Lincoln competed in its first meet outside of a 100-mile radius of Lincoln since 1979 according to Jones. The Lions cross-country program usually serves as a tune-up for track season, but for one memorable afternoon, the Lions served noticed to the CIAA that they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Lincoln’s top 20 finishers included Diedre Mcloud (10^th), William Andrews (12^th), Nuradyin King (14^th), Len’l Russell (16^th) and Todd Mason (17^th). Alex Wright finished 23^rd and that finish helped Lincoln in the close race against the host Trojans.

“We were confused by the course at first even though they gave us a walk-through,” Thomas said. “That’s when we decided that if we stick together as a team then we will be successful.”

Lincoln returns to action next Saturday morning when it will compete in the Belmont Classic meet in Philadelphia.

“This was certainly worth the trip down here,” Jones said. “The guys ran today like this was there last race. I am certainly proud of them, but we can’t be too jubilant because we still have some more races this year. But I definitely believe the other schools took notice of Lincoln.”

--LU--

Athletes of the Week

Damian Hyman

Men's Basketball

Hyman scored 21 points for Lincoln during its 90-78 defeat to Fayetteville State Saturday evening. Hyman leads Lincoln with 32 3-pointers. He is 32-for-96 from beyond the arc. Hyman is averaging 16.8 points, which is second on the team. He is also averaging 4.9 rebounds. Hyman has made at least five 3-pointers in four games this season (Bowie State, Virginia Union, Elizabeth City State and Holy Family). Hyman averages 36 minutes. Hyman has scored 18 or more points five times this season (Bowie State-18, Saint Paul’s-22, Virginia Union-18, Holy Family-25, Fayetteville State-21). In six games against CIAA opponents, Hyman is averaging 17.3 points. Hyman also enjoys playing on Tuesday’s. In two games on Tuesday, Hyman is averaging 23.5 points per game.

Sharay DuBose

Women's Basketball

DuBose scored a career-high 22 points during Lincoln's defeat to Fayetteville State on Saturday Jan. 3. This is the second time this season, DuBose was named Lincoln Athlete of the Week. She also made a career-high four 3-pointers against the Broncos. DuBose notched her first career double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) against Millersville on Dec. 6. DuBose scored 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting against Elizabeth City State. DuBose also finished with six rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes against ECSU. She scored 18 points in her first career game against Briarcliffe College. DuBose, who started against Briarcliffe, was named to the James A. Richardson all-tournament team after averaging a team-high 16.5 points and 4.0 rebounds. In addition, she has shot 50 percent or better from the field in four games. DuBose leads Lincoln in scoring (15.6) and free-throw percentage (46-for-58, 79.3%). She was named to the WCU Alumni Classic all-tournament team. Second on the team in steals with 16. DuBose has scored at least 15 points in eight games this season. DuBose leads Lincoln in scoring.