LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (December 29, 2008) – As another year winds down, it's time for the Third Annual Top Ten Moments in Review. The past 12 months produced its share of victories, milestones, records and exciting moments. Take a minute, relax and enjoy the Top Ten Lincoln Athletics moments of 2008.
This list was selected by Rob Knox, Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Information Management. Although, there were several other outstanding efforts in 2008, these 10 accomplishments were ranked in order of significance, the amount of prestige and national recognition brought to Lincoln University. As usual, this is one man's opinion, so feel free to email rknox@lincoln.edu with comments and suggestions.
10. SOFTBALL & BOWLING DEBUTS: As part of the Lincoln student enhancement initiative approved by the Board of Trustees in April 2006, bowling and softball debuted on the weekend of March 1-2. The bowling team competed in a tournament in Bessemer (Ala.) while the softball team debuted against West Chester. Bowling earned its first victory in program history when it defeated Cheyney on November 11 behind the performances of sophomore Tahirah Stewart and junior Emily Valdez. The bowling team finished 2008 with four victories. Despite the struggles of the softball team, Tanina Cook led the team in hitting. Cook had the Lady Lions' first hit and stolen base against West Chester. With the addition of softball and bowling, Lincoln now offers 17 varsity sports. http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/2/28/femalesports.aspx?path=softball
9. MEN'S SOCCER SURPASSES 2007 WIN TOTAL: Behind the brilliance of Theon Francis and Seye Adekanye, the Lions won five games under first-year coach Z. Joe Jallah. Nine players scored at least one goal this season. Francis was named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area team after finishing with a team-high seven goals. Goalie Andre Wilkinson played every minute of every game and finished with one shutout. Also during the season, Lincoln enjoyed a four-game winning streak. http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/9/28/MSOC_0928082034.aspx?path=msoc
8. VOLLEYBALL & MEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS FIRST CIAA OPPONENTS: The volleyball team defeated Saint Paul's College, 3-1, on September 24 and the men's basketball team beat Shaw, 61-48 on November 29 for each program's first victories over a CIAA opponent. They were significant triumphs because it represented progress for a pair of programs who had come close in the past to earning that elusive first victory over a CIAA team.
Volleyball:(http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/9/24/VB_0924081619.aspx?path=wvball)
Men's Basketball:(http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/11/29/MBB_1129083830.aspx)
7. OSHO'S TENNIS DOMINANCE: Adedotun Osho had no issues adjusting to college level tennis. The freshman posted a 5-2 record at No. 1 singles. Osho was dominant in many of his matches. In two of his victories, Osho did not allow a point. He consistently proved why he was ranked by the Middle States Tennis Association in his age group. Osho helped the men's tennis team produce a two-game winning streak and defeat Saint Paul's College. http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/4/22/tennisreview.aspx
6. ATKINSON SCORES 1,000TH POINT: Asha Atkinson became the third female in school history to score 1,000 points. Atkinson scored the milestone basket with 9:52 remaining in the second half of a 77-66 victory over Newport News Apprentice School on a jumper assisted by Tanina Cook. Atkinson joins Tehma Smith (1,552 career points) and LaShanda Maxwell of the exclusive 1,000-point club. Atkinson is also the first Lincoln player under the transition into Division II to score 1,000 points. http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/2/2/wbsk2208.aspx?path=wbball
5. KRUEMMER'S BAT & DANTE'S DOMINANCE: Joe Kruemmer (baseball) and Dante Blanton-Holcombe (basketball) were bright spots for their respective teams during tough seasons. Kruemmer finished second nationally in on-base percentage (.588) and 10th in batting average (.478). Meanwhile Blanton-Holcombe averaged 23.7 points per game and was named to the Philadelphia Area Small College Basketball All-Star team. Blanton-Holcombe was honored at the prestigious Herb Good Basketball banquet in April. In addition to scoring double figures in every game last year for the Lions, Blanton-Holcombe was featured on NCAASports.com. He scored a career-high 49 points in an overtime loss at Saint Paul's. If Lincoln were eligible to be ranked among the Division II leaders, Kruemmer would lead the nation in on-base percentage and batting average and Blanton-Holcombe would've finished second in scoring. Kruemmer led Lincoln in hits with a career-high 32. Kruemmer had at least one hit in 21 of Lincoln's 24 games. Kruemmer batted .500 with runners in scoring position (15-for-30), .459 with the bases empty (17-for-37), .474 with two outs (9-for-19), .600 with RBI opportunities (12-for-20), .600 when leading off an inning (6-for-10) and 1.000 with a runner at third base and less than two outs (4-for-4). Kruemmer also scored 11 runs and had a 17-game hitting streak between March 2-April 9. http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/5/7/kruemmer507.aspx
4. MEN'S CROSS-COUNTRY WINS AT VIRGINIA STATE: Top five finishes by Tarem Cannonier and Vince Thomas helped Lincoln edge Virginia State, 45-46, on Saturday September 20. Overall, seven of Lincoln's eight runners placed in the top 20. Lincoln's top 20 finishers included Diedre Mcloud (10th), William Andrews (12th), Nuradyin King (14th), Len'l Russell (16th) and Todd Mason (17th). Alex Wright finished 23rd and that finish helped Lincoln in the close race against the host Trojans. This was the first time since 1979 that Lincoln had traveled more than 100 miles to participate in a cross-country meet. With a young and talented squad, the Lions are more than prepared to make noise in 2009 and beyond. http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/9/20/MXC_0920082501.aspx
3. STEPHANIE ANDERSON: During an incredible 3-game stretch, Anderson shredded the women's soccer record book and earned national recognition. Playing in her first collegiate contest, Anderson scored a school record five goals in a 7-2 victory over Trinity (DC) on Sept. 8. Six days later, Anderson scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 victory against Gallaudet. Following her eight-goal outburst, Anderson was named ECAC Division II Offensive Player of the Week, the first women's soccer player in Lincoln history to receive such an award. Anderson also became the first women's soccer player and fifth student-athlete in Lincoln's history to be featured in Sports Illustrated. Anderson finished the season with a school record 14 goals and four hat-tricks. Thanks to Anderson's brilliance, the women's soccer team tied the school record with four wins and established a new mark with 33 goals. http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/12/18/WSOC_1218083614.aspx
2. DIANTHIA FORD-KEE NAMED DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS: Ford-Kee is the first female Director of Athletics in Lincoln's distinguished history. Ford-Kee has hit the ground running. Among some of the highlight's during Ford-Kee's first 90 days: Successfully negotiating an alliance with EZ-TIXX to provide online ticket purchases for football and basketball, implemented a football tailgating policy, revised the Intercollegiate Athletics Department Strategic Plan, prepared for a Comprehensive Division II Compliance Blue Print to better prepare Lincoln for active membership into Division II and much more. http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/6/24/fordkee.aspx?path=gen
1. FOOTBALL RETURNS WITH A BANG: Lincoln played its first football game in 48 years on Saturday August 30, 2008. The Lions made the occasion memorable by defeating George Mason University, 34-7, before a capacity crowd at Avon Grove High School. During the season, Lincoln was featured in the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Lincoln was also featured in an NFL Films piece that aired on ESPN2 on November 5. The return of football even prompted veteran actor John Amos to make a visit to the Lincoln campus. (http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/9/23/FB_0923080503.aspx?path=wbball) More importantly, Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman” was able to witness the opener and the Homecoming game before passing at the age of 97 on December 25, 2008. Coleman was a big supporter of Lincoln University. Although he is gone, his spirit will continue to be felt throughout future generations of Lincoln students. http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/9/16/CHEER_0916082114.aspx?path=cheerleading
TOP TEN MOMENTS OF 2007: http://www.lulions.com/news/2008/1/3/top10.aspx?path=mtrack
TOP TEN MOMENTS OF 2006
10. Women's soccer team set school record for goals in a season.
9. Women's tennis team claims first win in over two years.
8. Jarbo reaches personal milestone by scoring 40th career goal.
7. Wylie sets school scoring record with 69 points.
6. Women's basketball team makes first postseason appearance in school history.
5. Women's track 4 x 400 team sets indoor and outdoor school records in claiming national titles.
4. Men's track team finishes second at NCAA Championship Meet.
3. Sample tosses first no-hitter in Lincoln school history.
2. Shanda Jackson's domination.
1B. Men's basketball team reaches Sweet 16.
1A. Football returns to Lincoln.
