'Athletes Beyond Bartow' update for collegiate softball, tennis, track and field athletes fo
This week's 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' for track and field, tennis, and softball includes updates for 14 athletes currently contributing at their respective college programs across the country. A few institutions have completed their 2016 seasons, while others are wrapping up their regular seasons. Still other programs are moving into post-season play at conference, regional, or national tournaments.
Bartow Sports Zone maintains a roster of local athletes competing currently on college or professional rosters. See the 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' page on this web site for more.
TENNIS
PEYTON GOLHOFFER — Ball State (Fr., Laurel Springs Academy, Cartersville resident) . . . earned a Mid-America Conference All-Tournament Team selection as the Cardinals won the MAC tournament and sealed an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Ball State, who also won the regular season title, defeated No. 3 seed Western Michigan 4-0 in the championship match at Miami-OH University’s Hepburn Tennis Courts. Gollhofer won her No. 1 singles line in the title match as Ball State improved to 22-3 on the season. BSU also defeated University of Buffalo in the conference tournament semifinals, 4-3. Gollhofer lost her No. 1 line singles match, but teamed with partner Audrey Berger to win on the No. 1 doubles line. Ball State will learn their first round opponent for the NCAA Tournament May 3 at 5pm during the NCAA selection show on ncaa.com.
SOFTBALL
TAYLOR BRASELTON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) . . . went 11-for-16 and scored a tournament-high eight runs in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament April 26-29 in Kingsport, TN. Braselton, recently named AAC All-Conference First Team and All-Academic Team, has a .371 batting average for the season with 12 RBI and has stolen 9 bases in 40 starts. She was also named to the 2016 AAC Champions of Character Team. The Eagles improved to 41-10 with their four conference tournament wins over Union College (KY), Truett-McConnell College (GA), Bryan College (TN), and Milligan College (TN) in the finals. Reinhardt, who also won the AAC regular season title, will host the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round May 16-18 at Ken White Field in Waleska. Their opponents and the bracket will be announced by the NAIA on May 10.
SYDNEY FLOWERS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) . . . started a conference tournament game against Union College (KY) April 26 and made an appearance in the conference title game against Milligan College (TN). Flowers, a 2016 Appalachian Athletic Conference All-Academic Team member, has a .192 batting average for the season and has started 30 games for the Eagles. Reinhardt improved to 41-10 with their four conference tournament wins. The Eagles, who also won the AAC regular season title, will host the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round May 16-18 at Ken White Field in Waleska. Their opponents and the bracket will be announced by the NAIA on May 10.
BRIDGETT HAMPTON -- Walters State CC (Fr., Woodland HS) . . . started three of four games at first base and DH as the Senators split a series at Motlow State CC. Hampton was 3-for-8 with one RBI in the series. She has a .333 batting average with three home runs and 19 RBI through 28 games played. Walters State (39-8 overall, 28-4 TCCAA) plays next in the TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Tournament, May 9-11, at Columbia State CC.
MALLORY JACKSON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Woodland HS) . . . went 2-for-8 with a home run and a double in three games at the GCAA/Region XVII Tournament. GHC went 2-2 at the tournament with wins over East Georgia CC and Andrew College. The losses were to South Georgia State CC and Darton State CC. Jackson finished the season with a .204 batting average, five homers, and 27 RBI in 55 games. Georgia Highlands finished the season 27-33 overall and 7-7 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.
ASHLEY JORDAN — Georgia Highlands CC (Soph, Woodland HS) . . .went 4-for-11, scored two runs, had a sacrifice, and a stolen base in four games at the GCAA/Region XVII Tournament. GHC went 2-2 at the tournament with wins over East Georgia CC and Andrew College. The losses were to South Georgia State CC and Darton State CC. Jordan finished the season with a .327 batting average, 16 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 58 games. Georgia Highlands finished the season 27-33 overall and 7-7 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.
KAILAH RAIN — Embry-Riddle University (Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . went 9-for-17 in the Eagles’ final two conference regular season series at Eckerd College and Nova Southeastern University. ERU won five of six and Rain finished the regular season with a five game hitting streak. She drove in five runs with a double and a walk. Rain finished the season with a .372 batting average with 10 RBI in 32 games played. Embry-Riddle finished 35-13 overall and 17-12 in the Sunshine State Conference. The Eagles are transitioning to NCAA D-II and are not eligible for post-season play.
TAYLOR WEEKS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Adairsville HS) . . . hit .786 (11-for-14) with a walk, stolen base, and five RBI in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament April 26-29 in Kingsport, TN. The Eagles have won 17 straight and swept to the tournament title with wins over Union College (KY), Truett-McConnell College (GA), Bryan College (TN), and Milligan College (TN). Weeks, recently named First Team All-AAC and to the AAC All-Academic Team, leads Reinhardt with a .454 batting average. She has 39 RBI with 69 hits and a .514 on base percentage in 47 starts. The Eagles, who also won their seventh straight regular season conference title with an 18-2 mark, improved to 41-10 and will host the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round May 16-18 at Ken White Field in Waleska. Their opponents and the bracket will be announced by the NAIA on May 10.
RANDI WIMPY — Reinhardt University (Sr., Woodland HS) . . . recently named the Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Wimpy had only one hit in the AAC Championship Tournament, but was walked four times, drove in three runs, and scored four times as the Eagles swept four games on their way to the title. Wimpy was also named First Team All-Conference and was named to the AAC All-Defensive Team. The 2015 NAIA All-American has a .432 batting average with 10 home runs, 32 extra base hits, and 63 RBI. She carries a .797 slugging percentage and an on base percentage of .541. Wimpy has also stolen five bases while starting all 51 games. The Eagles, who also won their seventh straight regular season conference title with an 18-2 mark, improved to 41-10 and will host the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round May 16-18 at Ken White Field in Waleska. Their opponents and the bracket will be announced by the NAIA on May 10.
LAUREN WOMACK — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) . . . went 4-for-12 with a pair of doubles, one run, and two RBI in four games at the GCAA/Region XVII Tournament. GHC went 2-2 at the tournament with wins over East Georgia CC and Andrew College. The losses were to South Georgia State CC and Darton State CC. Womack finished the season with a .310 batting average, 18 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 58 games. She was also named Second Team All-Region XVII/GCAA. Georgia Highlands finished the season 27-33 overall and 7-7 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. ANNALYN YANTIS — Samford University (Fr., Cartersville HS) . . . made a two inning relief appearance April 26 in a 13-2 win over Alabama A&M allowing a pair of runs on a hit and two walks. Yantis has pitched 17 and 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and a 5.15 ERA in eight appearances. The Bulldogs (34-18, 12-3 Southern Conference) host UNC-Greensboro May 7-8 for a three-game conference series before the Southern Conference championship tournament May 11-14 in Greensboro.
TRACK AND FIELD
SPENCER FIELDS — Rhodes College (Fr., Kingston, GA, Darlington HS) . . . won the 10,000 meter run (32:49.33). He also placed fourth in the 5000 meter run (15:35.64) and 12th in the 1500 meter run at the Southern Athletic Association Championships April 22-23 as the Lynx finished third behind conference winner Birmingham-Southern College and runner-up, Centre College (KY). The next meet for Rhodes is on May 19th at the Gregory Invitational in North Central, just one week before the NCAA D3 National Championships in Waverly, Iowa.
JAISON MORNING — Valdosta State University (Fr., Cass HS) … in his final event of the 2016 season, placed 9th in the 1500 meter run at the South Alabama Invitational April 16 establishing a new personal record of 4:02.62. He also competed in the 800 meter run and matched his season best of 2:02.01. SAMANTHA PATTERSON — Jacksonville State (Soph, Woodland HS) … pole vaulter, placed fifth (3.20m / 10’-06”) at the Western Carolina University Invitational April 29 as the Lady Gamecocks placed third as a team behind Georgia State and host Western Carolina in the eight team event. Next for JSU is the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Championships in Nashville, TN May 13-14.
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