Sports Update Monroe Mustangs Excel in National Tournament
Monroe won three of its four tournament games, beating the nation's fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-ranked teams. Their only loss was in the second game they played to San Jacinto, Texas, a team that eventually lost in the championship game. Monroe finished the season with a record of 31-3, including a 6-1 playoff record. "We've raised the bar for future Monroe teams," said Mustang head coach Jeff Brustad. "I'm very proud of how we responded to the pressure of the big games, in particular winning two after our one loss of the tournament." Led by the impressive aerial show of all-tournament selection Ryan Williams, who averaged 21 points and 11.5 rebounds in the four games, the Mustangs played an up- tempo game that was quite different from the more deliberate paces of many of the other tournament teams. Kingsley Edwards, also an all-tournament selection, added 18.25 points per game, to go along with his 7.75 rebounding average. Possibly the most impressive tournament award was given to Kevin Bell (15.25 ppg, 6.5 apg) who received the Charles Sesher Sportsmanship Award. Upon the team's return to the Bronx, Monroe College President Stephen Jerome reflected the school's pride. "The Mustangs' success demonstrates what's best about Monroe. If given opportunity and support from the college, students who work hard can see their dreams come true." This article was submitted by Gary Axelbank, a sports information officer for Lehman College. Lehman Track Captures Silver in NCAA Finals The Lehman team was led by two 2002 All-Americans, senior Paulette Baldwin (Trenton, NJ) and sophomore Alecia Watson (Bronx), who scored 16 and 14 points, respectively, before combining with freshmen Michelle Barnwell (Brooklyn) and Livangah Pitts (Bronx) for a second place finish (3:51.04) in the aforementioned relay. Baldwin, a four-time All-American and the NCAA defending champion in the 55-meter hurdles, took home second place in that event with a 8.06 finals time. Preceding her silver medal performance in the hurdles, the 2002 and 2003 CUNYAC Championship Most Valuable Performer earned another second place in the long jump, an event she consistently placed first in all season, with a leap of 5.73 meters. Watson, a 5'11 product of Evander Childs High School, peaked at the right time in her two individual events, placing second in the triple jump with a mark of 12.36 meters, nearly half a meter longer than her previous best, and placing third in the 55-meter dash final in a blazing 7.13 seconds. Baldwin, the CUNYAC Champion in the event two weeks earlier, and Barnwell, each missed out on the final by less than a tenth of a second. "The remarkable thing is that Alecia is just now working enough on the triple jump with [assistant coaches] Lindon George and Kirk Roberts," continued Hogg. "She is the epitome of concentration and focus. The future for Alecia is unlimited." Barnwell, who batted .313 as a member of the Lightning softball team last spring, never ran track before six months ago. Now, she's a two-time All-American after finishing third in the 400-meter dash (56.52) and as a member of the 4x400m relay. Lehman sophomore Martinia Heath (Beacon, NY) was also outstanding in the long jump, earning fifth in the nation at 5.62 meters. The 6'0" transfer this fall from Cortland State also placed 10th in the high jump with a leap of 1.61 meters. Along with the other six CUNYAC track programs, the Lightning and the Cardinals will now turn their attention outdoors, preparing for the CUNYAC Championships (at York College in Jamaica, NY) on Sunday, May 4, with an eye on the NCAA Championships two weeks later at St. Lawrence (Canton, NY). This article was submitted by Eric Harrison, a sports information officer for Lehman College. MS 80 in Basketball Championship The 80 Team finished the season with a 5-1 mark, beating MS 279 33 to 25 and romping over MS 143 46 to 23 in the final week of competition. All told, 20 district schools fielded teams with over 1,000 schools participating. The championship event will include musical performances, special guests and individual trophy awards. The Tournament is supervised each year by the district's recreation director, Jack Schein. By Jules Rubenstein
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The 2002-03 Monroe Mustangs men's basketball team
finished in fifth place of the 16 teams in the National Junior Collegiate
Athletic Association's annual Division I national tournament held last
week in Hutchinson, Kansas. In the process, they won over legions of hoops
fans and four-year college recruiters with spectacular play.