by Aaron Schmelzer | Apr 25, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
Student athletes and coaches filled the court of Allen Arena on Thursday night, but this time, it was not for a game. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the inaugural Lippy Awards in Allen Arena to honor various members of Lipscomb University’s sports teams. The awards show was hosted by student TJ Ojehomon and women’s soccer assistant coach Chris Klotz. Both female and male athletes of the year were competitive categories, but for the female award, sophomore cross country/track and field runner Dani Walker and junior volleyball player Jewell Dobson tied. On the men’s side, track and field high-jumper Gemikal Prude, who broke the high jump record earlier in the year, won as well. Prude said that winning the award was a blessing. “Winning this is quite the blessing,” Prude said. “It’s a feeling that can’t really be described, especially when you feel as if you’re undeserving.” The biggest award of the night, the Best Team Award, went to the women’s track and field/cross country. Senior runner Lacey Printz said that the team worked hard and credited the coaches and team captains for keeping the team focused. “This is the most incredible team we’ve had, and we just love running together and just having fun and doing it for God’s glory,” Printz said. To open the night, the James R. Byers Award was presented to senior track and field sprinter Tucker Peabody, senior volleyball player Caitlin Dotson and junior cross country/track and field runner Tessa Hoefle. The award is given to a top senior athlete who displays outstanding Christian leadership and excels academically and athletically. The honors had...
by Erika Thornsberry | Feb 18, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
Four years ago, junior Gemikal Prude would never have believed that he would be a nationally-ranked high jumper. Now, Prude is on track to compete at the highest level of competition in the event. As the second person in his family to attend and stay in college, Prude’s first goal is to receive his diploma. This is his most important goal, but not his only goal for the future. “My goal is to be the best high jumper in the nation,” Prude said. Most athletes grow up playing their college sport, but Prude’s story is very different. He would never have considered track if it weren’t for his high school basketball coach. “My original thought was, ‘I’m going play basketball in college.’ However, my high school basketball coach decided to start conditioning earlier in the spring of my junior year to prepare us for senior year,” Prude said. “To get out of the conditioning, the players and coach decided that we would do track.” Prude’s track and field career began just four short years ago during his junior year of high school. “At first, I ran the 100 and the 4×1. My best friend was a high-jumper. It was technique day, and everyone was telling me to try it,” Prude said. “My coach told me he’d give me a steak dinner if I did it, so of course I did.” Prude said that, two days later, his coach put him in the high jump, and the rest is history. As of Feb. 18, Prude is in a five-way tie for eighth in the nation in the high jump. To achieve...
by Jael Teme | Feb 14, 2014 | News Slider
It is the week of love at Lipscomb University and as usual, Lumination brings you the most relevant news about our campus and Nashville. During this installment, led by Madeline Smith and Martin Baker from the desk, we have a special report on the Olympics. If you want to know how USA is doing in Sochi tune in to watch Sarah McGee bringing you the scoop. Have you participated in Bison Match? Reporter Whitney Smith went looking for those who did and she brings you the results. As part of this week’s newscast, we bring you a heart-warming interview with Gemikal Prude after setting a new high-jump record. Bridgette Begle talked to Prude and was able to show us a video of the exact moment when the new record was set. Do you have story ideas? An event you want us to cover? Email our News Director at...
by Erika Thornsberry | Feb 2, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb track and field team is making their presence known after having just three indoor meets so far, they haven’t wasted any time breaking records this spring. Saturday, the Bisons competed in the TSU invite. The meet was not scored overall, but there were several individual victories. For the close-knit Bison team, individual records are celebrated throughout the team as if the whole team accomplished the goal. “Our team has so much love for each other,” Junior thrower April Terry said. “We support one another, and I think that’s a big reason for our success.” The meet started off on a good note for the Bisons. Senior Dani Walker began by taking first in the women’s mile and later on would take second in the women’s 800 meter. Annika Backlund, only a freshman, broke the indoor record in the women’s vault as she cleared 3.41 meters, and then with her next attempt cleared 3.56 meters winning the event. April Terry is yet again breaking records. She broke the indoor weight throw record with a throw at 16.92 meters. “I think our team is going to do wonderful this year,” Terry said. “We have a very talented freshmen class with a lot of talented returners to go with it.” Junior pole vaulter Kevin Floyd won the men’s pole vault with 4.32 meters, and freshman high jumper Sarah Wagner broke the record for women’s high jump with a jump of 1.63 meters. Sophomore Meredith Kilburn and Junior Minna Fields came in second and third in the women’s 500 meter. Junior Colin Dempster and Senior Tucker Peabody took second and third...
