With the spring semester now at an end and the summer classes rolling along, we are shifting Mountain Momma Monday to a monthly issue until the fall starts. In this month’s issue, we take a look at what has happened over the past few weeks. From academic honors to hall of fame inductions, we have it all covered.
Mar 9, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Mike Carey during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half of the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Conference tournament at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Basketball:
Head coach Mike Carey announced the hiring of assistant coach Sharrona Reaves. She returns to the West Virginia Mountaineers coaching staff after previously serving coach Carey in 2003-06.
Olivia Bradley, program legend, took her rightful place in the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame. Bradley stills holds the career record for rebounds with 1,484. She starred for the Mountaineers from 1983-1987, leading WVU to the NIT as a senior, the program’s first post-season appearance.
Gymnastics:
The second head coach in program history Linda Burdette-Good was named to the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame this past month. Burdette-Good is a legend in the gymnastics realm, leading WVU from 1975-2011, notching a 644-263-4 career record with 10 conference championships and three National Championships appearances.
Rowing:
The rowing team completed their spring season with a sixth place finish at the Conference USA Championships. The Mountaineers first varsity 8+ crew took fifth in their Grand Final competition, the same place as the second varsity 8+ crew in their Grand Final.
In 4+ competition, WVU once again took fifth place. At the completion of the events, junior rower Courtney Schrand was named All-Conference USA.
Recently, eight Mountaineers rowers earned Collegiate Coaches Rowing Association National Scholar Athlete awards. To qualify, athletes must keep a 3.5 GPA or better. WVU’s scholars are Elizabeth Duarte, Kelly Kramer, Morgan Leach, Hilary Meale, Rachelle Purych, Bethany Anne Sapen, Courtney Schrand, and Karen Verwey.
Soccer:
The 2013 women’s soccer schedule was revealed recently. The schedule is a tough slate for the reigning Big XII regular season champions. The slate includes five non-conference match-ups with NCAA tournament teams: Central Michigan, Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Penn State.
The 2013 season starts with an August 13 home exhibition match against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. For a complete look at the 2013 schedule, visit wvusports.com.
Also, it was announced that the team raised $15,781 for breast cancer research, bringing their 10 year total to over $100,000 raised. The money was presented to the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center.
Swimming:
Sophomore swimmer Jenelle Zee was named to the Capital One Academic All-District 2 At-Large Team. Zee is a criminology major with a 4.0 GPA.
Tennis:
Head coach Tina Samara announced the 2013-14 recruiting class for the Mountaineers tennis team. The class is composed of three international prospects hailing from two different continents as well as one prospect from the United States. The class includes Sophie Allen-Fisher from Perth, Australia; Kaja Mrgole from Jesenice, Slovenia; Oana Manole from Andover, United Kingdom; and Sydney Rider from Annapolis, MD.
In total, this is a solid group of recruits for a team in desperate need of help after a bad 2012-13 campaign.
Track:
Senior runner Sarah-Anne Brault was named to the Capital One Academic All-District 2 Team. She completed her senior year with a 3.93 GPA, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Economics.
Senior Jordan Hamric is the Mountaineers lone representative at the 2013 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships to be held this week in Eugene, OR. She will complete in the 3,000-m steeplechase on June 6.