2016-17 ALL-SPORTS RECORD

2016-17 C-USA CHAMPIONSHIPS (3)Men’s Indoor TrackMen’s Basketball (regular season & tournament)

2016-17 TEAMS IN POSTSEASON (5)FootballMen’s BasketballMen’s GolfWomen’s BasketballMen’s Cross Country

INDIVIDUALS IN POSTSEASONEliud Rutto (Indoor Track, Outdoor Track) Sampson Laari (Indoor Track)Abike Egbeniyi (Indoor Track, Outdoor Track)Agnes Abu (Indoor Track, Outdoor Track)Jacob Choge (Outdoor Track)

MEN’S SPORTS Sport W L T HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2016-17 SEASON

Football 8 5 0 Upset Missouri on the road and made Hawaii BowlBasketball 31 5 0 C-USA Regular Season & Tournament Champs; NCAA Round of 32Cross Country 70 3 0 Choge earns All-American honors; Team 2nd at C-USA ChampionshipOutdoor Track - - - Finish fourth at C-USA ChampionshipIndoor Track - - - Won C-USA ChampionshipBaseball 24 31 0 Riley Delgado drafted in 9th round of MLBGolf 100 57 0 Advanced to 2017 NCAA RegionalsTennis 12 14 0 Made C-USA Championship Semifinals Total Record 245 110 0

WOMEN’S SPORTS Sport W L T HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2016-17 SEASON

Volleyball 5 24 0 Bailey Mason made DISH Tennessee Classic All-Tournament teamSoccer 4 12 1 Sydney Navarro earns all-conference honors; Salera Jordan on all-freshman team Basketball 23 11 0 Advanced to WNIT ChampionshipCross Country 40 24 0 Team second at C-USA ChampionshipGolf 0 0 0 Finish second at C-USA Championship; Burris wins C-USA individual titleOutdoor Track - - - Finish second at C-USA ChampionshipIndoor Track - - - Raiders placed 3rd at C-USA ChampionshipSoftball 19 30 0 Precious Birdsong batted a record .443Tennis 10 15 0 5-2 record in neutral site matchesTotal Record 101 116 1

ALL SPORTS RECORD: 346 wins, 226 losses, 1 ties (.605)

DIRECTOR’S CUP FINISHES2016-17: 88 (217.5)2015-16: 91 (214.0)2014-15: 170 (91.0) 2013-14: 141 (112.25) 2012-13: 164 (92.0)2011-12: 151 (103.5)2010-11: 103 (161.5 points) 2009-10: 79 (217.5 points)

2008-09: 76 (259 points)2007-08: 128 (138 points)2006-07: 101 (178 points)2005-06: Did not score past 1002004-05: T169 (75 points)2003-04: T132 (123 points)2002-03: T162 (83.5 points)2001-02: 156 (89.5 points)2000-01: 162 (73.5 points)

1999-00: 105 (149 points)1998-99: 214 (10 points)1997-98: 202 (10 points)1996-97: 196 (32.5 points)1995-96: 152 (68.5 points)1994-95: 109 (52.5 points)1993-94: 123 (91 points)

CHAMPIONSHIP TRADITION144 OVC CHAMPIONSHIPSBaseball (24) - 1959*, 1968, 1976, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991^, 1992, 1993, 1994^, 1995, 1996*, 1997*, 2000^

Basketball (Men) (10) - 1975, 1977^, 1978*, 1982^, 1985^, 1986*, 1987, 1989*

Basketball (Women) (18) - 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987*, 1988, 1989, 1995*, 1996*, 1998^, 1999*, 2000^

Cross-Country (Men) (1) - 1983

Football (11) - 1956, 1957, 1958*, 1959*, 1962*, 1964, 1965, 1985, 1989, 1990*, 1992

Golf (16) - 1956, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1978, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000

Indoor Track (Men) (9) - 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993, 2000

Indoor Track (Women) (5) - 1988, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996

Outdoor Track (Men) (11) - 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1994

Outdoor Track (Women) (3) - 1991, 1994, 1996

Softball (1) - 2000

Tennis (Men) (23) - 1976, 1979, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

Tennis (Women) (11) - 1980, 1982, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000

Volleyball (1) - 1995^

*Co-Champions ^Tournament ChampionshipBold - Won both regular season and tournament titles

57 SUN BELT CONFERENCE CHAMPION-SHIPSBasketball (Men) (3) - 2010*, 2012, 2013

Basketball (Women) (13) - 2004^, 2005^, 2006^, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Baseball (5) - 2001*, 2003^, 2004*, 2009

Cross Country (Men) (1) - 2009

Football (2) - 2001*, 2006*

Golf (Men) (1) - 2009^

Indoor Track (Men) (7) - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011

Indoor Track (Women) (6) - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2012

Outdoor Track (Men) (4) - 2001, 2006, 2007, 2013

Outdoor Track (Women) (2) – 2000, 2005

Soccer (3) - 2004*, 2010^, 2012

Tennis (Men) (4) – 2005^, 2009^, 2011^, 2012^

Volleyball (7) – 2006*, 2007, 2009^, 2010

*Co-Champions ^Tournament ChampionshipBold - Won both regular season & tournament titles

11 CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIPSBasketball (Men) (4) - 2014, ^2016, 2017Basketball (Women) (3) - 2014, ^2016Cross Country (Women) (1) - 2014Golf (Women) (2) - 2015, 2016Indoor Track (Men) (1) - 2017

*Co-Champions ^Tournament ChampionshipBold - Won both regular season & tournament titles

197 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCESBaseball (14) - 1968, 1976, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2009

Basketball (Men) (9) - 1975, 1977, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2013, 2016, 2017

Basketball (Women) (18) - 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

*Cross-Country (Men) (5) - 1966, 1971, ^2009, ^2011, 2016

*Cross-Country (Women) (3) - ^2009, ^2011, ^2014

Football (I-AA Playoffs) (7) - 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994

*Golf (Men) (16) - ^1963, ^1964, 1965, ^1967, ^1968, ^1974, ^1977, 2000 (first as Division I), ^2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017

*Golf (Women) (2) - 2015, 2016

^Indoor Track (Men) (33) - 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017

^Indoor Track (Women) (11) - 1987, 1988, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017

^Outdoor Track (Men) (39) - 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

^Outdoor Track (Women) (11) - 1988, 1994, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017

Softball (1): 2000

Soccer (1): 2010

*Tennis (Men) (16) - ^1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, ^1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, ^2003, 2005, 2006, ^2007, 2009, ^2010, 2011, 2012

*Tennis (Women) (4) - 2000, ^2002, ^2003, ^2004

Volleyball (7) - 1995, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

*NCAA appearances for track, cross country, golf and tennis are based on individual as well as team performances. Individual appearances aredesignated by ^.

OVC HALL OF FAMEDr. Quill E. Cope (1978)Charles M. Murphy (1982)Jimmy Earle (1989)Dr. Sam Ingram (1990)E. K. Patty (1993)John Stanford (1997)Larry Joe Inman (2009)

OVC ALL-SPORTS TROPHIESCombined - 1977Women - 1982, 1986, 1988Men - 1986, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000(The OVC All-Sports Trophy was a combinedaward prior to 1981)

SBC ALL-SPORTS TROPHIES (9)2000-01, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13

OVC ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BANNER1996

OVC FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR1987 - Kim Webb, Basketball1992 - Priscilla Robinson, Basketball1996 - Nadia Graham, Track

OVC MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR1981 - Greg Artis, Track1986 - Don Griffin, Football1990 - Jayhawk Owens, Baseball

SBC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR2001 - Dewon Brazelton, Baseball2004 - Mardy Scales, Track2007 - Chrissy Givens, Basketball (Female)2010 - Alysha Clark, Basketball (Female)

C-USA FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR2014 - Ebony Rowe

OVC SCHOLAR ATHLETES1982-83 - Arlene Hale1983-84 - Mitzi Grogan1984-85 - Maria Salas1988-89 - Lianne Beck1991-92 - Lea White

SBC COACH OF THE YEAR2000 – Dean Hayes (Women’s Outdoor Track)2001 – Dean Hayes (Men’s Indoor Track)2001 – Dean Hayes (Women’s Indoor Track)2001 – Dean Hayes (Men’s Outdoor Track)2002 – Dean Hayes (Men’s Indoor Track)2002 – Dean Hayes (Women’s Indoor Track)2003 – Dean Hayes (Men’s Indoor Track)2003 – Kermit Davis (Men’s Basketball)2003 – Aston Rhoden (Women’s Soccer)2004 – Aston Rhoden (Women’s Soccer)2004 – Dean Hayes (Women’s Indoor Track)2004 – Steve Peterson (Baseball)2005 – Dale Short (Men’s Tennis)2005 – Rachael Short (Women’s Golf)2005 – Dean Hayes (Women’s Outdoor Track)2006 – Dean Hayes (Men’s Indoor Track)2006 – Dean Hayes (Men’s Outdoor Track)2006 – Rick Stockstill (Football)2007 – Rick Insell (Women’s Basketball)2007 – Johnny Moore (Men’s Golf)2007 – Dean Hayes (Men’s Outdoor Track)2007 - Matt Peck (Volleyball)2008 - Whit Turnbow (Men’s Golf)2009 - Rick Insell (Women’s Basketball)2009 - Dean Hayes (Men’s Indoor Track)2009 - David McNamara (Men’s Tennis)2009 - Whit Turnbow (Men’s Golf)2009 - Dean Hayes (Men’s Cross Country)2009 - Rick Stockstill (Football)2010 - Matt Peck (Volleyball)2011 - Dean Hayes (Men’s Indoor Track)2011 - Whit Turnbow (Men’s Golf)2011 - Jimmy Borendame (Men’s Tennis)2012 - Rick Insell (Women’s Basketball)2012 - Kermit Davis (Men’s Basketball)2012 - Chris Adams (Women’s Golf)2012 - Jimmy Borendame (Men’s Tennis)2012 - Aston Rhoden (Soccer)2013 - Kermit Davis (Men’s Basketball)2013 - Dean Hayes (Outdoor Track)

12 NatioNal ChampioNships

Team CompetitionGolf - 1965

Individual CompetitionGary Head - 1963 Golf

Larry Gilbert - 1965 GolfBarry McClure - 1972 TrackBarry McClure - 1973 TrackTommy Haynes - 1974 TrackDionne Rose - 1994 Track

David McNamara and Julius Robberts - 1997 TennisDaniel Klemetz - 2002 TennisMardy Scales - 2003 Track

Andreas Siljestrom and Marco Born - 2005 TennisAndreas Siljestrom and Marco Born - 2007 Tennis

C-USA COACH OF THE YEAR2014 - Keith Vroman (Women’s Cross Country)2015 - Chris Adams (Women’s Golf)2015 - Jim McGuire (Baseball)2016 - Chris Adams (Women’s Golf)2017 - Kermit Davis (Men’s Basketball)2017 - Dean Hayes (Indoor Track)As of June 2017

2016-17 HONORSACADEMICSFall 2016• 211 of 338 (62%) of all student-athletes had a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.• 123 (36%) of all student-athletes made the Dean’s List by earning a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.• 44 (13%) of all student-athletes had a perfect 4.0 grade point average.• 11 of 15 teams had a semester grade point average of 3.0 or higher• Tennis had the highest men’s team grade point average of 3.54• Tennis had the highest women’s team grade point average of 3.53• Semester GPA for all student-athletes: 3.074• Cumulative GPA for all student-athletes: 3.109

Spring 2017• 163 of 296 (55%) of all student-athletes had a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.• 100 (33%) of all student-athletes made the Dean’s List by earn-ing a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.• 42 (14%) of all student-athletes had a perfect 4.0 grade point average.• 10 of 15 teams had a semester grade point average of 3.0 or higher• Men’s Tennis had the highest men’s team grade point average with a 3.743.• Volleyball had the highest women’s and overall team grade point average of 3.689.• Semester GPA for all student-athletes: 2.972• Cumulative GPA for all student-athletes: 3.081• A perfect 100 percent of Middle Tennessee’s athletic teams earned a multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) of over 930 as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) released its annual APR report.• The NCAA announced Public Recognition Awards for APR and men’s golf and women’s golf were honored.

FOOTBALLDennis Andrews: Named HM All-C-USA Jeff Beckles: Named an Assistant Coach of the Week on Oct. 23 by CoachingSearch.comMatt Bonadies: Named to the Ray Guy Award Watch ListChandler Brewer: Named HM All-C-USAJosh Chester: Named HM All-C-USAJeremy Cutrer: Named First Team All-C-USA, Named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, Voted First Team Preseason All-C-USAWilliam Eads: Named First Team All-C-USA

Chris Hale: Named HM All-C-USAShaquille Huff: Named HM All-C-USA, Named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on 9/19/16Richie James: Named First Team All-C-USA, Named to the Biletnikoff Watch List, Named to Maxwell Watch List, Voted First Team Preseason All-C-USA, Named to the Paul Hornung Honor Roll on Oct. 24, Named the C-USA Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 28, Voted the TSWA Player of the Week on Nov. 29, Voted the Hawai’i Bowl MVP, Named Third Team All-American by Phil SteeleTy Lee: Voted an FWAA Freshman All-American, Voted Fourth Team Freshman All-American by Athlon, Named C-USA All-Freshman, Named HM All-C-USAMax Linder: Named a Jim Castañeda Postgraduate Scholarship Award winner by C-USAI’Tavius Mathers: Named First Team All-C-USA, Named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week on 9/19/16, 9/26/16, 10/22/16, Voted TSWA Player of the Week on 9/20/16 and 10/25/16, Named to the Doak Walker Award Watch ListJimal McBride: Named HM All-C-USAChris Melton: Named HM All-C-USAMike Minter: Voted TSWA Defensive Player of the Week on 9/27/16Tyshun Render: Named C-USA All-FreshmanSteven Rhodes: Named HM All-C-USA, Voted the 2016 Armed Forces Merit Award winner, Named a nominee for the Burlsworth TrophyCanon Rooker: Named First Team All-C-USADJ Sanders: Named HM All-C-USA, Named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on 10/31/16, Voted the TSWA Player of the Week on 11/1/16Maurquice Shakir: Named HM All-C-USA, Voted First Team Presea-son All-C-USADaniel Stephens: Named Second Team All-C-USA, Named to the Rimington Watch ListBrent Stockstill: Named HM All-C-USA, Named to the Davey O’Brien Watch List, Named to Maxwell Watch List, Named to the AFCA Good Works Team, Voted First Team Preseason All-C-USA, Named TSWA Player of the Week on 9/7/16, Named to the Dave O’Brien “Great 8” List on Oct. 24, Voted a Manning Star of the Week on Oct. 24, Named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week on 10/31/16, Named an 2017 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports-Scholar Award winner

MEN’S GOLFMarcus Byrd: Named C-USA Golfer of the Week on Sept. 28Ilari Saulo: Voted the C-USA Freshman of the Year, Named to the C-USA All-Freshman team, Named C-USA Golfer of the Week on Oct. 26Joey Savoie: Named First Team All-C-USA, Named C-USA Golfer of the Week on April 5, Named to the C-USA All-Academic team, Named to Division I PING All-Region teamChip Thomas: Named to the C-USA All-Freshman team, Named C-USA Golfer of the Week on Feb. 22, Mar. 15

WOMEN’S GOLFJenna Burris: Named Second Team All-C-USA, C-USA Individual Champion, WGCA All-American ScholarSamantha Gotcher: Named to C-USA All-Academic team, Named Third Team All-C-USA, WGCA All-American Scholar, NCAA Woman of the Year nomineeHanley Long: Named to C-USA All-Academic team, Named Third Team All-C-USA, WGCA All-American Scholar

CROSS-COUNTRYSusan Aneno: Named Second Team All-C-USAKigen Chemadi: Named First Team All-C-USAAmos Cheruiyot: Named Second Team All-C-USAGeoffry Cheruiyot: Named Third Team All-C-USARhema Cheruiyot: Named Third Team All-C-USAJacob Choge: Voted the C-USA Cross Country Athlete of the Year, Named an NCAA Cross Country All-American, Named the South Region Men’s Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA, Named C-USA Male Athlete of the Week on Sept. 20 and Oct. 4, Named the C-USA Cross Country Championship Freshman of the Meet (C-USA Individual Champion), Named First Team All-C-USASampson Laari: Named First Team All-C-USA, Named C-USA Male Athlete of the Week on Sept. 13Hannah Maina: Named First Team All-C-USAHillary Rono: Named Second Team All-C-USA

SOCCERSalera Jordan: Voted to C-USA All-Freshman Team Sydney Navarro: Named to C-USA All-Third Team

MEN’S BASKETBALLKermit Davis: Named the C-USA Coach of the Year, Voted the TSWA Coach of the Year, Voted NABC District 11 Coach of the YearTyrik Dixon: Named to the C-USA All-Freshman TeamGiddy Potts: Named Third Team All-C-USA , Named the TSWA Player of the Week on March 8, Named C-USA Tournament MVP, Named to C-USA All-Tournament team, Voted NABC District 11 Second TeamEd Simpson: Nominated for the Allstate NABC Good Works Team, Named to the C-USA All-Academic TeamReggie Upshaw: Named Second Team All-C-USA, Voted to the C-USA All-Defensive Team, Named the C-USA Player of the Week on Jan. 2, Voted the TSWA Player of the Week on Jan. 3, Named to C-USA All-Tournament team, Voted NABC District 11 First TeamJaCorey Williams: Voted the C-USA Player of the Year, Named First Team All-C-USA, Voted the C-USA Newcomer of the Year, Voted C-USA Player of the Week on Nov. 28 and Dec. 19, Voted the TSWA Player of the Year, Named to C-USA All-Tournament team, Voted NABC District 11 First Team

WOMEN’S BASKETBALLAlex Johnson: Named First Team All-C-USA, Named the C-USA Player of the Week on Jan. 23, Voted the TSWA Player of the Week on Jan. 24 Gabby Lyon: Named the C-USA 6th Player of the YearTy Petty: Named First Team All-C-USA, Named the C-USA Player of the Week on Jan. 2 and Feb. 13, Voted the TSWA Player of the Week on Jan. 3 and Feb. 14, Named to the NCAA.com Starting Five on Jan. 5Abbey Sissom: Voted to the C-USA All-Defensive Team, Named to the NCAA.com Starting Five on Feb. 28, Named to the C-USA All-Academic Team

INDOOR TRACKAgnes Abu: Named C-USA Female Track Athlete of the Week on Jan. 10 and Feb. 7, C-USA 800M ChampionQetuwrah Abdullah-Muhammad: Named C-USA Female Track Athlete of the Week on Jan. 31, C-USA Long Jump ChampionSolomon Afful: Named C-USA Male Track Athlete of the Week on Jan. 31, C-USA 200M ChampionKigen Chemadi: Named C-USA Men’s Freshman of the Year, C-USA Mile ChampionJacob Choge: C-USA 3K and 5K ChampionAbike Egbeniyi: Named First Team All-American in the 800M, Named C-USA Female Track Athlete of the Week on Jan. 17Sampson Laari: Named First Team All-American in the MileLoveth Odia: C-USA 400M ChampionDean Hayes: Named C-USA Men’s Indoor Coach of the Year OUTDOOR TRACKAgnes Abu: Earned Second Team All-American honors in the 800 meters, Named C-USA Female Track Athlete of the Week on April 18, Named to the C-USA All-Academic Team, C-USA 800M and 1500M ChampionJanet Amponsah: Voted to C-USA All-Academic team, C-USA 100M and 200M ChampionGeoffry Cheruiyot: C-USA 3000M Steeplechase ChampionJacob Choge: Named C-USA Freshman of the Year, Earned Second Team All-American honors in the 10000 meters, Honorable Mention All-American in the 5000 meters, C-USA 5K and 10K ChampionElizabeth Dadzie: Earned Second Team All-American honors in the Heptathlon, Voted C-USA Female Field Athlete of the Year, Named C-USA Female Field Performer of the Meet, High Point Scorer for C-USA Championship, C-USA Heptathlon ChampionAbike Egbeniyi: Earned Second Team All-American honors in the 800 meters, Named Co-C-USA Female Track Athlete of the Week on March 28 and April 11, C-USA 400M ChampionSampson Laari: Voted to C-USA All-Academic teamEliud Rutto: Earned Honorable Mention All-American honors in the 800 meters, Named C-USA Male Track Athlete of the Week on April 18Phillip Smith: Voted to C-USA All-Academic team

2017 RAIDERS CHOICE AWARDSApril 27, 2017; Tucker Theater

PRESIDENTS AWARD (MALE): Brent Stockstill, football PRESIDENTS AWARD (FEMALE): Samantha Gotcher, golf MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Reggie Upshaw & JaCorey Williams, basketball FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Ty Petty, basketball MALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Jacob Choge, cross country FEMALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Agnes Abu, track FEMALE BREAKOUT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Abike Egbeniyi, track MALE BREAKOUT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: I’Tavius Mathers, football ALL-AMERICANS: John Ampomah (Javelin) - 1st Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Eliud Rutto (800 Meters) - 1st Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Sampson Laari (800 Meters) - 1st Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Phillip Smith (Triple Jump) - 2nd Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Atsu Nayamadi (Decath-lon) - 2nd Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Blake Benefield - Freshman All-American; Jacob Choge- All-American (2016 Cross Country); Richie James - All-American (Third Team); Ty Lee - Freshman All-American (1st Team); Sampson Laari (Mile Run) - 1st Team All-American (2016-17 Indoor); Abike Egbeniyi (800 Meter Run) - 1st Team All-American (2016-17 Indoor); Eliud Rutto (800 Meter Run) - 2nd Team All-American (2016-17 Indoor); Agnes Abu (800 Meter Run) - 2nd Team All-American (2016-17 Indoor) SAEC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Male: Tanner McDivitt, baseball; Shaina Johnson, track MAKE A DIFFERENCE AWARD: Luke Denison, MT Baseball; Eli Deml, Men’s Basketball DIRECTOR’S CUP: Baseball TEAM GPA AWARD/SPRING 2016: Women’s Tennis (3.558) TEAM GPA AWARD/FALL 2016: Men’s Tennis (3.549) GAME/EVENT OF THE YEAR: Men’s Basketball’s upset over Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament, 81-72 PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: Football’s Richie James be-came just the sixth player in NCAA history to have 200 yards rush-ing and 100 yards receiving in the same game when he notched 207 on the ground and 120 receiving yards against FAU PLAY OF THE YEAR: After allowing Minnesota to close the gap to 4 points with under seven minutes remaining in MT’s NCAA Tournament first round contest, senior Reggie Upshaw drained a triple with 6:24 remaining to open the lead back up to seven and give the momentum back to the Blue Raiders. Upshaw went on to hit the next two baskets for MT as the Raiders cruised to a nine-point win and their second consecutive NCAA second round appearance.

BASEBALLAaron Aucker: Voted First Team All-Conference Riley Delgado: Voted Second Team All-Conference, Named CoSIDA Academic All-District, Named to C-USA All-Academic teamAustin Dennis: Named C-USA Hitter of the Week on April 17, Named to C-USA All-Academic team Ryan Kemp: Named TSWA Player of the Week on April 11Cody Puckett: Named TSWA Player of the Week on May 18

MEN’S TENNISGian Issa: Named Second Team All-C-USA Doubles Tom Moonen: Named Second Team All-C-USA Singles, Voted First Team All-C-USA Doubles Luis Morillo Diaz: Named C-USA Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week on April 4, Named to C-USA All-Academic teamMiguel Negre Fernandez: Named to C-USA All-Academic team, Voted Second Team All-C-USA DoublesJacob Pugh: Named C-USA Athlete of the Month in NovemberGonzalo Morell Raschiatore: Named Second Team All-C-USA Singles, Voted First Team All-C-USA Doubles, Named C-USA Player of the Week on Jan. 31

WOMEN’S TENNISLidia Burrows: Named Third Team All-C-USACostanza Magazzini: Named Second Team All-C-USA

SOFTBALLPrecious Birdsong: Named First Team All-C-USA, Named to NFCA All-Region First Team, Received the C-USA Spring Spirit of Service Award, Named to Jaguar Invitational All-Tournament team, Voted C-USA Preseason All-Conference Summer Burgess: Named to the All-C-USA Freshman TeamLexi Cushing: Named TSWA Player of the Week on Feb. 14Morgan Harris: Named First Team All-C-USAAustyn Whaley: Named C-USA Player of the Week on Feb. 13

CROSS COUNTRY

HIGHLIGHTS- The men’s cross country team had the best season in program history, advancing to its first-ever NCAA National Championships.The men’s team placed 28th overall at the NCAA National Champi-onships in Terre Haute, Ind., to cap its historic year.

- The men’s team became the first Blue Raider team to ever be ranked nationally when they came in T-29th in the country in the Oct. 4 USTFCCCA poll. MT moved to as high as No. 22 in the nation.

- The men’s team finished in first place in four of five regular sea-son meets, while the women won two of five.

- Freshman Jacob Choge was a star all season for the Blue Raiders, placing as the top Blue Raider in all but one race that he competed in. Choge became the first All-American in MT history after placing 40th in the NCAA National Championships with a time of 30:27.7 in the 10k.

- Choge was the first Blue Raider to be named C-USA Athlete of the Year, the first to place first overall in the NCAA South Regional, and the first to win the C-USA Championships.Choge was ranked as high as the No. 7 runner in the country according to FloTrack.- Choge named the Freshman of the Meet at the C-USA Champi-onships.

- The men’s team earned its first-ever NCAA Championship bid after placing second overall in the NCAA South Regional behind only Ole Miss.

- Jacob Choge, Kigen Chemadi, Amos Cheruiyot, Sampson Laari, Geoffry Cheruiyot, and Hillary Rono named to the NCAA South Re-gion team

- Choge won the USTFCCCA South Region Athlete of the Year Award

- Jacob Choge, Kigen Chemadi, and Sampson Laari were all named First Team All-Conference, while Amos Cheruyiot and Hillary Rono were named to the Second Team, and Geoffry Cheruiyot was named to the Third Team

- Sampson Laari was named to the C-USA All-Academic TeamHannah Maina named First Team All-Conference, Susan Aneno Second Team All-Conference, and Rhema Cheruiyot Third Team All-Conference

“Jacob had a phenomenal freshman year. He’s the first All-American in cross country in school history for us. I couldn’t ask for much more from him, conference champion, region-al champion, and first All-American. We’ll see

how he can build from here.”- AHC KEITH VROMAN

Choge became the first All-American in Blue Raider Cross Country history after he finished 40th overall at the NCAA National Championships. The freshman finished 1st overall in the C-USA Championships and the NCAA South Regionals. He was named Freshman of the Meet at the C-USA’s, First-Team All-Conference and the USTFCCCA South Region Athlete of the Year.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

FOOTBALL

HIGHLIGHTS- In 11 years under Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee has reached bowl eligibility eight times and seven times in the last eight years. The Blue Raiders have been bowl eligible under Rick Stockstill in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The eight bowl eligible years during the 11-year span is more than any FBS team in Tennessee and equals the most of any program in C-USA.

- The highest honor in the Blue Raider football program is to be voted a Permanent Team Captain at the conclusion of the regular season. This year’s captains, as announced on Dec. 1, were QB Brent Stockstill, RB I’Tavius Mathers, LB DJ Sanders, and DT Raynard Felton.

- Middle Tennessee placed six players on the first and second All-Conference USA teams. First team picks were I’Tavius Mathers, Richie James, Jeremy Cutrer, Canon Rooker and William Eads, while Daniel Stephens was the lone second team member. Ty Lee and Tyshun Render were on the All-Freshman team.

- With 207 yards rushing and 120 receiving, Richie James became only the sixth player in NCAA Division I history with 200-plus yards rushing and 100-plus receiving. James became the only receiver to join the elite list and is the only C-USA player to accomplish the feat.

- Junior Canon Rooker, who took over placekicking duties in 2016 for the first time in his career, enjoyed a steady campaign. Rooker hit 16 of 19 field goals on the season and the 16 makes ranked fourth most in school history. Rooker, who made 64 of 66 extra points, made 13 of his last 14 field goals and hit all 10 three-pointers against C-USA foes. He also scored 112 total points which went down as the most ever by a kicker at MT and fourth most overall. - MT’s win over Louisiana Tech went down as the largest comeback victory under 11th year Head Coach Rick Stockstill. The Blue Raiders were down 27-7 in the third quarter and successfully overcame the 20-point deficit. The largest comeback under Stockstill previous to the LA Tech game was 17 points against Memphis in 2011 and FIU in 2012. - QB Brent Stockstill turned in an impressive performance against WKU in 2016. The sophomore completed a school record 42 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns. The 434 yards went down as a career-high and the third most ever recorded in a single game at MT. Stockstill is now just one of five players to have 400 or more yards in a game for the Blue Raiders and the only multiple 400-yard passer.

The Middle Tennessee offense set numerous single-season records in 2016 under the direction of coordinator Tony Franklin.

Following is a list of those records:

Total Offense 6730 5946 (2015) Total Yards/Game 517.7 493.7 (2016) Total Yards/Play 6.91 6.78 (2001) Points Scored 516 442 (2015) Total Touchdowns 67 58 (2015) Passing Yards/Game 325.8 311.7 (2015) Passing Yards 4236 4052 (2015) Pass Attempts 556 509 (2011) Pass Completions 349 334 (2015) Touchdown Passes 39 34 (2016) First Downs 323 302 (2015) All-Purpose Yards 7636 7403 (2015)

“I’Tavius had arguably the best all-around year of any running back in school

history and one of the best ever in college football. It’s hard to put up the

numbers he did in his only season as a Blue Raider. He was strong in the running game and equally impressive as a receiver. What grabbed me the most about I’Tavius was how humble he was, his work ethic and being a

tremendous teammate.”

- HC Rick Stockstill

CATEGORY TOTALS PREVIOUS RECORD

I’Tavius Mathers proved to be a potent weapon in both the rushing and passing game in his lone season with the Blue Raiders. Mathers became the first player in NCAA history to have over 1,500 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving and at least 60 receptions. The senior finished with a single-season record 1,561 yards rushing, 633 yards receiving and 66 receptions (most ever by an MT running back and tied for ninth most in a season by all players).

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

SOCCER

HIGHLIGHTS- 6-2 win vs. Jackson State, the most goals scored in a game since the 2013 season. The Blue Raiders racked up a season-high 33 shots on the goal in the game, also the most since 2013. Abbie Brown scored two of the goals. Salera Jordan, Sam DeBien, Amber Hoot and Abbie Brown each recorded five shots with four of Brown’s on goal.

- A 1-0 win over Jacksonville State. Haley Nishimoto came off the bench to score the game winner in the 84th minute of action. She headed in a cross from Kerri Cook for her first career goal.

- 4-2 win over UAB for first conference win of the year. Abbie Brown scored two goals, one of which would be the eventual game winner, which was a set piece goal from 40 yards out. Amber Hoot and Salera Jordan also scored in the game. Sydney Chalcraft tied a career/season-high saves in goal with eight.

- 2-0 shutout win over Marshall. A big conference win on the road, Angie Lai had a goal and an assist in the game. Celeste Barnard recorded the shutout performance in net with four saves.

- Sydney Chalcraft’s seven save performance against No. 1 Florida State. One save shy of tying her career/season-high and held the Seminoles scoreless for 59 minutes of action to close out the contest.

- A 1-1 draw against Belmont which saw Sydney Chalcraft have another career day with another eight saves in net in a double overtime contest. Salera Jordan had the goal for the Raiders, scoring on a pass up the middle from Courteney Gibson.

- Salera Jordan lands on the All-Freshman team while securing a Middle Tennessee season record – 3.16 shots per game. She also led the team in points with 15, goals with seven and shots with 51. Her best performance was a two-goal game against UTSA.

“With such a young team it was important that one or more returning players help guide us on and off the field. Cameron Cox was one of those players. She displayed great character especially in games where the result didn’t go our way. She provided great lead-ership on and off the field and was very consistent in her play this year. She was oftentimes called upon to play different roles in our midfield and fulfilled her re-sponsibilities admirably. Despite being a quiet player on the field her performances made a lot of noise and as such earned her recognition at the conference lev-el. With such great improvements in her game, Cam will certainly be an even bigger impact player for us

her senior year”- HC ASTON RHODEN

Cameron Cox started every game of the season in the midfield and owns the longest streak of games started (45) and played (57) on the team. Cox played over 1400 minutes on the season in a vital role as the organizer of the Blue Raider midfield.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

VOLLEYBALL

HIGHLIGHTS- Swept the season opener against ULM at the DISH Tennessee Classic- Return seven letter winners from the 2016 campaign- Meg Irvin set a season high in C-USA for most digs in a match with 34 against Charlotte (Oct. 16)- Team tallied a season-high 70 kills and season-high 101 digs in win at Charlotte- Regan Coughlin (7), Jacqueline Lux (7), Bailey Mason (1), Dora Peonia (1) each collected double-doubles this season- Posted the highest GPA in program history (3.689 Spring GPA)- 11 student-athletes were named to the C-USA Academic Honor Roll, with Regan Coughlin, Aubrie Huddleston, Meg Irvin and Sloan Sullivan earning the C-USA Academic Medal.

“Makila is an amazing young lady with a high moral compass and the respect of all of her teammates. She will play a major leadership role as we look to rebuild MTSU volleyball and once again compete on the national stage.”

- HC CHUCK CRAWFORD

Makila York finished her sophomore campaign with 128 kills, 29 digs and 26 blocks and capped the season averaging 8.63 kills per match in the final eight contests. York logged a season-high 13 kills against in-state rival Austin Peay.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

MEN’S BASKETBALL

HIGHLIGHTS- The Blue Raiders opened the year with one of the best starts in school history at 10-1, which included a sweep of the Challenge in Music City and a pair of dominant wins over SEC foes Ole Miss and Vanderbilt

- Middle Tennessee went 10-3 in a challenging non-conference schedule that was ranked the 19th non-conference strength of schedule in the nation

- The Raiders’ 31 wins broke the previous school record of 28 and was the 7th most wins in the country in 2016-17, making MT just the fourth program in Conference USA history to surpass the 30-win mark (Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis)

- Head Coach Kermit Davis’ squad went 17-1 in conference play to set a C-USA record for league wins in a single season

- Senior JaCorey Williams was named Conference USA Player and Newcomer of the Year while Reggie Upshaw and Giddy Potts also earned all-conference honors and Tyrik Dixon collected all-freshman team honors

- Head coach Kermit Davis has led the Raiders to 154 wins over the last six seasons, the most of any Division I team in the state ofTennessee

- Conference USA Coach of the Year Kermit Davis surpassed the 300-win mark as the head coach at Middle Tennessee with a 97-86 win at Marshall, and is also approaching 400 career wins in Division I and 450 career wins as a head coach at all levels

- With an upset win over No. 5 seed Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament, the Blue Raiders became the first team in NCAA Tournament history to win NCAA First Round games against a Power Five team as a No. 12 seed or higher in back to back years

- MT was one of just six schools in the nation to boast a 100 percent NCAA Graduation Rate and also win a 2017 NCAA Tournament game, joining Duke, Kansas, Villanova, Notre Dame and Butler

- The Blue Raiders entered the USA Today Coaches Poll Top 25 for the first time in school history on March 6, boasting a 27-4 record at the time as they entered the postseason

-Middle Tennessee’s sweep of the Conference USA regular season and tournament championships gives the program seven conference titles in the last eight seasons

- Davis’ vaunted defensive schemes led the Raiders to a top two finish in C-USA in scoring defense for the fourth year in a row, finishing second in 2016-17 allowing just 63.9 points per game

- Blue Raider great Reggie Upshaw collected the 99th win of his career in the NCAA Tournament win against Minnesota, giving him more wins than any other player in Middle Tennessee history

“Reggie has impacted winning better than any player in MT history and that’s saying a lot based on the great history of players here. A huge part of our 2 NCAA tournament wins in back to back years. Jacorey made as much improvement as any player in his 2 years here 1 as a player. Great competitor. Loves ball and was the ultimate teammate. Both of these

guys have great careers ahead.”

- HC KERMIT DAVIS

Four-year senior Reggie Upshaw served as the heart of the Blue Raider basketball team during its most historic season ever, averaging 14.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while adding 85 assists, 40 steals and 31 blocks from his power for-ward position. Upshaw, MT’s all-time leader in wins (99), games played (140) and games started (115), shot 53 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free throw line while leading the Raiders to a school record 31 wins and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Upshaw finished his career in the Top 5 in school history in points, field goals made, rebounds, steals, blocks and minutes played, seventh in double-doubles and 11th in assists.

After taking a redshirt year in 2015-16, senior transfer JaCorey

Williams exploded onto the scene for the Blue Raiders, leading

the team in points (17.3) and rebounds (7.3). Williams earned MVP

honors at the Challenge in Music City in November and tallied

11 double-doubles on the year on his way to being named the

Conference USA Newcomer and Player of the Year. His 621 points

in 2016-17 were just two points shy of the single-season school

record of 623.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

HIGHLIGHTS- Middle Tennessee won 23 games, marking the 14th consecutive season with 20-plus wins for the program, and the 12th straight under Head Coach Rick Insell.

- Head Coach Rick Insell was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, June 10, 2017.

- Alex Johnson became just the third sophomore in program history to reach the 1,000-point club in her second season. Johnson reached the milestone in her 62nd game to become the fastest to accomplish the feat as a sophomore.

- Middle Tennessee connected on 250 3-pointers in 2016-17, which are the sixth-most in program history. The Lady Raiders were 21st nationally in 3-point field goal percentage. Their .364 clip.- Middle Tennessee set a school record for free-throw percentage in 2016-17 with a .767 percentage. That mark was also good for 19th nationally.

- Ty Petty became Middle Tennessee’s third USBWA National Player of the Week in as many years when she was so honored in January.

- Middle Tennessee played the 13th toughest non-conference schedule in the nation in 2016-17. All but two of MT’s 11 losses were to teams in the Top 55 in the RPI.

- Alex Johnson was second in C-USA and 17th nationally in scoring with 20.2 points per game. Johnson turned in one of the top scoring seasons in Lady Raider history with 687 points in 2016-17. That total is good for sixth on the single-season scoring list.

- Junior guard Abbey Sissom put on a record-setting shooting display in MT’s 87-56 win against UAB (2/26/17). Sissom was 8-of-9 from 3-point range and established career highs for points (25) and 3-point field goals (8). The eight 3-pointers were the second most by a C-USA Player during the season. The 88.8 percent shooting clip is tied for first all-time in C-USA games with a minimum of nine attempts.

- Abbey Sissom and Ty Petty didn’t mind working overtime. Petty led C-USA and was fourth nationally for minutes played per game with 38.2, while Sissom was third in C-USA and 32nd nationally with 36.6 minutes per game. Petty played all 40 minutes in 20 contests and 39 minutes in four others. Sissom played all 40 minutes in 12 games, while logging at least 38 minutes in 15 others.

- Middle Tennessee participated in a national postseason tour-nament for the 14th consecutive season when it played in the 2017 WNIT Tournament, reaching the third round before falling to eventual national runner-up Georgia Tech.

- The Lady Raiders continued a trend of reaching the postseason in each of Head Coach Rick Insell’s 12 seasons and earned two wins before bowing out.

- Middle Tennessee began its postseason run with a 67-58 win against Morehead State at the Murphy Center. Alex Johnson led the way with 26 points, and Ty Petty added 22 as the Lady Raiders earned the win. MT led 32-26 at halftime and built as much as a double-figure lead in the second half.

- The Lady Raiders racked up a win against ACC foe Wake Forest, 73-66, in the second round of the WNIT at Murphy Center. Once again it was the tandem of Johnson and Petty leading the way with 28 points each. MT owned a narrow 36-33 lead at the half and held on to win the closely contested game.

- Middle Tennessee traveled to Atlanta for its third-round game against Georgia Tech and dropped a 70-57 decision. Petty capped her illus-trious Lady Raider career with 21 points, six assists and five steals.

“Ty Petty was our Superwoman. Ty Petty is the best point guard that I have had the privilege of coaching, and I have coached some pretty good ones. More than anything, Ty became a great leaders and she led our team the right way. Ty was outstanding for us, and she was also very unselfish. This season she was one of the leading scorers in C-USA (third) and also led the conference in assists, which is very rare to do both. We will definitely miss Ty

Petty, and so will our fans.”- HC RICK INSELL

Ty Petty became the only player in Lady Raider History with 1,400-plus points, 300-plus rebounds, 500-plus assists and 190-plus steals in her Middle Tennessee career. Petty completed her Lady Raider career with 540 assists, which is second on the all-time list. She joins Heather Prater (Warren) as the only players in program history with 500-plus assists. Petty dished out 186 assists in 2016-17, which is second on the single-season assists list. Petty is also first on the single-season list with 195 in 2015-16. Petty was a first-team All C-USA selection in 2016-17. Petty became Middle Tennessee’s third USBWA National Player of the Week in as many years when she was so honored in January. Petty connected on a school-record 38 straight free throws during one stretch.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

HIGHLIGHTS

“For a freshman to come in and do what he has done – he’s won at conference and then went on to be named an All-American. By the

time you put that together, that’s a pretty solid performance all year. That’s a lot of

pressure on a freshman for a whole school year. He then got to NCAA Outdoor

Championships and excelled there. That’s one of the best freshman years we have had.”

- HC DEAN HAYES

- Indoor Conference Champions- Kigen Chemadi named C-USA Indoor Freshman of the Year- Eliud Rutto and Sampson Laari qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships, while Eliud Rutto and Jacob Choge qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships- Finished the indoor and outdoor seasons with five All-Americans- Racked up three individual titles in the indoor season and three individual titles in the outdoor season- Established nine new school records throughout the indoor and outdoor seasons

Jacob Choge was a two-time All-American in his freshman season for the Blue Raiders, competing in the 5K and 10K at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Choge was named C-USA Outdoor Freshman of the Year after winning the 5K and 10K at the C-USA Championships in El Paso, Texas. The Kenya native also notched C-USA indoor titles in the 3K and 5K, while establishing three school records through the indoor and outdoor season.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

HIGHLIGHTS- Agnes Abu and Abike Egbeniyi qualified for NCAA Indoor Championships- Finished the Indoor season with two All-Americans- Set Indoor school records in the 800-meter, Mile, 4x400-meter relay and pentathlon- Three individual champions at C-USA Indoor Championships- Abike Egbeniyi, Agnes Abu and Elizabeth Dadzie qualified for NCAA Outdoor Championships- Finished the Outdoor season with three All-American honors- Won eight individual titles at C-USA Outdoor Championships- Elizabeth Dadzie named High Point Scorer of the Meet at C-USA Outdoor Championships and C-USA Female Field Athlete of the Year- Set outdoor school records in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 800-meter, 1500-meter, 4x400-meter relay, sprint medley relay and heptathlon “It began with indoors, to win conference

titles there and again on a relay squad, then go to the NCAAs. Same thing with outdoors – two C-USA titles and was on winning relays,

and then on to the NCAAs. That’s a full year no matter what.

That’s as good of a year you can ask for.”- HC DEAN HAYES

Agnes Abu claimed three titles at the C-USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2017, winning the 800-meter, 1,500-meter and the 4x400-meter relay. Indoor, the Ghana native won C-USA titles in the 800 meter and 4x400-meter relay. Abu set five Middle Tennessee records through the 2017 season and was a two-time Secont Team All-American.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- Middle Tennessee made its seventh trip to the NCAA Regionals in the last 10 years and eighth overall since the regional format began in 1989. The Blue Raiders also played in the 2000, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 NCAA Regionals. - The NCAA Men’s Golf Selection committee presented the Blue Raiders with a No. 9 seed at the College Grove Regional. It ranked as the fourth highest seed for the Raiders. The highest seed ever for Middle Tennessee came in 2010 as a No. 7 seed then garnered a No. 8 seed in both 2011 and 2012 to go with a No. 10 seed in 2014. In 2000, MT was seeded 14th, then in 2008 had a No. 19 seed, and climbed to a No. 11 seed in 2009.

- Senior Joey Savoie and freshmen Ilari Saulo and Chip Thomas were honored by Conference USA for their play in 2016-17. Savoie, a native of Quebec, Canada, was selected to the five-man First Team All-Conference USA squad, while Saulo was voted the C-USA Freshman of the Year. Saulo and Chip Thomas were also put on the five-man All-Freshman team. - The Middle Tennessee men’s golf team opened up the 2016 fall season by making a statement and winning the Invitational at The Ocean Course. The Blue Raiders shot an impressive 850 (tied for 8th best 54-hole total in school history) on the par 72, 7,115-yard Ocean Course at the Kiawah Island Resort to win by six strokes.

- Sophomore Marcus Byrd enjoyed a very solid season in 2016-17. The Atlanta, GA, native cut more than one full stroke off his 2015-16 average while also collecting four top 10 finishes compared to just one his freshman year. Byrd finished the year with a 72.8 stroke average, had 15 rounds of par or better and had four rounds in the 60s.

- Freshman Ilari Saulo enjoyed a strong fall season that was capped off by earning co-medalist honors at the Quail Valley Collegiate Invitational in San Diego. Saulo, who matched the third best score in Blue Raider history the final day with a 65, birdied two of his final three holes to tie Phillip Knowles of North Florida. Saulo finished with a 71 and led the field with 19 birdies and an eagle. Saulo’s 54-hole total of 203 matched the best three-round score in school history with Kent Bulle (2007) and Brett Patterson (2013). Saulo also became the first medalist or co-medalist winner at Middle Ten-nessee since Hunter Green won the 2012 Argent Financial Classic.

MEN’S GOLF

HIGHLIGHTS

“Joey has made as big an impact for such a brief time as I can ever recall as a coach,” said Head Coach Brennan Webb. “Obviously his on-course perfor-mance has been outstanding but he has had just as big of an influence off the course. When he decided to transfer, we talked about what kind of impact he could have on the program, not just this year, but long after he leaves. He has shown all of us the necessary work ethic and dedication required to succeed at the highest levels which will be beneficial to this program

for many years to come.”

- HC BRENNAN WEBB

Savoie, who had just one year to make his mark as a Blue Raider, took advantage of his limited time by putting in one of the top seasons in school history. Savoie led the team with a 71.8 stroke average, had 22 of his 36 rounds at par or better to go with eight rounds in the 60s. Savoie also earned first team all-conference honors, was a PING All-Region selection and was on the league’s all-academic team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- Sophomore Hanley Long earned Conference USA Golfer of the Week honors following the second tournament of the season, tying for 23rd in a deep field at the Mason Rudolph Championship with a 5-over par 221 (74-74-73)

- The Blue Raiders’ top performance in the fall was a fifth-place finish at the Lady Paladin Invitational in which three players finished 1-over par or better to each land in the Top 15 spots of the 109-golfer field

- Despite losing three seniors, two of which were named All-Conference USA First Team a year ago, Head Coach Chris Adams reloaded to remain in contention and win her fourth league trophy in four years with a second-place finish at the Conference USA Championship

- The Blue Raiders’ individual league champion was named Second Team All-Conference USA while teammates Samantha Gotcher and Hanley Long each collected Third Team honors

- Long and Gotcher also collected Conference USA All-Academic Team honors while all seven Raiders made the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, three of which were named Academic Medal Winners

- Coach Adams led her team to its fourth consecutive NCAA Public Recognition Award given to teams that stand in the Top 10 percent nationally in their sport in Academic Progress Rate

- Senior Samantha Gotcher, True Blue President’s Award win-ner as Middle Tennessee’s top female student-athlete, also served as MT’s nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year for her excellence in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

WOMEN’S GOLF

HIGHLIGHTS

“After having an “up and down” fall, Jenna really stepped up and played really good golf. She worked harder on her game in the offseason and it showed on the course. Her course management was much improved with sharper shots to smarter targets. She is a great teammate to others by always lending a hand and a smile at practice. After a couple of years at MT, Jenna has really come into her own. She has a great personality on and off the course, is pleasant to be around and has an “ease” about her on the course

that shows her maturity as a player and person.”- HC CHRIS ADAMS

Sophomore Jenna Burris flourished in the spring to the tune of a team-best 73 strokes per round, logging four Top 20 finishes in five tournaments and firing seven out of 15 rounds at par or better. Burris concluded the season by running away with the Conference USA individual title, winning by six strokes at 7-under par (67-70-72=209) to become just the second individual conference champi-on in school history alongside Taryn Durham (2006)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- Freshman Tom Moonen was slotted high in the MT lineup in his first spring in Murfreesboro, posting an 11-10 mark in singles – tied for the team lead – as well as winning 13 matches at the No. 1 doubles spot, tied for the team lead in doubles wins on the squad. Moonen was rewarded at the end of his first season as a Blue Raider with a spot on the All-C-USA Second Team Singles and First Team Doubles lists.

- Gian Issa again earned league accolades at the end of the season with a spot on the All-C-USA Second Team Doubles list after a 10-9 mark in the spring season, including a 7-2 record at the No. 3 doubles spot. Issa posted the best singles winning percentage on the team of any player that competed in two or more matches with an 11-8 record, including six wins in his 10 matches.

- Miguel Negre Fernandez earned a spot in the C-USA record books for the first time in his career with his appearance on the All-C-USA Second Team Doubles list following a 10-9 spring season in doubles. The junior tied for a team-best 11 singles wins in the spring and earned victories in six of his last 10 matches.

- Sophomore Luis Morillo Diaz began the season with an ITA national singles ranking of No. 113 after a 9-1 record in the fall. The Santiago, Spain, native earned eight wins in the spring season, including starts at No. 2, 3, 4, and 5 for the Blue Raiders.

- Freshman Max Rauch tied for the team-lead in dual match singles wins with an 11-11 record. Rauch closed out the season with four consecutive wins and posted seven wins at the No. 6 spot in the lineup to go with a win at No. 3 early in the season.

- The Blue Raiders were 3-1 in the regular season against C-USA foes and carried that momentum into the C-USA Championship at the Adams Tennis Complex, when they blanked Charlotte, 4-0, before dropping the semifinal match to No. 40 Rice.

- Seven Blue Raiders that competed in a match in the spring season earned a spot on the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, with five maintaining at least a 3.75 GPA to receive a C-USA Academic Medal.

MEN’S TENNIS

HIGHLIGHTS

“Gonzalo was a workhorse for us all year. He had a stretch there in the middle of the year where he didn’t play his best tennis, but he finished up strong, and he was very deserving of his league accolades. He was voted captain of the team as a sophomore and is a great guy to have in the locker room off the court. He’s a cornerstone for a good team that we

have returning next year.”- HC JIMMY BORENDAME

Sophomore captain Gonzalo Morell Raschiatore was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team Singles and First Team Doubles lists for his stellar play at the top of MT’s lineup. The Perth, Australia, native was 10-13 in dual match singles and was tied for the team-lead in doubles wins with a record of 13-8, all at the top spot.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- Freshman Lidia Burrows started matches at the top four positions in the lineup and registered 11 singles victories and 14 doubles victories, good enough for second on the squad in both categories. She was rewarded at the end of the season with a spot on the All-C-USA Third Team Singles list.

- The team earned a season-best three victories in a row from March 31-April 7, taking down New Orleans and LA Tech in New Orleans before returning home to the Adams Tennis Complex for another C-USA victory against UAB.

- Junior-transfer Maria Josefina Zehnder registered all her finishes at the top spot of the MT lineup, including five wins. The first win over a C-USA foe in her Blue Raider career came on April 2 in New Orleans against LA Tech in three sets against Jazmin Britos.

- Zehnder closed out the season with freshman Marta Peris Herrero as her doubles partner at the No. 3 slot. The duo was 9-3 on the season, with all nine wins coming in their last 10 matches to finish out the season.

- The Blue Raiders were solid in neutral site matches in 2017, winning five out of the seven matches they played in that category. Wins in neutral sites came against Sam Houston State, BYU, New Orleans, LA Tech, and Troy, while only losing to Wake Forest – who ended the season ranked No. 33 – and North Texas in the C-USA Championship on the Mean Green’s home courts.

- Six Blue Raiders that competed in a match in 2017 were named to the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll for maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA. Herrero was the only active netter to earn a C-USA Academic Medal for posting a 3.75 GPA or better.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

HIGHLIGHTS

“Costanza was a leader. She had the most wins in the fall, and she really set the tone for the team. She played the best tennis in the fall, and it carried over. Her confidence got a little low in the middle of the year, but she bounced back at the end of the year. She led our team in a lot of different areas but

especially on the court.”- HC CHARLIE RAMSAY

Sophomore Costanza Magazzini led the Blue Raiders in singles and doubles wins in the dual match season, which was capped off with a spot on the All-Conference USA Second Team Singles list. The Pistoia, Italy, native was 12-9 in the spring in singles and was tops on the team with 15 doubles triumphs.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- The Blue Raider offense was unstoppable during the season, ranking in the Top 50 in the country in hits (13th), batting average (24th), doubles (36th), and runs scored (50th). MT ranked 2nd in C-USA in hits with 606 on the year, and in batting average, .306, the best team batting average for MT since 2010.

- Six different Blue Raider batters hit .303 or better, including three players who finished Top Eight in C-USA in batting average.

- Austin Dennis was named C-USA Hitter of the Week (4/17) in which he hit .500 (8-of-13 in the weekend sweep of UAB) with two home runs, eight runs scored, and eight RBI in four games.

- Several different Blue Raiders finished in the top of Conference USA in various individual categories: Ryan Kemp: 4th in Batting Average (.366), 4th in Slugging Percentage (.622); Aaron Aucker: 7th in Batting Average (.359), 3rd in Slugging Percentage (.641), 6th in On-Base Percentage (.448); Riley Delgado: 8th in Batting Average (.352), 6th in Hits (82); Austin Dennis: 1st in Sacrifice Flies (10), 4th in Stolen Bases (13); Cody Puckett: 5th lowest in Hits Allowed (57), 12th in Strikeouts (71), 13th in Opponent Batting Average (.254)

- Senior Riley Delgado hit his way into the Blue Raider record book, finishing seventh all-time with a .369 batting average. The sure-handed shortstop was named Second-team All-Conference for the second year in-a-row.

- Aaron Aucker finished with a team-high 10 home runs (15th in C-USA), to go along with a .359 batting average and 41 RBI, on his way to being named First-team All-Conference.

- The Blue Raiders ended their season in dramatic fashion, coming from behind to defeat (RV) LA Tech 9-8 and earning their third C-USA series win of the year. Murfreesboro native’s Drew Huff and Blake Benefield were key to sending off the seniors in an exciting way. Benefield smacked the game-winning double to left center, scoring Huff from first to seal the win at Reese Smith Jr. Field. Huff was also the winning pitcher on the mound, coming on in the top of the 9th to hold the Bulldog offense at bay.

BASEBALL

HIGHLIGHTS

“Mr. Consistent is the best way to describe Riley (Delgado). He played in every single game, worked extremely hard and was a tremendous leader on and off the field. He had another great year for us, following up an

all-conference year, with another all-conference year this season.”

- HC JIM MCGUIRE

Started all 55 games at the shortstop position, earning Second-Team

All-Conference for the second consecutive year. Delgado was Mr.

Reliable for the Blue Raiders, leading the team with 26 multi-hit

games, 82 hits (19th in the nation), 108 total bases, and 41 runs. The

senior finished 7th all-time in Blue Raider history in batting average

after finishing 2017 with a .352 average. The Miami, Fla., native was

drafted in the 9th round (260th overall) by the Atlanta Braves.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- The Raiders opened the year with the best start to the season in program history, going 5-1. The stretch included five straight wins over Georgia Southern (9-3, 11-1), Tennessee Tech (5-3, 8-2) and Southeast Missouri State (8-4) in tournament play.

- Austyn Whaley earned the first C-USA Player of the Week honor. She led the team with a .571 (8-for-14) batting average at the Georgia Southern Tournament. She accumulated two doubles, a triple, a home run and eight RBI in Middle Tennessee’s four wins.

- Lexi Cushing earned TSWA Player of the Week for her perfor-mance at the Georgia Southern Tournament. Her biggest feat was coming in as a pinch hitter and hitting a two-run home run to give MT a 5-3 walk-off win in the eighth inning over Tennessee Tech. She contributed to the Raiders’ four wins in the tournament by batting .429 (6-for-14) with three home runs, a double, a sacrifice fly and 10 RBI.

- The first series win of the season was taking down Louisiana Tech two games to one in early April. The weekend was highlighted by a 9-8 extra inning rubber match victory. The Raiders had to come from behind, and tied the game three times before taking a one-run lead in the top of the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Austyn Whaley. MT also used two pitchers before Gretchen Greer came in in relief and struck out 9 of 15 to close out the contest.

- Gretchen Greer had another impressive pitching performance in a 2-0 win over Alabama A&M. She struck out 13 batters in the complete game win, the most by a MT pitcher since 2004.

- The Raiders’ recorded their first win over FAU since joining C-USA, and first win over FAU since 2012. It was 2-1 win for MT, going to extra innings. Summer Burgess notched the game winning hit, a bases loaded RBI single just past the diving shortstop.

- The Raiders picked up another series win over UAB, besting the Blazers two games to one. MT won the opening game, 3-1, behind two sacrifice hits from Austyn Whaley to score two runs. The other game was a 4-2 win as Precious Birdsong put a ball in play that scored two runs and Samantha Vacko smacked two doubles. Pattie Ruth Taylor recorded a save to help secure the second series victory of the year.

SOFTBALL

HIGHLIGHTS

“Precious had an outstanding year for us this season. Receiving all-conference and all-region is a big honor and is a big honor for our program and for our school. She is a great athlete on the

field and a great student in the classroom. Precious is an ambassador for our university and a great representation of what Blue Raider softball is all about. She is the face of our

program at this time and when you think about Middle Tennessee softball, she is someone that comes up and people in

the community know and look up to her. She is a great teammate and exemplifies what it takes to be a great student athlete. I’m very happy with the season she had and extremely proud of all her hard work and what she was able to accomplish. She is a great player, student, and most importantly a great

person. Precious is a winner!”

- HC JEFF BREEDEN

Precious Birdsong hit a blistering .443 on the year, a new MT single season record. This mark propelled her to a C-USA First Team selection and NFCA All-Region Mideast First Team honor. She also went into the single season record book with the third-most singles (57) and second-highest on-base percentage (.494). Additionally, Birdsong now ranks first in the MT career record book with 10 triples and 101 stolen bases. Birdsong earned the C-USA Spring Spirit of Service Award.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR