Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. --- Spring 2021-22 saw continued success for Life University Athletics as multiple programs and individuals competed on the national stage as the Men's Rugby team and the Men's Outdoor Track and Field teams brought home national titles.
 
Life U Spring success saw teams accumulate 45 All-Mid-South Conference honors, 27 All-Americans,  14 MSC Players of the Week, five NAIA Athlete of the Weeks, three MSC "of the Year" awards, two MSC Team Championships, nine MSC Individual Champions, two team National Championships and five individual National Titles. Spring teams performed well in the classroom as well, three programs being recognized as NAIA Scholar Teams, as 32 student-athletes earned Academic All-Conference recognition and 18 were honored as NAIA-Daktronics Scholar Athletes.
 
Men's Volleyball
The Spring athletics calendar got started with the Life University men's volleyball team which opened the season with a 5-1 record under the leadership of new head coach CJ Shearer. The team finished with a record that tied the program-best mark of 17 wins with seven losses.
 
After a loss early in the year to Campbellsville, the men's volleyball team bounced back with eight straight victories that included road wins at Webber International and St. Andrews. Down the road, the Running Eagles fell in four of the final seven matches heading into the MSC Tournament. The Running Eagles defeated Midway in the Opening Round but fell to (RV) Campbellsville to end the season.
 
The men's volleyball team still recorded numerous postseason awards being named a NAIA Scholar Team as well as having a pair of NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes. Alex Cabana earned First Team All-Mid-South Conference honors as Javier Cornier was recognized as Second Team All-Conference. They also had eight individuals be recognized by the MSC as Academic All-Conference honorees.
 
Women's Lacrosse
The women's lacrosse team looked to build upon its record-breaking season in 2021 as they started the year ranked No. 3 in the preseason NAIA Poll. The Running Eagles opened the year with a massive 10-9 victory over No. 8 SCAD with a pair of blowout wins over Point and Webber to follow. The team then hosted No. 10 Georgetown and earned the 17-4 victory for a 4-0 start to the year.

The first loss of the season came to No. 1 ranked Keiser 10-9 at home late, however the Running Eagles bounced back with a 13-12 win over No. 5 Reinhardt at home to start the month of March. The tough schedule continued with a 20-7 win over (RV) Aquinas College, before the Running Eagles fell in the closing moments 14-13 to eventual NAIA National Champion Benedictine College who was ranked No. 6 at the time. They followed up the performance with a win over No. 9 Sienna Heights 19-12. The team finished the month of March with three more wins over opponents who were Receiving Votes as the team remained ranked at No. 4.

The road trip to Michigan proved to be tough as the team battled the elements against eventual No. 1 nationally ranked Lawrence Tech in an 11-8 showing, which was the least number of goals scored in a game all season. Then the Running Eagles had to overcome adversity and squeeze out a 14-13 win at Indiana Tech to finish the trip. The Team then fell to No. 5 Keiser 19-14 but won the final two games of the year. Heading into the MSC Tournament, the Running Eagles were ranked No. 7 and needed a good showing to ensure a spot at the NAIA Championships. 

A 23-5 win in the opening round saw the team match up with No. 2 nationally ranked University of the Cumberlands in the MSC Semifinals. The Running Eagles were poised for the upset as they led 5-4 after the first quarter and 10-5 at the half. They struggled in the third quarter, but still edged out a 12-8 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Cumberlands scored a pair of goals in the final 25 seconds to tie the game and send the match to overtime. With 21 seconds remaining in the second overtime, the Patriots found the back of the net to earn the 13-12 win, however with the performance the Running Eagles still earned their spot at the NAIA National Championships. In the opening match of the championships, Life U matched up with No. 4 Reinhardt and fell 15-14 to end the season ranked number seven.

The team finished the year with an overall record of 15-6 with an impressive nine wins over ranked opponents and the stats to match. Nationally, the Running Eagles were first in games played (21), second in goals (347), eighth in assists (145), seventh in goals per game (16.52), second in shots (765), first in shots on goal (614), first in ground balls (582) and first in caused turnovers (437).
 
As far as honors received, Maria Arvizu became the first player in program history to be awarded a conference award as the MSC Offensive Player of the Year. Arvizu was joined by Leanne Windon as a NAIA First Team All-American as Brianna Freeman and Lexi Santiago earned NAIA Second Team All-American honors. The team also earned seven MSC Player of the Week honors with four NAIA IWLCA National Player of the Week honors. Santiago, Freeman, Arvizu and Windon each received First Team All-Conference honors as Nicole Ortiz and Angie Forbes were named to the Second Team. Academically, they totaled seven All-MSC Academic members, five NAIA-Daktronics Scholar Athletes and were named a NAIA Scholar Team.
 
Men's Outdoor Track & Field
The Life U men's track and field program was restarted in 2021, continuing the success they built from the Winter indoor season. Life U continued to sit near the top ten throughout the USTFCCCA rankings and dominated on the final day of the NAIA Championships to bring home the fifth red banner in program history. The Running Eagles won four consecutive outdoor championships from 1997-2000, however multiple performances led to a 52-point swing on the final day to capture the National Championship.
 
By the time that the MSC Outdoor Championships had come, Life U maintained the No. 5 national ranking. Despite it being the team's first year back, Life U continued its dominance from the indoor season and laid claim to both the indoor and outdoor MSC titles with 177 points. The team captured eight total titles; Phemelo Matlhabe swept both the 100 and 200m races, Jacob Ulrich captured the 400m title, Marvin Jean-Francois won both the 110m and 400m hurdles, Christian Figueroa took first in the 3,000m steeplechase, Geovanni Hawes won the javelin and the 4x400m relay team of Venord Burrows, Ngoni Chadyiwa, Patrick Faust and Ulrich captured the title as well. Besides the titles, the Running Eagles recorded nine other spots on the podium. Dominic Demeritte was named the MSC Men's Outdoor Coach of the Year for leading his team to the title.
 
At Nationals, the men went into the final day with zero team points, however the short distance events were all on the final day. Christian Colon jumpstarted the rally in the half marathon where he earned the team's first individiaul national champion. Later in the day, the 4x100m team of Markanthony Hayes, Matlhabe, Chadyiwa and Jean-Francois took the top spot on the podium for the second title in as many events. Matlhabe picked up his first individual title in nearly record in the 100m dash. Chadyiwa and Ulrich each earned All-American honors in the 400m dash. The dream for the red banner became an attainable goal.
 
With two events remaining, the Running Eagles trailed Southeastern 44-38. The Flames had one remaining competitor, as he lined up next to Matlhabe in the 200m dash. As the gun fired, Matlhabe leaped out of the box to secure his second individual title and third of the event, which also gave the Running Eagles a narrow 48-47 lead with Southeastern out of competitors. The 4x400m relay team of Chadyiwa, Jean-Francois, Faust and Matlhabe finished fifth for the overall score of 52 team points and the new NAIA National Champions.
 
The awards continued to follow as Demeritte was named both the NAIA Men's Track and Field and USTFCCCA Men's Track and Field Coach of the Year. Matlhabe was named the NAIA Men's Track Meet MVP as well as the USTFCCCA NAIA Men's Track Athlete of the Year. Assistant Coach O'Neil Wright was named the USTFCCCA NAIA Men's Track and Field Co-Assistant Coach of the Year.
 
In total, the historic run produced countless other awards including: 17 All-Conference teams, seven All-Americans, four individual titles, the MSC Outdoor Championship, one MSC Athlete of the Week, one NAIA Athlete of the Week, five MSC Academic-All Conference members and three NAIA-Daktronics Scholar Athletes.
 
Women's Outdoor Track & Field
The 2021-22 outdoor season saw the Life University women's track and field team maintain its position nationally at fifth in the country. The team set itself up for success in later tournaments by competing on a higher stage, most of their competitions being in primarily NCAA talent pools instead of taking easy victories in smaller invitationals.
 
At the MSC Outdoor Championships, Life U picked up a clean sweep of titles for their third straight overall and second straight outdoor championship. The team amassed 213 team points, beating their closest competition by nearly 80. The team scored 167 points on the final day of the championships to take the title. 18 Running Eagles took to the podium, while seven of them earned titles. Titles were earned by Iantha Wright in the 100m; Alisha Wright in the 100m and 400m hurdles; Levonis Davis in the shot put; Danielle Albright in the hammer throw; the relay team Brianna Florvilus, Maya Smith-Speed, Kaylee Lowe and I. Wright in the 4x100m; the relay team of Florvilus, A. Wright, Dagbjort Magnusdottir and Breanna Pratt.
 
The women were well represented at the NAIA Outdoor Championships and repeated their results from the indoor championships with another fifth-place finish. The team garnered 38 team points, Taylor Ward started the final day capturing an individual title in the half marathon, which marked the first champion for the Running Eagles. Five other members finished on the podium as Lowe earned All-American honors with a fourth-place finish in the long jump; A. Wright finished sixth in the 100m hurdles to earn AA accolades; Florvilus captured second in the 400m for AA recognition; I. Wright finished third in the 200m to earn AA honors; the 4x400m relay team of both Wrights, Florvilus and Pratt took third to complete the push into the top five.
 
The Running Eagles continued excellence saw them earn 19 All-Conference honors, five All-Americans, the MSC Outdoor Championship, and a pair MSC Athletes of the Week. For leading the team to such a dominant finish, the MSC named Demeritte the Women's Coach of the Year.

Women's Rugby
The 2021-22 women's rugby team finished the season with a second consecutive season of 20 or more wins with a 27-7 overall record. The season included a runner-up finish in the D1 Elite National Championship, second place at the May Madness 7s tournament and a JV National Title at the NCR Division 1 Playoffs.
 
Due to the damage at Lupo Family Field, the women played a majority of the fall schedule at other facilities but finished well. A pair of early losses to Lindenwood matched the Running Eagles up with Central Washington in the D1 Elite Semifinals that were hosted on campus. Life U maintained control throughout the contest as they coasted to the finals with a 38-0 victory. In the finals, Lindenwood proved to be the tough opponent of the past as the Lions won the championship.
 
The JV team earned the right to compete in the NCR Division 1 Playoffs, which was the first tournament of its kind for the emerging league. Life U entered the tournament as the No. 5 overall seed and outscored their opponents 303-3 over the four-game span. They defeated No. 12 seed Syracuse University 58-0 in the round of 16 with a 55-0 win over No. 15 Clemson in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals against No. 3 Marquette, the Running Eagles scored a season-high 103 points in the shutout win. In the finals against No. 1 University of Northern Iowa, Life U came home with the hardware 87-3. Four different individuals were named NCR Division I All-Americans in Amaya Moala, Nickky Nguyen, Nina Mason and Hannah Boekelman.
 
The next major event for the Running Eagles came in the USA Rugby College 7s National Championships that were hosted at Kennesaw State University. Life U struggled early with a hard-fought 19-14 loss to Army in the tournament opener. The Running Eagles responded with three wins to finish out pool play including 40-0 over Queens, 29-0 against Sacred Heart and 24-14 over Central Washington in the pool play finale. The Running Eagles faced Lindenwood in the semifinals and led 7-5 after the first half. The second half favored the Lions as they won 27-7 to advance to the finals.
 
In the final tournament of the season, the women's rugby team traveled to New Orleans for the May Madness 7s event. The bracket style tournament saw Life and Lindenwood placed on opposite sides setting up a familiar final. Life U cruised its way to the finals with three shutout victories. They started the tournament with a. 52-0 win over Southern Nazarene University to be followed up by a 41-0 shutout over UC Davis. Life U finished off the run with a 22-0 win over Grand Canyon University. In the finals, Lindenwood held an early lead. A late penalty try added the lone score for the Running Eagles as they fell 19-7 in the event.
 
The Running Eagles were represented well in the end of year awards from D1 Elite. The team had ten members earn All-American honors. Emerson Allen, Saher Hamdan, Jess Keating, Autumn LoCicero and Su Adegoke were recognized with First Team honors. Brooklyn Vaifanua, Angelina Niu, Makayla Lowe, Amaya Moala and Nina Wilson were recognized with Second Team honors.

Men's Rugby
The men's rugby team finished the 2021-22 season with an 11-5 overall record that was highlighted by a return to the top in the form of a 7s National Championship.
 
Life U started the fall season with a 17-16 win over Davenport University but fell to Saint Mary's in a road trip 31-29. They bounced back with a 30-8 win over Arkansas State in the spring but fell to Lindenwood 27-16 at home. A pair of wins followed a tightly contested 14-10 loss to Army at home in March. The regular season ended on the road at Lindenwood where the Lions came away victorious 39-7.
 
In the USA Rugby D1A Playoffs, Life U started strong with a 26-13 victory at home over Navy. In the quarterfinals, Life U traveled to Army and fell 39-18 to the eventual 15s national champion.
 
The final event of the year featured the USA Rugby 7s Collegiate Championships hosted at Kennesaw State University. The Running Eagles stormed their way through pool play with three wins. They defeated Cal Poly 28-0, Air Force 17-0 and Indiana 26-12. In the quarterfinals, Life U matched up with Cal Poly where they advanced 35-7. Avenging the loss earlier in the year, the team downed Saint Mary's 19-12 to advance to the finals against Lindenwood. Life U started strong with a 19-0 advantage at the break. Seven minutes separated the men's team from its first sevens national championship. The Lions answered in the second half with 19 unanswered to force overtime. Similar to soccer, the first team to score wins the match. Lindenwood started with possession and were phasing around the midfield. Lindenwood attempted a kick that was blocked by Darius Law, who scooped up the loose ball and scored the winning try to hand the Running Eagles their first 7s title.
 
At the end of the season, eight Running Eagles were recognized as All-Conference honorees for the 15s season. Ishma-Eel Safodien, Darius Law and Donovan Law earned First Team honors. Jared Miller, Francisco Sied, Orrin Bizer, Bradley Crane and Karch Hoffman were named to the Second Team

Looking Forward
The Spring 2022-23 season sets itself up to be another exciting one as the women's rugby team will transition into a split season of 15s in the fall and 7s in the spring. The men's rugby team will not have a heavy fall as they did last season with the track, lacrosse and volleyball programs continuing action as scheduled in the spring.