CHARLOTTE N.C.- Queens University of Charlotte in the 2009-10 academic year enjoyed its best athletic season in recent memory.
Nine Royals teams were represented in the NCAA playoffs, the program had a track national champion, men's and women's swimming programs were added, a facilities complex was christened and the inaugural hall of fame class was inducted.
Queens was especially strong and consistent in track and field and cross country. Men's and women's track athletes and teams reached the NCAA playoffs in the indoor and outdoor seasons. Both cross country squads also qualified for the postseason. All six teams were coached by Scott Simmons.
The crown jewel was runner Tanya Zeferjahn (Hesperia, Calif., Hesperia High School), who won the NCAA Division II championship in the 10,000-meter run for the second consecutive year, and finished second nationally in the 5,000-meter run. Zeferjahn, a graduate student, was named the Carolinas Conference's Female Athlete of the Year, the first Queens athlete to win the award. Zeferjahn, named to two All-American teams, set Queens records in three outdoor events – 1,500 meters (4:28.76), 5,000 meters (16:03.51) and 10,000 meters (33:09.47).
The men's outdoor track team qualified for the postseason behind runner Michael Crouch (Yucca Valley, Calif., Yucca Valley ), who was named the Southeast Region Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the second consecutive year. Crouch, a junior, was conference champion in the 10,000- and 1,500-meter races. He finished second in the 5,000 at the NCAA Division II meet in June.
In cross country, the men's team won the NCAA Southeast Regional and conference championships. Queens' Oscar Ogwaro (Los Angeles, Calif., Woodrow Wilson) was the region's individual champion.
Queens' women qualified for their first NCAA appearance, and won their first conference title behind Jessica Neville (Cold Spring, N.Y., Haldane), Maraya Slatter (Benson, N.C., West Johnston), and Holly Annas (Granite Falls, N.C., South Caldwell).
Softball reached the postseason for the second straight season behind pitchers Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, Fla., Choctawhatchee) and Brandy Jester (Georgetown, Del., Sussex Central), who “always gave us an opportunity to win games with their dominance on the mound,” Head Coach Stacey Schramm said.
The highlight was the conference championship game. Queens rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the fifth inning to win in extra innings. Keeya Turner (Fayetteville, N.C., 71st ), an outfielder, led Queens in seven offensive categories, including batting average (.327), hits (52), steals (21) and runs (33).
“This team knows how to win, and they know how to overcome adversity,” Schramm said. “That's a quality that can be attributed to what the team accomplished last season. Without great team chemistry we would have not been as successful.”
The women's tennis team finished 17-0 in the regular season to become the first Queens squad with an unbeaten regular season. The Royals finished 47th in a national poll.
The men's golf team made its first NCAA appearance behind talented junior Ben Lasso (Falls Church, Va., Heritage Academy), who was the regional champion and was named third-team on the Ping Division II All-American team. Lasso also won Armstrong Atlantic's tournament, and teammates Pureum Lee won a tournament at Wingate.
“I liked our team chemistry,” Assistant Coach Andrew Serketich said. “All of the guys trusted in each other on the golf course and that positive energy carried over to everything - workouts, practice and tournaments.”
Men's lacrosse player Hunter Roof (Prince Frederick, Md., Calverton), a senior, was named a Scholar All-American by the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Queens coach Jim Fritz was named conference coach of the year for the second time.
“I am extremely pleased with the success of our sport programs this past year and the direction of our department's growth,” athletic director Jeannie King said. “The addition of the new Levine Center scheduled to be built on campus in the near future will clearly move our operations and facilities to one of the finest in our region. It has been a true privilege and an honor to be a part of the dynasty that we are building in Queens athletics."
Swimming will debut in 2010-11 under the guidance of coach Jeffrey Dugdale. David Marsh, a former U.S. Olympic swimming coach who won 12 NCAA titles at Auburn, joined the athletics department as an executive in residence. He will be a sounding board for all Queens coaches regarding sports performance.
Queens' dedication of its new sports complex last September was a key ingredient in helping the athletic program grow into the future. The glitzy, 65-acre Queens Sports Complex at Marion Diehl Park includes synthetic turf fields for soccer and lacrosse, a field house, press box, and welcome center.
The Royals also gave a nod to their athletic roots by introducing the first athletics hall of fame inductees in February. The inaugural hall of fame honorees were Walter Aikens (men's basketball), Sequoya Friday (women's basketball), Bill Kennedy and Kevin Yearick (men's soccer), Suzy Sulsona (women's soccer), Phyllis Pharr (former tennis coach), Dale Layer (former coach/athletics director), Dr. Billy Wireman (former Queens President), Jane Mack (women's golf), and Christine Safford (women's tennis).
In April, the Leon Levine Foundation of Charlotte awarded a grant of $7.5 million to name the Levine Center for Wellness and Recreation at Queens. The Levine Center, to be constructed on the site of the existing Ovens Athletic Center, will be a 130,000-square foot facility on three levels and will be the main location for all wellness and recreational activities at Queens. The center will include a fitness center for use by the entire campus community, an indoor walking track, studios for dance and aerobics classes, and study space.
