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PAGE 9A May/June 2025 Sports Ledger
Snead State Holds Commencement Ceremony for Student-Athletes
SIDELINE SPORTS CUSA SOFTBALL CHAMPS - For the second straight season, top-seeded Liberty hoisted the trophy at the CUSA Softball Championship after an 8-0, run-rule victory over Jax State on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The Lady Flames became the first CUSA program to win back- to-back tournament crowns since East Carolina in 2010-11 and join DePaul (2002-05) and Southern Miss (2000-01) as the only other repeat champions in league history. The icing on the cake came via a Savannah Woodard grand slam with one out in the third inning to give the Lady Flames (47-12) the necessary cushion to initiate the run rule. Liberty had loaded the bases for the third-straight inning, leading to a relief appearance by Kat Carter. Woodard gave Carter’s first pitch a ride to clear the bags and put her team ahead 8-0. CUSA Pitcher of the Year Elena Escobar (22- 3) added CUSA Championship MVP to her trophy case after going 3-0 with a 0.33 ERA, 20 strikeouts and just four walks this week. She saved her most efficient performance for Saturday, striking out nine with no walks and allowing just two hits in a shutout. The 2025 CUSA Softball All-Tournament Team Includes:
Several Snead State Community College student- athletes saw the results of their dedication and commitment during a special Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, at Plunkett-Wallace Gymnasium. Representing the baseball, cheer, women’s basketball, men’s basketball, men’s golf, softball, tennis, and volleyball teams, the 50 graduates crossed the stage to receive their Associate in Science degrees. “To be a student-athlete is to live a life of balance, commitment, and sacrifice. You’ve risen early for practice, stayed up late to study for exams, pushed through injury, and persevered through pressure. Through it all, you’ve learned something that reaches far beyond the field or court – how to endure, how to overcome, and how to trust God with every part of your journey, said Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore. “You’re stepping into a world that desperately needs leaders of character, resilience, and compassion. The values have shaped you on the field – teamwork, perseverance, humility, and sacrifice – are the same values that will shape you into leaders in business, education, ministry, medicine, and beyond. Never underestimate the power of a life lived with excellence and integrity,” he added. The Commencement Ceremony for the athletes was first held a few years ago to recognize those on the College’s spring sports teams who were unable to attend the formal Commencement ceremony because they were playing in tournaments. This year, graduating athletes from all athletic programs were recognized. Dr. Whitmore chose the special occasion to remind the students of how their role of athletes will relate to their role as graduates. “Your identity is not rooted in your wins or your stats or your accomplishments, because those are temporary. Your identity is rooted in Christ. Life beyond college doesn’t always come with clear goals or a scoreboard. But remember: God doesn’t just prepare you for the spotlight. He prepares you for the struggle. And the same God who carried you through the early mornings, tough losses, and long seasons, will go before you in whatever comes next.” The Class of 2025 student-athlete graduates includes: Baseball • Connor Aderholt of Shelby, Associate in Science in General Education • Tucker Gregory Cagle of Cullman, Associate in Science in Exercise Science • Joseph “JoJo” Nieto Garrison of Hartselle, Associate in Science in General Education • Nathan “Nate” Ezekiel Scott Guyse of Madison, Associate in Science in General Education • Maxwell Edward Hanson of Piedmont, Associate in Science in General Education • Aaron “Jack” Jackson Hayes of Piedmont, Associate in Science in Business • William Davis Kilpatrick of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education • Kurt William Kizer of Trussville, Associate in Science in General Education • Blake Alexander Moon of Guntersville, Associate in Science in Math Education • Jackson Wade Ollis of Trussville, Associate in Science in General Education • Bryn Evan Peacock of Columbus, Ga., Associate in Science in Exercise Science • Benjamin Nicholas Pearman of Alabaster, Associate in Science in General Education • Tyler Wyatt Sanderson of Huntsville, Associate in Science in Business • Tyler Douglas Waley of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education • Cade Rylan Whorton of Boaz, Associate in Science in Aerospace Engineering Cheer • Bailee Kay Battles of Albertville, Associate in Science in General Education
• Molly Grace Bayne of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education • Rebecca Chaffin of Douglas, Associate in Science in English/Language Arts Education • Aubrie Cornelius of Geraldine, Associate in Science in General Education • Jayden Ledbetter of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education • Lexie Ann Lee of Albertville, Associate in Science in General Education • Kathryn Elizabeth Norton of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education Women’s Basketball • Jaleigh DeVine of Attalla, Associate in Science in Exercise Science • Emma Garcia of Fairview, Associate in Science in Political Science • Kaitlyn Hill of Susan Moore, Associate in Science in General Education • La’Mya Shantayisa Selina McGrue of Oxford, Associate in Science in Computer Science • Paris Nichole Morgan of Ripley, Miss., Associate in Science in Biology Men’s Basketball • Jordyn Tymir Turner-Durley of Florence, Associate in Science in General Education • Josiah Harding of Riverview, Fla., Associate in Science in Pre-Nursing • Kendarius Lamar Irvin of Pleasant Grove, Associate in Science in General Education Men’s Golf • Carson Andrew Jones of Boaz, Associate in Science in Exercise Science • Kane Henderson Standridge of Moulton, Associate in Science in Mechanical Engineering Softball • Campbell Adams of Ragland, Associate in Science in General Education • Sarah Anne Bowling of Hartselle, Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education • Alexis “Lexi” Taylor Brewer of Henagar, Associate in Science in General Education • Allie Elizabeth Graydon of Helena, Associate in Science in General Education • Ella Grace Hood of Collinsville, Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education • Jayda Michelle Lacks of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education • Sophie Ellen Latta of Oneonta, Associate in Science in General Education • Leigha Kaylan Martin of Oneonta, Associate in Science in General Education • Victoria Elizabeth Mauterer of Helena, Associate in Science in Social Studies Education • Armoni Sharay Perry of Piedmont, Associate in Science in General Education • Leah Madalyn Swafford of Cropwell, Associate in Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Tennis • Mary Elizabeth Adams of Albertville, Associate in Science in General Education • Lauren Alea Chaffin of Douglas, Associate in Science in Elementary Education Volleyball • Alena Lanea Godwin of Harvest, Associate in Science in General Education • Cadence Liles of Rainsville, Associate in Science in General Education • Gracie Rena Manley of Addison, Associate in Science in Industrial Engineering • Chloe Lizabeth Stephens of Sand Rock, Associate in Science in Special Education • Jacey Kendal Stephens of Sand Rock, Associate in Science in Elementary Education
• C: Makalyn Kyser, Jax State • DP: Amber Reed, Jax State • IF: Savannah Woodard, Liberty • IF: Claire Raley, LA Tech • IF: Reagan Marchant, LA Tech • IF: Annie White, WKU • OF: Paige Doerr, Liberty • OF: KK Madrey, Liberty • OF: Emma Elrod, Jax State • P: Elena Escobar, Liberty (MVP) • P: Kat Carter, Jax State • P: Alyssa Martin, LA Tech
PATRIOTS SIGN DRAFT PICKS - The New England Patriots have announced the signing of eight of their 11 2025 NFL Draft picks and 16 rookie free agents. The Patriots signed the following draft picks: WR Kyle Williams, C Jared Wilson, DT Joshua Farmer, LB Bradyn Swinson, K Andy Borregales, T Marcus Bryant, LS Julian Ashby and DB Kobee Minor. New England signed the following rookie free agents: T Cole Birdow, WR Demeer Blankumsee, WR Efton Chism III, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, FB Brock Lampe, RB Lan Larison, S Josh Minkins, CB Jordan Polk, LB Elijah Ponder, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, TE Gee Scott Jr., WR Jeremiah Webb and QB Ben Wooldridge. 2027 NFL DRAFT - The 2027 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will take place in Washington, D.C, uniting fans from around the world to celebrate one of the most- anticipated events in sports. Hosted in partnership with the Washington Commanders and the local organizing committee, Events DC, the 2027 NFL Draft will take place across the District's most iconic landmarks, including the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue, placing the capital at the center of America’s most celebrated sport. UAB WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - UAB women’s basketball head coach Randy Norton has announced the signing of forward Samari Taylor. The 6-3 forward spent two seasons at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, MO. During her freshman season she saw action in 34 games and started in 14. Taylor averaged 3.1 points per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field. She also recorded 3.3 rebounds per game. Last season Taylor played in 32 games while making 16 starts. The Louisville, Kentucky native averaged 4.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Taylor had a 51.2 shooting percentage from the field as a sophomore. For her JUCO career, Taylor averaged 3.9 points, 3.7 rebounds per game and shot 49.5 percent in field goal range. She played in 66 games and started in 30 while tallying 256 points and 246 rebounds. Taylor joins Jordan Rosier, Monae Duffy and Britiya Curtis as the fourth portal signee for the 2025-26 class and joins freshmen Ashlyn Howard, Mari Miller, Sofia Munoz and Peyton Musial.
THE SPORTS LEDGER HIGHLIGHT PHOTO REEL
REEL 1 - Snead State Golfers Ashley Nelson, left, and Kyleigh Gibson were named to the All-District Team at the NJCAA South District Golf Championship on May 1. (Photo Courtesy of Snead State) REEL 2 - Glencoe's Zowie Morris during the 2025 Regional Tournament in Albertville. (Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger) REEL 3 - The Alabama Sportwriters Association named last year’s winner Ace Austin of Spring Garden as Miss Basketball for the second year in a row and Hoover’s Dewayne Brown as Mr. Basketball for the 2025 season. (Photo by David Holtsford, AHSAA) REEL 4 - AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon (center) congratulates 2025 Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program Overall Winners Haley Vendetti of Opp High School and Aiden Poe of Vincent High School. (Photo by David Holtsford, AHSAA) Highlight Photo Reel Pictures
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