Athletics

Lady Chargers Soccer Named Region 7 Champions In Second Season

The Columbia State Lady Chargers soccer team finished their second season with a 1-0 win against Motlow State Community College to secure the 2019 NJCAA Region 7 Division I Women’s Soccer Championship. The team more than doubled their total wins from the inaugural season with 13 wins and 7 losses.

“Our goal was to become the team in the conference that nobody wanted to play and we were able to do that,” said Colton Bryant, Lady Chargers head soccer coach. “I told the girls going into the conference tournament that we were the best team and we were going to show it by not only winning the tournament, but doing so without being scored on, and that’s exactly what we did.”

Bryant commended all the players on their hard work, especially the sophomores who trusted and believed in the program during its first year in existence. “Many of these players thought they were finished playing soccer after high school, but took a chance and tried out for a new program,” said Bryant. “These sophomores came here as underdogs and left here as champions.” Following the season, Maria Perez, Jasmine Runk, and Shyanne Martin received scholarships to continue their soccer careers at Division II Glenville State College in West Virginia. In addition, Olivia Holt received a scholarship to play at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski.

Chargers Basketball Secures Region 7 Championship

The Columbia State Chargers basketball team outscored Jackson State Community College 81-73 in the championship game to be named the 2019-2020 NJCAA Region 7 Division I Men’s Basketball Champions.

The Chargers finished up a great season with 23 wins and only 10 losses.

Winston Neal, Chargers head basketball coach, recalled that the final game had fans on the edge of their seats before the Chargers were able to secure the victory.

“It was absolutely amazing, we had a full gym packed with students, administrators, faculty and staff cheering us on,” said Neal. “I will never forget the feeling of excitement when that final buzzer went off and our fans stormed the court. It was such a proud moment not just for our basketball team but for our athletic climate. It was truly a team win – we couldn’t have done it without our fans, faculty, staff, students, administration and community cheering us on.”

Following the season, seven players moved on to play at four-year schools.