PHOENIX Sports
Modeling courage and determination BY CALEB JONES ’11
In March 2007, Lucas Walters was rushed to the hospital near his home in Medina, Ohio, with severe pain in his lower abdomen. Following surgery, the high school junior received the grim news from his doctor — he had testicular cancer. “When they told me, the first thing I felt was disbelief, then shock and bewilderment,” recalls Walters, who is now an Elon freshman and a member of the Phoenix cross country team. “(I thought) I’m not supposed to have cancer at this age.” Walters remained optimistic throughout his chemotherapy treatments and even managed to train with his cross country teammates at Medina High School when he felt strong enough. “Because of the chemo, I was always tired,” Walters says. “But I never gave up.” After 11 weeks of treatments, the doctors gave Walters good news — his cancer was in remission. He eagerly rejoined his team and discovered his treatments had unexpected benefits. “After the chemo, I realized I could run more because I had a higher pain tolerance,” he says. “I really identified
with Lance Armstrong, and I wanted to run even more than before.” Within six months of returning to his high school team, Walters shaved 40 seconds off his 5K race time and helped lead the team to a first-place finish in the Ohio State Cross Country Championship. The team went on to place third in the Nike Midwest Regional Cross Country meet in Terre Haute, Ind. While competing at the Nike Team Nationals in 2007, Walters received a package from Armstrong, the seventime winner of the Tour de France and a cancer survivor. The package included a Livestrong hat and yellow wristband, and a note signed by Armstrong. “The fact that Lance Armstrong had heard about me and cared enough to send a package was just awesome,” Walters recalls. “Nike must have contacted Lance before the national cross country meet and told him that I’d be running in it.” When he returned home, Walters decided to become involved with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, working as a community organizer with the Livestrong campaign. Last fall, he organized a nine-mile trail run and a 5K race in his hometown. About 60 runners
Women’s soccer reaches high mark BY ERICA ROBERSON
The women’s soccer team finished one of its strongest seasons ever this fall, posting the most victories (12) since the Phoenix moved to Division I in 1999 and the most wins since 1996. Head coach Chris Neal’s squad ended the regular season 12–5–2 overall and 7–3–1 in the Southern Conference, narrowly missing the chance to compete in postseason play. For the first time in program history, four players received All-SoCon honors in one season. Freshman defender Claire O’Keefe became the program’s first firstteam all-conference selection, while senior forward Molly Calpin earned second-team recognition. O’Keefe, Scarlett Fakhar and Elizabeth Palmer were named to the league’s all-freshman team.
Molly Calpin
O’Keefe, a defender, anchored an Elon defense that posted seven shutouts during the season, the most since 1999. “It is quite an honor for Claire, especially as a freshman, to be the first Elon women’s
Lucas Walters
participated in the trail run, which raised 600 for the foundation. At Elon, Walters proudly wears his Livestrong wristband when he competes with the cross country team. “Working with the Livestrong campaign has given me insight into the battles that other people go through when faced with cancer, as well as the opportunity to meet a lot of great people who care very much about helping others.”
soccer player to be named first-team AllSoCon,” Neal says. “She was a rock at the back for us this season.” Calpin led Elon with six goals on the year. Five of those goals were game winners, including a strike with 17 seconds remaining to lift the Phoenix to its first victory against SoCon foe Furman. She finished her Elon career with 17 goals and eight assists. “Molly led the league in game-winning goals this year and worked very hard to build our team into a nationally competitive program,” Neal says. Fakhar scored three goals, helping Elon to wins over Furman, Chattanooga and The Citadel. Palmer, a defender, led the SoCon with 11 assists. She assisted on several gamewinning goals, including the score against Western Carolina to give the Phoenix its first win over the Catamounts.
THE MAGAZINE OF ELON
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