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Phoenix Strong
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all athletic teams held their season during the spring semester. In total, Cumberland had 23 men’s and women’s teams compete in the NAIA conference from January through May 2021. Although many sports seasons were condensed due to the virus, our athletes continued to rise above the many obstacles and outshine their competition.
Wrestling has Highest Finish in Program History
The Cumberland Wrestling team had the highest finish in program history in the National Tournament placing fifth in the NAIA. The team set a program record with five All-Americans after day one of the tournament, including a national runner-up.
Junior College transfer and two-time All-American Esco Walker competed in the 133-lb weight class in the tournament and made it to the national championship before being defeated by Indiana Tech’s Conner Gimson.
The Phoenix finished the tournament with five All-Americans, Esco Walker, Patrick Depiazza, Carter Cox, Anthony Maia and Cole Smith.
Lindsey Donnell Award Winner - Sarah Haddock
The Lindsey Donnell Award is presented annually to a CU student-athlete who excels in both academics and athletics. This year’s award was presented to senior women’s soccer player Sarah Haddock.
Haddock, a senior from Newtownards, Northern Ireland, is one of the most decorated women’s soccer players to come through the program. She has been named Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Year three times and is a two-time NAIA All-American and four-time First Team All Mid-South Conference recipient.
In addition to her accomplishments on the field, Haddock holds a 3.5 GPA, has earned a spot on the Dean’s List every semester since arriving at Cumberland and earned Academic All-MidSouth Conference three times and NAIA Scholar-Athlete twice.
Cumberland’s men’s golf team shot a 1197 after four rounds in the 69th NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, IL.
The team claimed the highest title in program history and finished 10th in the tournament overall. This is the team’s fourth consecutive trip to the NAIA Men’s Golf Championships.
Women’s Soccer’s 6th National Tournament Appearance in Program History
The Cumberland women’s soccer team earned a bid to the 2020 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship in Hattiesburg, MS. The team held a regular season record of 9-3 with seven shutouts on the ledger.
After a 2-0 win over Truett McConnell in the first round, the team made it to the NAIA Opening Round Final. The Phoenix lost to #1 ranked William Carey in their second tournament game 5-1 ending the season 10-4.
Phoenix Running Back Totals Over 1,000 Yards
Cumberland Running Back Treylon Sheppard totaled 1,013 rushing yards despite a shortened Phoenix season. Sheppard is the first Cumberland rusher to reach 1,000 yards since Lemeco Harris in 2012, and Sheppard accomplished this in four fewer games.
The sophomore led CU with 11 touchdowns on the ground and ranked second in NAIA rushing yards per game with 144.7 average yards. He also ranked fourth in total rushing yards and ninth in scoring per game, averaging 9.4 points per game. Sheppard was named First Team All-Mid-South Conference for the 2020-2021 season.
