ENMU Athletics News
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By: Adam Pitterman
Greyhound Softball Team Gives Back to the Community The ENMU softball team has given back to the Portales community on numerous occasions, including helping Central Christian Church sort, bag and distribute food. “We are so blessed to have everything we have,” Head Coach Katie Welborn said. “Sports should never be just about sports. We are on a platform to help our community and we take full advantage of that. I am lucky to have a coaching staff and
After Historic Grand Opening, Gridiron Hounds Follow Familiar Road to C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl Although the ENMU football team played in a new, state of the art facility in 2016, their season followed a familiar road as previous years. Much like the 2013 Lone Star Conference championship season, the Greyhounds earned a hard-fought road win over Angelo State, erased a 21-point deficit to claim the Wagon Wheel, and defeated Midwestern State. In 2016, that road took the Greyhounds to Copperas Cove, TX, for the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart
Page 14: (left) The softball team helping out at First Methodist Church’s Thanksgiving dinner and Bazaar. (right) The ball is handed off to junior running back Kamal Cass. Page 15: (left) Senior Lauren Frye attacks during their game against New Mexico Highlands. (right) Senior guard CoRnell Neal before he made the game-winning shot.
wonderful girls who are willing to help whole-heartedly. We are not done with our community service, but I feel like this is a really great base for us to continue to build upon and rise.”
of Texas Bowl for the second straight season. The Greyhounds faced Fort Hays State (8-4), who took an early lead and handed the Greyhounds a 45-12 setback at Bulldawg Stadium.
Along with the caring and sharing, Eastern did its fair share of scaring during the month of October, working with the Portales Rec Center at the haunted house. Other events the team has helped put on include Roosevelt General Hospital’s annual Clay Shooting Competition, the Maggie Lee for Good day, Hope Haven, and Thanksgiving dinner and Bazaar at First Methodist Church.
The team concluded a strong 2016 season which saw them Lone Star Conference wins over Western New Mexico, Angelo State, West Texas A&M, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Oklahoma Panhandle, and Midwestern State.
“My favorite part of community service has been seeing the people we helped and how it impacts them,” freshman Kaylee Rogers said. “I especially love seeing this around the holidays.” Not only has the team helped the community, they helped the men’s and women’s basketball teams promote the Greyhound Madness event to tip off the 2016-17 basketball season. “I am so proud of our girls,” Welborn said. “They give everything their all. They were great people before they became Greyhounds and now they are just making being a Greyhound even better.”
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Green & Silver | February 2017
Among the key performers that emerged over the season were freshman quarterback Wyatt Strand and senior receiver Larry Baker-Bruce. Baker-Bruce’s 30.11 yards per catch is the Hounds best since at least the 1998 season. Strand’s passer efficiency rating (182.4), average yards per pass (12.2), total offense per play (8.11) were also team bests since at least the 1998 season. The Hounds flourished offensively, marking the best season since 1998 in rushing yards per game (346.9), average yards per rushing attempt (5.77), average yards per play (6.68), and average yards per pass (11.4). The defense also stepped up their game, and their 10 rushing touchdowns allowed were the fewest since at least 1998. Against Oklahoma Panhandle, Strand’s 32.6 yards per completion is the programs best for the last 19 seasons at least.
