General | December 31, 2018

Every year, the question always comes up... "How much longer are you going to keep this 17 for 2017 or 18 for 2018 theme when you do the end of the calendar year review? Isn't it going to be a pain when 2030 comes around?"

Folks, If we have this problem in 2030, it'll be a very good thing. Without further ado or subtle digs at all the other lists, here's the 18 for 2018.
 
1) BCU WINS TALMADGE LAYMAN HILL AWARD
For the third time in four years, Bethune-Cookman captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's Men's All-Around Sports Trophy. The women's program was the runner-up for The Mary McLeod Bethune Award in its all-around competition.

2) GOT IT DONE IN THE CLASSROOM, ALSO
BCU was also recognized as the winner of the inaugural Academic Performance Rate (APR) Recognition Award from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Bethune-Cookman posted the MEAC's highest academic program rate (APR) with a 974 score over the past four academic years.

3) A GREAT TRACK RUN
Though denied MEAC championships by the smallest of margins, BCU track came through in the postseason and sent several competitors to the NCAA National Championships. Jonathon Moore, Jordan Williams and the Men's 4x400 and Women's 4x100 relay teams all qualified for nationals during the outdoor season. Earlier, Quamecha Morrison advanced to the NCAA Indoor Championships in the high jump.

4) SOFTBALL IS BACK
Wildcats Softball made its first trip to the NCAA Regional since 2012 by winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament in four games, including a thriller over Florida A&M in the final game thanks to Iesha Waters' three-run home run in the sixth inning. BCU advanced to the Gainesville [Fla.] Regional.

5) EIGHT IS GREAT
The Florida Blue Florida Classic streak over Florida A&M went to eight consecutive wins with a 33-19 triumph that included Tupac Isme's 99-yard run from scrimmage, Vernon Walker's return of a blocked PAT for two points, and Tydarius Peters' two late interceptions--the second a 90-yard "Pick Six" that clinched the win and ended the year with yet another winning season for Head Coach Terry Sims.

6) FOOTBALL'S LINCOLN (NEBRASKA) LOG
BCU had an October 27 open date. So did Nebraska, who needed a home game to replace its canceled season opener. The results? The Wildcats' first-ever football experience at a storied Big Ten program. The Cornhuskers won the game 45-9, but Wildcats kicker Uriel Hernandez won the hearts of Cornhusker nation for his post-kick celebrations and Nebraska won our hearts with their respect, hospitality and some local food dish called a Runza.

7) LYNDSEY EDWARDS NAMED MEAC WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The women's basketball standout became BCU's first recipient of this prestigious honor after being a part of three MEAC regular season championships on the court and graduating with a 3.83 GPA in the classroom.
 
8) BASKETBALL BOUNCES HIGH
Both BCU Men's and Women's Basketball won their respective MEAC regular season championship. The women's team posted a program-best 24 wins and was ranked in the College Insider.com Mid-Major Top 25 en route to their third consecutive title, garnering Coach Of The Year honors for Vanessa Blair-Lewis, and MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors for Angel Golden and Ashanti Hunt, respectfully. Brandon Tabb was named   MEAC MVP and Soufiyane Diakite Defensive Player Of The Year on the men's side.

9) CARLIN BERRYHILL WINS BCU'S FIRST MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TITLE
Carlin Berryhill became the first Bethune-Cookman runner to win a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's individual championship in October. His 8K time of 26 minutes, 39.9 seconds on a soggy course outdistanced North Carolina A&T's Regan (26:50.80), while Wildcats teammate Daniel Kiptoo came in third (27:18.40). Xavier Walton's eighth place finish (27:54.30) gave BCU three runners in the top ten, but North Carolina A&T managed to take the team title with 51 points, followed by Savannah State (86) and BCU (89), respectively.

10) VOLLEYBALL'S FIRST NON-LOSING SEASON SINCE 2004
Wildcats Volleyball started the season with its first season opening win since 2006, and kept it going after that, finishing 16-16 for the program's first non-losing campaign since 2004. BCU registered eight non-conference victories and overcame an 0-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference start to advance to the tournament semifinals for the third time in four years with a roster that included eleven freshmen and sophomores.

11) RYAN RIDDER WINS JOE B. HALL AWARD
After a resounding debut season, men's basketball head coach Ryan Ridder was named the winner of the 2018 Joe B. Hall Award, which is presented annually to the top first-year coach in Division I college basketball.

12) BCU GOLF'S NATIONAL MINORITY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP DOMINATION CONTINUES
For BCU, it was yet another impressive example of a dynasty in cruise control at the 32nd PGA Minority Collegiate Championship at PGA Golf Club. The Wildcats captured a record seventh-straight—and 15th overall—Women's crown in collegiate golf's most culturally significant championship. Meanwhile, the men's team notched their third-consecutive PGA Minority Collegiate Championship and 10th title overall. McKenzie Butzer and Marcus Sundlof also swept the individual medalist honors on the women's and men's side, appropriately.

13) MEN'S TENNIS WINS HBCU CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
The Wildcats went from a one-win season in 2016 to winning the HBCU National Men's Tournament Championship in 2018 with two flight championships and two flight runner-up finishes. Victor Bravo took his flight over teammate Victor Castro, while Juan David Navarro  and Phillip Lynch combined for a doubles flight title. Lynch was a runner-up in his singles flight, and the Wildcats had a representative in all five singles and doubles draw finals. Michelle Ncube won her flight on the women's side.
 
14) BASEBALL'S MEMORABLE MOMENTS
While unable to match the incredible 2017 NCAA Regional run, BCU baseball provided some solid highlights in 2018, including walk-off wins against North Carolina A&T, Florida Atlantic and a regular season finale win over Savannah State where Adonis Lao scored from first, stole second and beat the throw home after a throwing error. Earlier in the season, Lao hit for the cycle in a memorable loss at Miami, a 12-11 decision that took five hours due to weather delays.

15) SPEAKING OF WEATHER DELAYS …
BCU hosted the 2018 MEAC Baseball Tournament at nearby Embry-Riddle (thanks again to John Phillips and the Eagles for partnering with BCU on this first-year venture), and got more than what it wanted in a week-long affair that included four-straight elimination game victories and 18 hours of rain delays. The Wildcats' tournament run ended with a loss to North Carolina A&T.

16) VIDAL GETS WIN NUMBER 100
Senior Alejandra Vidal became the seventh Wildcats women's tennis student-athlete to reach 100 career wins on March 25 with singles and doubles triumphs against Southern. As a freshman, Vidal helped the 2015 team win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship, the program's first since 2001.

17) MOVING ON UP
Jawill Davis became the 40^th former BCU player to play in the NFL as a wide receiver for the New York Giants. Earlier in the fall, Larry Brihm Jr. and Phillip Norman found themselves on opposite sidelines in the Canadian Football League preseason.

18) VP THOMPSON BECOMES NATION'S LONGEST TENURED DIVISION I AD
In June, longtime University of Utah Athletic Director Chris Hill retired after 31 years, propelling Bethune-Cookman's Lynn Thompson to being longest actively tenured athletics director at the NCAA Division I level. Thompson is in his 27^th year in the position.

Best wishes to all for an incredible 2019...so we can do this again in 12 months.