Savages finally savor success Metheny, Southeastern realize their national championship dream
Southeastern State coach Mike Metheny told a friend that winning a national championship would make his life better.
Consider Metheny's life improved.
Southeastern won its first baseball national title, beating Fort Hays State (Kan.) 7-2 Saturday at the NCAA Division II championship game in Montgomery, Ala. Southeastern won its first title in any sport other than rodeo.
The Savages grabbed the title in their fourth title-game appearance. Southeastern had been NAIA baseball runner-up three times, including twice under Metheny.
"Southeastern's waited a long time to get a national championship," Metheny said. "You feel like that you'll never have a chance to do this again. You've been there and had the opportunity several times. To finally win one is just an awesome dream come true for us."
Southeastern center fielder and leadoff hitter Jeremy McCarty played on the 1997 Savages, Southeastern's last NAIA World Series team. McCarty said he has been in Fort Hays' position - in the losing dugout at the end of the season.
"To see the look on that man (Metheny)'s face right there, that's the most important thing," McCarty said. "That's the greatest feeling I've had in my life to this point."
Southeastern pitcher Aaron Thompson was named tournament most valuable player. Thompson, a senior from Calera, pitched against Fort Hays because he and fellow pitcher Kendall Prather saw Fort Hays crush fastballs against North Florida.
Thompson (2-0, 1.00 earned run average in the tournament) is a finesse pitcher, and Prather is a fireballer.
"I know Kendall wanted to throw, but he and I both decided," Thompson said. "There's no way to beat this right now. I can't describe it. I don't even know how to feel, it's just awesome."
Seminole's LaRoche is named MVP Seminole State first baseman-pitcher Adam LaRoche was given the Junior College World Series Preston Walker MVP award, it was announced Saturday.
LaRoche hit .478 with 10 RBIs and four extra-base hits in the tournament. LaRoche, a sophomore left-hander, went 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA.
Seminole coach Lloyd Simmons started LaRoche in the Trojans' first-round victory over Allen County (Kan.) because of his experience.
"When he's on, he's tough," Simmons said. "Adam spotted up well and got some double-play balls. He put the ball where he wanted and nibbled away at the corners."
Jackson bags more gold Oklahoma Baptist junior Jamaal Jackson won his seventh NAIA gold medal in the NAIA outdoor track and field championships recently in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Jackson won the 400-meter intermediate hurdles title to add to his 200, 400 relay and 1600 relay outdoor gold medals and 400 relay and two 400 indoor gold medals. Jackson has 17 All-America honors, breaking Dudley Dawkins' school career record of 15.
Jackson's 400 hurdles time was 50.44 seconds, .24 off qualifying for the Olympic trials.
"That's an incredible time," OBU coach Ford Mastin said.
Around the state - Northwestern State named Steve Barrows its first women's soccer coach. Barrows coached a Kansas City area select team and an Albuquerque, N.M., semi-pro team. Northwestern fields its first intercollegiate team in fall 2001.
- Cameron's baseball team signed Fletcher shortstop Brandon Wilkerson and Fort Cobb-Broxton pitcher Brad Bellamy. Wilkerson will also play basketball.
- Oklahoma City University's men's basketball team signed Community Christian guard T.J. Lawson. Southwestern State's women's basketball team signed Weatherford guard Roxie Camden.
- Northeastern State's Scott Varner was named NCAA Division II West Region women's golf coach of the year.
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