This is a very big week for Marlin athletics. Over the next few days, the Marlins will compete nationally in two different sports, and we couldn’t be prouder.
We again celebrate and appreciate the outstanding service to Virginia Wesleyan University by Joanne Renn. Joanne came out of retirement to lead the department through the pandemic, and her veteran leadership helped the University navigate the changing requirements of the NCAA for optimal participation of our student-athletes. We will always be grateful to Joanne for her guiding hand and hope to see her on campus often in her second retirement.
On Tuesday, we welcome Andrea Hoover-Erbig as the new Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. No stranger to Marlin athletics, Andrea has been a member of the VWU family for over 15 years. She is the winningest coach in VWU Volleyball history, and we know she will apply that winning spirit and tenacity to her new role.
Last weekend was momentous for the University as
two track and field athletes earned spots in the national meet, and Marlins softball started their quest for a third national championship by winning the NCAA Atlantic Regional.
Special thanks to the entire campus community, led by the Athletics Department, for hosting a first class regional tournament. I offer my congratulations once again to our
All-Americans: Jessica Goldyn (who was also recognized as the Diamond Sports/NFCA Division III Catcher of the Year and earned the New Balance/NFCA Golden Shoe for leading the nation in stolen bases), Hanna Hull (all-time winningest pitcher in Division III history and the only four-time First Team All American in Virginia Wesleyan athletics history), and freshman Emily Seale. Kudos to Head Softball Coach Brandon Elliott for collecting his
500th career win (all at Virginia Wesleyan) last weekend, too.
The NCAA Division III men's and women's outdoor track and field championships begin today at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, NC. Geni Roberts will compete in both the long and triple jumps after winning both events at the 2021 ODAC Outdoor Championships. Jaylyn Lane heads into the meet as the seventh-seeded athlete in the nation in the women's triple jump. Geni will jump today and Saturday, and Jaylyn jumps on Saturday. Geni and Jaylyn were both named as
2021 Outdoor T&F All-Region honorees by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, along with Marlins CJ Govan and Landry Moffo.
VWU softball will compete for another national championship beginning today in Salem, Virginia. Led by three All-Americans with a stellar
coaching staff, the
Marlins will face the University of St. Thomas at 4:00 p.m. See the full tournament schedule
here.
We are so proud of all of our student-athletes who have displayed such dedication and determination in their academic and athletic pursuits during this very unusual year.
Let’s go, Marlins!
