A snapshot of Panther sports
The James H. and Jesse E. Millis Athletic and Convocation Center was packed for the women’s Family Weekend matchup against Gardner-Webb. Photo by Breanne Valentine
By Alex Bozek
Sports Editor
Women’s Track and Field
HPU Freshman Alicia Dawson set a school record for the second week in a row. She added her name to the High Point Panther books for long jump.
At the Virginia Tech Classic, she competed against 22 collegiate athletes and overpowered them with a 5.89 meter long jump. She received first place in the competition.
The Women’s Track and Field team has one more competition before the Big South Indoor Championships in Blacksburg, Virginia, at month’s end.
A young team, Dawson is a standout among the freshmen class.
Sophomore Nylie Facey took home second place in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.63. Senior Madison Reynolds set a new personal record with 9.11 in 60-meter hurdles, and senior Haley Doyle finished first in the pole vault.
Women’s Basketball
Women’s basketball faced off against Gardner-Webb during Family Weekend and endured a tough 62-46 loss to the Bulldogs.
Guard Camryn Brown scored 13 points, struggling from deep and only shooting 1-10. Going into the half, the team was down by eight. Gardner-Webb took control, outscoring High Point University 31-23 towards their 12-point win.
The Panthers have been red hot lately. They have won seven of their last 10 games and are looking for a strong end to the regular season as they head towards the Big South Tournament.
With five games remaining in their schedule, the final three will be at the James H. and Jesse E. Millis Athletic and Convocation Center. They face off against Radford, a team currently sitting in second place in the Big South, two spots ahead of HPU.
In 2019, the women’s team made it to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament and are hoping to go back this season.
Men’s Baseball
For the first time since HPU became a Division I program in 2000, the Panthers have begun the baseball season with a series sweep, winning three against LaFayette College at Coy O. Williard Stadium.
After another win on the road against North Carolina Central University, the Panthers took a tough loss to #13 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Junior infielder Travis Holt started the season batting .478 with 11 hits and hit the walk-off single against LaFayette. Despite leading the team in homeruns with two, senior Joe Johnson grabbed the win against LaFayette while pitching five innings and striking out seven.
The Panthers have only six seniors on the team this year. Ending the season at a perfect 27-27 .500 record, they look for a different ending this season. With a roster full of power and youth, they will undoubtedly improve this year and go deep into the playoffs.