(Dallas) – Two national championships – firsts for both teams – prompted celebrations at Brookhaven and Eastfield colleges this weekend as the Lady Bears and the Lady Harvesters each brought home the winner’s trophy in soccer and volleyball, respectively. Presidents from both colleges – Dr. Thom Chesney at Brookhaven and Dr. Jean Conway at Eastfield – both were on hand to witness the victories.
“We are excited to welcome back the Brookhaven Bears and Eastfield Harvesters as national champions,” said Dr. Joe May, chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District. “Congratulations go to each student-athlete on both teams, as well as their coaches and staffs. Our Lady Bears and Lady Harvesters are successful in the classroom and on the court or field.”
The Brookhaven Bears captured their first national title on Sun., Nov. 12, at the NJCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship, defeating the top-seeded Herkimer College Generals (from Herkimer, New York, part of the State University of New York system). The score was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation play when Jazmine Bustos scored the winning goal in overtime.
Deshae Darrell was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player; Joseline Sorto was recognized as Offensive Player; and Defensive Player went to Alex Aguilar. Savanna Hernandez and Micah Pond were named to the All-Tournament Team, and Jimmy Elder earned Coach of the Tournament honors.
“We are so proud of the coaching staff and these amazing student-athletes,” said Kevin Hurst, Brookhaven’s athletic director.
The Eastfield Lady Harvesters volleyball team beat defending champions and number- one seed Harper College (from Palatine, Illinois) in four sets: (25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 25-7) at the NJCAA Division III National Championship in Rochester, Minn., held Nov. 9-11. The Lady Harvesters finished third in last year’s tournament, and their goal this year was to bring home the national trophy.
Individual tournament awards went to: setter Kalli Caddell and middle blocker Payton Costlow, who both were named to the All-Tournament Team; outside hitter Keishla Reyes, who was recognized as the tournament’s MVP; and Brandon Crisp, who was named National Coach of the Year.
Conway said, after the team won, “They are more than great athletes; they are good students. They won not only because they are outstanding athletes who trained diligently, but they also worked together as a team better than I have ever witnessed.”
For more information, contact Meridith Danforth at Brookhaven College, mdanforth@dcccd.edu or 972-860-4823; or Donielle Johnson at Eastfield College, DonielleJohnson@dcccd.edu or 972-860-7372.