Southern Conference names 100th anniversary teams

Last Updated on December 30, 2021 7:33 pm

As the Southern Conference wraps up its celebration of its first 100 years of history as 2021 comes to a close, the league has named its 100th anniversary teams.

Appalachian State is well represented on the teams list, and you see each selection per sport below.

Valle Crucis native Eric Breitenstein also was named to the list after his storied football career at Wofford.

“Celebrating our 100th anniversary has been special,” SoCon Commissioner Jim Schaus said. “It has allowed us to highlight many great student-athletes, teams, coaches and moments over our history. It has provided an opportunity to illustrate how the Southern Conference has withstood the test of time and thrived during world wars, The Great Depression and other significant changes. It has allowed us to celebrate our past successes, honor our current 10 member institutions and look ahead to a future vision of excellence for the next 100 years.

“We felt it is an appropriate way to end our 100th anniversary celebration by naming our 100th anniversary teams. Over our storied 100-year history, there have been thousands of outstanding student-athletes that have competed in the Southern Conference, so identifying a select group was a challenge. We developed a series of criteria that assisted with the process. Congratulations to those selected, but we want to also recognize a list of others so big we can’t count all of the talented and worthy student-athletes who have competed under the SoCon banner.”

The league named teams in each of the sports it currently sponsors and that it has sponsored for at least 25 years.

Among the criteria that merited selection to the teams were the common benchmarks of:

Other benchmarks varied by sport. The teams included all honors bestowed through the 2020-21 academic year, which was the SoCon’s 100th.

Eric Breitenstein, RB, WoffordSoCon Hall of Fame 2020All-America 2010, 2011, 2012SoCon Male Athlete of the Year 2012-13SoCon Offensive Player of the Year 2011, 20121st-team All-SoCon 2010, 2011, 2012

Below is the list of Appalachian State athletes per team:

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of College Baseball Hall of Fame– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Player/Pitcher of the Year– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman AA)– SoCon Male Athlete of the Year– SoCon Player/Pitcher of the Year (coaches or media) in two different seasons– 1st-team All-SoCon (coaches or media) in three different seasons Notes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year. Randy Ingram, App State, 3B1st-team All-SoCon 1976, 1977, 1978 Mike Ramsey, App State, SS1st-team All-SoCon 1973, 1974, 1975 Scott Waugh, App State, OF1st-team All-SoCon 1989, 1990, 1991

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Player of the Year– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman AA)– SoCon Female Athlete of the Year– SoCon Player of the Year (coaches or media) in two different seasons– 1st-team All-SoCon (coaches or media) in three different seasonsNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.

Anna Freeman, App State, F1st-team All-SoCon 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 Valorie Whiteside, App StateSoCon Hall of Fame 2009All-America 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-871st-team All-SoCon 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88 

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National champion– All-America in two different academic years– SoCon Male Athlete of the Year– Two-time SoCon Runner of the Year– Two-time SoCon meet championNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Ben Bissette, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000Tom Holland, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1992, 1994, 1995Phil Mitchell, App State1st-team All-SoCon 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009Billy Pemberton, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1990, 1991, 19992, 1993Seth Peoples, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1994, 1995, 1997Pete Vandenberg, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National champion– All-America in two different academic years– SoCon Female Athlete of the Year– Two-time SoCon Runner of the Year– Two-time SoCon meet championNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Whitney Ball, App StateSoCon Female Athlete of the Year 1989-90SoCon champion 1988, 1989Heidi Barger, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1988, 1989, 1990Meghan Gaffney, App State1st-team All-SoCon 2005, 2006, 2008Mary Jayne Harrelson, App StateSoCon Hall of Fame 2010SoCon Female Athlete of the Year 1998-99, 2000-01SoCon Runner of the Year 1998, 1999, 2000SoCon champion 1998, 1999, 20001st-team All-SoCon 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000Sarah Primeau, App State1st-team All-SoCon 2000, 2001, 2002Beth Ruggles, App StateSoCon champion 1985, 19871st-team All-SoCon 1985, 1986, 1987Kasey Smith, App State1st-team All-SoCon 2004, 2005, 2006Katie Sujkowski, App State1st-team All-SoCon 2002, 2003, 2004

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of College Football Hall of Fame (for school primarily associated with)– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Player of the Year– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman/sophomore AA)– SoCon Male Athlete of the Year– SoCon Player of the Year (coaches or media) in two different seasons– 1st-team All-SoCon (coaches or media) in three different seasonsNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.

Harold Alexander, P, App StateAll-America 1991, 1992 Pierre Banks, LB, App StateAll-America 2007, 2008 Rick Beasley, WR, App StateSoCon Male Athlete of the Year 1979-801st-team All-SoCon 1978, 1979, 1980 Gill Beck, G/C, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1975, 1976, 1977 Kerry Brown, G/OL, App StateAll-America 2006, 20071st-team All-SoCon 2005, 2006, 2007 Shawn Clark, OG/T, App StateAll-America 1996, 19981st-team All-SoCon 1995, 1996, 1998 Dexter Coakley, LB, App StateCollege Football Hall of Fame 2011SoCon Hall of Fame 2011Buck Buchanan Award 1995, 1996All-America 1994, 1995, 1996SoCon Male Athlete of the Year 1995-96, 1996-97SoCon Defensive Player of the Year 1994, 1995, 19961st-team All-SoCon 1994, 1995, 1996 Armanti Edwards, QB, App StateSoCon Hall of Fame 2016Walter Payton Award 2008, 2009All-America 2007, 2008, 2009SoCon Male Athlete of the Year 2009-10SoCon Offensive Player of the Year 2008, 20091st-team All-SoCon 2006, 2008, 2009 Tyler Elkins, C, App StateAll-America 2000, 2001 Jabari Fletcher, DL, App State1st-team All-SoCon 2008, 2009, 2010 DaVon Fowlkes, WR/RS, App StateSoCon Male Athlete of the Year 2004-051st-team All-SoCon 2002, 2003, 2004 Cortez Gilbert, CB, App StateAll-America 2008, 2009 Chad Groover, OL, App StateAll-America 1995, 1996 Avery Hall, DL, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 Corey Hall, DB, App StateAll-America 1999, 2000 Jason Hunter, DL, App StateAll-America 2005, 2006 Josh Jeffries, DL, App StateAll-America 2000, 2001, 20021st-team All-SoCon 2000, 2001, 2002 Ben Jorden, TE, App State1st-team All-SoCon 2008, 2009, 2010 Scott Kadlub, C, App StateAll-America 1995, 1996 Jeremy Kimbrough, LB, App StateAll-America 2011, 2012 Mark LeGree, DB, App StateAll-America 2008, 2009, 20101st-team All-SoCon 2008, 2009, 2010 Corey Lynch, DB, App StateAll-America 2005, 2006, 20071st-team All-SoCon 2005, 2006, 2007 Rico Mack, LB, App StateAll-America 1990, 19911st-team All-SoCon 1990, 1991, 1992 Chad Miller, DL, App StateAll-America 1994, 1995 Marques Murrell, DL, App StateAll-America 2005, 2006SoCon Male Athlete of the Year 2006-071st-team All-SoCon 2004, 2005, 2006 Joe Parker, P, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1974, 1975, 1976 Kevin Richardson, RB, App StateAll-America 2005, 2006, 20071st-team All-SoCon 2005, 2006, 2007 Jacque Roman, LB, App StateAll-America 2008, 2009 John Settle, RB, App StateSoCon Male Athlete of the Year 1986-87All-America 1985, 1986 D.J. Smith, LB, App StateAll-America 2009, 2010 Matt Stevens, DB, App StateAll-America 1994, 1995 Richie Williams, QB, App StateSoCon Male Athlete of the Year 2005-06

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Player of the Year– National champion– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman AA)– SoCon Male or Female Athlete of the Year– Two-time SoCon Player of the Year– 1st-team All-SoCon in three different seasons– Two-time SoCon tournament individual championNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Andrew Pitts, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Player of the Year– National champion– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman AA)– SoCon Female Athlete of the Year– Two-time SoCon Player of the Year– 1st-team All-SoCon in three different seasons– Two-time SoCon tournament individual championNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Merryll McElwain, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1994, 1995, 1996

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National champion– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman/sophomore AA)– SoCon Male or Female Athlete of the Year– SoCon Athlete of the Year in two different seasons (smallbore or air rifle)– SoCon individual champion (smallbore or air rifle) in two different seasons– 1st-team All-SoCon in three different seasonsNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Dennis Smith, App StateSoCon champion 1973, 19741st-team All-SoCon 1975, 1976, 1977William Piatt, App StateSoCon champion 1976, 19771st-team All-SoCon 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978Paul Timberlake, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1977, 1978, 1979

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Player of the Year– All-America in two different seasons not including honorable mention or freshman AA– SoCon Male Athlete of the Year– Two-time SoCon Player of the Year– 1st-team All-SoCon in three different seasonsNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Scott Anderson, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1981, 1982, 1983Jordy Broder, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1998, 2000, 2001Frank Kerno, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1974, 1975, 1976Kingsley Esaberman, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1978, 1979, 1980Emmanuel Igbeka, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980Carlos Lee, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1987, 1988, 1989John Nedd, App StateSoCon Player of the Year 1984, 19851st-team All-SoCon 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985Andy Salandy, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1988, 1989, 1990Tim Ross, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1983, 1985, 1986Mark Schwartz, App StateSoCon Player of the Year 1981, 19821st-team All-SoCon 1980, 1981, 1982Christian Tam, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986Thompson Usiyan, App StateSoCon Player of the Year 1977, 1978, 19801st-team All-SoCon 1977, 1978, 1980Rob Wilcher, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1983, 1984, 1985

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Player/Pitcher of the Year– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman AA)– SoCon Female Athlete of the Year– SoCon Player/Pitcher of the Year in two different seasons– 1st-team All-SoCon in three different seasonsNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Allie Cashion, App State, OF1st-team All-SoCon 2011, 2012, 2013

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of ITA Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Player of the Year– National champion (singles or doubles)– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman AA)– SoCon Male Athlete of the Year– Two-time SoCon Player of the Year– 1st-team All-SoCon in three different seasons (doubles or singles)– Three-time SoCon singles champion– Three-time SoCon doubles championNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Keith Richardson, App StateSoCon No. 1 singles champion 1973, 1974, 1975

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National champion– All-America in two different academic years– SoCon Male Athlete of the Year– SoCon Most Outstanding Performer in two different academic years– Three-time event champion (not including relays)– 10x total individual champion (not including relays)– SoCon individual event record holder (not including relays; event must have been contested at least 15 times)Notes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Rick Beasley, App StateSoCon Male Athlete of the Year 1979-80Rich Grant, App StateOTK hammer champion 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995Anthony Greer, App StateMost Outstanding Field 2003 (ITK), 2005 (ITK, OTK), 2007 (OTK)ITK shot put champion 2003, 2005, 2006OTK shot put champion 2003, 2005, 200711 individual titles (5 ITK, 6 OTK)OTK shot put record-holderMichael Hanks, App StateMost Outstanding Athlete 1986 (OTK), 1987 (ITK, OTK)OTK long jump record-holderOTK triple jump record-holderLeigh Hawkins, App StateMost Outstanding Athlete 1988 (OTK), 1989 (ITK, OTK)10 individual titles (4 ITK, 6 OTK)Chris Huffstickler, App StateOTK 3,000-meter steeple champion 1994, 1995, 1996Lafette Jordan, App StateITK 440-yard record-holderWes Kiser, App StateMost Outstanding Field 2007 (ITK), 2008 (OTK)OTK hammer record-holderRobbie Mosley, App StateMost Outstanding Athlete 1982 (OTK), 1982 (ITK)ITK triple jump champion 1980, 1981, 1982Warren Posey, App StateITK triple jump record-holderDarius Purcell, App StateITK high jump record-holderBob Smith, App StateMost Outstanding Field 2002 (OTK), 2004 (ITK, OTK)OTK hammer champion 2002, 2004, 200510 individual titles (4 ITK, 6 OTK)Jared Stalling, App StateMost Outstanding Athlete 2012 (OTK); Field 2012 (OTK), 2013 (OTK)Mark Sturgis, App StateITK triple jump champion 2005, 2006, 2009Malcolm Styers, App StateMost Outstanding Athlete 2010 (OTK); Field 2010 (OTK) 2011 (ITK, OTK)ITK weight throw champion 2009, 2010, 2011Jamal Tiller, App StateITK triple jump champion 2011, 2013, 2014Ernest Wiggins, App StateITK 60-meter record-holderDustin Wright, App StateOTK decathlon champion 2004, 2005, 2006

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– National champion– All-America in two different academic years– SoCon Male Athlete of the Year– SoCon Most Outstanding Performer in two different academic years– Three-time event champion (not including relays)– 10x total individual champion (not including relays)– SoCon individual event record holder (not including relays; event must have been contested at least 15 times)Notes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Breanna Alston, App StateMost Outstanding Athlete 2012 (OTK), 2013 (ITK), 2014 (ITK); Track 2014 (ITK)ITK 200m champion 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014Whitney Ball, App StateSoCon Female Athlete of the Year 1989-90Beverly Burnett, App State0TK shot put champion 2004, 2005, 20060TK shot put record-holderJennifer Claud, App StateOTK 200m champion 2002, 2004, 2005Ayokka Green, App StateOTK discus champion 1996, 1997, 1998Mary Jayne Harrelson, App StateSoCon Hall of Fame 2010SoCon Female Athlete of the Year 1998-99, 2000-01ITK 800m champion 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001ITK mile champion 1999, 2001OTK 1,500m NCAA champion 1999, 2001OTK 3,000m record-holderOTK 800m champion 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001OTK 1,500m champion 1997, 1998, 1999, 200116 individual titles (6 ITK, 10 OTK)Sabrina Hill, App StateOTK TJ champion 1990, 1991, 1992Linda McKoy, App StateITK HJ champion 1988, 1989, 1990Lamonda Miller, App StateOTK 100m champion 1987, 1988, 1989OTK 200m champion 1987, 1988, 198910 individual titles (4 ITK, 6 OTK)ITK 55m record-holderITK 200m record-holderOTK 200m record-holderMelissa Morrison, App StateSoCon Hall of Fame 2009SoCon Female Athlete of the Year 1991-92, 1992-93Most Outstanding Athlete 1992 (ITK), 1993 (ITK, OTK)ITK 55mH champion 1991, 1992, 1993OTK 100mH champion 1991, 1992, 199317 individual titles (8 ITK, 9 OTK)OTK 100m record-holderOTK LJ record-holderRachel Olander, App StateOTK javelin champion 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997Shonte Pinkston, App StateOTK 100m champion 1998, 1999, 2000, 200110 individual titles (4 ITK, 6 OTK)LaShana Poole, App StateMost Outstanding Field 2002 (ITK), 2003 (ITK, OTK)ITK weight throw champion 2001, 2002, 2003OTK discus champion 2001, 2002, 2003Melissia Rogers, App StateOTK 400m champion 1988, 1989, 1989Danielle Thorpe, App StateOTK TJ champion 2008, 2009, 2010OTK TJ record-holderMeg Warren, App StateOTK javelin record-holder (before redesign)Ronda White, App StateMost Outstanding Athlete 2002 (OTK); Field 2004 (ITK)OTK 100mH champion 2002, 2003, 2004OTK LJ champion 2002, 2003, 2004OTK TJ champion 2002, 2003, 200415 individual titles (6 ITK, 9 OTK)ITK TJ record-holderBrittani Williams, APPITK shot put champion 2005, 2007, 2008

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Player of the Year– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman AA)– SoCon Female Athlete of the Year– Two-time SoCon Player of the Year– 1st-team All-SoCon in three different seasonsNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Traci Blankenship, App State, S1st-team All-SoCon 1983, 1984, 1985Tammy Craig, App State1st-team All-SoCon 1988, 1989, 1990

Members of the 100th anniversary team must meet at least one of the following criteria:– Member of SoCon Hall of Fame (for primary sport)– National Wrestler of the Year– National champion– All-America in two different seasons (not including honorable mention or freshman AA)– SoCon Male Athlete of the Year– Two-time SoCon Wrestler of the Year– Three-time SoCon individual champion– 1st-team All-SoCon in three different seasonsNotes:– Student-athletes must have competed in the SoCon for at least two seasons.– List of awards is not exhaustive – just those that satisfy the above criteria are listed.– Awards are through the completion of the 2020-21 academic year.Denzel Dejournette, App StateSoCon Wrestler of the Year 2016, 20171st-team SoCon 2015, 2016, 2017SoCon champion 2015, 2016, 2017Travis Drake, App StateSoCon Wrestler of the Year 2001, 20021st-team SoCon 2001, 2002, 2003SoCon champion 2001, 2002, 2003Mark Fee, App StateAll-America 2002, 2003SoCon champion 2001, 2002, 2003Johnathan Hampton, App StateSoCon champion 1983, 1984, 1985Jeremy Hart, App StateSoCon champion 1999, 2000, 2001Adrian Hines, App StateSoCon champion 1990, 1991, 1992Amaro Lamar, App StateSoCon champion 1985, 1986, 1987Seth Meyerson, App StateSoCon champion 1994, 1995, 1996Austin Trotman, App StateSoCon Male Athlete of the Year 2011-121st-team SoCon 2010, 2011, 2012SoCon champion 2010, 2011, 2012

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