Alesa Hammaker, Campus Carrier Staff Reporter
During the halftime of the Vikings lacrosse game on Friday against the Birmingham-Southern College Panthers, Berry took the time to recognize three of its high-achieving student athletes.
Senior swimmer Graydon McCrite, junior point guard Chanlir Segarra and sophomore forward Owen Jacobs were recognized.
McCrite is from Kennesaw, Ga. and has been a member of Berry’s swimming team since his freshman year. McCrite has been a standout in the sport and recognized for many achievements including being the first ever Berry swimmer to medal at conference and the first to compete in a NCAA championship.
McCrite was recognized for representing Berry in the 2014 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championship, an experience he cherishes.
“It meant a lot to represent my school and my team at the NCAA Division Swimming and Diving National Championships,” McCrite said. “The experience was incredible, and I got to witness some very fast and competitive swimmers. Being able to compete as a Berry College athlete brought great pride to me and the school I represent.”
McCrite said he has really enjoyed his opportunity to swim for the Vikings, and that he has learned a lot from it.
“My swimming career at Berry has been an amazing experience,” McCrite said. “The values I’ve gained from swimming will follow me for the rest of my life. I’ve come to know my team as not only my fellow teammates but my family as well. This collegiate swimming career is one I will never forget.”
Segarra received national recognition when she was named 2014 All-South Region Third Team by D3hoops.com, the unofficial website for NCAA Division III men and women’s basketball.
Segarra, a Cooper City, Fla. native, has been a member of the Lady Vikings Basketball team for three years. Segarra recently achieved her 1,000th career point as a Viking. She said the national recognition was a dream come true for her.
“The award from D3hoops.com was a great surprise to not only me, but to my family as well,” Segarra said. “I have played this game since I was eight years old and getting national recognition was something I had only dreamed about before. I am so blessed to not only be a student at Berry College but to also be a member of the Berry College women’s basketball team. To be honored at hlftime was something I never expected. It meant so much to be recognized in front of my friends and peers. I only wish my parents could have flown in from Florida to see it.”
Jacobs was recognized for receiving the 2014 Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Conference Men’s Newcomer of the Year Award.
Jacobs, a transfer from Newberry College, said he was surprised when he found out he was named Newcomer of the Year.
“I was shocked because I’ve never really had an individual year like this year,” Jacobs said. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, coaches and family. It’s been a long journey and I’m happy that everybody involved could receive this recognition.”
The outcome of the Vikings lacrosse game on Saturday was the Vikings beating the Panthers 10-3.