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Pepperdine Athletics 2007-08 Year in Review
Pepperdine University benefited from yet another strong effort by its sports program during the 2007-08 school year as nine Waves athletic teams advanced to NCAA Championships post-season play.
Six teams finished the year ranked in the Top 25 nationally, led by men's volleyball which concluded its season ranked No. 2. Additionally, Pepperdine finished 67th in the final United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup standings, two places up from last year.
"I'm exceedingly proud of the dedication that our student-athletes and coaches continue to exhibit everyday," said John Watson, the University's director of athletics. "Their commitment in the classroom and on the field is phenomenal. I believe they present themselves as positive role models to be envious of."
During the 2007-08 school year, Pepperdine teams captured West Coast Conference (WCC) championships in three sports: women's golf, men's tennis, and women's tennis. Men's golf tied for second place at the WCC championships. Men's volleyball won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament, and tied for fourth place in the MPSF regular season.
Baseball player Eric Thames was named WCC Player of the Year. Women's golf coach Laurie Gibbs was named the WCC's "Coach of the Year", while Adam Steinberg was named the WCC's "Co-Coach of the Year" in men's tennis.
The baseball, women's golf, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's volleyball teams competed at the NCAA Championships. The men's volleyball team finished in second place at the championships. The men's tennis team reached round 16.
The women's cross-country and men's golf teams competed at their respective NCAA West Regional Championships.
Pepperdine student-athletes represented the school for the NCAA singles in the sports of men's golf, men's tennis, and men's volleyball. Golfer Eric Shriver qualified for the championships as an individual player, and tennis players Andre Begemann and Bassam Beidas made it to the semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively. Andre Begemann also qualified for the men's tennis doubles with his partner Omar Altmann.
Senior Alison McLeod (women's swimming) set school records in the 100 fly and 400 IM, and was named PCSC Swimmer of the Year at the PCSC Championships.
Ten student-athletes earned All-American honors: Eric Thames (baseball), Andrew Putnam (men's golf), Malcolm Thomas (men's basketball), Tyrone Shelley (men's basketball), Taylore Karle (women's golf), Andre Begemann (men's tennis), Bassam Beidas (men's tennis), Jonathan Winder (men's volleyball), Paul Carroll (men's volleyball), and Adam Hewko (men's water polo).
Additionally, Pepperdine held its first annual Student-Athlete Honors Dinner at the Warner Center Marriott on April 19. Andre Begemann (men's tennis) was named Male Athlete of the Year, Sylvia Kosakowski (women's tennis) was named Female Athlete of the Year, Jonathan Winder (men's volleyball) was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year, Julie Rubenstein (women's volleyball) was named Female Student-Athlete of the Year, J.D. Schleppenbach (men's volleyball) was named Male "Wave of the Year", and Emily Wynne (women's soccer) was named Female "Wave of the Year".
To learn more about Pepperdine sports team, please visit the Athletics Web site.
