NEWPORT NEWS, VA - The Christopher Newport University athletic department can officially call the recently-completed 2009-2010 season the most successful in the 43-year history of Christopher Newport athletics.
CNU teams won exactly 72 percent of their games this year, the highest winning percentage in school history. Captains squads posted an overall record of 250-95-7 this year. The previous high mark came in the 2007-2008 school year (.714).
The Captains also set a new school record for total wins with 250 this year, beating the previous high of 235 in 2007-2008.
Christopher Newport captured the USA South Athletic Conference President's Cup for overall athletic excellence for the 13th straight season.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Three CNU teams advanced to the “Elite 8” of the NCAA Tournament, and one squad, softball, made it to the “Final 4.” The softball squad posted a 42-10 overall record. CNU's men's soccer team finished the year with a record of 18-2-4 and volleyball went 36-7, and both advanced to the “Elite 8.” This is the first time in the history of CNU athletics that three teams have advanced that far in NCAA play in a single season.
- CNU softball was ranked as high as #4 in the country this spring, and won four straight games while hosting an NCAA Regional for the first time ever. Their games in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, marked the first time CNU softball has advanced to the national finals.
- Christopher Newport men's soccer was ranked #1 in the nation during the fall season, becoming the first CNU squad to ever achieve a #1 national ranking.
- Volleyball won the USA South by sweeping the conference and going 21-0 in league play. It was the third straight conference title for CNU, and the Captains have now won an amazing 63 straight conference matches dating back to 2007.
- Field Hockey dominated in 2009, finishing with a 16-4 overall record and a trip to the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA Tournament.
- The women's soccer program also had a successful fall. The Captains posted a 12-8-3 record and won the USA South title to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
- The CNU women's basketball team finished the season with a 30-1 record and also advanced to the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA Tournament as Champions of the USA South. The Captains set a new school mark by winning their first 30 games. It was the 13th NCAA appearance in women's basketball history. Junior Chelsie Schweers led the way and was named All-American for the third straight season.
- CNU's men's basketball also advanced to the NCAA Tournament by capturing the USA South Championship. Head Coach C.J. Woollum, who completed his 26th season guiding the Captains, recorded his 500th career victory during the USA South Tournament. Woollum announced his retirement as coach of the Captains on April 21st, but will continue to lead the CNU Athletic Department. His teams won nearly 70 percent of their games over 26 seasons, and he finished his illustrious coaching career with 502 victories, 17 NCAA bids and 13 conference titles.
- Christopher Newport's women's lacrosse squad won the USA South Tournament Championship in Burlington, North Carolina, and advanced to their fifth straight NCAA appearance. CNU finished the season with a 13-7 mark.
- The CNU baseball team completed the 2010 season with an overall record of 24-17.
- Christopher Newport's women's tennis team had a tremendously successful 2010 season, finishing with a mark of 18-3.
- The CNU men's tennis squad also enjoyed a successful spring. The Captains finished 14-9 overall this year and sophomore Eric Shulman earned a trip to play in the NCAA singles championship.
- The Christopher Newport golf program made significant strides this year. The Captains won four tournaments this year, two in the spring and two in the fall.
- The outdoor track & field season brought the 2009-2010 CNU athletic year to completion. Freshman decathlete Richard Roethel earned All-America status at the NCAA outdoor nationals in Berea, Ohio. Roethel finished third, the highest of any freshman in competition.
