From NCAA Championships to record-setting individual accomplishments, the Christopher Newport athletic department has seen some of its finest moments during the winter season. While the Captains eagerly anticipate adding more chapters to our storied history with the return of intercollegiate competition, our friends at TowneBank have teamed up with CNUsports.com to spend some time reliving a few of the legendary efforts and memorable accomplishments from our past. Each week over the next three months, we will look back at the anniversary of seven events that helped shape our historic winter sports programs.

March 1, 1991 - Men's Basketball
Playing in front of its second straight sell-out crowd, the 13th-ranked Christopher Newport men's basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history after defeating Emory & Henry, 81-71, during the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Ratcliffe Gymnasium. Making history during the memorable victory, senior Lamont Strothers deposited 31 points against the Wasps, marking his 115th consecutive double-digit scoring effort. That matched the NCAA record set by LaSalle's Lionel Simmons. Strothers' performance also moved him into third on the all-time Division III scoring list with 2,689 points. Equally effective against Emory & Henry, Steve Artis orchestrated another sensational performance. Shredding the defense, the sophomore point guard scored 22 points and handed out 11 assists during a well-balanced effort.
 
March 2, 1996 - Men's Basketball
For the third time in six seasons, the Christopher Newport men's basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 after toppling Millsaps, 73-69, during the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Ratcliffe Gymnasium. Although the Captains secured a 19-point lead in the second half, the visitors closed the gap and pulled within two in the final minute. Despite foul trouble that saw a pair of starters on the bench, Christopher Newport's reserves stepped up in a big way during the closing moments of the contest. Sean Phillips drained a pair of free throws with 14 seconds remaining to extend the lead to four. After Millsaps answered on the other end, freshman Mike Holland also drained a pair from the charity stripe with seven ticks left to lock up the win. Along with the last-minute heroes, Andre Bolton finished with a game-high 17 points, while David Powell, Matt Bryant, and Jeff McLean had 10 apiece.
 
March 3, 2007 - Track & Field
Setting a new program standard in the 400, Charles Washington starred in the event during the Virginia Tech Last Chance Meet at the Rector Field House in Blacksburg. Breaking one of the oldest records in school history, the first-year sensation clocked in at 48.89 during the star-studded race that included a slew of Division I competitors. With that mark, he topped David Banks' previous record of 49.02, which had stood since 1986. In addition to his record-setting performance, Washington teamed up with Matt Griffis, Tim Moulton, and Matt Weissenborn for a victory in the 4x400-relay. Together, the foursome finished the race in 3:19.01.
 
March 4, 2006 - Track & Field
Making history in the mile during the Virginia Tech Last Chance Meet, Megan Fogarty set a new school record in the event with a highlight-reel effort at the Rector Field House. During the competition, she became the first Captain to break the five-minute mark in the event after crossing in 4:57.27. That shaved nearly four seconds off her own school record while also establishing a new standard in the Mason-Dixon Conference. It also continued her string of record-setting performances in the mile, including a new facility standard after winning the league championship in 5:07.05 at the Freeman Center in February. Along with Fogarty, Rob Rodriguez also clinched his spot in the NCAA Indoor Championships after eclipsing 47 feet in the triple jump.
 
March 5, 2018 - Women's Basketball
For the third time in four years, the Christopher Newport women's basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 as the 21st-ranked Captains stunned 11th-ranked Muhlenberg, 65-42, during the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Memorial Hall in Allentown. A Pennsylvania native, Makenzie Fancher put on a show in her return to the Keystone State after depositing a career-high 21 points, including a 5-for-9 performance from long range. The sophomore star also handed out eight assists, narrowly missing her first career double-double. Joining in the fun, Jessica Daguilh added eight points and nine rebounds off the bench, while Zhara Tannor had four steals while helping limit the Mules to a season-low 42 points. Overall, the 23-point victory marked Christopher Newport's largest postseason triumph since 2011.
 
March 6, 1980 - Women's Basketball
Continuing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Christopher Newport athletics history, the women's basketball team made its first appearance on the national stage and picked up a 95-86 victory over Methodist during the opening round of the AIAW Regional Tournament in Maryville, Tennessee. One year after the Captains set a program record with 21 losses during the 1978-79 campaign, first-year head coach Phil Lee's squad picked up its 18th victory, more than tripling the next-best single-season total in school history. Leading the resurrection, All-American Linda Richardson paced Christopher Newport with 29 points and 23 rebounds against the Monarchs, who were the reigning North Carolina state champions. That showcase marked Richardson's 10th 20-20 effort of the year.
 
March 7, 1998 - Men's Basketball
Locking up a spot in the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in eight years, the Christopher Newport men's basketball team completed a perfect home season with a 78-67 triumph over Mississippi College in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Ratcliffe Gymnasium. Trailing by three at halftime, the Captains quickly overcame their deficit with a momentum-turning 11-0 run early in the second half to snatch the lead and cruise to the victory. Senior Matt Bryant guided the squad with 20 points, while Mike Holland contributed 19. Montoria Valentine also deposited 11, and David Powell had 10. With the victory, Christopher Newport finished the home portion of its schedule with a pristine 15-0 record, marking the finest in program history.

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