The Bulldog Beat

Menu

Author name: The Bulldog Beat

Athletics

Baseball Competes in Fall World Series

Leave a Comment / Athletics /

By Bulldog Beat Staff In conjunction with the MLB World Series, the TWU Bulldogs baseball team competed in their own Fall Classic, last week, with Lead Team completing a three-game sweep of the Blue Team. The games were not traditonally scored, but rather a points system was used. Hits and Runs were worth a point, with a bonus five points for winning the game. Errors cost the team one point. “I thought the World Series went well overall,” said junior pitcher Koehn Thomas. “The energy was high all throughout the three-games series. I think we could have played defense a bit better, but the offense made up for a lot of mistakes.” Game 1Wednesday’s game 1 saw the Lead team complete a 14-6 win. Kolton Reynolds homered for the winning Lead Team, with Jordan Massis and Matthew Martinez hitting home runs for Blue in the loss. Game 2Behind another home run from Kolton Reynolds and solid pitching from Baylor Homesley and Wes Butler, the Lead team took game 2, 30-10. Game 3The Lead team completed the sweep of the blue team, 47-24, thanks to a walk-off win, their second of the series. The Bulldogs now enter the quiet winter months before season preparations begin in January, with opening day slated for late January. The team closed the 2024 season ranked No.5 in the nation after another trip to the Avista-NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho. Editorial Assistance by Cole VancePhotos by Jakov Kusanovic

Athletics

Bulldogs Set the Tone Early in Preseason Scrimmage Against Cleveland State 

Leave a Comment / Athletics /

By Kamaurian Frierson Veterans lead early while young players shine as Tennessee Wesleyan builds momentum for the season ahead  As the Bulldogs enter the new season, tonight’s scrimmage could very well set the tone for what’s ahead. Tennessee Wesleyan took on Cleveland State in a high-energy preseason matchup, and both teams came ready to compete for an early statement win.  The starting lineup for Wesleyan featured #5 Ty Runyan, #3 Reshaun Hampton, #12 Charles Neverdon, and #2 Omarion Barrek. From the moment the ball tipped, you could feel the intensity radiating from both sides of the court.  Neverdon Leads Early Surge  Senior guard Charles Neverdon (#12) wasted no time making his presence felt, knocking down a clean 3-pointer to open the scoring and spark an early run for the Bulldogs. His leadership was evident as he set the pace and helped his teammates find their rhythm.  After the game, Neverdon reflected on his performance and the team’s mindset moving forward.  “We played hard as a team. We got a lot of energy, man,” Neverdon said. “Speaking for myself, Im  not really hit as many shots as I would like, but you know, I started getting other guys involved, getting assists and stuff like that. So as long as we got the dub, I’m happy. There’s still stuff to work on, like finishing halves, but we had so much team effort.”  Neverdon finished the night with about 12 points, setting the example of what it means to be a senior leader on and off the court.  Freshman Chris Cowan Shows Poise  Coming out of halftime, the Bulldogs led 44–36. A bit of competitive trash talk broke out between freshman guard Chris Cowan (#10) and a Cleveland State player, but Cowan kept his composure, letting his performance do the talking. His maturity and confidence were evident, especially for a first-year player stepping into the college game.  After the win, Cowan spoke about what it felt like playing at such a high level so early in his career.  “I feel like I had a good performance, bro, especially with it being my first year — just getting out there and having fun,” Cowan said.  He also shared some wisdom he’s picked up from his veteran teammates.  “Stay level-headed through it all, man,” he said. “With so much practice, just keep a good mindset through it all, for sure.”  Cowan’s playstyle and mindset are already turning heads, and he’s quickly proving why he belongs on this Bulldogs roster. He finished the game with 10 points and several key plays that energized his team.  Hampton Keeps the Bulldogs Steady  Sophomore guard Reshaun Hampton (#3) also turned in an impressive performance. His ability to control the game’s tempo and make smart decisions kept the Bulldogs in rhythm throughout both halves. Hampton contributed on both ends of the floor, playing tough defense and hitting big shots when the team needed them.  After the game, Hampton expressed confidence in both the team’s preparation and its potential this season.  “Oh man, I feel good, man,” he said. “You know our team been working hard all this spring, and we just love to see it pay off.”  Hampton finished with 10 strong points, demonstrating his steady presence and showing that Tennessee Wesleyan’s backcourt depth will be a real strength this season.  Building Momentum for the Season Ahead  From veterans like Neverdon to the young talent in Cowan and Hampton, the Bulldogs displayed a balanced attack and strong chemistry in this preseason test. Their energy, effort, and communication were constant from tip-off to the final buzzer.  If tonight’s scrimmage is any indication, Tennessee Wesleyan looks locked in and ready to make some noise this season.  Co-Writer: Daveion Smith Photos & Graphics: Jayla Lowe  Edited & Published: Josephine Zeoli 

Athletics

Men’s Soccer Team Hosts Annual Senior Night

Leave a Comment / Athletics /

By Niko Marinacci On Saturday, October 25, 2025, the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs men’s soccer team played against Bluefield College in Athens, Tennessee. The match ended in a 1–0 victory for the Bulldogs. This was the Bulldogs 8th win of the season giving them an 8-7-1 record on the season and a 7-4-1 record in AAC Conference play.  The significance of this game was that it was senior night. The Bulldogs recognized 7 seniors this season who have not only made an impact on the field but off the field as well. Prior to the game players went through different festivities with their friends and families, making it a memorable day for those who were able to make it to such an amazing point in their athletic careers. We held a Q and A with a current senior, Nicko Bellot, about some of the aspects of the soccer team and this is what he had to say: Q: How does it feel to be so close to the playoffs, especially as a senior? A: It feels amazing honestly. Knowing we are this close especially during my senior year makes it even more special. The team has endured rough seasons in the past, and to see how far we have come as a program is really exciting. It feels like all of the hard work over the years is finally paying off, and to be able to experience that with my teammates during my last year means a lot. Q: What has been your favorite game or moment this season? A: Definitely senior day. It was such an emotional game – my family was in the stands, the crowd was loud, and we were playing one of the top teams in the conference. We left everything on the field. Getting the win made it even better, it was one of those moments that you dream about as an athlete. Q: How do you and your teammates keep each other motivated as the season comes to an end? A: We keep each other motivated by remembering why we started. For us seniors, it is knowing that this is our last chance to leave a mark on the program. For the younger players, it is about building something that lasts beyond this season. We push each other everyday in practice – even though it’s tough – because we all want to see the team reach its full potential. The goal of making playoffs keeps us locked in and hungry. The Bulldogs next game will come in the conference tournament, where the team will look to make a run and steal a conference title. Photos by Rob GordonInterview by David BallenillaEdited by Lucas Grana

Student Life

Delta Zeta Phi Annual Seesaw Marathon

Leave a Comment / Student Life /

By Lexie Lee Why was there a seesaw in the quad? The Tennessee Wesleyan University Fraternity, Delta Zeta Phi, finished their fundraising Seesaw Marathon where they rode the seesaw, taking turns, for 100 hours straight from September 22-26! The event was organized to raise money from local businesses and donations from people within the community to benefit the on-campus food pantry, Love Thy Neighbor Project. As Love Thy Neighbor is Delta Zeta Phi’s charity partner, the fraternity worked this project to raise money so that Love Thy Neighbor can continue helping those in the Athens community who are in need. The group decided that for every $500 raised, they would add another 24 hours to the time spent on the seesaw. “Balancing sleep and classes was difficult, but because this was the second year [of the annual Seesaw Marathon], we had a much better process for who was riding the seesaw and when,” said Roni Bailey, a member of the Delta Zeta Phi fraternity. Mostly fraternity members, along with the occasional professors and other students, rode the seesaw, enabling the club to raise $3,000. “Those young men have been such a blessing for our food pantry! We appreciate them so much. The money they raise, most likely, will go to our back sack program. This program provides weekend meals to low-income students at now 6 schools in McMinn County. We make approximately 220-250 bags and deliver them to all of these schools. Our program now runs every other week and is our largest expense at the pantry. It is a wonderful program and we are currently accepting donations to help fund it,” explains Vicki Weber from Love Thy Neighbor Project.

Athletics

Tennis Players Compete at ITA Cup

Leave a Comment / Athletics /

By Olivia Miller Eight talented Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldog student athletes – four girls and four boys – set off to represent their school at the prestigious ITA Cup in Georgia, competing in both singles and doubles. The three-day knockout tournament, running from Thursday to Saturday, brought together some of the top collegiate tennis players. On the men’s side, Lucas Grana and Lucas Perez will join Mario and David from Spain forming a strong international lineup. The women’s team featuring Ivet, who will be competing in both singles and doubles, alongside Honoka, Laia and Olivia. Below are the results. Women’s Singles Ivet Prat from Spain delivered a strong showing. In the first round, she battled through a tough three-set match to defeat Javiera Verdugo (Lindsey Wilson College) 4-6, 7-6, 6-4. In the quarterfinals, Prat faced top-seeded Violet Apish (Keiser University) and, despite a determined effort, fell 6-1, 6-0. Women’s Doubles The women’s doubles teams had a busy run in the main and back draws. Olivia Alcala and Laia Berne faced a strong Keiser University duo, Violet Apisah and Patricia Apisah, in their opening match, falling 6-0, 6-1. Honoka Tsuji and Ivet Prat opened their campaign with a solid 6-2, 7-6 victory over Keyla Rodríguez and Maria Ortega Mateu (Lindsey Wilson College). The pair later exited in the quarterfinals after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-0 loss to Alexandra Melnikova and Cato Tangka (Keiser University). In the back draw, Alcala and Berne showcased impressive teamwork and determination. They defeated Szilvia Ferenczy and Paola Lameda (Bethel University) 6-4, 6-3, then followed up with another victory in the semifinals against Nora Louko and Alessia Piccioliori (SCAD Savannah), 6-4, 7-6, securing a strong finish to their tournament run. PICTURED Ivet Prat and Tsuji  Hononka Men’s Doubles On the men’s side, two teams represented TWU with grit and perseverance. Lucas Grana and Lucas Perez dropped their first match against Nereo Suarez and Ivan Vazques (Xavier University) 2-6, 6-2, 10-8. David Leon and Mario Monclus also faced a tough opening draw, falling 6-3, 6-2 to Mateo Larrea and Lev Sholosh (Lindsey Wilson College). In the back draw, Grana and Perez bounced back strongly, defeating Jose Perez and Nelson Ramos (Oakland City University) 6-4, 5-7, 10-4. They advanced to the semifinals, where they battled Francisco Perez and Kanan Gasimov (Georgia Gwinnett College) but came up short 6-2, 2-6, 10-3. Back Draw and National Rankings This tournament featured a back draw format, allowing players who lost in the first round to continue competing for final placement. These results contributed to the players’ national ranking points, offering valuable experience and recognition at the national level. The team displayed remarkable effort throughout the tournament, with several matches decided by narrow margins and tiebreaks. A special mention to Ivet who is the first woman in the program history to qualify for the ITA Cup in singles and advance to the quarterfinals. A huge achievement. Overall, their strong performances, especially in the back draw rounds, reflect the continued growth and competitive spirit of TWU tennis. Photos by Lucas GranaEdited by Jakov KusanovicEditorial Assistance by Kamaurian Frierson

Athletics

TWU Women’s Volleyball Making Program History with Current Win Streak 

Leave a Comment / Athletics /

By Niko Marinacci  The Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs women’s volleyball team has found a strong rhythm in recent contests, mounting a five‐game win streak that signals both the competitive potential of the squad and the positive trajectory of the season. Over the span of these matches, the Bulldogs have shown a willingness to grind out wins and contribute to making program history.  The streak began on October 3rd when the Lady Bulldogs won at home against Truett McConnell with a score of 3-1. This win layed the groundwork for an increase in momentum and created a spark for the team. Shortly thereafter, on October 4th, they followed up with a sweep against the Montreat Cavaliers (3-0) demonstrating that when the team is clicking, they can finish off opponents cleanly. Their next victory came on October 7th against Johnson University, in which the Bulldogs fought until the end and came out on top. That win was meaningful in that it came on the road and in a tight five-set match, setting the tone for the rest of the run. Their fourth consecutive win, much like the third, was an intense five set match against Columbia College that resulted in a huge win for the Bulldogs. Lastly, on October 14th the Bulldogs went on to face a significant rival, the Bryan lions, which resulted in the team dominating in another sweep. These combined victories give the Bulldogs a five-match run in which they showed competitiveness across both tight contests and commanding sweeps.  Two added wins earlier in the season also reflect the team’s ability to string victories together: a 3-0 win over the Toccoa Falls Eagles on September 9th and a 3-0 win over the Bluefield Rams on September 20th.  In terms of context, the Bulldogs’ 2024-25 season had been challenging, finishing with an overall record of 10-22 and a conference mark of 7-14. This history gives even more weight to the current win streak: it signals that the program is trending upward rather than merely maintaining the status quo. The coaching staff and players are clearly responding to prior season struggles and refining their game. The ability to sustain a five-game stretch of winning is a tangible marker of improvement.  We conducted a multi-question interview with player Talynn Wheeler, number 22, regarding the team. The questions were as follows:  Q: How does it feel knowing the team is so close to making the playoffs?  A: I think it’s really exciting that we know that we are close to making the playoffs because I know that the team’s record in the past that making it to the playoffs was not a high possibility, but knowing that we are closer to being in the top teams that make it to the playoffs is overall, exciting.  Q: What do you think has been the key to the team’s success this season?  A: This year the key to our successes has been communication, chemistry, and talent. Obviously if you have the talent your team will go far, but you also need team chemistry and communication and that has taken us pretty far this season and hopefully we can continue to build with that.  Q: How has the team improved since the start of the year?  A: I feel like our team has improved since the start of the season because of chemistry. Most teams start off bumpy because they don’t have the chemistry yet since there are new people and they haven’t been acquainted with the team and there hasn’t been a connection. II feel like throughout the practices, games, and tournaments, you get chemistry very fast, and I think that that has been the main improvement from the start until now.  Q: What has been your favorite game/moment this season?  A: My favorite moment so far this season was playing and beating Johnson University. I think this was my favorite because it was a match that was taken to five sets, and each set was very close. It was a loud, fun, communicative game and we ended up with a win so that was great.  Q: How do you and your teammates keep each other motivated?  A: My teammates and I keep each other motivated by pushing each other to be better every day. By giving us the competition in practice whenever we play against each other and by fighting for spots, that usually motivates a player to be the best that they can be, whenever they are fighting for a spot.  Looking ahead, the Bulldogs should aim to maintain this momentum. Practicing habits that foster consistency will be vital. It may also be important for the coaching staff to continue setting incremental goals. Additionally, as they transition deeper into conference play, handling adversity and bouncing back after losses is a determining factor in the race for playoff contention. A team trending upward but unable to rebound from setbacks may stall, but the Bulldogs will look to prove that they are not that.  Photos By Robert Gordon Interview By David Ballenilla Edited and Published By Jayla Lowe 

Athletics

Men’s Golf Hosts Bojangles Invitational

Leave a Comment / Athletics /

By Julien Withrow The TWU men’s golf team hosted a two-day tournament that featured three of the top five nationally ranked NAIA teams in #2 Reinhardt, #3 Coastal Georgia, and #5 Blue Mountain Christian University. This tournament, with 11 total teams, set a high level of competition for the weekend with half of the competing teams being ranked in the top 25 of the NAIA. The tournament saw #2 Reinhardt University dominating the team performance, finishing even par with the next closest team, Dalton State finishing at 10 over par. Grand View made the top three as they finished 16 over par. This tough competition proved to be difficult for the Bulldogs as they finished 10th, shooting +54 through three rounds. Individually, the standout performers of the tournament included Antonio Juarbe, representing Coastal Georgia, who shot a tournament winning -7. Dalton State’s Scott Frisby was not far behind, shooting -4 to secure second place. Trey Schmidt and Jacob Joseph, representing Reinhardt and Point respectively, both shot 3 under par, tying for 3rd place. The Bulldogs had Kevin Campbell lead the way as he shot +9, making him tied for 25th. Following Campbell, William Mioduski shot 14 over par, finishing tied to 37th. Dalton Sutton and Parker Arnold both finished in 43rd place shooting +16. The standout finish individually saw Jonah Rayfield shoot +6 making him finish tied for 16th place. For the Bulldogs, the Bojangles Invitational was an opportunity to host nationally dominant programs and compete with championship-level teams. This weekend provided valuable experience for the bulldogs that showed encouraging and positive signs moving into the future. Overall, this was a fantastic cornerstone in the team’s development that created a pressure-filed environment versus some of the best players in the country. As the team waits for their upcoming spring schedule, we can take the time to reflect on the Bulldogs’ previous results. Before hosting their first home tournament, the Bulldogs were seen at three previous tournaments showing growth in their performance. Photo by Kevin CampbellGraphic by Cole VanceEdited by Josephine Zeoli

Uncategorized

TWU Bass Fishing Deep Dive

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized /

Written by Jordan Smith Victor Alford, a fisherman on the Tennessee Wesleyan University fishing team, has a profound love for bass fishing. Victor, who began his collegiate fishing career at Bryan College before transferring to Wesleyan, has established himself as a committed and accomplished fisherman.   Casting a line is only one aspect of bass fishing, Victor says. Tournaments in this strategic and highly competitive sport are frequently hosted in states like Florida, Michigan, and New York. The regulations are simple but difficult: fishermen are only allowed to keep five basses, choosing the largest in weight. Additionally, not every catch qualifies due to size keeper constraints, which vary per region and include three different length requirements. “Bass are constantly moving and hiding in different places,” adds Victor. Effective teamwork is equally as important for success as individual talent. The Wesleyan fishing team members collaborate extensively to scout and communicate where the largest fish are biting.   Although fishing is formally a spring activity, several competitions are held in the fall as well. Bass fishing does not have regional divisions like other collegiate sports do. Through the Bassmaster circuit, Victor and his squad frequently play against prestigious schools like the University of Tennessee and the University of Alabama. Victor had a difficult year individually this past year. The team was in 12th place with a good 7-pound bass while competing in Florida, but they were only two spots away from making it to the championships. Just the best 10% advance to the national championship from a field of about 250 boats, each of which usually carries one or two fishermen.   The Wesleyan squad, which consists of a mix of local Tennessee talent and even some members from as far away as New York, fishes locally at places like Chickamauga Lake. Victor says the objective is always the same: to earn a spot in the national championship. They want to remain small and concentrate on assembling powerful, high-achieving teams rather than having a big roster to maintain the team’s competitiveness. What was Victor’s best catch personally?    In conclusion, Victor is proud of his amazing 8.22-pound bass and keeps pursuing the goal of winning a national championship with his tenacity and passion for the game.  Edited by Jacob Stevenson Audio by Tate Grey Video Editing by Dakota Caldwell Interview by Jaci Powell Published by Dakota Caldwell

Athletics

Bulldogs Make Noise at Conference Championship

Leave a Comment / Athletics /

By Noah Lones The Tennessee Wesleyan men’s and women’s outdoor track and field team travelled to Johnson City for the Appalachian Athletic Conference championships this past week. The teams combined for multiple individual championships and 14 top three finishes. Men’s Meet The men’s outdoor track and field team had one individual champion, Armoni Hicks, in the men’s Long Jump. Hicks won the event by 0.39m. There were also seven top three finishes for the men’s team. These finishes came in the men’s 100m, 200m, 5000m Race Walk, Javelin Throw, 4 x 100m Relay, and the 4 x 800m Relay. KT Buchanan finished in second place in the 100m. Buchanan and Jay Ellis finished second and third place in the 200m. Dakota Caldwell finished in second place in the 5000m Race Walk. Tyson Thompson finished in second place in the Javelin Throw. The 4 x 100m Relay team of Ellis, Buchanan, Roni Bailey, and Chris Harper finished in second place. The 4 x 800m Relay team of Tyler Bowers, Stephen Kerley, Jack Headrick, and Dani Meisen finished in second place. The TWU Men’s Track and Field team finished in fifth place overall at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship. Women’s Meet The Women’s Track and Field team had one individual champion, Samantha DeGrace, in the 100m Hurdles. DeGrace won the event by .09 seconds. There were also seven top three finishes for the women’s team. These top three fishes came in the 200m, Discus Throw, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, 4 x 100m Relay, and 4 x 400m Relay. Grace Clemens finished in second place in the 200m. Lisa Schoen finished in second place in the Discus Throw. DeGrace finished in second place in the High Jump. Clemens finished in third place in the Long Jump. Schoen finished in third place in Shot Put. The 4 x 100m team of Clemens, DeGrace, Ann Moses, and McKenna Hubbard finished in second place. The 4 x 400m team of Clemens, Hubbard, DeGrace, and Jakara Tobler finished in third place. The TWU Women’s Track and Field team finished in fifth place overall at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship. MVP of the Women’s Meet DeGrace was named the MVP of the women’s track meet for winning the 100m hurdles, along with placing second in the high jump, fifth in the 200m and long jump, and helping the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 teams get two top three finishes. Photo by Dakota Caldwell

Athletics

Women’s Tennis Prep for Nationals

Leave a Comment / Athletics /

Written By Tyler Harwell The Tennessee Wesleyan Women’s tennis team has just finished up a fantastic regular season with an 11-3 record, capping it off with a second-place finish in the conference tournament and landing them with a No. 7 ranking in the NAIA. The team is currently preparing for nationals this coming May with hopes of bringing home a national championship. With a whole month to train before the big stage, the players are currently “self-motivated,” working on their own schedules while staying focused and determined. When talking about the conference finals loss, sophomore Laia Berne said, “I hope this loss will make us come back stronger.” Freshman Jenn Maria Gjos added that she feels a sense of responsibility to the seniors, saying she owes it to them for paving the way with their years of hard work and success. Last season, the Lady Bulldogs won the conference title and made it to the national quarterfinals before falling to Lindsey Wilson. This year, with a first-round bye, the team is positioned well to make another deep postseason run. In the classroom the team loves the small college atmosphere. “Everyone is generous and makes you feel welcome”, said Laia Berne. Jenn Maria Gjos loves that the professors know you by name and that they are “so understanding.” One of the most notable strengths of this squad is its chemistry. When Laia had to sit out for a month due to illness, the team rallied in her absence and continued racking up wins. Their connection both on and off the court is undeniable, creating a support system that is a key factor in their success. The Lady Bulldogs also bring a strong international presence with the majority of the roster coming from Argentina or Spain. The team communicates primarily in Spanish, and even the English-speaking players are learning the language. This cultural bond has created a unique environment that ensures everyone feels included.  As nationals approach, there’s a sense of self confidence building. This team knows what it’s capable of and with the mix of veteran leadership, a strong international presence, and remarkable chemistry, the Lady Bulldogs could be headed for a historic run. Edited By Jaci PowellPhotos By Lucia BonfanteInterview By Lucia BonfantePublished By Jordan SmithAudio By MaKaylee Torbett