Sports

Senior Mike Blair Sets Victory Record, Reaches 100 Career Wins for Wrestling, Takes Prestigious Football Award

The wrestling team is 6-10 with a young team under first-year Head Coach Michael Gaydos, but senior tri-captain Michael Blair has continued to gain national recognition for the program. He posted a 4-0 record, including a 3-2 win over the seventh-ranked grappler in his weight class, in the John Reese Duals at Wilkes University on January 4.  With the wins, Blair reached 100 wins against just eight losses in his impressive Trinity wrestling career. He posted another 4-0 record with three pins and a 15-0 major decision in the North/South Duals at Ursinus College on January 7, while junior 165-pounder Trevor Brown was 3-0 for the day, senior tri-captain 133-pounder Luis Murillo was 3-1 with two pins, sophomore 157-pounder Ralph Fedele, and freshman 174-pounder Jeff Marra each posted 2-1 marks for the Bantams. Blair leads Trinity with a 15-0 record and Murillo is 10-2.  Blair is ranked first in New England and third in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Rankings at 285 pounds and Murillo is rated third in New England at 133 pounds.             

In 2005, Blair was honored as a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-American Team, the Football Gazette All-East Region Second Team, the New England Football Writers Division II/III All-New England Team, the D3Football.com All-East Region First Team, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Northeast All-Star Team, the All-NESCAC First Team, and as the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, he was chosen for, and played in, the 2005 Aztec Bowl as a member of the AFCA Division III All-Star Team against the Mexican National Team in Cancun, Mexico, on December 17.   

During his senior season, Blair tied for the team lead with 34 tackles (19 solo) and paced the Bantams with 5.5 sacks (2nd in NESCAC). He also tallied eight tackles for loss (7th in NESCAC), a forced fumble, and a pass breakup while consistently requiring the attention of two and sometimes three opposing offensive linemen. A three-time all-league, a two-time All-ECAC and All-New England Division II/III selection, and the 2002 NESCAC Defensive Rookie of the Year, Blair totaled 116 tackles (71 solo), 37 tackles for loss (new College record), 23.5 sacks, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick in his career. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown. He is a four-year letter winner and a three-time All-American in wrestling and has also been an All-New England shot-putter during his Bantam career.

Robin Sheppard Receives Award

Associate Athletic Director Robin Sheppard has been recognized by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) with the Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award for her service to the collegiate game. The former women's lacrosse coach at Trinity and now the senior women's administrator for the Bantam athletic program, Sheppard still ranks in the top 15 all-time in coaching victories. She coached for 25 seasons with a 213-68-5 record, three NIAC championship titles, seven ECAC Championship appearances, and three NCAA Division III Championship appearances.

Sheppard retired from coaching following the 1998-99 academic year to assume her full-time administrative duties. Besides her responsibilities in the athletics department, she serves as the athletic liaison with the office of student services and is assistant director of the First-Year Program. She was honored for her administrative skills in 1998 by Athletic Management magazine and as an International Sports Fellow by the Institute for International Sport in Rhode Island in 2001. A native of Bridgeton, N.J., Sheppard starred in field hockey and lacrosse at Trenton State (now The College of New Jersey). She is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) and was in the first graduating class of the NACWAA/HERS Institute for Administrative Advancement in 1995.

Rhoten Earns NESCAC Player of the Week for Men’s Basketball

For the latest Trinity sports news, please go to www.trincoll.edu/athletics/

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