SEVERAL STATESMEN EARN NJCAA REGION X ALL-REGION HONORS

BURLINGTON, NC, May 5, 2014-Richard Bland College was well represented during the Region X DII Softball awards banquet in Burlington, NC. Freshman Tara Heatwole was named as first team pitcher, fellow freshman Amberly Alston was named to the infielder second team, while sophomore Krysten Davis was tabbed as honorable mention, sophomore Sierra Ford was picked as a second teamer outfield, freshman Taylor Slate was named as first team utility player and freshman McKenzie Love was added as honorable mention. Slate was also voted runner-up as Region X player of the year, she will be nominated for NJCAA All-American team.

In just her first year as a college head coach, Richard Bland's Martha Covington received Coach of the Year honors for Region X. The #18 ranked Statesmen are 23-9 and the #1 seed in this weekend's NJCAA DII Regional tournament in Burlington, NC.

After accepting the position, Covington along with assistant Jennie Harp, both recruited hard and fielded a team of national caliber in just three short months. The fact of being behind (as far as time) in recruiting She and her staff were able to land such a fine group of young ladies.

An athlete herself, Covington starred at nearby Colonial Heights High School playing basketball, softball and was a member of the track and field team for the Colonials before she accepted a scholarship to play at Campbell University. Today she still ranks as one of the top hitters in NCAA history.

The Statesmen are playing today the winner of today's 10 am game between Patrick Henry Community College and Southeastern Community College-Whiteville.