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Women’s Soccer Road to Success

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By Jayla Lowe As the Lady Bulldogs prepare for their upcoming Conference Championship, reporters Cole Vance and Jesse Tatum-Stewart sat down with the team’s newcomers, sophomore Lisa Schon and freshman Caitlin Bleeker to reflect on the team’s performance this season. Throughout the conversation, the players shared insight into the team’s journey for success. The interview consisted of the teams overall performance this season and their upcoming goals in winning yet another title. Schon, a sophomore from Friedrichshafen, Germany, is also known for her talents in track and field. Despite joining the team as a walk-on this season, she has quickly proven that she can be versatile while embracing the challenges in her newfound passion for soccer. Schon has endured it all in her first year on the team but showcases determination. Meanwhile, Bleeker, a freshman from Sydney, Australia, has had a seemingly flawless transition into her collegiate debut. She reflects on her first year on the team and discusses the team’s preparation they partake in on games-days. As the interview came to an end, the first year duo closed the interview by giving a meaningful message to the fans. With many new talented additions such as Schon and Bleeker, the Lady Bulldogs are looking to make a mark as they join the race to win their third consecutive conference championship. Note: since interview recording, the Lady Bulldogs captured the AAC Tournament Championship. Interviewers: Cole Vance and Jesse Tatum-StewartAudio: Rob GordonVideo Production: Olivia MillerResearch: David BallenillaPhoto by: Lucas Grana

Athletics

Baseball Competes in Fall World Series

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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 

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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

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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

Athletics

Tennis Players Compete at ITA Cup

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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 

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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

Bulldogs Make Noise at Conference Championship

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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

5 Straight Conference Titles Cement TWU Mens Tennis Dominance

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Written By: Dakota Caldwell Most tennis teams are lucky to win back-to-back conference titles. Imagine the joy a team would have to achieve five consecutive conference titles instead. Coach Pancho led TWU men’s tennis to an outstanding victory over SCAD Atlanta in the championship. The Bulldogs swept all their opponents on the way to capturing the conference crown. Their journey started by taking care of business in the quarterfinals against No. 8 Columbia. Doubles matches were a breeze for Wesleyan, with the duos of Gaia and Simpson cleaning up Columbia to win 6-0. On the singles side, Volpi put on an absolute clinic, allowing only one point scored. Next up was the mission of advancing past No. 4 Milligan. A highly anticipated conference matchup turned out to be one-sided. The dominance was led by a convincing doubles win for the duo of Rios and Leon. Pascal and Leon clinched in singles to finish the sweep over the Buffaloes. Finally, Championship Saturday brought out the best in the Bulldogs. They fought past a sneaky SCAD Atlanta team to win the championship. Volpi and Garcia led the momentum on the doubles side as they took a convincing 6-2 victory. Rios closed out the final singles match to finish off the Bees’ hopes of happiness. All this sweetness of a conference championship can be enjoyed by the team for a while, as their next match is a little less than a month away. It will encourage the team to start their national championship run on May 13–17 in Mobile, Alabama. Photos By: Lucia BonfanteEditorial Assistance: Nick Collins Published By: Cody McGillEdited By: Hunter Cookston

Athletics

Track Dawgs Dominate

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Written by: Nick Collins This past weekend, the TWU indoor track and field program competed in the Appalachian Athletic Conference championships. The Tennessee Wesleyan mens and womens teams both came in 5th in the standings with the men scoring 80 overall points and the women 91 points from all of the events that took place. However, both the men’s and the women’s team found success in specific events over the weekend. KT Buchanan, Jay Ellis, Chris Harper, and Ke’andrae Campbell all came through for the Bulldogs and put them up on the scoreboard. Dakota Caldwell competed in the Mens 5000m Race walk finishing in second place earning them an outstanding 8 points. For the Women, Samantha Degrace took home 1st place in the women’s 100mH earning them 10 points. The men also placed second in the 100 meter relay race giving them another 8 points. Throughout the weekend the Bulldogs had 12 players finish in the top 3 throughout these events, drastically boosting their score. Overall, the weekend was fairly successful for both the men and the women teams leaving room for growth and improvement. The individual success they had will hopefully lead to more team success as the Bulldogs travel down to Cleveland May 10th for the Lee Last Chance Meet. Edited By: Tyler HarwellEditorial Assistance By: MaKaylee TorbettPicture By: Dakota CaldwellPublished By: Hunter Cookston

Athletics

Bulldogs Lacrosse falls against #2 Reinhardt

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By Jacob Stephenson The Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs men’s lacrosse team played their final home game of the 2025 season losing to #2 Reinhardt Eagles 14-5 on Wednesday afternoon.  The Eagles got off to a quick start in the first quarter taking an early 4-0 lead over the Bulldogs. The second quarter was also dominated by the Eagles out-scoring the Bulldogs 3-1. After the half the Eagles began to put the game out of reach, outshooting the Bulldogs 6-2 in the third quarter. The Bulldogs were able to outscore the Eagles 2-1 in the fourth quarter bringing the game to the 14-5 final. The Eagles were led in scoring by Luke Greer and Joey Amatulli with four goals each. The Eagles were led in assists by Benjamin Shackelfor with three assists. Starting Goalie Ethan Rogers had five saves on eight shot attempts and allowed a low total of three goals. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Jack Driscoll and Hayden Harmon with two goals each. The Bulldogs were led in assists by Jack Driscoll, Carson Bowling, and Hayden Harmon with one assist each. Goalie Jack Shaw had nineteen saves on thirtythree shot attempts and allowed fourteen goals. The Bulldogs will look to rebound Saturday as they play their final game of the 2025 season against #4 Cumberlands on the road.  Edited by Jaci PowellPhotographs by Tyler HarwellEditorial Assistance by Tate GrayPublished by Lucia Bonfante