BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Several members of Ouachita Baptist athletic teams were recently named to the Gulf South Conference All-Decade Team.
Soccer
Current Ouachita Tiger Rizvan Ceka has been named to the 2010 Gulf South Conference Men’s Soccer All-Decade Team, conference officials announced on Friday.
Despite only having one season under his belt, Ceka made an impact during the 2009 season, earning GSC First Team honors and was named as the GSC Freshman of the Year. The Coppell, Texas native became the third Tiger to win a major award in men’s soccer, while placing first in the GSC in points per match and goals per game, second in goals scored and third in points. Ceka finished the season with nine goals, including a 1.75 points/game average with 21 points overall.
“OBU has had some excellent players come through the program and I am glad that one of our own has been recognized,” Ouachita Head Coach Alex Denning said. “With the team on the way up, it is great to see such recognition so quickly. The young team we had last year really came together to help make OBU Soccer a team to fear. With the season Rizvan had, we expect some great things out of him the next few seasons and I’m sure he will come through. Rizvan is one of the most dedicated players I have seen and I’m glad he was honored for it. Hopefully next time around we were have a few more players named with an honor like this”.
Montevallo’s Jonathan Maloney was voted as the All-Time Men’s Soccer Player of the Decade, while Montevallo’s Raven Keet earned GSC’s All-Time Goalkeeper of the Decade award. West Florida Coach Bill Elliott was named as the GSC Coach of the Decade.
The Tigers advanced to their first-ever GSC Tournament in 2009, falling to No. 1 seed West Florida in the first round, 4-1.
Volleyball
Former Ouachita Tiger Breanne Garrett has been named to the Gulf South Conference Volleyball All-Decade Team, conference officials announced. Garrett was a four-time All-GSC First Team West selection and 2004 GSC West Freshman of the Year as a middle hitter during the 2004-2007 seasons, recording 1934 kills, 418 blocks and a .330 career hitting percentage. Garrett produced 526 kills and 139 blocks in 2005 and followed her career-high season with 402 kills and 92 blocks in 2006 and 524 kills and 101 blocks in 2007. During her freshman campaign, Garrett started in 25 matches, while producing a team-high 346 kills and 73 blocks.
Ouachita advanced to back-to-back Gulf South Conference Tournaments in 2006 and 2007 while finishing second in the GSC West in 2006 season.
“Breanne was a privilege to coach and was everything that you want in a player,” Ouachita Coach Danny Prescott said. “Her work ethic set the standard, as she led by example and played to the best of her ability every night. More importantly, she was a player with exceptional character. Although her athletic abilities were evident, she was as modest off the court as she was on the court.”
Harding outside hitter Manuela Nesheva was voted the GSC West Division Player of the Decade, as North Alabama setter Ashley Moffitt was honored with GSC East Division Player of the Decade honors. The GSC West Division Coach of the Decade was awarded to current Harding Head Coach Keith Giboney.
Football
Former Ouachita Tiger TJ Bingham has been honored to the 2010 Gulf South Conference All-Decade Football Team, conference officials announced on Friday.
Bingham was a premier defensive end for the Tigers during the 1998-2001 seasons, leading the GSC in sacks and setting the current school-record with 18 sacks during a stellar 2001 season. During his final collegiate campaign as a Tiger, Bingham was named as a Daktronics All-American, Associated Press Little All-American, D2 Football.com All-American and Don Hansen’s Football Gazette All-American in 2001.
The defensive end was named to the First Team Daktronics All-South Region Team in 2001, First Team All-Lone Star Conference in 1999, while also earning First team All-GSC honors in 2000 and 2001. Bingham was selected as a Blue-Gray All-Star participant in 2002, as well as a Cactus Bowl member in 2001. In the 2001 preseason, Bingham was selected Pre-Season All-Division II by Lindy’s football publication, Pre-Season All-GSC defense and Pre-Season Second Team All-America Defense by Don Hansen.
Bingham signed free agent contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins, while gaining his first professional playing time during the NFL Europe season with the Scottish Claymores. He led the Claymores with seven sacks and was third in the league in that category, as he also registered 23 total tackles.
Valdosta State quarterback Dusty Bonner was named the GSC Offensive Player of the Decade, while Delta State linebacker Michael Eubanks was tabbed as the GSC Defensive Player of the Decade. Valdosta State earned honors as the GSC’s Top Football Team of the Decade, after earning four conference titles and eight postseason berths, while former Valdosta State coach Chris Hatcher earned honors as the GSC Coach of the Decade.
