Saayman and Van Graan Named to Women’s Cross Country All-Decade Team
6/1/2020 3:06:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country
Big South Conference announced its 2010s All-Decade Team
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Coastal Carolina University had two former standout student-athletes in Letita Saayman and Kyla Van Graan named to the 2010-19 Big South Women's Cross Country All-Decade Team presented by Hercules Tires, it was announced today.
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The league's All-Decade Teams were first unveiled as part of the Big South's 30th Anniversary celebration in 2013-14 to recognize the student-athletes and coaches who excelled in their respective sport in each decade since the conference's founding in 1983.
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Saayman was a two-time Big South Champion, winning the championship race in both 2013 and 2015. She was also a four-time all-conference performer, earning the honor in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, and was named an All-American in 2015.
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Van Graan was a three-time All-Big South selection over her career at Coastal, gardening the conference accolades in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
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Both were key members of the 2013 team that won the Big South Championship.
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The two Chants join 13 other former cross country members as Big South All-Decade Team honorees. Shelley Tyler (1989 Big South Champion), Sonja Vertacnik (four-time all-conference), and Kelly Webb (three-time all-conference) are members of the 1980s Big South All-Decade Team, while Catherine Conder (three-time Big South Champion, four-time all-conference, Big South Hall of Fame), Angela Murphy (three-time all-conference), Lauri Occhipinti (four-time all-conference), Valentine Stumpf (1993 Big South Champion, two-time all-conference), and Jolene Williams (three-time Big South Champion, four-time all-conference, Big South Hall of Fame) were all named to the 1990s All-Decade Team
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Coastal's Diana Jepchirchir (2007 All-American, 2007 Big South Champion, two-time all-conference), Anne Marie Moutsinga (three-time Big South Champion, four-time all-conference), Kim Nemergut (four-time all-conference), and Julia Viellenhner (2006 All-American, 2006 Big South Champion) all joined head coach Alan Connie on the 2000's Women's Cross Country All-Decade Team.
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Coach Connie (six Big South Championships, six-time Coach of the Year) was named on both the 1990s and 2000s All-Decade Teams.
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A 15-person committee of Big South Conference administrators served as the official voting panel to determine the All-Decade Team, with fan voting comprising 20 percent of the overall total.Â
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The 2010-19 Women's Cross Country All-Decade Team is listed below in alphabetical order and features 12 runners and one head coach. In case of ties, additional honorees have been added.
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2010s WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ALL-DECADE TEAM
Runner Name, School                                  Â
Lize Bothe, Campbell
Keaton Case, High Point
Jacy Christiansen, Liberty
Zoe Geis, High Point
Famke Heinst, High Point
Sarah Heisner, UNC Asheville
Jennifer Klugh, Liberty
Michaela Louw, Campbell
Joan Maritim, Campbell
Letitia Saayman, Coastal Carolina
Jeanne Stroud, Winthrop
Kyla Van Graan, Coastal Carolina
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Head Coach, School                                    Â
Remy Tamer, High Point
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About the Big South All-Decade Teams
Women's Cross Country All-Decade Team candidates were determined based on being at least one of the following:
1) Was a multiple all-conference honoree;
2) Was named an All-American;
3) Is a member of the Big South Conference Hall of Fame;
4) Student-athletes must be a college graduate or left their respective institution in good academic standing;
5) Won a conference championship as a coach and/or was voted conference Coach of the Year;
6) Runners of the Year, Tournament MVPs, and first-team all-conference honorees will be among the candidate pool for the 2010-19 All-Decade Teams.Â
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Candidates that participated in two different decades were placed in a specific decade based on consultation from member institutions. Member institutions also had final determination in regards to the inclusion of student-athletes and coaches. Previous Women's Cross Country All-Decade Teams were recognized for the years 1986-89, 1990-99, and 2000-09.
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For complete coverage of Coastal Carolina Athletics, follow the Chants on social media @GoCCUsports (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUsports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
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The league's All-Decade Teams were first unveiled as part of the Big South's 30th Anniversary celebration in 2013-14 to recognize the student-athletes and coaches who excelled in their respective sport in each decade since the conference's founding in 1983.
Â
Saayman was a two-time Big South Champion, winning the championship race in both 2013 and 2015. She was also a four-time all-conference performer, earning the honor in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, and was named an All-American in 2015.
Â
Van Graan was a three-time All-Big South selection over her career at Coastal, gardening the conference accolades in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
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Both were key members of the 2013 team that won the Big South Championship.
Â
The two Chants join 13 other former cross country members as Big South All-Decade Team honorees. Shelley Tyler (1989 Big South Champion), Sonja Vertacnik (four-time all-conference), and Kelly Webb (three-time all-conference) are members of the 1980s Big South All-Decade Team, while Catherine Conder (three-time Big South Champion, four-time all-conference, Big South Hall of Fame), Angela Murphy (three-time all-conference), Lauri Occhipinti (four-time all-conference), Valentine Stumpf (1993 Big South Champion, two-time all-conference), and Jolene Williams (three-time Big South Champion, four-time all-conference, Big South Hall of Fame) were all named to the 1990s All-Decade Team
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Coastal's Diana Jepchirchir (2007 All-American, 2007 Big South Champion, two-time all-conference), Anne Marie Moutsinga (three-time Big South Champion, four-time all-conference), Kim Nemergut (four-time all-conference), and Julia Viellenhner (2006 All-American, 2006 Big South Champion) all joined head coach Alan Connie on the 2000's Women's Cross Country All-Decade Team.
Â
Coach Connie (six Big South Championships, six-time Coach of the Year) was named on both the 1990s and 2000s All-Decade Teams.
Â
A 15-person committee of Big South Conference administrators served as the official voting panel to determine the All-Decade Team, with fan voting comprising 20 percent of the overall total.Â
Â
The 2010-19 Women's Cross Country All-Decade Team is listed below in alphabetical order and features 12 runners and one head coach. In case of ties, additional honorees have been added.
Â
2010s WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ALL-DECADE TEAM
Runner Name, School                                  Â
Lize Bothe, Campbell
Keaton Case, High Point
Jacy Christiansen, Liberty
Zoe Geis, High Point
Famke Heinst, High Point
Sarah Heisner, UNC Asheville
Jennifer Klugh, Liberty
Michaela Louw, Campbell
Joan Maritim, Campbell
Letitia Saayman, Coastal Carolina
Jeanne Stroud, Winthrop
Kyla Van Graan, Coastal Carolina
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Head Coach, School                                    Â
Remy Tamer, High Point
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About the Big South All-Decade Teams
Women's Cross Country All-Decade Team candidates were determined based on being at least one of the following:
1) Was a multiple all-conference honoree;
2) Was named an All-American;
3) Is a member of the Big South Conference Hall of Fame;
4) Student-athletes must be a college graduate or left their respective institution in good academic standing;
5) Won a conference championship as a coach and/or was voted conference Coach of the Year;
6) Runners of the Year, Tournament MVPs, and first-team all-conference honorees will be among the candidate pool for the 2010-19 All-Decade Teams.Â
Â
Candidates that participated in two different decades were placed in a specific decade based on consultation from member institutions. Member institutions also had final determination in regards to the inclusion of student-athletes and coaches. Previous Women's Cross Country All-Decade Teams were recognized for the years 1986-89, 1990-99, and 2000-09.
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For complete coverage of Coastal Carolina Athletics, follow the Chants on social media @GoCCUsports (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUsports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
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