CORPUS CHRISTI - Throughout the summer of 2012, GoIslanders.com will look back at the best moments and athletic performances from the 2011-12 school year.
Every Wednesday, we will bring you one of the top 10 individual performances, with Mondays bringing the year's top 10 moments. Be sure to keep tabs on GoIslanders.com throughout the summer to celebrate all the great moments.
Top Performance #1: Kassandrea Son Named Fourth Conference Athlete with Four Titles in One Event
On May 12, Kassandrea Son made history when she recorded a season-best jump of 6.34m in the long jump at the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships to clinch the title. The senior became the fourth student-athlete in Southland Conference history to win four titles in one event in her career.
Son is the first Islanders athlete to accomplish the feat, and joins Kajsa Haglund (UT-Arlington, 2001-04, 1,500 meters), Eva Jonsson (UTA, 1995-98, heptathlon) and Sita Ward (McNeese State, 1998-02, 10,000 meters) among four-time winners in conference history. It was just shy of her school record jump of 6.35m recorded at the Southland Conference Championships in 2008.
"We were so fortunate to get Kassandrea here five years ago," Director of Track and Field Shawn Flanagan said. "She has just been rock solid gold since she got here with no let up. Some kids fall off over the years, but she obviously is tremendous. Her performance is a credit to Coach Bungard and the jumps program here."
The Cedar Creek, Texas native followed her performance by punching her ticket to the NCAA National Championships for the second time in her career in the long jump. Son posted a distance of 6.33m (20-09.25) at the NCAA West Preliminary Round to place 11th and advance to Nationals.
The senior wrapped her Islanders career at the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, by placing 18th with a mark of 6.10m (20-0 ¼). Son was named Honorable Mention All-America by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following her performance.
Son's first-place jump of 6.34m at the Southland Conference Championships:
Top Performances:
June 13 - #10: Ryann White Leads the Field Through First Round of Rio Verde Invite
June 20 - #9: Terence Jones Scores Career-High 33 in Islanders Win Over Texas State
June 27 - #8: Myles and Taylor Light It Up Against NW State
July 4 - #7: Gonzales' Fireworks Lead Islanders to Win at UHV
July 11 - #6: Mia Matuszak Seals Deal Against Texas State
July 18 - #5: Greta Cecchetti Scores Big Against SFA
July 25 - #4: Micah Nolan Posts School-Record 39 Digs Against Nicholls
August 1 - #3: Daniel Minor Throws 14 Strikeout Shutout Against UTSA
August 8 - #2: Patrick Kimeli Wins Second-Straight Southland Cross Country Championship
August 15 - #1: Kassandrea Son Named Fourth Conference Athlete with Four Titles in One Event
Top Moments:
June 18 - #10: Women's Basketball and Men's Basketball Sweep Turkey Tuesday Doubleheader
June 25 - #9: Krista Fenniak Knocks Home an Eagle from 110 yards at Southland Conference
July 2 - #8: Men's Tennis Wins Tight Match Over Cowboys in HEB Tournament
July 9 - #7: Softball Sweeps Doubleheader to Start Win Streak
July 16 - #6: Volleyball Makes Program History with Win over McNeese State
July 23 - #5: Dance Team Takes Title at ADTS Nationals
July 30 - #4: Hameed Ali Beats Buzzer to Clinch Road Game Over SHSU
August 6 - #3: Baseball Walks Off with Win Over Texas State
August 13 - #2: Women's Tennis Gets Over Hump to Sweep First SLC Tournament Match
