Clarksville, TN – With the fall semester over and all Austin Peay athletic teams taking a break for the holidays, I was wondering what Govs and Lady Govs head coaches would ask Santa to bring and put under their trees.
For baseball coach Gary McClure, I think he would be happy with the same present he’s gotten the last two years in another conference championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament.I do think he would ask for an extra stocking stuffer of a berth to a NCAA Super Regional.
For men’s basketball coach Dave Loos, I gift of not giving, as in not turning the ball over, which has proven to be a problem of late with his Governors – who other than that have shown some promise.
For women’s basketball coach Carrie Daniels, more consistent game to game scoring from players not named Tiasha Gray, as well as seeing her young squad get much needed game experience together to jell together as they head into OVC play.
For cross country coach Doug Molnar, another Xiamar Richards — or two — for his women’s team and for his men’s squad, to have his eight freshmen and one sophomore continue to grow an improve from a promising season last year.
For football coach Kirby Cannon, he already has one big gift unwrapped already in a new football stadium, but for under the tree a solid recruiting class to fill in the holes and add much needed depth for a squad that has nowhere to go up.
For men’s golf coach Kirk Kayden, a gift to at least a repeat of last season’s results – which was arguably one of the best seasons in school history.
For women’s golf coach Sara Robson, three solid rounds in the OVC championships for a squad that I think can contend for one of the top spots in the conference.
For softball coach Stephanie Paris, a trip to the OVC tournament after just falling two runs short of making the tournament field – for the first time in six years — on the final day of the season.
For tennis coach Ross Brown, a repeat of last year, where they come on to win the OVC tournament and earn their first NCAA tournament berth.
For his women’s tennis team, a better road record for a squad with went 1-7 away from Clarksville, but were 8-5 at home.
For track and field coach Doug Molnar, a quick learning curve for a squad of 26 that is made up of 50 percent freshmen that will go up against perennial OVC contenders Eastern Illinois University.
For volleyball coach Taylor Mott, a season void of injuries that kept her squad from truly reaching their true potential, but still had enough to finish one win away from a berth in the OVC championship finals.
And finally for all Governors supporters and fans, where ever they maybe, the hopes of a happy and safe holiday season.