2015

Columbus State University (CSU) offers nationally distinctive programs in the arts, education, busi-ness, nursing and more, a total of 46 undergraduate and 42 graduate degrees. Columbus State provides a creative, deeply personal and relevant college experience. Just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, CSU is part of the University System of Georgia, enrolling more than 8,200 students in a wide variety of degree programs, from online degrees to a doctorate in education.

Columbus State has also cultivated a reputation for extending its commitment to learning into the community, especially with the development of its RiverPark campus in downtown - “Uptown” to locals - Columbus, Georgia.

The RiverPark campus includes: Riverside Theatre Complex - home for CSU’s Department of Theatre Corn Center for the Visual Arts - visiting artists and students in CSU’s Dept. of Art RiverCenter for the Performing Arts - home for the Schwob School of Music

Two new apartment buildings were also added for students and a parking garage to serve the campus community and the public.

Three other educational outreach centers nearby — Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and the Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians — extend CSU’s reputation as a teaching university, offering learning opportunities for students as well as the public.

Boasting stellar faculty, impressive facilities and small class sizes, CSU offers top-notch educational op-portunities, including nationally accredited programs in art, chemistry, music, nursing, theatre, business, and teacher education. The university also offers a variety of online offerings and an extensive continuing education program.

Students in all majors have opportunities beyond campus to enhance traditional learning through intern-ships, clinical experiences, cooperative education and field research alongside senior professors. Colum-bus State offers valuable service to the community and “real world” experience to its students by collabo-rating on projects with a variety of business/industry, civic, arts and governmental partners.

The Cougar Experience

J.D. EvilsizerHead Men’s and Women’s Coach

David MarleyAssistant Cross Country Coach

J.D. Evilsizer is in his 13th full year as head cross country coach at Columbus State University entering the 2015-2016 year. In 2010, Evilsizer was also named the head track and field coach at CSU. He took over a men’s cross country program that pro-duced just two top-five finishes at the Peach Belt Conference Championship and had never had an individual PBC Champion in the 14 years prior. In just a short time, Evilsizer put Columbus State cross country on the national map.

The men’s program won five straight PBC Championships from 2006-2010. Another PBC title came in 2012 in a dominating fashion for the program’s sixth PBC championship and added a seventh during the 2014 season. The 2012 season also produced a first for the men’s program as the Cougars won the NCAA Southeast Regional punching a trip to the NCAA Championship. In all, Evilsizer has taken the men’s cross country program to four NCAA Championships including three in a row from 2008-2010. CSU’s best result came in 2010 when the Cougars finished in 18th place.

On the women’s side, Evilsizer had an equally challenging task to turn CSU into a winner. Evilsizer wasted no time winning the program’s first PBC championship in his first season at the helm. He continued his success capturing six straight conference titles from 2005-2010. During the dominant run, the Lady Cou-gars captured the 2009 NCAA Southeast Regional, the first in school history. In 2012 and 2013, Evilsizer and the Lady Cougars have had impressive showings in the NCAA Southeast Regional. In 2012, CSU won the program’s second regional crown to advance to the NCAA Championship while the Lady Cougars punched another ticket to the national meet in the following season.

In total, Evilsizer has won five PBC Coach of the Year awards (men’s: ’06, ’09, ’10, ’13, women’s: ’10), including sweeping both the men’s and women’s honors in 2010, becoming just the second coach in PBC history to accomplish the feat. He has also coached six PBC Runners of the Year and Freshman of the Year award winners. In all, Evilsizer has coached 70 All-PBC runners, 31 All-Region Runners and three All Americans.

Prior to coming to CSU, Evilsizer coached the Smiths Station High School program for 17 years and amassed 11 state team championships and numerous individual state champions. Among those individu-als were six national All-America runners.

Evilsizer and his wife Debra have two adult children - James and Michelle, who both ran in the CSU program.

David Marley is entering his fifth year with the Columbus State University cross country and track and field programs. He spent two years as a graduate assistant at CSU and the last three as an assistant coach.

During his first four years with the program, Columbus State has captured two con-ference championships and made three NCAA Championship appearances.

Marley graduated from CSU in 2010 and was a three-year member of the Columbus State cross country program. In 2008, his first season, Marley won the individual Peach Belt Conference championship as the Cougars won another conference title. Marley was selected as a first team All-PBC member in 2008 and again in 2010. For his seventh place finish in 2009, he was a second team all-conference honoree. He was a member of the USTFCCCA All-Academic team in 2009 and the Peach Belt All-Academic team as well.

2015 Cougar Cross Country Team Roster

2015 Lady Cougar Cross Country Team Roster

Name Class Hometown / Previous School

Kane Barrett Fr. Opelika, Ala. / Opelika HS

Jacob Dirkman R-Jr. Wausau, Wis. / D.C. Everest HS

Ryan McFall R-Sr. Lilburn, Ga. / Parkview HS

Jelani Omari Jr. Douglasville, Ga. / Darton State

Hussen Sadik So. Clarkston, Ga. / Clarkston HS

Tyler Sheffel So. Albany, Ga. / Westover HS

James Slavik So. Flowery Branch, Ga. / Flowery Branch HS

Austin Stewart Jr. Smiths Station, Ala. / Darton State

Timothy Thompson So. Hendersonville, N.C. / Northside HS

David Thornton Jr. Hinesville, Ga. / Darton State

Cordaryl Whitehead Sr. Eutaw, Ala. / South Plains College

Name Class Hometown / Previous SchoolAmber Braswell Jr. Bainbridge, Ga. / Darton State

Linette Cepeda Jr. Cumming, Ga. / West Forsyth HS

Rachel Dixon Jr. Marion County, Ga. / Marion County HS

Rayna Green Sr. McDonough, Ga. / Union Grove HS

Kaitlynn Howard Sr. Columbus, Ga. / Northside HS

Olivia Ivings So. Smiths Station, Ala. / Smiths Station HS

Kayla Parsons Sr. Columbus, Ga. / Northside HS

Sydney Tenney Fr. Barnesville, Ga. / Lamar County HS

Cassie Ward Fr. Flowery Branch, Ga. / Flowery Branch HS

Kayla Waters So. Macon, Ga. / Southwest Macon HS

Jessica Young So. Leesburg, Ga. / Lee County HS

Kane Barrett Fr. Opelika, Ala. / Opelika HS

Jacob Dirkman R-Jr. Wausau, Wis. / D.C. Everest HS

Ryan McFall R-Sr. Liburn, Ga. / Parkview HS

Jelani Omari Jr. Douglasville, Ga. / Darton State

Hussen Sadik So. Clarkston, Ga. / Clarkston HS

Tyler Sheffel So. Albany, Ga. / Westover HS

Kane graduated from Opelika High School…Earned All-State honors during his junior and senior seasons under Coach Benitez...Son of Nancy Clark.

Personal best: 1600m 4:27, 2 mi 9:46, 5k 16:08

Jacob graduated from D.C. Everest High School...Earned All-Peach Belt Conference First Team awards as a sophomore and junior...Named Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year...Earned PBC Presidential Honor Roll as a sophomore and junior...Finished second at the PBC Champion-ship as a freshman...Came in sixth in the NCAA Southeast Regionals.Personal best: 1600m 4:24, 2 mi 9:18, 5k 14:53, 8k 25:02, 10k 30:55

Ryan graduated from Parkview High School...Earned All-Peach Belt Conference honors as a redshirt-junior...Named All-Peach Belt Conference First Team as a redshirt-sophomore and Second Team as a redshirt-fres-man...Best individual finish on the PBC Championship team in 2014.

Personal best: 2 mi 9:18, 3k 8:37, 5k 14:57, 8k 25:04, 10k 31:24

Jelani graduated from Chapel Hill High School as a HOPE recipient...He earned first All-Region honors as a freshman, as well as second team All-Region honors as a sophomore...Jelani placed second on his team at the national meet...In high school he placed second at the regional meet in the 2 mi...Placed 13th at the state championship in the 2 mi.Personal best: 1600m 4:54, 2 mi 10:18, 5k 17:07, 8k 27:07

Hussen graduated from Clarkston High School...Named Peach Belt Con-ference Presidential Honor Roll recipient as a freshman...Named a member of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team...Ran in all eight races for the Cougars as a freshman...Recorded two top-20 finishes...Ran in the PBC Championship and NCAA Southeast Regional as a freshman.Personal best: 2 mi 10:09, 5k 16:01, 8k 26:33

Tyler graduated with honors from Westover Comprehensive High School...He earned seven letters while running track...Earned Peach BeltConference Presidential Honor Roll as a freshman.

Personal best: pole vault 10ft, 400m 49.81, 800m 1:58, 5k 16:51

2015 Cougar Cross Country Team Roster

2015 Cougar Cross Country Team RosterJames Slavik So. Flowery Branch, Ga. / Flowery Branch HS

James graduated from Flowery Branch High School...He lettered eight times...Two-time state cross country champion...Ran in six races for the Cougars as a freshman...Finished fifth at the Cougar Invitational...Record-ed two other top-25 finishes...Competed at PBC Championship.

Personal best: 2 mi 9:45

Austin Stewart Jr. Smiths Station, Ala. / Darton State

Austin graduated from Smiths Station High School...He is joining the Cou-gars after competing at Darton State College for coach Bruce Skiles...Son of Joel and Kim Stewart.

Personal best: 1600m 4:34, 2 mi 9:50, 5k 16:18

Timothy Thompson So. Hendersonville, N.C. / Northside HS

Timothy graduated from Northside High School...Earned Peach Belt Con-ference Presidential Honor Roll honors as a freshman...Ran in six races for the Cougars...Finished ninth at the Cougar Invitational with 2 mi time of 12:10...Ran in PBC Championship.Personal best: 1500m 5:04, 2 mi 12:10, 3k 10:58, 5k 18:40, 8k 31:15, 10k 40:17

David Thornton Jr. Hinesville, Ga. / Darton State

David graduated from Bradwell Institute...He set high school records for 1600m of 4:31 and for 2 mi of 9:48...Earned All-State honors as a senior after winning the regional meet...Competed at Darton State College for coach Bruce Skiles...Set a school record for 8k race of 25:38...Won the con-ference title sophomore year.Personal best: 1600m 4:31, 2 mi 9:48, 8k 25:38

Cordaryl Whitehead Sr. Eutaw, Ala. / South Plains College

Cordaryl graduated from Opelika High School...Earned All-Peach Belt Conference Team honors as a junior...Received Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll honors as a junior...Ran in seven races for the Cougars...Won season-opening Georgia Southwestern Remembrance Run in a 5k time of 16:03...Finished 12th at the PBC Championship.Personal best: 800m 1:57, 1500m 3:59, 8k 25:27

Amber Braswell Jr. Bainbridge, Ga. / Darton State

Linette Cepeda Jr. Cumming, Ga. / West Forsyth HS

Rachel Dixon Jr. Marion County, Ga. / Marion County HS

Amber graduated from Bainbridge High School...She earned Academic All-American honors...Placed 19th at the NJCAA Division III Nationals...Daughter of Tammy and David Braswell.

Personal best: 2 mi 15:25, 5k 20:43

Linette graduated from West Forsyth High School...She ran in six races for the Cougars as a freshman, including the NCAA Division II Champion-ship...Finished third at the Lady Cougar Invitational as a freshman...Earned Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll honors and participated in the PBC Championship as a sophomore.Personal best: 800 m, 1500m 5:14, 2 mi 13:33, 5k 20:45, 6k 24:18

Rachel graduated from Marion County High School...Ran in the Lady Cougar Invitational for the Lady Cougars during her freshman season...Ran in two races for the Lady Cougars as a sophomore...Finished ninth at Cougar Invitational in 2 mi time of 14:09...Daughter of Anthony and Patricia Dixon.Personal best: 400m 1:00, 2 mi 14:09

Rayna Green Sr. McDonough, Ga. / Union Grove HS

Kaitlynn Howard Sr. Columbus, Ga. / Northside HS

Olivia Ivings So. Smiths Station, Ala. / Smiths Station HS

Rayna graduated from Union Grove High School...Earned All-Peach Belt Conference Second Team honors as a freshman and sophomore...Earned Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll honors as a sophomore and junior...Ran in six races as a sophomore, including the NCAA Division II Championship.Personal best: 800m 2:23, 1500m 5:01, 5k 18:23, 6k 22:25

Kaitlynn graduated from Northside High School...Earned Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll honors as a sophomore and junior...Received PBC All-Academic Team honors as a junior...Ran in seven races for the Lady Cougars, recording three top-10 finishes...Competed at the PBC Championship and the NCAA Southeast Regional as a junior.Personal best: 5k 19:03, 6k 23:09

Olivia graduated from Smiths Station High School...Earned three varsity letters...Ran in four races for the Lady Cougars as a freshman...Posted one top-20 finish...Daughter of Bryce and Sheila Ivings.

Personal best: 5k 20:08, 6k 26:00

2015 Cougar Cross Country Team Roster

Kayla Parsons Sr. Columbus, Ga. / Northside HS

Kayla graduated from Northside High School...Earned Peach Belt Con-ference Presidential Honor Roll honors as a sophomore...Named the PBC Elite 15 Award Winner as a junior...Ran in all eight races for the Lady Cougars as a junior...Finished fourth at the Cougar Invitational...Competed at the PBC Championship and the NCAA Southeast Regional.Personal best: 1600m 5:35, 2 mi 12:25, 5k 20:04, 6k 24:20

Sydney Tenney Fr. Barnesville, Ga. / Lamar County HS

Sydney graduated from Lamar County High School...Daughter of Scott and Stacey Tenney.

Personal best: 5k 19:49

Cassie Ward Fr. Flowery Branch, Ga. / Fl. Branch HS

Cassie graduated from Flowery Branch High School...Daughter of Kevin and Teresa Ward.

Personal best: 5k 19:20

Kayla Waters So. Macon, Ga. / Southwest Macon HS

Kayla graduated from Southwest Macon High School...Ran in two races for the Lady Cougars as a true freshman...Daughter of Kenya Waters.

Personal best: 400m 1:04, long jump 16ft, tripe jump 36ft

Jessica Young So. Leesburg, Ga. / Lee County HS

Jessica graduated from Lee County High School...Competed in 400m and 4x400m...Daughter of Angela Carr.

Personal best: 400m 1:00, 800m 2:30

2015 Lady Cougar Cross Country Team Roster

Sept. 5 Georgia Southwestern Remembrance Run Americus, Ga.

Sep. 12 Furman Cross Country Classic Greenville, S.C.

Sep. 19 North Georgia Invitational Dahlonega, Ga.

Sep. 25 10th Annual Cougar Invitational Fort Benning, Ga.

Sep. 26 Wingate Bulldog Stampede Wingate, S.C.

Oct. 3 JSU Foothills Invitational Jacksonville, Ala.

Oct. 10 D2 Georgia Collegiate Championships Milledgeville, Ga.

Oct. 16 Cougar Invitational Columbus, Ga.

Oct. 24 Peach Belt Conference Championship Dahlonega, Ga.

Columbus State Cross Country 2015 Meet Schedule

MENPeach Belt Conference Championship Titles: 2014 places taken: 3, 7, 12, 13, 20 (30, 32) 2012 places taken: 2, 3, 4, 6, 14 (15, 17) 2010 places taken: 1, 2, 6, 7, 15 (24, 26) 2009 places taken: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9 (13, 16) 2008 places taken: 1, 4, 6, 7, 8 (10, 16) 2007 places taken: 2, 3, 9, 10, 17 (19, 22) 2006 places taken: 1, 2, 3, 8, 13 (22)

Individual Peach Belt Conference Championship Titles: John Riddle - 2006 David Marley - 2008 Meshack Koyiaki - 2009, 2010

NCAA Regional Championships: 2012

Best NCAA Championships Finish: 18th in the nation in 2010 (competed three times, in 2008, 2009 and 2010)

CSU Cougars & Lady Cougars Cross Country In Record Books

WOMENPeach Belt Conference Championship Titles: 2010 places taken: 1, 2, 5, 9, 10 (53) 2009 places taken: 1, 2, 4, 8, 22 (46) 2008 places taken: 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 (42) 2007 places taken: 1, 4, 5, 14, 15 (19, 34) 2006 places taken: 3, 10, 12, 14, 17 (50) 2005 places taken: 2, 4, 11, 17, 23 (33, 41)

Individual Peach Belt Conference Championship Titles: Isabel Speer - 2007 Naomi Tanui - 2009 Brittney Skiles - 2010

NCAA Regional Championships: 2009, 2012

Best NCAA Championships Finish: 24th in the nation in 2009 (competed three times, in 2009, 2012 and 2013)

Top Row (L-R): David Thornton, Cody Mallchok, James Slavik, Jacob Dirkman, Ryan McFall, Timothy Thompson, Cordaryl Whitehead, Jelani Omari, Assistant Coach David MarleyBottom Row (L-R): Head Coach J.D. Evilsizer, Tyler Sheffel, Hussen Sadik, Kane Barrett, Austin Stewart

Top Row (L-R): Head Coach J.D. Evilsizer, Kayla Waters, Cassie Ward, Kaitlynn Howard, Sydney Tenney, Kayla Parsons, Rayna Green, Olivia Ivings, Rachel Dixon, Assistant Coach David MarleyBottom Row (L-R): Linette Cepeda, Jessica Young, Amber Braswell

2015 Men’s Cross Country

2015 Women’s Cross Country

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