ASHLAND – Hundreds of fans lined Claremont Avenue and gathered in Corner Park Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the success of the Ashland University winter athletes.
The women’s basketball team went a perfect 37-0 and won the national championship by beating Virginia Union 93-77 on Friday in Columbus. The wrestling team placed sixth as a team at nationals and had a national champion in 133-pound senior Michael Labry. The men’s indoor track and field team, finished second in the country and sophomore Myles Pringle won a national title in the 400-meter dash.
Members of the three teams made their way down Claremont Avenue from the AU campus to the Corner Park where a sea of purple and gold waited for them.
AU Athletic Director Al King said the university wanted to have the celebration at Corner Park to make it part of the community, not just an event on campus.
“Before when we’ve done this, we’ve done it up on campus in the gym, but you people have been so good to us over the years and it’s just been magnificent the way you’ve supported us over the years and in particular this year, driving all around to see us,” King said.
“This group is particularly special. They’ve worked very, very hard. And besides what they’ve done on the court, on the wrestling mat, in the ring, what they’ve done is they’ve been great representatives of the community and our campus and that’s something we’ll always remember
King made an announcement about the women’s basketball team’s first opponent of next season that made the crowd erupt.
“Start putting some money back. The first weekend in November, women’s basketball, we are playing at Connecticut,” King said.
But Tuesday, the focus was on the season the AU women’s basketball team just finished.
“It was a season to remember, that’s for sure,” coach Robyn Fralick said.
Besides winning the national title, Fralick was named national coach of the year, assistant Kari Pickens was named assistant coach of the year and juniors Laina Snyder and Andi Daugherty were named All-Americans.
“I’ve said it all season long and I’m going to say it again, the strength of this team is the team and you better believe that you all are part of this team,” Fralick said. “You were unbelievable in helping us bring home the national championship. The Purple Swarm came out live and ready and we are very thankful for you.
“The support we have for women’s basketball is extremely unique. I’m really aware of a lot of women’s college basketball teams that you watch a game and the support isn’t even close. What you’ve given to this program and what you’ve given to the Ashland University athletic department is amazing and we’re very, very, very thankful for that.”
Senior Rachelle Morrison said the crowd support was amazing, especially receiving applause just to come out to stretch.
“We didn’t know we were making history. We were just out there having fun,” Morrison said.
Fralick gave a special shout-out to former AU coach Sue Ramsey, who was in the crowd Tuesday.
“She is a mentor and a friend and number one supporter, always there for us,” Fralick said.
Track coach Jud Logan pointed to the success taking place at AU and believes there is a trend starting.
“There’s something special going on at Ashland,” Logan said. “I think that you can feel that. It’s been going on for awhile. I’m in year 23 and I’ve never considered any place else. I love this community. I moved my family here. I put my roots down here, and this is home to me.”
Logan said he has learned a lot from working with the other successful coaches at Ashland.
“Every day I walk past that gym, and how many times do I stop in the door way and watch? A lot. Why? I like watching excellence,” Logan said. “And I’m in there and I’m standing in that hallway and I’m looking for a little nugget. I’m looking for something I can learn from them.”
Wrestling coach Josh Hutchens praised the seven guys who qualified for nationals, but also remembered the key role the other team members played.
“We also have the rest of our team that comes to practice every day and they go through the same torture as these guys and they’ve really helped make all these guys better and they’ve been instrumental to the success we had this year,” Hutchens said.
Senior wrestler Michael Labry won the national title at 133 pounds, making him the first AU national champion in wrestling in 21 years.
“It was a great season for us and I think we’re in for a really exciting future. I’d really like everyone here to continue to be a part of our season and what we have in store for our future. And if we could get half or even a quarter of what the girls get at their games, I think that would be really good,” Labry said with a smile.
“We’re going to invent a new word today and put community and team together and say we are a communiteam,” Ashland University President Carlos Campo said. “I will tell you that a player, to a wrestler, to a track person, they will tell you that we’re here because you have helped us get here.
“We’re here to say this group just raised the bar really high, so help us to keep this bar raised high.”
Ashland mayor Duane Fishpaw congratulated all the AU athletes and thanked them for how they represented Ashland.
“These athletes have done so much for Ashland and for the university,” said Fishpaw.
Coverage of Ashland University Eagles athletics is produced in partnership with OhioHealth, the official sports medicine provider for Ashland University and dozens of high schools and universities throughout Ohio.
