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CMCC Mustangs are again national women’s champions
AUBURN — The Central Maine Community College Mustangs have returned home as national USCAA DII basketball champions for the second time in three years.
The women beat number one seed Villa Maria College to win the 2019 USCAA DII National Championship 85-78 against number one seed Villa Maria College in a game played March 6 in Uniontown, Pa.
The win is bittersweet for tournament MVP Brooke Reynolds and Eraleena Gethers-Hairston, juniors who were also on the national championship team in 2017. Reynolds and Gethers-Hairston have played together since seventh grade.
“This is it – the journey is done and we went out with a bang,” said Gethers-Hairston. “We made history as the only two women in the state of Maine with two USCAA DII titles.”
Kristen Huntress, who scored 17 points in the final game, credits the closeness and dedication of the team for winning the national championship. “Personally, I’ve dreamed about winning a national championship since I was a little kid…to be able to achieve this with my team is indescribable,” she said.
Many of the women described Coach Andrew Morong as an incredible leader on the court and a key supporter off the court. Said Gethers-Hairston, “I looked at him as an older brother off the court. He was always there for me. I have the upmost respect for him always.”
Sophomore Jordyn Reynolds is cherishing the small moments. “As a college athlete you only have so much time, and it flies by before you know it. What I’ve taken away is to just cherish it all, every moment, every practice, every game. It all means something very special,” she said.
In addition to winning the national tournament, four Mustangs were recognized at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association’s All-American Awards Dinner. Huntress and Alex Bessey earned Academic All-American Honors for having a 3.5 or greater cumulative GPA. Bessey also earned an All-American Honorable Mention selection. Jordan Reynolds was named a USCAA Second Team All-American, and older sister Brooke Reynolds was recognized as a USCAA First Team All-American. Brooke is the third Mustang to earn First Team All-American three times in her career.
From left, Kristina Blais, CMCC alumni and starting point guard on the 2017 national championship team, celebrates with current champions Jordyn Reynolds, Brooke Reynolds & Eraleena Gethers-Hairston.
