FORMER HAWKS IN THE NEWS

June 15, 2005 - Several former Hawks have made the news, as they have continued their athletic careers after leaving CSM.  One of the most prominent is former softball player Megan Oursler, who will be playing softball in Sweden this summer. 

    Megan Oursler played softball for the Hawks in 2002 and 2003.  During the 2002 campaign Oursler batted .323, with 18 RBI's, and 2 Home runs, while playing center field.  In 2003, Oursler moved to shortstop, and had a break-out year at the plate, batting .389, with 38 RBI's and 2 HR's.  She was selected "Female Athlete of the Year" at CSM for the 2002-2003 year.

    After playing for the Hawks, she continued her playing career at the University of Maryland - Baltimore County. 

    After finishing her senior season at UMBC, Oursler was facing the end of her playing career.  Commenting on the UMBC website, Oursler said

    "The best part about this opportunity is that I get to keep playing softball.  There is an overwhelming feeling you get when you realize that this is your last year playing softball, but knowing I get to keep playing is a great feeling."

    Softball is a minor sport in Sweden, with five teams in an "A" group, and three teams in a "B" division for a total of eight.  Oursler will be playing for the Karlslund IF Eagles, in the city of Orebro, in the "B" division, but they will play teams from the "A" division as well.  The season runs from mid-May through August, with the play-offs in September. 

    Orebro is two hours south of Stockholm.  Orebro is a canal port near Lake Hjalmaren, and is the capital of Orebro County.  The city has a rich history, and is filled with restaurants, cafes, and a number of medieval structures.  The biggest industry is shoe manufacturing.

    Megan will also be helping to coach a senior league in Sweden, as she lends her softball experience in teaching novice players. 

    "I am very excited to have the opportunity to travel overseas and to meet new people" Oursler said.  "I have never been outside the U.S. so seeing a whole new culture will be a great experience."

    Megan Oursler isn't the only former Hawk that has had success after leaving CSM.  One of her former teammates, Amanda Boswell just completed her senior year playing softball at Frostburg State.  Boswell hit .304, and led Frostburg in at-bats and runs scored.  She led the team with seven stolen bases, while the entire rest of the team only had four!  Boswell has returned to CSM this summer and is serving an internship in the athletic department.

    Men's basketball player Joe Flegler will continue his career playing at Savanah State.  Flegler averaged 24.3 pts. per game as a freshman for CSM, and was named to the All Region XX 2nd team.  Teammate Cardell Dudley will continue his playing career at Frostburg State.

    Several women's basketball players are mulling over their options for next season.  Point guard Kedra Frisby will attend Towson, and run track.  Player of the Year Dana Ashton is mulling over offers from Bowie State, Pfeffier, and Alaska.  Sherrese Russell is choosing between Bowie State, West Virginia Wesleyan, and a school in Canada.

    Former CSM cheerleader Danesha Eddins (2003) is cheering for Bowie State, while class of 2004 teammates Megan Schleip is cheering at Winigate, NC, while Joy Hartley is cheering at Elon, NC.