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Rams in the Community
The Columbia International University athletic teams continue
to make an impact, not only on the playing field, but also off the
field as they reach out to the community. It is a responsibility the
athletes and coaches take seriously.
The 12 Rams teams, comprised of 170 athletes, reach a wide
variety of people as they make Christ known in greater Columbia.
The teams collaborate with organizations and groups of all sizes
and ages, significantly increasing their community engagement
in 2018.
Athletics Director James Whitaker says the significant jump in
community engagement links to the Athletics Department motto
this school year, “One Goal, One Team, Glorify God.”
“The teams have really taken that to heart as the Rams have
participated in over 100 hours of service,” Whitaker said. “The
activity in the community is directly aligned with the University’s ‘To
Know and to Make Him Known’ motto.”
The Rams have participated in evangelistic sports camps and
clinics, a community festival at nearby Temple Zion Baptist Church,
trash cleanup, a mentorship program at a local public elementary
school, volunteering at the Salvation Army and local food bank,
and visiting the children’s hospital, just to name a few activities.
Ben Lippen runners
and cheer squad repeat
championships
One of the rarest and toughest accomplishments in all
of high school sport is winning a state championship.
Even more difficult is winning them in back-to-back
years. In the fall, Ben Lippen School had two athletic
teams that accomplished this extremely rare feat: Boys
Cross Country and Competitive Cheer.
In October, the Falcons’ Boys Cross Country team
dominated the SCISA 3A state championship meet
with five runners placing in the top 10. The team was
led by duo Camden Abrams and Samari Van Horn who
both ran personal records of 17:09 to finish fourth and
fifth respectively. John Davis outkicked a runner at
the line to finish in seventh place with a time of 17:29.
Senior and Team Captain Henry Long finished with a
time of 17:34 to place ninth and junior Jacob Sark ran
a personal best of 17:51 to take 10th place.
The following month, the Ben Lippen Competitive
Cheer team won the 2018 SCISA Division II state cheer
competition topping cross-town rival Hammond
251-229.
The goal of each of Ben Lippen’s teams is to
encourage athletes to use their talents and abilities to
glorify God.
CIU athletes bag groceries at Harvest Hope Food Bank
in Columbia.
The men’s basketball team has initiated a program called, “Books ‘n Basketball”
encouraging elementary school students in the community to read. (Facebook photo)
ATHLETICS
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