The past year in Elon sports was a roller coaster ride for the athletes and fans alike.

The football team, led by linebacker senior Chad Nkang and quarterback junior Wes Pope flirted with its first winning record since 2001. Nkang was named the Southern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year for the second time, and was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars last month. Pope set an Elon record in passing yards with 2,572 yards and also threw for 16 touchdowns.

Unfortunately for the Phoenix, Pope violated Elon’s academic honor code and will be suspended for the fall semester, ending his playing career at Elon.

The men’s soccer season was a story of two halves. Led by sophomore Kiki Willis, the Phoenix started the season with a record of 8-2-1 and was ranked in the nation’s top 25. However, the team went 2-6-1 in the second half of the season, which included a 2-0 loss to Furman in the first round of the SoCon Tournament. Other than the seniors who are graduating, the team will need to replace its leading scorers, Willis and freshman Nick Aparicio. Willis signed a contract with MLS team D.C. United and Aparicio won’t return to Elon in the fall.

The women’s cross country team was successful in both running and studying. The team finished fourth in the SoCon meet and qualified for the NCAA Southeast Regional Meet, where they finished 23rd. The team also posted a cumulative 3.43 GPA and was named a U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division I All-Academic Team.

The indoor track team set school records in the 60-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles, pentathlon, long jump, 3,000 meter run and pole vault.

The team also had a pair of conference champions in senior Jessica Clendenning and junior Dominique Price. Clendenning set a school and conference record with a pole vault of 3.97 meters and Price won the 60-meter dash with a time of 8.67 seconds.

The winter season had similar highs and lows as the fall Elon teams. The men’s basketball team took a step back. A year after winning the North Division, the team finished the 2006-2007 season with a 7-23 record and a first round exit in the SoCon Tournament.

Senior Levonn Jordan was a bright spot on the season though, averaging 14.5 points-per-game, 6.5 rebounds-per-game and was named to the All-SoCon team.

In the spring, Elon saw its first SoCon Tournament champion as the men’s tennis team defeated College of Charleston in the SoCon final to finish with a 9-0 conference record. With the tournament win, the team made its first appearance in the NCAA tournament.

The team also had five players named to the All-Conference teams and the head coach Michael Loenard was named SoCon Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. Eight players will be returning next season, making the Phoenix the team to beat in the SoCon.

The women’s tennis team didn’t win the season or tournament title, but made great strides this season.

Led by Freshman of the Year winner, Deanna Bailey, the Phoenix finished 6-3 in the conference and 13-10 overall. With only one senior graduating, The Phoenix could be a force in the SoCon for years to come.

The baseball team is having a disappointing season for its standards. After winning the SoCon last year and making it to the regional tournament, the team in currently in third place in the SoCon with a 14-10 conference record.

It can still earn a bid into the regional tournament, but the team will have to win the conference tournament next week.

With two players moving on to the professional level and a SoCon tournament champion banner hanging in Alumni Gym for the first time in school history, Elon is in for a continued roller coaster ride.

Sports Editor: Jeff Rickel - 05/17/07