Several Tigers are ready to take their next steps

By Towson University Athletics on June 10, 2018

While the summer is a quiet time on campus, Towson University Athletics and its student-athletes have had a busy start to the season.

TU Athletics had a student-athlete compete in the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Several former Tigers will be playing professionally this summer, both domestically and internationally. And TU announced several schedules for its fall sports.

Here is a quick look into what’s happening with Towson University athletics.

Track and Field

TU thrower Safonova competes at NCAA Division I Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships 

Towson University track and field senior Ksenia Safonova earned Honorable Mention All-America plaudits at the 2018 NCAA Division I Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by the University of Oregon at historic Hayward Field.

Safonova finished 19th with a throw of 60.69 meters (199-1), the second-highest finish for a Tiger at the national championships. In 2008, Kelly Robinson placed 15th in the javelin with a throw of 44.36 meters (145-6).

"We are so proud of Ksenia's efforts this season as she represented Towson here at the NCAA championships," said head coach Mike Jackson. "It's a sign of progress and growth for our program. Thanks to Jeff Rebholz for doing a great job coaching her and all of our throwers. There's no better feeling than competing at NCAA. This is the start of something special here at Towson."

Safonova, who finished seventh in the hammer throw at the NCAA East Preliminary at the University of South Florida, is the third Tiger to qualify for the national championships.

Softball

Scott drafted in inaugural ASBA Professional Draft

Kendyl Scott will be spending part of her summer in Alabama after being selected in the American Softball Association's (ASBA) inaugural draft.

Scott was drafted by the league's E1 Pro Ballers USA with the 22nd selection in the sixth round. Beginning June 15, the ASBA will play an intensive six-week schedule in its inaugural season with one to two games daily at Satsuma High School's softball field near Mobile, Ala., with the season wrapping up on July 31.

Scott, who was named the Towson Female Student-Athlete of the Year, started 59 games in centerfield. She set the Towson and CAA single-season records for hits. In addition, Scott set the Towson single-season record for total bases. Scott finished her career as Towson's all-time program leader in hits (252) and runs (163).

Scott was named a First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) selection. She was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Mid-Atlantic All-Region First Team and All-Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division I First Team. She also spent time playing internationally as a member of the Great Britain National Team.

"There's been so much hard work that has gone into this but a lot of credit goes to everyone who has pushed me to be in this position," Scott said. "It's every little girl’s dream to play softball at the highest level. It's truly a dream come true being drafted to play professionally.

Miko continuing softball career in Germany

With graduation in her rear-view mirror, TU softball’s Brook Miko is taking her talents to Germany.

Miko announced that she will be playing for the Neunkirchin Nightmares organization in Neunkirchin, Germany, which is located just outside of Frankfurt. She will depart on Sunday, June 3 to begin playing professional softball.

Miko was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Mid-Atlantic and ECAC Division I First Teams following her senior season. She was also named to the National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC) All-Region team.

The only Tiger to start every game, Miko set Towson single season records for RBIs, runs (60) and doubles (23). The RBI and run marks were also CAA single season records. Miko tied the single-season CAA record for doubles. She ended her career as Towson's all-time leader in runs (151), doubles (60) and RBIs (189) as well as the CAA career leader in RBIs.

Women’s Lacrosse

Three Tigers make professional debut for WPLL

Three recent graduates of the Towson University women's lacrosse team, Kaitlyn Montalbano, Tianna Wallpher and Emily Gillingham, made their professional debuts on Saturday in the newly-launched Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL).

Montalbano and Wallpher, debuted for the Baltimore Brave under head coach Sonia LaMonica, opened the season against Gillingham and the Philadelphia Fire at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium prior to the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) game between the Chesapeake Bayhawks and the Ohio Machine.

2018 Fall Schedules

Two tournaments at SECU Arena and a trip to Puerto Rico highlight the 2018 schedule for the Towson University Volleyball program.

Towson University field hockey released its 2018 schedule, which is highlighted by the home opener on Sept. 2, Alumni Day on Sept. 9 and Senior Day on Oct. 28.

Ten games at the Tiger Soccer Complex and an early-season trip to Florida highlight the 2018 Towson University women's soccer schedule.