Green steps down at MOC

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on July 8, 2007 2:02 AM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Director of Athletics Jeff Eisen announced that Beth Green has stepped down as head men's and women's cross country, and track and field coach at Mount Olive College.

Green, who also served as assistant sports information director, completed her first year as head coach of the Trojan men's and women's cross country teams. Mount Olive is adding men's and women's track and field for 2007-08.

A search Green's successor is underway.

Thomas gets post

Colleen Thomas, a four-year softball letterwinner at Mount Olive, has been named assistant softball coach.

A 2007 graduate, Thomas was part of coach Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham's first recruiting class and helped lead Mount Olive to its first conference championship in 10 years this past spring.

The Trojans' second baseman, Thomas earned Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Player of the Week honors during her junior season. Career highlights include a game-breaking bases-loaded triple in a win over UNC Pembroke in 2006 and a go-ahead home run in the Trojans' 9-7 victory over nationally 11th-ranked Georgia College and State in 2007.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity," said Thomas, a team co-captain during her senior year. "Having been a part of the program for the past four years, I'm committed to the goals of the team. I'm ready to appreciate the game from a new perspective."

Thomas' coaching duties include overseeing the infielders on defense and the short game on offense.

"Colleen was my first signee, so having her on my staff is very heartfelt and very exciting," said Kylis-Higginbotham, who was named 2007 CVAC Softball Coach of the Year. "She has vested her heart and soul in the program and it's very special that she's able to continue to be a part of Trojan softball."

Mount Olive posted a 39-19 record in 2007 to set a school record for most wins in a season. The Trojans were 16-4 in conference play and tied for first in the regular-season standings. Mount Olive finished third in the CVAC tournament, its best finish since winning the title in 2000.