Former UM Athletes Impress

MOBILE, Ala—The last month has proved to be a fruitful time for former University of Mobile athletes. During this month, former Mobile athletes competed against each other on the biggest stages and made history on the national scene.

August 25th:

Five former or current University of Mobile softball players joined forces on the Venezuelan National Team to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Current Lady Rams Yaicey Sojo and Cristina Rodriguez, Assistant Coach Maribel Riera (2006), and former players Denisse Fuenmayor (2001-04) and Maria Soto (1998-03) all helped the Venezuelan National Softball Team qualify for the Olympics.

September 12th:
Ane Stangeland-Horpestad, who played for UM in 2000, scored the game-winning goal for Norway in the 81st minute versus Canada at the Women's World Cup, currently taking place in China.

Stangeland-Horpestad, who is also the captain of the Norwegian National Team, was named 1st-Team NAIA All-American, All-Conference and All-Region while at the University of Mobile. She also won Region XIII Player of the Year honors under coach Uwe Tittl, and helped lead the team to a 16-5 record and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

September 15th:
When Norway and Australia battled to a 1-1 tie in the Women's World Cup in China, the University of Mobile had a former player on each side.

Danielle Small (#17 pictured) started as a midfielder for Australia, while Ane Stangeland-Horpestad started as a defender for Norway. 

Small played for the Lady Rams in 1998, while helping the team to a 22-0-1 record and 3rd place finish at the NAIA National Tournament. Like Stangeland-Horpestad, she was also named a 1st-Team NAIA All American.

September 15th:
Sarah Bailey Thomas became the first female official to work a game in the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as I-A. Thomas, who played for the Lady Rams from 1992-95 and averaged 12 points a game, officiated the Jacksonville State v. Memphis football game.

"It was an awesome experience," Thomas said. "I feel honored that Gerald Austin and Conference USA gave me the opportunity to officiate at this level."

Thomas, who currently lives in Walnut Grove, MS, earned a communications degree from the University of Mobile, and helped lead the 1993 women’s basketball team to the NAIA National Tournament.

September 21st:
When the Washington Nationals hosted the Philadelphia Phillies, University of Mobile fans had trouble deciding which side to root for.

During that game, former Ram Saul Rivera appeared in relief for the Nationals, and another former Ram, JC Romero, did the same for the Phillies.

Rivera, who played at UM from 1997-98, logged 2 innings of work, allowing 0 runs and fanning 2, while Romero (1995-97) did his job and retired the 1 batter he faced.