Notebook

Duke baseball organizes benefit for Wounded Warriors

DURHAM Duke baseball team has organized a fundraiser to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project with an aim to raise $5,000 to support veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Founded in 2003, WWP’s mission is to honor and empower service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound during military service. Family members or caregivers are also eligible for the program.

Duke baseball developed a relationship with the U.S. armed forces over the past couple years through the involvement of Colonel Josh Rudd. A U.S. Army Special Forces officer, Colonel Rudd has invested considerable time with the Blue Devils to help players develop attributes of teamwork and leadership. Rudd is also a fellow in Duke’s Counterterrorism and Public Policy Fellowship program.

In addition, the team plans to participate in Operation Blue Devil Oct. 10-11. Members of the Duke Armed Forces Association (DAFA) and Duke Building Outdoor Leaders and Doers (BOLD) host the event at Fort Bragg. The two-day program will put the team through a series of drills and team-building exercises utilized by the Army.

To join the team’s effort, visit the Duke Baseball Wounded Warrior page to make a donation. All funds raised will go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project.

NC State: Softball senior Lana Van Dyken and former standout Emily Weiman have been named National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athletes, as announced by the NFCA. The award is given annually to student-athletes that have maintained a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better for the academic year.

Van Dyken compiled a 3.942 GPA during the 2014-15 academic year, while also being one of six players on the team to appear in all 60 games. The Wolfpack’s starting third baseman hit .255 for the season, but raised her level of play during ACC play to record a .302 clip against conference foes.

NC State: Martina Frantova advanced to the quarterfinal round of singles play at the International Tennis Federation Hilton Head 10K tournament.

Frantova collected her eighth straight singles win this fall season with a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory over Alexa Bortles (USA) in the second round of singles main draw play.

Mount Olive: Brady Hollenbacher, who helped the No. 27 ranked team four other nationally ranked teams at the Kiawah Island Invitational, has been named Conference Carolinas Men’s Golfer of the Month for September. The award is the first for Hollenbacher during his collegiate career.

A senior from Fleming Island, Fla., Hollenbacher tied for second out of 81 golfers at the Jay Jennison Cup September 21-22 at St. Augustine, Fla.

From news releases

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 6:08 PM with the headline "Notebook."