Cheerleading | 10/17/2008 3:37:47 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist University Booster Club is pleased to announce the 2008 Hall of Fame inductees.  

Elena Blanina (Women's Tennis '03), Gwen Holtsclaw (Cheerleading '68), Jack McCormic (Men's Golf '80) and Sissy Sink Rausch (Women's Basketball '01) will be recognized Oct. 31 during an Induction Banquet as part of the Methodist Homecoming festivities.

Blanina was a four-year letter winner for the Methodist women's tennis team.  She finished as the NCAA National Singles Champion in 2001 and 2002.  In her rookie season, Blanina was selected the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (DIAC) Rookie of the Year.  During her tenure, she was a four-time DIAC Player of the Year and four-time First Team All-Conference selection.  Blanina was the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) regional champion twice in singles (2001, 2002) and doubles (2000, 2002).  In 2001, she was the ITA Small College Champion in singles and doubles and in doubles in 2000.  In 2003, Blanina was named the ITA Senior Player of the Year.  Additionally, she was an All-American selection.

Holtsclaw was a member of the cheerleading team before returning to become the head cheerleading coach from 1978-1988.  She introduced co-ed cheerleading to Methodist in 1978 and then led the team to its first appearance in national competition while finishing in fourth place.  Holtsclaw went on to create Cheer Ltd., a sports services company providing a full menu of services to cheerleading coaches and cheerleaders across the country.  Cheer Ltd., is considered the third largest cheerleading company in the nation.  A respected member of the cheerleading industry, Holtsclaw has written books and magazine articles.  She is a founding member of numerous cheerleading associations and events.  Holtsclaw is  also a recipient of the Methodist Outstanding Alumnus Award.

McCormic played golf for Methodist from 1976-1980.  He was a three-time All-Conference finisher at the DIAC tournament.  He went on to become the first male All-American golfer in Methodist history.  McCormic set the stage for the last 28 NCAA Tournament appearances.  He currently serves as the head golf professional at Willow Lakes Golf Course located at Pope Air Force Base.

Rausch was a four-year starter for the Methodist women's basketball team.  As a freshman she was selected to the DIAC All-Tournament team.  In 2001, Rausch earned Second Team All-Conference honors.  She was selected to the Verizon Academic Team and she was named Methodist's Female Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1999.  Rausch helped the team to three consecutive regular season DIAC Championships and currently holds program records for career 3-pointers (168), 3-point field goal percentage in a season (.411) and career 3-point field goal percentage (.388).  She tied the game records for 3-pointers (6), assists (12), and steals (9).

The Induction Banquet will take place Oct. 31 at 6:30 pm at the March F. Riddle Center on the campus of Methodist University.  Registration is $25.  For more information and to RSVP please contact the Athletic Department at 910.630.7175.