Henrico Times

Rob Washburn

The Colonial Athletic Association continues its celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX by recognizing five women from each institution who made a significant impact during their time as a student-athlete, coach or administrator.

Today we feature James Madison University.

Odicci Alexander, Softball (2017-21)

Alexander was a three-time All-American and capped a remarkable career by leading the JMU softball team into the national semifinals of the 2021 Women’s College World Series. She posted an 18-3 record in the circle as a senior with a 1.71 ERA, and recorded 204 strikeouts in 143.2 innings. During the Dukes’ NCAA run, she went 8-3 and posted four victories over Top 10 teams. Alexander’s accomplishments earned her D1 Softball Woman of the Year, Softball America NCAA Pitcher of the Year and CAA Pitcher of the Year accolades in 2021. For her career, Alexander was 81-18 with a 2.18 ERA and 712 strikeouts, and also batted .337 with 39 home runs and 164 RBI’s as a two-way player.

Tiombe Hurd, Track and Field (1991-95)

Hurd earned All-America honors at the 1995 NCAA Oudoor Track & Field Championships after placing fourth overall, and first among Americans, in the triple jump. She was also fifth in the triple jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships to garner All-America accolades, and was the runner-up in the event at the ECAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Hurd gained national attention after setting a new American record in the triple jump (47’5) at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials, which earned her a spot in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. She won a gold medal in the triple jump at the 2001 U.S. Outdoor Championships and got a bronze at the 2001 World Championships.

Katherine Johnson, Basketball (1974-77)

Johnson became the first JMU female athlete to earn All-America honors after being recognized by Street & Smith magazine as an honorable mention pick in basketball. The Dukes’ first 1,000-point scorer, she once held 15 program records, including season scoring average (18.2 ppg) and rebounding average (12.6 rpg). Johnson was a three-time All-State honoree (1974, 1975, 1976) in the Virginia AIAW. She helped lead JMU to the 1975 Virginia AIAW Championship and consolation of the AIAW Region II Championship, while advancing to the AIAW National Championship.

Carole Thate, Field Hockey (1993-95)

Thate led JMU to its first national title in any sport as the Dukes captured the NCAA Field Hockey Championship in 1994. She topped the nation in scoring in 1993, 1994 and 1995 and holds school career records for goals (116) and points (268). Thate received the prestigious Honda Award as the nation’s best field hockey player in 1995 and was honored as College Sports magazine’s Field Hockey Player of the Year in 1994 and 1995. Along with the national championship in 1994, JMU claimed the CAA title and reached the semifinals of the NCAA Championship in 1995. Thate served as team captain for the Netherlands in the 2000 Olympic games and helped the team earn a bronze medal in 1996 and 2000.

Haley Warden, Lacrosse (2015-18)

Warden was a standout performer as JMU captured the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse national championship in 2018. A two-time All-American in 2017 and 2018, she was selected as the Most Outstanding Player at the 2018 NCAA Championship. Warden, who is the only lacrosse player to be chosen as the CAA Player of the Year (2017) and Defensive Player of the Year (2018), owns the JMU record for career draw controls (245), ranks second in ground balls (146) and tallied 101 goals and 33 assists. She participated in the U.S. National Team’s training camp in 2021, and currently competes for Athletes Unlimited after playing two seasons in the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League. Warden also serves as an assistant coach for the Dukes.

Original source can be found here.