By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director
Summer is ending for students and fall sports teams, with Centenary kicking off preseason football practice next weekend. This week’s edition of the Centenary sports notebook completes our recap of the best Gents and Ladies’ storylines from the 2024-25 campaign.
Here, IMHO, are the five best Gents’ accomplishments of the past athletic year:
Airline alum Bennett caps stellar Gents’ golf career with bevy of honors: Andrew Bennett put the finishing touches on his career with a 20th-place finish in the SCAC Championships and he paced the Gents all season. Bennett, a former Airline Vikings star, was named to the NCAA Division III PING All-Region Team as he earned a spot on the Region VII Team and was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Co-Men’s Golfer of the Year.
Bennett, who also earned honorable mention All-SCAC honors with his finish at the conference tournament, continued to add to his legacy as the top golfer in the Division III era of the Gents’ program with a pair of individual wins, a tie for first, and a runner-up finish. Bennett finishes his superb career with four outright wins, 11 top five finishes, and 14 top 10s.
Gents basketball has ensemble performance: Four members of the Centenary basketball team were named All-SCAC — junior guard Quentin Beverly landed on the third team and freshman guard Nicholas Addison, senior guard Craig Collier, and senior forward Jakobi Greenleaf all earned honorable mention recognition.
Centenary was a strong free-throw shooting team, finishing at 74.1 percent – third-best in the conference and 59th nationally. The Gents finished 31st nationally in turnover margin (+4.0) as they forced 406 TO’s and also finished in a tie for 76th nationally in steals per game (8.7).
Rookie goalie shines in soccer: Freshman goalkeeper Sebastian Lutin became the first player in the history of Centenary’s program to win a major postseason individual award. He was named the SCAC Newcomer of the Year, recording a conference-leading 102 saves ranking in the top 20 in the country.
He posted a goals against average (GAA) of 1.50 and a save percentage of .810. He made 16 starts, tallied one shutout, and had four matches with 10+ saves.
Lutin, named the SCAC Men’s Soccer Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 1, finished the season ranked in the top 50 in the nation in both in saves per game and save percentage. His 102 saves are the seventh-most in a single season in the division III era (2011-present).
Football’s historic return highlighted by .500 SCAC mark: The Gents were 4-6 overall and 4-4 in SCAC play as the sport returned to campus for the first time in over a half-century.
The Gents provided many memorable and exciting moments whether away or at the friendly confines of Atkins Field. Centenary scored 108 points in its five home games, an average of 21.6, and drew nearly 8,000 fans as the excitement and support was evident all season long at Atkins Field
Centenary led the conference in interceptions (15) and finished third in sacks (22). The Gents’ nine fumble recoveries was also second-most in the league.
Milestone moments:
First game: Sept. 7 vs. Hendrix
First win: Sept. 21 at Austin College
First home win: Oct. 5 vs. Lyon
Homecoming win: Oct. 26 vs. Austin College
Junior receiver Kobe Chambers and sophomore defensive lineman D’Qavion Lemons were named to the D3football.com All-Region Team. A dozen Gents earned All-SCAC honors.
Dawson presented prestigious local honor: Centenary head football coach Byron Dawson was named “Top Business Professional of the Year” at the 2025 Minority Business Opportunity Awards Dinner, presented by Willis Knighton Health, in June.
The Business Development Connection (BDC) of the Greater Shreveport Chamber proudly recognized a distinguished group of minority business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers at the event. The evening celebrated individuals and organizations whose contributions are driving economic growth and community advancement across the Shreveport-Bossier region.
Each year, the BDC honors those who exemplify excellence in leadership, innovation, and service. These honorees inspire others by fostering opportunities, championing progress, and building a more inclusive and dynamic business environment. Their stories reflect a commitment not only to professional success, but to uplifting others and strengthening the communities they serve.
Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu