(Posted October 7, 2002)

Huntingdon, Pa. -- Fred Taber (Calvert Hall College/Bel Air, Md.) a senior lineman on the Juniata College football team, and Marie Lobaugh (Biglerville/Aspers) a mid-fielder on the Eagle field hockey team, have been named the Juniata "Athletes of the Month" for September.

Taber earns the honor on the strength of his performance in Juniata's four games during September, all of them Juniata wins. In particular, in Juniata's 48-21 victory over Albright, he set a career high with four sacks for a total of 29 lost yards. On the game, Taber recorded seven tackles, six of them for negative yardage, five of them solo tackles. He also forced a fumble that led to a Juniata touchdown. His performance against Albright earned him accolades both as the MAC defensive player of the week, and as the ECAC Southwestern region defensive player of the week.

For the season Taber has seven sacks, which leads both the Juniata team and the conference. He has 22 tackles, 16 of them solo, and 11 of them for a loss. His tackles for loss have moved the offense back a total of 66 yards. Taber also recovered a fumble and returned it 24 yards for his first career touchdown in Juniata's season-opener.

With Taber anchoring the defense, Juniata is off to the team's first 4-0 start since the 1986 season. Three of the Eagles wins have come on the road. Juniata next hosts King's College Oct. 5 in Huntingdon for the team?s homecoming game.

Marie Lobaugh has also earned honors from the conference this season. Lobaugh was named the Commonwealth Conference field hockey player of the week for the week ending September 7. Lobaugh scored two goals in Juniata's 14-0 victory over Washington & Jefferson. She followed up that performance by scoring a goal and adding an assist in a 2-0 victory over Slippery Rock. Lobaugh also scored the only goal in a 1-0 Juniata victory in the championship game of the Juniata Tournament on the season?s opening weekend.

After playing sparingly as a freshman, and not recording a single point, Lobaugh is tied for the team lead in goals, assists and points. She has netted six goals while adding four assists for her total of 14 points. Lobaugh has at least one point in six of Juniata's nine games.

With Lobaugh leading the charge, the Eagles burst out of the gates with four-consecutive wins, and sit with a record of 5-4 through Oct. 1.

The Juniata College "Athlete of the Month" award is sponsored by McDonald's of Huntingdon and Mount Union. Barb and John Eastman, who own and operate the local McDonald's restaurants, provide the winners with plaques.

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.