Benedict College Athletics

Melinda Bastian, a native of the Bahamas, was one of the most dominant women's athlete in Benedict history, earning SIAC Player of the Year honors in volleyball twice, while also being named a two-time SIAC Track & Field Athlete of the Year and All-American.
 
In volleyball, she was the SIAC Player of the Year in 2007 and 2009, and was the SIAC Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2008.
 
In track & field, she was a 2009 NCAA Division II All-American, after finishing second in the javelin throw at the NCAA Championship. She was also the NCAA Regional Female Field Athletic of the year, and was presented the Cleve Abbott Award, given to the SIAC overall track & field athlete of the year. She was named SIAC athlete of the week six times and broke the school and SIAC record in the javelin throw. At the SIAC championship, she won the javelin, high jump and shot put events.
 
In 2010, she repeated as an NCAA Division II All-American in the javelin throw, finishing third at the championship. She was again the NCAA regional female field athlete of the year and repeated as the SIAC Cleve Abbott Award winner. She was ranked No. 1 in the javelin throw in the Region and SIAC and was named SIAC Athlete of the Week four times. At the SIAC Championship, she won the javelin, high jump, and heptathlon events.
 
She even lent her talents to the softball team, and helped the softball team to a 25-7 record and was named to the SIAC All-Conference team as a shortstop.
 
She currently stays active in her native Bahamas as a youth sports coach.