Articles written by Julian Kersh

The College of Sciences and Mathematics is currently hosting its 12th annual Summer Bridge program.

The 4-week, well-structured, residential program is designed to help incoming minority freshmen “bridge the gap” between high school and college.

Velma Richardson, Associate Dean for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs for COSAM, believes it only makes sense to have a system that eases minority students into the new environment of the college experience.

Toomer’s Corner: Toomer’s Corner live oaks are being treated for damages caused by both the urban environment and the “tree-rolling” tradition. Repeated pressure washing and burning to clean off the toilet paper have taken a heavy toll on the legendary trees.

A couple of the most beloved icons of Auburn’s great tradition are receiving some much-needed attention and preservation.

Trainer Will Moates: center, stands with 205-pound MMA champ Phillip Bohannon, left, and 170-pound champ Pat Freed, right. CONTRIBUTED

Most college graduates don’t enter the world of full-contact fighting after receiving that hard-earned diploma.

But Phillip Bohannon and several others at Nutrition First Fight Club have dedicated themselves to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA.

Bohannon, 25 years old, graduated from Auburn University in 2005 with degrees in public administration and political science, but soon decided to devote most of his time and efforts to becoming an MMA fighter.

“I started off wrestling in high school. I wrestled at the University and then got into boxing and the Mixed Martial Arts, so that was a kind of easy transition,” Bohannon said. “I’ve been doing that for about two and a half years now.”

This weekend, he took his 6-2 MMA record to compete for the Southern Fighting Alliance Light Heavy Weight belt. Bohannon, standing at 6 feet even and registering as a middle weight at 185 pounds, challenged the 6-foot-4, 205-pound title holder.

Junior Alexey Tsyrenov represented Tigers at NCAA Singles Tournament

The 2008 men’s tennis team brought its season to a close May 22.

The season concluded with an appearance by a lone Tiger in the NCAA Tennis Singles Tournament in Tulsa, Okla.

Junior Alexey Tsyrenov, ranked 27th nationally, represented the Tigers.

The Russia native advanced from the first round of the Championships May 21 with a two sets to one victory against Tennessee Tech’s Borja Zarco, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Head coach Eric Shore said he was pleased with Tsyrenov’s performance in the opening round of competition.

“Alexey played really well. He had a tough first game loss in the first round against a kind of opponent he doesn’t like to see, but he bounced back and took the match,” Shore said.

In the second round of 32, Tsyrenov’s tournament run came to an end when he met Lars Poerschke of Baylor.

Tsyrenov came out with a strong performance, but Poerschke battled back, winning the first set 7-5 and sealed the victory in the second set 6-4.

“Alexey did a great job this year, playing the No. 1 singles and doubles all season long, posting positive records, and giving us so many points,” said freshman teammate Tim Puetz.

The loss signaled the end of the season for Tsyrenov and the Tigers.