The Valdosta State University Nikes won the 2015-2016 National Intramural Recreational Sports Association Men’s National Flag Football Championship for the second consecutive year.
 
The Nikes and P-Rex traveled to Pensacola, Fla., to represent Georgia for the 2015-2016 NIRSA Flag Football National Championships Jan. 2-4 at the University of West Florida.
 
P-Rex won the 2014-2015 co-rec national championship.
 
“The students from P-Rex and the Nikes did an amazing job this past weekend,” said Shawn Phippen, director of Campus Recreation. “Both teams worked very hard to get to the finals and had an excellent showing for VSU. These students are outstanding examples of Blazers and put VSU in the national spotlight.”
 
In the final men’s championship game, the Valdosta State University Nikes defeated the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley’s Hoosier Daddy with a score of 26 to 12.
 
P-Rex also earned their place in the final co-rec championship game but lost to Angelo State University with a score of 23 to 9.
 
“I was glad to be in attendance for all of the games and it was a great feeling to support our students, as always,” said Dr. James Archibald, interim vice president for Student Affairs. “The Division of Student Affairs stands with our students in all their endeavors, initiatives, and goals. They certainly had the drive…went in there to win…kept each other pumped up, their spirits up, and when you’re in the competitive mode, you don’t really lose that focus. Our intramural program is among the best.”
 
Five VSU student-athletes — Eric Johnson, a senior from Thomasville; Rachel Swilley, a senior from Valdosta; Lance Jarriel, P-Rex team captain and a senior from Valdosta; D’Angelo Smith, Nikes team captain and a senior from Lithonia; and Romaz Jones, a senior from Tifton — were among 22 players and 10 officials to receive All-American honors for their performances in the 2015-2016 NIRSA Flag Football Championships.
 
Smith was also honored with the Most Valuable Player award for his efforts in the 2015-2016 Men’s National Championship game.
 
To qualify for nationals, both teams had to win at the 32nd Annual Georgia Peach Classic Flag Football Championships Nov. 6-8, hosted by Georgia Southern University’s Department of Campus Recreation and Intramurals.