C of C's Anastopoulo notches 300th

State Report

MOUNT PLEASANT — Angelo Anastopoulo felt good after capturing his 300th women's college tennis victory Thursday afternoon at Patriots Point with a 6-1 win over rival Charleston Southern.

"It feels great, but it feels even better to win the city title and remain unbeaten lifetime against Charleston Southern," Anastopoulo said.

C of C (16-2) took the doubles point, then received strong support from the Nos. 4-6 positions for easy wins to quickly wrap up the victory over the Bucs (8-6-1).

In his 17th season as women's coach, the 41-year-old Anastopoulo improved his record to 300-115. He also served 10 years as men's coach, posting another 172 wins.

CSU sophomore Zineb Hilali of Morocco scored a 7-5, 6-2 win over C of C senior Chelsea Albertz at No. 1 singles, but the Cougars' No. 6 Amanda Becker, No. 5 Anna Lee Evans and No. 4 Holly Dowse all came through in rapid order, yielding 10 games between them to secure the victory.

Football

Heath Benedict, a two-time Little All-American offensive lineman from Newberry, was found dead on a couch in his home.

Jacksonville, Fla., police said no foul play is suspected in the death of the 24-year-old Benedict, a 6-6, 326-pounder who finished up his senior season in the fall and left school to train for next month's NFL draft. He was nine hours short of a business degree. Benedict took part in the Senior Bowl in January, the first Division II player to do so since 2004, and was invited to last month's NFL combine.