Sports

Athletes Power Up for Spring

by Charlie McGuire, sports information director

June 29, 2010

Allison Jordan ’11 led the softball team to its first conference title and first appearance in the NCAA tournament. Photo by James Rasp.

Following up on a triumphant fall, which saw five teams ranked in national polls, Dickinson had its most successful spring in school history. Two teams—men’s lacrosse and softball—earned bids to the NCAA playoffs, while the men’s and women’s track and field teams turned in outstanding individual performances, sending two athletes to the national championships. The men’s outdoor team won the Centennial Conference (CC) championship, completing the triple crown—with conference titles in cross country and indoor track and field as well.

Men’s lacrosse set several school records en route to a remarkable 15-3 season. The Red Devils opened with a school-record eight straight wins, earning the program’s highest national ranking—fifth in the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Coaches Poll. Dickinson defeated Ohio Wesleyan University, 7-3, to advance to the second round of the NCAA playoffs against Haverford, and head coach Dave Webster ’88 was voted the CC Coach of the Year.

The softball team earned fourth seed in the conference playoffs. The Red Devils won three straight games to capture the program’s first CC championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs. After a pair of losses in their first NCAA appearance, the women finished 19-19 overall. Allison Jordan ’11 holds school records for career strikeouts (450) and wins by a pitcher with 44. Emma Murtaugh ’11 ranks second in the conference with a school-record 19 career homeruns.

The men’s track and field team dethroned Haverford for its first CC outdoor championship, winning conference titles in cross country and indoor track and field as well. Nick Karwoski ’10 and John Bingham ’12 were named Outstanding Male Athletes at the championships. Karwoski qualified for nationals in four events and earned All-American honors in the 5,000 meters and 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing second in both events.

The women’s tennis team finished 13-6 overall and earned the number-three seed in the conference playoffs. Head coach Steve Riccio was honored as the CC Coach of the Year, while Joelle Nitzberg ’11 and Sarah Woodward ’11 joined Alysia Rodgers ’13 on the All-CC second team. Alex Bybel ’11 shared the team’s co-MVP honors with Rodgers, winning seven of her last eight singles matches.

Women’s lacrosse (9-6) advanced to the conference playoffs for the sixth-straight season; four players were named All-Conference: Alysa Crellin ’10 made her fourth appearance, joining Kaity Moore ’12 on the first team. Jessie Clark ’11 and Sunnie Ko ’11 earned honorable mention.

Women’s track and field placed sixth at the CC championships. Catherine Campbell ’12 set a school record and qualified for nationals in the 10,000 meters; she also qualified in the 5,000 meters. Ellie Mackintosh ’12 set school marks in the pole vault (10 feet, 5.25 inches) and the triple jump (35 feet, 2.5 inches).

Men’s tennis posted 10 wins for the ninth-straight season (10-9). Hunter Holbrook ’10 broke the school record for individual wins, with a 97-59 career mark. The Devils finished one win away from a conference playoffs berth. Ross Anstaett ’11 earned first-team All-CC honors in singles and joined Holbrook to earn first-team honors in doubles.

The men’s golf team turned in strong performances, finishing in the top three in four of its eight tournaments. The Devils placed fifth at the CC championships due to All-Conference play from Joey Goldstein ’11. The women’s golf team was fourth at the CC championships. Ann Gibala ’10 placed ninth, individually, while Anne Marshall ’12 was 11th overall. Marshall captured medalist honors at the home invitational, leading to a second-place finish in team standings.

The baseball team (9-25) placed two sophomores on the All-Centennial second team. Sean White ’12 made his second appearance on the mound, with a CC-best 70 strikeouts and a 3.57 ERA. Joining White was first baseman Tyler Rosá ’12, a standout in football and baseball for the last two seasons.