May 9, 2024 | SPORTS | By Rex Karjian and Veronica Bianco
Varsity Sports
Colorado College’s varsity athletic programs showed out this year. Five teams won conference championships, and nine others placed in the top three in their respective leagues.
“We also had a number of outstanding individual performances with many conference champions, record-breakers, statistical leaders, All-Conference winners, All-Americans,” said Greg Capell, the Senior Associate Director of Athletics.
Some teams could not be reached for comment. Both authors are student-athletes but neither contributed reporting or writing to the sections regarding their respective teams.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team recorded another successful season, finishing with an impressive 16-12 record and a trip to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) tournament final. Four players received All-SCAC honors. Throughout the offseason, the team has been in the weight room at 6:45 a.m. four days a week, proving that consistency and dedication translate onto the court.
Best moment according to Adrian Price ‘25: Beating #10 Trinity University in the SCAC tournament semi-final.
Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball team had a historic season, going 20-8 on the year and narrowly losing to Trinity University in the SCAC tournament finals. It was the first time CC won 20 games since 1981. Center Zoë Tomlinson ‘25 had one of the best individual seasons in CC history, collecting several honors, including a pair of All-American nods.
Best moment according to Zoë Tomlinson ‘25: Beating Texas Lutheran University in the SCAC tournament in what was Head Coach Katherine Auguste’s 100th program win.
Men’s Cross Country
In one of the best seasons in program history, the men’s cross-country team won their fifth straight SCAC title and finished 26th in the NCAA meet. Seven runners made the All-Conference team, and James Settles ‘24 was honored as an All-American. Coach Alex Nichols also won his third consecutive SCAC Coach of the Year award.
Best moment according to James Settles ‘24: A strong performance at the regional meet which helped solidify their bid to the national meet.
Women’s Cross Country
The women’s cross country team made their third trip to the NCAA national meet in as many years after capturing their third consecutive SCAC title. All-American Kendall Accetta ‘24 ended her impressive running career by leading the team to impressive finishes at the SCAC tournament and NCAA regionals.
Best moment according to Kendall Accetta ‘24: Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams qualifying for NCAAs for the first time since 2007.
Men’s Ice Hockey
CC’s ice hockey team had one of their most successful seasons on record, finishing third in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) and ranking 15th nationally. Noah Laba ‘26 and Kaiden Mbereko ‘26 were honored as All-Americans, and the Tigers collected a conference-high four individual awards.
Best moment according to Stanley Cooley ‘25: Beating the University of Denver at a packed Ed Robson arena on senior night.
Men’s Lacrosse
In their first season competing independently, the men’s lacrosse team finished with a record of 8-6. The season was filled with individual achievements, with both Dylan Brown ‘24 and Thomas Power ‘26 surpassing 100 career points. They are the only two active players with this achievement.
Best moment according to Kernan Brooks ‘26: Playing against #9 Christopher Newport University in Virginia.
Women’s Lacrosse
Women’s lacrosse won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament in their first season as members and were selected to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019. They went 6-0 in conference, securing the regular season championship title. Kendall Havill ‘24 set the record for most goals scored in a single season and brought home a plethora of individual honors.
Best moment according to Kendall Havill ‘24: Beating the University of Chicago 26-16, in what was Head Coach Susan Stuart’s 300th win with the program.
Men’s Soccer
The varsity men’s soccer team went undefeated in SCAC play on their way to an NCAA quarterfinal appearance for the first time in three decades. Twelve players received All-SCAC honors, three were named to the All-Region team, and captain Curtis Hale ‘25 was named an Academic All-American.
Best moment according to Charlie Wagner ‘24: Junior Teddy Libby’s overtime goal vs. Ohio Northern University, sending CC to the NCAA quarterfinals.
Women’s Soccer
In Head Coach Keri Sanchez’s second year with the program, the Tigers struggled to build momentum but will look to bounce back this upcoming season with a strong core of returning players. The team had a positive spring season, beating Kansas State University, Air Force and the University of Northern Colorado. The team hopes to use this momentum to work towards a successful fall campaign.
Best moment according to Alexis Wessler ‘24: Beating the University of New Mexico 2-1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Men’s Swim and Dive
The men’s swim and dive team had a strong season, taking second at the SCAC championships, tying their highest finish in program history. Four Tigers were crowned SCAC champions in their respective events, and Collin Ralston ‘25 set a conference meet and school record in the 200-yard individual medley. Earlier in the season, Wyatt Wellehan ‘27 and Tomas Gonzalez ‘27 set new school records in the 1-meter, 6-dive score and 200-yard butterfly respectively.
Best moment according to Wyatt Wellehan ‘27: Beating Trinity University in the season-opening meet.
Women’s Swim and Dive
The women’s swim and dive team took second at the SCAC championships this year, tying the highest finish for the program. Emma Krasemann ‘25 and Emma Phillips ‘24 both took home individual golds. Krasemann was named Diver of the Meet and later SCAC Diver of the Year.
Best moment according to Emma Krasemann ‘25: Head Coach Anne Goodman-James’ final SCAC championship meet.
Men’s Tennis
In a packed season that included four matches against ranked opponents, the men’s tennis team found success, ultimately making it to the semi-finals of the SCAC championship. Three players received all-SCAC honors. In April, Andrew Kaelin ‘24 was ranked #10 in the West Region rankings, the highest regional ranking of any player in program history.
Best moment according to Nick Anderson ‘26: Beating Seward County Community College 7-2, and an away win against California Lutheran University, winning 6-3.
Women’s Tennis
The women’s tennis team had a strong season that included wins against Division II program Western New Mexico University and strong showings against multiple ranked opponents in both SCAC and out-of-conference play. Two players earned all-SCAC honors. In April, Kala Komanduri ‘27 entered the West Region rankings at #18, the highest ranking for a CC player since 1985.
Best moment according to Kala Komanduri ‘27: Beating Lewis and Clark State College 4-3, showcasing the team’s resilience in close matches.
Men’s Track and Field
CC’s men’s track and field team enjoyed a successful spring, posting a program record for points and finishing third at the SCAC championships. Devlin Swanson ‘24, Josh Williams ‘26 and Rabbit Barnes ‘26 all won individual titles. Williams set several individual records and broke his own multiple times in 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter, and was part of a record-breaking 4×400-meter relay team.
Best moment according to Liam Mullen ‘25: The team’s fantastic showing at the SCAC championships, where multiple runners won individual titles and broke school records.
Women’s Track and Field
The women’s track and field team enjoyed a historic season in which they won their program’s first-ever SCAC championship. Seven Tigers won their respective events, and 18 received All-Conference honors. Kendall Accetta ‘24, Erin Capell ‘25 and Ella Fullerton ‘26 set school records in the 5-kilometers, shot put, and 800-meter, respectively.
Best moment according to Ella Fullerton ‘26: Winning the SCAC Championship meet, which allowed the team to become more connected with each other.
Women’s Volleyball
The women’s volleyball team recorded a successful season, going 18-11 and making it to the final of the SCAC tournament. Four players received All-Conference honors, and senior Isabella Lipacis ‘24 was named to the All-Region first team and an honorable mention to the All-American team.
Best moment according to Libby Ochs ‘26: Sweeping #11 Trinity University in Texas.
Club Sports
Club sports had an incredibly successful year, sending multiple teams and individuals to regional and national competitions.
“A great deal of the success that a club team has any given year can be attributed to the captains … their organization, commitment level, persistence…Success is also tied to the culture that the captains and teammates create,” said Chris Starr, the Director of Recreation and Fitness Center. Read more about each team’s successes below.
Men’s Baseball
The club baseball team enjoyed an accomplished season, finishing with a record of 11-7-1 and a trip to the regional tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah. Although they fell short in the tournament, the campaign highlighted their growing success as a team.
Best moment according to Sammy Heller ‘24: A walk-off win in extra innings against Colorado State University, Pueblo after being down late in the game.
Climbing
The climbing team had a strong season, with five athletes qualifying to compete nationally. Those climbers include: Conor Wellman ‘25, Sonia Guiterrez ‘27, Ben Wheeler ‘27, Izzy Kearney ‘27 and Melanie Robertson ‘26.
Men’s Volleyball
In their first year as a club sport, the men’s volleyball team had an action-packed season, competing in dozens of games and tournaments across Colorado, ultimately finishing 18-7. The young squad was able to set a great foundation, placing first in two tournaments this season.
Best moment according to Jack Saccaro ‘26: Competing in their home tournament with six teams during Block 6.
Equestrian
The equestrian team had an exciting season full of growth that was guided by a new head coach. The young team is looking forward to the upcoming year, emphasizing the program’s growing nature.
Best moment according to Carlie Malott ‘26: Coming together as a team while competing during the worst snow storm of the year; and block-ly team dinners.
Figure Skating
The club figure skating team could not be reached by The Catalyst for comment.
Men’s Ice Hockey
The men’s club ice hockey team played in 15 games this year against teams from around the state. They went 8-7, maintaining a winning record.
Best moment according to Luke Flangel ‘27: Beating Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction.
Women’s Ice Hockey
The women’s club ice hockey team is unlike any other program at CC. They compete in a league where they are by far the youngest players on the ice. Despite this gap in experience, they were able to enjoy a successful season and build momentum with a young team.
Best moment according to Cassidy Schnaufer ‘26: Beating rival Air Force at Ed Robson Arena in a close game, with the win being more special because it is the only team their age they play.
Nordic Skiing
Seven Nordic Skiing team members qualified to compete nationally in Lake Placid, New York: May Lamb ‘25, Mary Reinbold ‘24, Isak Larson ‘25, Emmet Shuman ‘26, Felix Battle ‘26, Ollie Beland ‘25 and Tennyson Stinson ‘27.
Men’s Soccer
In only their second season competing in the top division, and sixth at the school, the men’s club soccer team had a successful season which ended with a deep run in the national tournament. At the Open National Collegiate Club Championships, they swept their group and made it to the knockout stage for the first time in team history, ultimately falling short in the semi-final.
Best moment according to Lucas Bush ‘24: Playing in the national tournament and winning their tournament group.
Women’s Soccer
The women’s club soccer team went 4-4 during conference play in their first season in the highest division of their conference. They were ranked 10th out of 28 teams, and are looking to secure a bid to nationals next season.
Best moment according to Lila Garfield ‘26: Beating Air Force’s club team, who was ranked second in the league at the time.
Cycling
The mountain biking team had a strong season, with bikers competing in nationals and earning impressive finishes at the “A” level. On the road cycling side, their impressive season was capped off by Will Myers ‘26 competing in the Collegiate Cycling Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and finishing 29th in the criterium in a field of over 80 athletes.
Best moment according to Eli Zamore ‘24: The race at Winter Park, and getting to spend the weekend there with the team.
Men’s Rugby
The men’s rugby team had a strong showing this year which was highlighted by their homecoming game against Air Force, winning in narrow fashion by a score of 27-26. The team plays in both the fall and spring, going 3-3 in their main season of 15s in the fall.
Best moment according to Theo Seamon ‘27: Homecoming win against Air Force, which was played in front of a huge crowd of both students and alumni.
Women’s Rugby
The club women’s rugby team could not be reached by The Catalyst for comment.
Men’s Ultimate
Wasabi, CC’s men’s ultimate frisbee team, fell just short of returning to the national tournament after losing in the final at regionals. Wasabi played in three tournaments in the fall and five in the spring, traveling around Colorado and to Missouri and Texas to compete.
Best moment according to Tobin Spiller ‘26: Their three-game win streak at regionals to make it to the final, traveling around the country and having some “wonderful” team BBQs.
Gender-Inclusive Ultimate
Zenith, CC’s gender-inclusive ultimate team, won a bid to nationals after taking first place at South Central regionals in Kansas City. They’ll compete for a national title in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, starting on May 18.