NOV 21, 2024 | SPORTS | By By Lilly Asano
Hockey: Following a three-point weekend against conference opponent Western Michigan University, the No. 7 Colorado College Tigers reached their highest national ranking since January 2012, jumping one spot in the Division I polls. The Tigers lost their first game against the WMU Broncos 2-3 in sudden-death overtime, ending their undefeated 8-0 start on Friday, Nov. 15. They then rallied to send the game into overtime the next night, winning the shootout and recording an extra point from the series in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Goaltender Kaidan Mbereko ‘26 held off the hosting team in Saturday’s meeting, including blocking seven shots in overtime and four shootout attempts. Tyler Coffey ‘24 finished the game when he scored in the seventh shootout round.
The Tigers return to Ed Robson Arena on Nov. 22 and 23 to face No. 11 St. Cloud State.
Men’s Soccer: The Tigers closed their storybook season on Nov. 17 against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, suffering a 1-2 loss in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Hosted at Stewart Field, the Tigers opened tournament play on Saturday, Nov. 16, beating Pacific Lutheran University 3-2 to advance to the second round.
Full game coverage is available in this issue of The Catalyst by Lilly Asano.
The Tigers ended their season 16-3-3 and reached No. 3 for the first time in program history on Sept. 17. Scott Palguta earned the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference’s Coach of the Year award for the second year in a row, and Curtis Hale ‘25 was named SCAC Defensive Player of the Year for the third straight year. Three Tigers were named to the All-SCAC first team, five received the second team honors and three more were honorable mentions. Teddy Opler ‘28 earned a spot on the SCAC All-Freshman team. Six players were recognized as College Sports Communications Academic All-District members on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Volleyball: After posting a 12-3 regular season SCAC record, the Tigers lost 1-3 to the University of St. Thomas (Texas) on Nov. 15, effectively ending their season. The Tigers and St. Thomas Lions met twice in the regular season. Colorado College dominated their previous meetings, winning both prior to Nov. 15. While CC sat in the SCAC Blue Division’s top spot heading into the playoffs, the Lions had the final say in the Tigers’ fate, knocking them off the tournament in the first round of play.
Following the tournament, Annie Steger ‘25 was named SCAC Setter of the Year. Steger and outside hitter Carolyn Dormady ‘26 were appointed to the All-SCAC First Team, while Brooke Brilliant ‘27 and Camille Sherill ‘27 were named to the second team.
Women’s XC: Women’s cross country received a bid to the 2024 NCAA Division III championships on Sunday, Nov. 17. On Nov. 16, the Tigers finished second at the NCAA Division III Regional meet, just a point short of the top of the podium. While the regional champion earned an automatic bid, the Tigers received their bid the next day as one of the 22 at-large teams.
Isabel Olson ‘25 won fourth place overall and all-region honors. Sydney Rankin ‘25, Britt Helgaas ‘25, Alison Mueller-Hickler ‘26, Abby Goodfried ‘26 and Charlie Flint ‘27 finished in the top 30 and earned all-region honors.
This is the Tigers’ fourth consecutive appearance in the DIII national championships. The race for a national title is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Terre Haute, Ind.
Men’s XC: Will Shuflit ‘27 will represent CC this Saturday at the NCAA DIII National Championships. The 2024 SCAC Runner of the Year finished fifth at the NCAA DIII West Region championship and secured his automatic bid to the national championships on Nov. 16, breaking his previously set school 8K record in the process.
“Will has had an outstanding sophomore season. During the regular season, he has been competing with some of the top runners and Division III,” Alex Nichols, head coach, told CC Athletics. Now that he has qualified for the national championship, I’m looking forward to seeing him make a strong push for his first All-American medal.”
Shuflit competes on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 12 p.m. ET. This is his first collegiate national championship appearance.
Women’s Swim & Dive: The Tigers dominated in their Nov. 16 home meet against the Adams State University Grizzlies, defeating the visiting team 182.5-31.5. With nearly a month without collegiate competition, the Tigers demonstrated to head coach Jen Buffin the team they aspire to become. In just her first few months as CC head coach, Buffin has led the women’s team to 2-1 with their season ramping up in the coming weeks.
The Tigers swept in SCAC weekly awards, claiming both diver and swimmer of the week. On Nov. 19, Emma Krasemann ‘25 earned the diving title, and rookie Kylie Spalt ‘28 claimed the swimming title.
The Tigers travel to Danville, Ky., for the Centre College Invitational this weekend from Nov. 22 through 24.
Men’s Swim & Dive: Like the women’s team, Colorado College’s men’s swim and dive added another win to their season record against the Adam State University Grizzlies on Nov. 16. The Tigers rushed past the Grizzlies 182-43, bringing their season total to 3-1. Nine Tigers won their events.
The Tigers also swept the SCAC weekly awards. Nathan McCracken ‘28 earned the men’s swimmer of the week accolade for his 200 IM and 500 freestyle wins. Wyatt Wellehan ‘27 was awarded the diver title, winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events against Adams State.
The Tigers travel to Danville, Ky., for the Centre College Invitational this weekend from Nov. 22 through 24.
Women’s Basketball: Basketball season is in full swing. The Tigers hosted the Colorado College Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 15 and 16, winning both of their scheduled games over the weekend. They opened their season with Pacific University on Friday, Nov. 15, winning 76-58. The next day, they notched their second win of the year from their 82-78 victory against North Central College.
The Tigers will spend Nov. 22 and 23 in St. Paul, Minn., in the Macalester Tournament. They face Simpson College on Friday, Nov. 22. Tournament results will determine Saturday’s game.
Men’s Basketball: Men’s basketball played the Hanover College Panthers at Reid Arena on Saturday, Nov. 16. The Tigers narrowly lost to their fellow big cats by four points, tallying their first loss. The 68-72 game final was the lowest-scoring game the Tigers have played this year, previously winning their last two games 80-61 and 86-75.
Their next campaign is on Sunday, Nov. 24, in Lincoln, Neb., against Nebraska Wesleyan University. The Tigers are 0-6 in their meetings with Nebraska Wesleyan and look to add their first win against the Prairie Wolves.
Intramurals: This year’s first intramural champion shirt has been handed out, with more to be delivered this week. The Avengers claimed the championship in indoor volleyball on Nov. 7, and outdoor soccer concluded on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The Pookies and Soccer Salmon battled for the coveted champion shirt at 3:30 p.m. The results of their game will be published in the next rendition of the roar report.
The Roar Report is a weekly varsity, club, and intramural sports recap. If you have scores, results, standings, or recognitions to report, email sports editor Lilly Asano (l_asano2023@coloradocollege.edu).