Men’s Crew
Head Coach: Phil Carney
Last Season Record: 11-1 dual-race record
Key Players Lost: 4 (3 in first boat, 1 in second)
Players To Watch: Tom Volgenau ’08, Brian Studwell ’09, Jeremy Brown ’08
Outlook: The men’s crew team had a very strong season last year and heading into the fall they look poised to duplicate their previous success. As well as returning the bulk of their key rowers, the Cards have picked up a strong recruiting class with a lot of rowing experience. Their core of coxswains continues to be one of the best in the conference.
Women’s Crew
Head Coach: Beth Emery
Last Season Record: 1-10 Varsity Eight Competition
Key Players Lost: 2
Players To Watch: Beth Ogata ’09, Linnea Damer ’10, Elaine Lauriat ’09
Outlook: Following a disappointing spring season the women’s crew team is looking to rebuild. The young squad came a long way by the end of last year: entering two varsity fours at the New England Championships that put up solid times.
Men’s Tennis
Head Coach: Ken Alrutz
Last Season Record: 7-10 overall, 2-5 NESCAC
Key Players Lost: 2
Players To Watch: Paul Gerdes ’09, Matt O’Connell ’09, Matthew Schaff ’11, Michael Frank ’08
Outlook: Although putting up a losing record last year, the men’s tennis team played a solid season. Matthew Schaff ’11, a key recruit, will add his attacking game to what already is a solid base of talent.
Women’s Tennis
Head Coach: Ken Alrutz
Last Season Record: 11-7 overall, 3-5 NESCAC
Key Players Lost: None
Players To Watch: Ania Preneta ’09, Madalina Ursu ’09, Casey Simchik ’10
Outlook: The women’s tennis team had a strong season last year and is poised to continue winning this year. The young team has been gaining skill and experience and the addition of Linda McDougal ’11, the number one player in Nepal, should push the team even further.
Men’s Soccer
Head Coach: Geoff Wheeler
Last Season Record: 11-3-3 overall, 6-1-2 NESCAC
Key Players Lost: 6
Players To Watch: Matt Gnall ’08, Ross Pemmerl ’08, Matt Nevin ’09, Nick Whipple ’10
Outlook: Men’s soccer has been one of the most successful sports teams on campus for the last several years, highlighted by two consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament. But with the graduation of eight seniors and the loss of leading scorer Sam Griswold ’08 to eligibility, there will be many new faces leading the Cardinal charge this fall. Tri-captains Matt Gnall ’08, Justin Mello ’08, and Ross Pemmerl ’08 will anchor a tough defense while the attack will truly be a team effort in finding the back of the net. The talent is there but will need time to gel.
Women’s Soccer
Head Coach: Eva Bergsten Meredith
Last Season Record: 5-8-1 overall, 3-6-0 NESCAC
Key Players Lost: 2
Players To Watch: Gavi Elkind ’09, Laura Fine ’08, Becca Feiden ’08, Marcia Whitehead ’08
Outlook: Getting off to the team’s best start in 11 years with a 5-4 mark after nine games in 2006, Wesleyan ended the year 5-8-1 and claimed three NESCAC wins for the first time in team history. The Cards’ defense was the biggest area of improvement. Keeper Gavi Elkind ’09 was a major factor in the move forward with a 1.29 goals against average and .841 save percentage.
Golf
Head Coach: Chris Potter
Last Season Record: 28-91-1
Key Players Lost: None
Players To Watch: Dave Velardo ’09, Eli Wilson ’09
Outlook: The golf team hasn’t had a large amount of success in the last few years, but looks to have one of the strongest teams in a while this fall. They didn’t lose any starters and they picked up several strong newcomers. There will be quite a few players competing for the five starting spots, which should bring up the level of play a bit.
Volleyball
Head Coach: Gale Lackey
Last Season Record: 19-9 overall, 7-3 NESCAC
Key Players Lost: 1
Players To Watch: Lisa Drennan ’09, Ellie Healy ’10
Outlook: One of the most exciting teams on campus, the women’s volleyball team, which finished second in the conference tournament, is always fun to watch. Last season’s NESCAC player of the year Lisa Drennan ’09, who ranked 5th in the nation in kills per game, always puts on a show for the fans. Although losing four-year starting libero Tory Molnar ’07 to graduation, the Cards look poised to put together another successful season.
Field Hockey
Head Coach: Patti Klecha-Porter
Last Season Record: 6-9-0 overall, 3-6-0 NESCAC
Key Players Lost: 5
Players To Watch: Adrienne Shea ’08, Tory Whitney ’08, Amanda Nickels ’08
Outlook: The loss of several starters will take a toll on the Cards including goalkeeper Caitlin Kelly ’07, a key defensive asset. A recruiting class of nine freshmen should give the team some depth and help compensate for the losses to graduation.
Men’s Cross Country
Head Coach: John Crooke
Last Season Record: 80-22
Key Players Lost: 5 of top 7
Players To Watch: Sean Watson ’08, Matt Shea ’08
Outlook: The men’s team, which has found exceptional success recently with two consecutive trips to the NCAA division III championships, sustained some heavy losses to graduation. The team has a strong work ethic and never fails to churn out solid performances. After some transition time the team should get back to its winning ways by the end of the fall.
Women’s Cross Country
Head Coach: John Crooke
Last Season Record: 57-49
Key Players Lost: 2
Players To Watch: Lucia Pier ’08, Hannah Hastings ’08
Outlook: Most notably in the off-season, the women’s team lost two-time cross-country All-American and NCAA 5k indoor track champion Ellen Davis ’07 to graduation. The team has several solid contributors though and looks solid going into the fall season. A strong recruiting class of incoming freshman will add several talented runners to the team. Without a big star the team will count on consistent contributions from a lot of runners to keep up the team’s success.
Football
Head Coach: Frank Hauser
Last Season Record: 3-5 NESCAC
Key Players Lost: 4
Players To Watch: Zach Librizzi ’08, Tom Addonizio ’08, Tim O’Callaghan ’08
Outlook: After a poor 2005 season, the Cards rebounded in 2006 coming only two close losses from a winning record. The Cards return thirteen starters this year including Zach Librizzi ’08, one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the NESCAC. Look for the team to push close to .500 this year behind the solid core of 36 returning lettermen.
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