Dear Friends of William & Mary Athletics,

The first weekend in April was perfectly wonderful!  Baseball, men's and women's tennis and lacrosse were all undefeated at home, and I can't think of a better way to start the month.  Whether it was baseball beating No. 15 Campbell and then sweeping St. John's or our tennis teams grabbing wins on Senior Day, or women's lacrosse edging Delaware in overtime 13-12, Williamsburg was the place to be for thrilling victories.  
 
One big highlight of the weekend came when, for the first time since 2009, our women's track & field team captured first place at the Colonial Relays!  Two relay teams — 4x100 and 4x400 — broke program records as W&M's sprinters continued to shine in the outdoor season.  Read more about these record-setting women who are continuing to set new standards for Tribe track & field.
 

Our men's team also turned in some excellent performances at the Colonial Relays, ending the event with a sixth place finish out of 38 teams. Jason Nwosu, the Tribe's first-year standout, wrapped up his weekend with a pair of strong showings—taking third in the shot put and fourth in the discus. And, in the 4x1500 relay, Jacob Jones, Luke Henkel, T.J. Corliss, and Evan Goodell captured third place.
 
I will confess I did have to borrow some running shoes from track & field as I made my way to each of these games and matches, plus I spoke at a track & field alumni event and played a round of golf at the Women's Lacrosse Golf Tournament hosted by Mike Tomlin and Rondé Barber.  Nothing like a busy spring weekend to keep the AD on his toes, smiling all the way!
 
Big congratulations are in order for Justyce Barber of lacrosse. In last Saturday's triumph over Delaware, Barber scored a career-high six goals, including the game-winner. The tremendous performance secured her the CAA's Women's LAX Player of the Week.  If you'd like to watch Justyce and her teammates in action, they meet Towson on Saturday and as an added attraction, there's a pre-game Easter egg hunt! 

Though swimming's championship season wrapped up last month, the honors keep rolling in for the Tribe. Earlier today, the CAA announced that Katie Stevenson was named the league's swimmer of the year and Sophia Heilen was the freshman of the year. Congratulations to our swimming program and both student-athletes on great achievements.
 

Kudos also go to our men's and women's tennis teams.  Ine Stange and Sofiya Kuzina snared CAA Doubles Team of the Week, while George Davis and Bill Duo captured the same honor on the men's side!  Two big honors for four terrific student-athletes.  Well done!

And tennis stays on a roll.  Yesterday men's tennis won five of six singles matches to beat Richmond.  One highlight was Bill Duo's comeback three-set victory.  Way to go, Tribe!
 
Field hockey may not be in their traditional season, but our women's team got together last month to help celebrate national Read Across America Day.  Several of the student-athletes visited Laurel Lane Elementary and treated the students to some of their favorite stories, some even using their best Belle voices!

As men's gymnastics entered the championship portion of their season, the Green & Gold got off to a good start with five men earning USA Gymnastics Collegiate All-America Honors. Aidan Cuy, Christian Marsh, Samuel Smith, Trenton Peazant and Evan Sikra received a total of eight All-America honors. Cuy won the USA Gymnastics Collegiate national title in all-around, and for his efforts, was honored as the ECAC Gymnast of the week and the College Gymnastics Association Co-Gymnast of the Week!  The team then placed third at the ECAC Championship, The championship season rolls on too as the NCAA announced that 11 Tribe student-athletes will be competing individually at the NCAA Championships, April 14-15, at Penn State.

Women's golf will also be wrapping up their season by competing in the CAA Championships later this month.  As they get ready for that event, the Tribe placed three women in the top 20 at The Women's Intercollegiate at Prospect Bay.  Senior MIkah McDonnell and freshman Simon Senk each finished in a share of 12th place, while freshman Avery Thompson came in 16th.

We're in for a busy next three days with 12 events scheduled and I hope you will have some time to catch up with the Tribe.  If not, there's a recap for each event so you can see the overall results and how your favorite student-athletes fared.  
 
In between those 12 events I will be getting my boys ready for their own personal Easter egg hunt, which for two kids under 2, should be an interesting exercise!  Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter.
 

Go Tribe!