By Mark Walters
And so it has arrived, the most wonderful time of the year. Spring is in full bloom, the sports world is in full spin, and the semester is pretty much over. While I don’t want to blow my load with anything too sentimental a year before I graduate, I’d like to reflect on the past academic year.
For the true Chronicle Sports readers, many of you may know I just started writing for the paper a few short months ago. It was a long time coming, but I finally got myself some much-needed bylines.
I cannot say how enjoyable it was to finally begin to live my dream of being a sports writer. I know, it’s a weekly school paper, but everyone has to start somewhere.
Speaking of a start, how about next year, with the fresh start Hofstra Athletics will have after another successful year across the board?
The softball team flexed its muscles once again this year, as Kayleigh Lotti and the Pride embark on its eighth CAA crown this weekend-that’s eight in as many years-and what looks to be another NCAA tournament appearance.
On the mat, Charles Griffin was superb in earning his second CAA Wrestler of the Year Award. How Pride Coach Tom Shifflet didn’t take home Coach of the Year is beyond me, but the team was 15th in the nation and it was a disappointment. Despite the loss of Griffin, Joe Rovelli, and Dave Tomasette, look for big things next year from Hofstra wrestling.
After an injury plagued season, Simon Riddiough and the women’s soccer team got back to its winning ways. To go along with its second CAA crown in three years, Riddiough was named the Northeast Region Coach of the Year, five Pride players-Tiffany Yovino, Jess Crankshaw, Sue Weber, Brooke DeRosa, and Edel Malone-were named all All-Northeast Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Weber and DeRosa were All-Americans, and the team got a first-round NCAA win over Ohio State.
I know, that’s a mouthful. The funny thing is I left some stuff out of that list of accolades.
The baseball team showed improvement along with field hockey, football, men’s and women’s tennis, and cross country. Women’s lacrosse, volleyball, and men’s soccer had off years after winning CAA titles, but that’s collegiate sports for you.
On the hardwood, Antoine Agudio leaves Hofstra as the all-time leading scorer in school history. The team, with all its youth, looks good for next year. The women’s team had a rough go of things after losing its most talented class in school history, but again, something to be expected in collegiate sports.
Finally, men’s lacrosse is in the middle of something special right now. To be honest, I feel better about this team going into the national tournament than the team two years ago. Take care of John’s Hopkins guys, get that done.
What I’m saying is this schools athletic program is great. We could use a track & field team, but that’s a different column. We have players going pro, plenty of CAA titles, and no pun intended, pride.
I’d like to extend a special thanks to all those-names not named for fear of forgetting some-who helped me grace the Hofstra community on these very pages.
That goes for editors, professors, and coaches and athletes for your much needed and appreciated time. For those of you who read, thanks as well.
Personally, I can’t wait to be back next year, filling these pages with your Hofstra sports.