The lure of fall sports is mouth-watering for many athletes as we have had to endure the rigors of the stay-at-home policies that COVID-19 has brought. The fall season was successful for the Fighting Scots with great expectations set for next season.
For men’s sports, football will hope to replicate its fine season after finishing up as conference champions. Football graduates a number of players including Joe Krall and Joey Biel who had award-winning seasons. However, they have a plethora of key personal returning in valuable positions.
Cross country also had a strong season with many individuals achieving personal bests and a number of returners striving to achieve even more. Influential runners include Griffen Morril and Riley Dulin who have promising seasons ahead of them.
Men’s water polo will hope to have a more successful season after struggling against some strong opposition this last semester. The water polo team has a number of freshmen and sophomores returning including stand out player Kyle Jones in goal.
Men’s soccer will hope to replicate its fine season after making playoffs for the first time in 18 years. The Fighting Scots graduate 10 players and a host of talent. Uncertainty also lies around who will coach the team with the departure of the stalwart figure of Kooten Johnson. The fall season may be a struggle with the team needing a rebuild to match the heights of last season.
Women’s soccer is also returning from a standout season after winning conference for the first time in program history. The Scots graduate top scorers Jacie Reis and Kara-Jade Gordon which might weaken them in attack, but a number of rising juniors will return to play in defense and midfield.
Women’s cross country, similar to the men’s, has a number of strong returners looking to come back even better in the fall. Ezzie Baltierra-Chavez leads the returners with a number of freshmen and sophomores maturing to strengthen the squad.
Women’s volleyball will seek to improve on its previous season after they were absent from the playoffs. The squad graduates three seniors but has a strong rotation and large squad to fill any gaps and hope to have a strong season.
Women’s tennis has flown under the radar but returns in the fall as well with some promising talent who hope to do well this coming season. The Scots lose influential players Rachel Leifheit and Mckenzie Devilder to graduation but will see up-and-comer Emily Laughlin and others take to the court as they push for a strong season.
Kieren Marshall - Contributing Writer