By Grace Myers ’19, Sports Editor
Men’s Cross Country
Hamilton had a strong showing last year, placing 10th out of 42 schools at the NCAA Regional Meet on Nov. 10, which was their fourth top-10 finish in as many years. Returning runners include Lucas Wright ’21, who placed third among all first-years at the 8-kilometer event. Seniors Colin Horgan ’19 and Reilly Shew ’19 also had strong showings at the meet and look to lead the team in the coming season. Eight Men’s Cross Country athletes were honored last year with NESCAC all-academic recognition, including six athletes who will be returning this season. Men’s Cross Country’s first meet will be at Hamilton College on Sat. Sep. 8 at 11:30 AM.
Women’s Cross Country
Hamilton’s female fall runners also did well, and returning senior Grace Heller ’19 finished last year with all-academic honors, meaning that her grade point average exceeded 3.30 and she finished in the top-25 percent of her regional championship meet. Heller also competed at the NCAA championship in November of 2017 and will surely continue her success this season. Other returning runners who posted good times for Hamilton include Brigit Humphreys ’21, Andy Uribe ’19, Katie Cronin ’21, and Haley Driscoll ’21. Women’s Cross Country’s first meet will be at Hamilton College on Sat. Sep. 8 at 11:00 AM.
Field Hockey
The Continental field hockey team has had an exceptional few seasons, with a semifinals appearance in 2016 and a quarter-finals appearance in 2017. Led by a strong forward core of forwards in Michaela Giuttari ’20 with 39 points last season and Tatiana Bradley ’19 with 20 points and backed by goalkeeper Julia Booth ’19, the team hopes to make another playoff push this season. Both Giuttari and Booth were selected for the 2017 Longstreth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III All-Region Team. Field Hockey will play their first home game on Tues. Sep. 11 against Skidmore College on Goodfriend Field at 5:30 PM.
Football
Hamilton’s football program went 3–6 last season, with an even record on home turf. Two of these victories were resounding wins with leads of over two touchdowns. Their two-win streak was the longest since 2011. The Continentals’ young roster is poised for success, as many returners had career-best seasons. On defense, linebacker Tyler Hudson ’20 ranked second in the NESCAC with 10.2 tackles per game and was selected as the NESCAC defensive player of the week during the Week of Sep. 17. Defensive back Colby Jones ’19 finished the season with 63 tackles (41 solo), two interceptions, and one fumble recovery. On offense, quarterback Kenny Gray ’20 started eight of nine games as a sophomore last season and threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Joe Schmidt ’20 led the NESCAC last season with 10 touchdowns and ranked second with 90.1 receiving yards per game. Right behind him was wide receiver Christian Donahoe ’20 in third place in the NESCAC with 87.4 yards per game. On special teams, Joe Suski ’21 will likely step in as kicker/ punter after the graduation of Zach Altneu ’18. The football team’s first home game will be on Sat. Sep. 15 on Steuben Field at 1:00 PM.
Men’s Golf
Returning golfer Bobby Osborn ’20 was selected last year for the 2018 NESCAC Men’s Golf All-Conference Team. Osborn had an 18-hole stroke average of 78.00 over 15 rounds during the season and finishing in the top six of his three fall tournaments. He attended the NESCAC championship qualified on Oct. 1, 2017 and fired a 77. The Continentals as a team placed first place out of ten teams during its first home tournament last year, the Hamilton Invitational. To watch Men’s Golf hopefully turn out a repeat performance, this year’s Hamilton Invitational is on Sat. Sep. 1 at the Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford, N.Y. at 1:00 PM.
Women’s Golf
Hamilton’s entire women’s golf roster is intact for this season and hopes to continue on its success of the 2017–18 season. Libbie Warner ’19 and Winda Wanikpun ’20 are strong contenders this year. Wanikpun led the team with a career-low 82.88 stroke average, and Warner was second on the team with an 83.33 stroke average. Rounding out the top three was Celia Lau ’21, who posted a 87.08 stroke average as a first-year. The team will also be attending the Hamilton Invitational on Sat. Sep. 1 at the Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford, N.Y. at 1:00 PM.
Rowing
Hamilton’s men’s and women’s rowing teams turned out good seasons last year, with the men’s boats placing 1st place out of 3, 3rd out of 6, 26th out of 37, and 8th out of 38 in the four fall regattas. The women’s boats were even more impressive, placing 1st out of 3 teams, 1st out of 10 teams, 10th out of 26, and 2 out of 43 for their four fall regattas. Grant Kiefaber ’19, Trent Pfieffer ’19, and Nick Silvestri ’19 will captain the men’s team during the 2018–19 season. Likewise, Danielle Schuman ’19, Ann-Sophie Koglin ’20, and Perrin Salewood ’21 will captain the women’s team. This year’s home Bridge to Bridge Regatta will take place on Sat. Sep. 29 on the Erie Canal in Rome, N.Y. at 11:00 AM.
Men’s Soccer
Men’s soccer had a strong showing last season, making it to the NESCAC semifinals. Their overall record of 8–7–2 will undoubtedly improve with the return of point-and goal-leader Aidan Wood ’20 who had an astounding 8 goals and 19 points. Returners Bobby Chapman ’19, Jefri Schmidt ’20, and Matt Casadei ’19 all posted two or more goals each as well, with Chapman posting an impressive 37.5% shot percentage. Goalkeeper Linds Cadwell ’20 is returning as well with a season topped off by 3 shutouts. Men’s Soccer’s first home game will be Tues. Sep. 11 against Ithaca College on Love Field at 5:00 PM.
Women’s Soccer
The Continentals’ women’s soccer team had an excellent 2017–18 season with a record of 10–6–2 and impressive goals against average of 0.64. The team will begin to rely more on young talent this season after the graduation of two key players. After the graduation of leading midfielder Katja Dunlap ’18, forward Cat Gambino ’21 looks to continue the success of her debut, 3-goal season. Rachel Pike ’21 will take over Emily Dumont’s ’18 legacy in goal
and Pike hopes to succeed based on her brief 135 minutes of play last season, where she allowed 0 goals. Women’s soccer’s first game will be next Wed. Sep. 5 against Williams College on Love Field at 4:00 PM.
Volleyball
Coming off of disappointing seasons in 2013 and 2015, Hamilton’s volleyball team’s coaching change and new talent has caused them to soar to new successes the past few years, with the 2017–18 season seeing the team reach a conference record of 7–3. Though eliminated in the quarterfinals, the team’s upward trajectory is clear and exciting to watch. Returners to watch are Meghan Wilkinson ’19, who had 2.90 digs per set last season and Giuliana Rankin ’20, who had at least 10 kills in 10 matches during the season. Both players were second only to Christine Nizzi ’18 in their respective categories. Volleyball’s first home match will be Wed. Sep. 26 in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House against SUNY Geneseo at 7:00 PM.
