The hype for fall sports has come early this year as students have already found their way back to campus on semester schedules. All teams on campus are looking forward to a successful season and possibly adding to North Central’s National Championship total.
Football looks forward to another dominant season in conference, as they are expected to win the CCIW for the third straight year. Sharmore Clarke, ’21, Tommy Hyland, ’21, Andrew Kamienski, ’21, and Broc Rutter, ’20, have been named to the D3Football.com All-America teams. The team also enters this season ranked fifth in the nation. They will kick off this season on Sept. 7 in Virginia as they take on Christopher Newport University.
Women’s volleyball looks to bounce back after a disappointing season. They went 3-20 for the year and were never able to post a win in conference. This year they are projected to be tied for eighth with Wheaton College in the CCIW. Kaitlyn Boelter-Eberhardt, ’22, was their lone all-CCIW selection despite missing half of the year with an injury. The team will start their season at the Elmhurst Invitational on Aug. 30-31.
The men’s soccer team fell short in the CCIW tournament last year after going 9-8 during the season. Head Coach Enzo Fuschino enters his first year at North Central with Alex Flores, ’20, leading the way. He led the CCIW in points last season. They will begin their season today against Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Last year the women’s soccer team found themselves one game short of the CCIW tournament. There are many familiar faces this year, most importantly Lexi Dimovski, ’20, who was a first-team All-CCIW selection. She posted nine goals and three assists. The road to redemption begins today as they will be playing Whitman College.
Following a successful season, the men’s golf team looks forward to this year with new players added to the roster. These new players include David Grimen, ’23, from Norway, Christian Neder, ’23, from Ecuador and Sergio Ronchel Salas, ’22, from Spain. The team will also have their two best golfers from last year returning as well. Hiromitsu Washizu, ’20, and Zach Bohmer, ’22, who both averaged scores in the 70 range. They will begin their season in Janesville, Wisconsin, this weekend for the Culver’s Edgewood Fall Classic.
The women’s golf team looks to improve on last season. They lost one golfer in Laura Ringo, but have three returners in Maggie Russell, ’20, Alex Brummer, ’21, and Brianna Ergastolo, ’20. Russell posted nine of the team’s 10 individual scores last season and received All-CCIW honors as well. They will begin their season this weekend at The Shootout on the Border in Bristol, Wisconsin.
Women’s tennis looks to continue their success from last year as they posted the highest win total in quite some time. They have only lost one player to graduation so a repeat of success is likely. They are projected to finish fourth in the CCIW championship poll. The season begins Saturday as they will take on Wartburg College and Concordia University Wisconsin.
Al Carius will be entering year 54 of coaching as the men’s cross country team is on the hunt for their fourth straight national championship. Thirteen seniors graduated, but they hope to continue their long run of dominance in the CCIW and in the country. Matt Osmulski, ’20, is a returning all-American that looks to be the leader of the team this year. They will compete in the Elmhurst College Early Bird Invitational today.
The women’s cross country team also looks to be a dominant team this year. They enter the year ranked eighth in the region and are expected to win the CCIW for the first time in four years. The team brings back familiar faces as they look to improve on the third-place finish from last season. They will also begin their season at the Elmhurst Early Bird Classic today.
Another team with national championship hopes is the women’s triathlon team. After going back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, they look to make it a three-peat this year. Grace Miller, ’20, will lead the charge as she is a three-time USA Triathlon all-American. Their first meet will be Sept. 1 at Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, for the USA Triathlon Central Region Qualifier.
