Written by Kate Clatterbuck
In January, the Roanoke basketball, swimming, and track & field teams began competing for the first time since last March. The men’s basketball team has had an impressive start to their 2021 season, holding an overall record of 4-1 (4-0 ODAC), after being ranked 4th in the ODAC’s preseason poll. Guards Kasey Draper and Efosa Edosomwan have been lead scorers in the team’s new season, building on their success from last year. Young players, like freshman Justin Kuthan, have been contributing to the team’s success, too. Kuthan put up an impressive 17 points in the team’s recent matchup against Emory & Henry.
The women’s basketball team has had an equally impressive season holding an overall record of 4-1 (ODAC 2-1). The women’s team ranked 1st in the preseason poll as confidence grows in the team, which is likely to compete on a high level within the conference. Guard Renee Alquiza began the season with a 20-point game when the team faced the Shenandoah Hornets, after averaging 12.6 points per game in the 2019-20 season. In their recent victory against Virginia Wesleyan, Kristina Harrell and Ayanna Scarborough had 19- and 18- point games, respectively, capturing a 62-point margin of victory for the Maroons.
In the pool, both the men’s and women’s swim teams have walked away with wins in their two meets this season against the University of Lynchburg. Maddie Andrews, Sarah Virginia Scott, Kimberly Large, and Elizabeth Roberts finished 1st in the 400 medley relay for the women, while Richie Evans, Connor Kinkema, Ben Tate, and Nick McGrath finished 1st in the same event for the men. Their next meet is scheduled for Saturday, February 13th.
The men’s and women’s track & field teams have been hard at work since early January. On the women’s team, Alison Moreau finished 1st in the 600 meters and high jump event in the team’s most recent meet on February 6th, accompanied by Grace Fowler, Lily Lippert, Cammi Winston, and Zoe Dunlap who all placed 1st in their respective events. For the men, Corbin Turner and Hunter Bohon took 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the Pole Vault event, while Joseph Kenney took 1st in the Triple Jump, and Cooper Neeble took 1st in the 3000 meters. Xavier O’Brien ran a collegiate-best in the 60-meter hurdles on January 30th and went on to win yet again in the 200 meters on February 6th. While these successful seasons continue, fall and spring sports are gearing up for their upcoming start. Men’s and women’s tennis will kick off their season this weekend, followed by softball, baseball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s lacrosse later this month. Volleyball and field hockey both begin their season in March, finishing out the season openers for our Maroons.
As the competition starts heating up, we wish our Maroons the best this semester.
