Women’s track and field came second at indoor nationals. (Courtesy of WashU Athletics)

While many Washington University students were enjoying their time off from school over break, WashU’s student athletes stayed busy, competing against top-tier Division III opponents. This week, a few winter sports seasons came to an end with national championships in indoor track and field, as well as basketball, while spring sports, including baseball, softball, tennis, and golf competed against elite opponents in spring break matchups. Here’s a quick look back at everything you missed in WashU sports over break.

Track & field

At the NCAA Division III indoor nationals, the WashU’s women’s team finished national runner-up for the second year in a row. WashU ended the two-day meet with 49 points, just two shy of national champions Loras College. The Bears’ performance was highlighted by a new DIII record set by senior Emma Kelley in the 800m, and WashU athletes earned all-American honors in seven individual events and two relays. The men’s team, which only had three athletes compete, finished tied for 43rd place. Up next, the Bears will look to carry the momentum into a strong outdoor season, starting with the WashU Triangular on March 23. Read more about the teams’ performances here: Women’s track and field finishes as runners-up at indoor nationals, Emma Kelley sets NCAA record, Lichtenberger sets school record as men’s track and field competes at indoor nationals.  

Men’s basketball

After winning two thrilling home games to start the NCAA tournament, the WashU men’s basketball team’s season came to an end with an 86-65 loss to Trine University’s team, which would go on to win their first ever National Championship. The Bears ended the season with a 20-8 record, winning 20 games for the second year in a row. Junior guard Hayden Doyle, who led the Bears in scoring, was named a second-team all-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Read more here: Men’s basketball ends tournament run with Sweet 16 loss. 

Women’s basketball

While WashU women’s basketball’s season ended before break, the past week brought some news for the team. First-year center Lexy Harris was named the d3hoops.com National Rookie of the Year, while senior guard Jessica Brooks and Harris were named to the website’s all-region teams. In addition, New York University, the only team who finished ahead of WashU in the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings, completed its undefeated season with a national championship victory.

Shane Pellegrino and Kaden Bernhard both have batting averages above .370. (Jialing Sun | Student Life)

Baseball

Over break, WashU baseball, which is receiving votes (RV) but outside the DIII baseball top 25, went 7-2. The Bears started with a dominant series sweep over the University of Chicago, outscoring the Maroons 38-9 over three games. From there, they split two games at Rhodes College, including a 15-12 win thanks to a go-ahead three home run in the ninth inning by sophomore Shane Pellegrino. The Bears wrapped up the busy week by going 3-1 against RV Gustavus Adolphus College. WashU will play RV Webster University on Wednesday, before hosting No. 7 University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in a three-game series this weekend.

Softball

After winning its first four games of the season, WashU softball put its undefeated start on the line in a busy spring break trip to Alabama and Georgia. The Bears split three doubleheaders against Birmingham-Southern College, LaGrange College, and Huntingdon College, going 3-3 on the week. The team will put its 7-3 record on the line with six home games this week on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

Men’s tennis

In a trip out west, No. 2 WashU men’s tennis went head to head with some of the best teams NCAA Division III has to offer. The Bears started with a loss at Azusa Pacific University before bouncing back to beat Westcliff University and No. 25 California Institute of Technology (Caltech). From there, however, WashU struggled, falling 8-1 to No. 6 Bowdoin College and 5-4 to No. 11 Sewanee: University of the South, who the Bears beat just three weeks ago at the indoor national championships. WashU will look to rebound with big matchups against No. 7 Claremont Mudd-Scripps and Skidmore College at home on next Friday, March 29.

Women’s tennis

No. 17 WashU women’s tennis also traveled to California to take on elite DIII competition. The Bears, who had been undefeated against DIII opponents this year, fell to No. 1 Claremont Mudd-Scripps 6-3 to start the week, but rebounded for a dominant 9-0 win over No. 27 Caltech and wins over No. 28 Bowdoin College and No. 31 Chapman University. The team, who is 8-2 on the season, will have a week off before traveling to San Antonio, Texas for matches on March 29 and 30.

Women’s golf

The No. 11 women’s golf team teed off its spring season with a second place finish at the Savannah Invitational. No. 3 Carnegie Mellon University won the 18-team invitational. Junior Sydney Kuo, who was named Ping DIII Player of the Year last year, tied for sixth shooting two over par, while first-year Amy Beanblossom and sophomore Tiffany Chan tied for eighth both shooting three over par.