The WashU track and field teams kicked off the second half of their season with a strong performance at the John Craft Invitational, hosted by Eastern Illinois University on Jan. 18. Competing against a mix of Division I and II programs, the Bears showcased their depth and talent across track and field events. 

In sports that are defined by endurance, the toughest section of a race or competition is often the last turn into the home stretch, with the finish just in sight — the infamous “turn three” in track and field, where races are won and lost. For the WashU men’s and women’s swim teams, their seasons are approaching this strenuous, demanding third turn. 

All I want right now is to be a fan among many at Wash. U. sporting events. To have something to care about, and other people to share it with.

The Washington University men’s tennis team gave Division I Butler University their best shot on Monday morning.

On Tuesday, top NCAA brass voted to begin a process of changing the rules that currently prevent student-athletes from making money. As is always the case with the NCAA, there is a lot to unpack here.

Division III, for the most part, does not have any of the pretensions of professionalism that ruin Division I. That’s not to say the people who run Wash. U. sports aren’t professional—everyone employed by the athletic department is incredibly good at their job—but there is so much less money at stake that so many of the things that ruin college sports in general are more or less gone at the Division III level.

That young girl was Jenn Dynis, current senior and captain of the Washington University women’s basketball team. She’s one of three players on the women’s basketball team who transferred from Division I programs, the other two being senior Zoe Vernon and sophomore Madeline Homoly.

Up against Division I University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign—a program with 17 Big Ten championships—the Washington University men’s basketball team led for most of the first half, fell behind by as much as 29 and finally went on a 18-1 run to close the gap. It was enough to make the sparse exhibition game crowd shift in their seats but not enough to beat a team that occasionally sends players to the NBA.

Washington University’s rugby team, which currently competes at the USA Rugby Division II level, will be moving up to Division I in fall 2016.

The Washington University swimming and diving teams made a splash in their season opener with a pair of victories over Division I Saint Louis University.