From senior fencer Jackie Leval’s third-place finish at the North American Cup Division II Women’s Sabre to freshman Matt Powers’ 200-meter dash NYU record of 22.18, NYU athletes continue to strive to accomplish new goals. There are currently six different sports and 10 NYU teams in season. Violets range from seniors playing their final games to freshmen making their college debut. Here is a snapshot of where each of the NYU teams stand.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team is currently on a four-game losing streak while on the road, most recently losing to Emory University 61-80.
“We have been struggling on the road during UAA play, but we are looking to turn it around with a stretch of home games coming up,” said junior captain Carl Yaffe. The Violets’ record is 12-6 so far with seven games left in the regular season, including the University of Rochester on Feb. 1 at Coles Sports Center.
Women’s Basketball
Women’s basketball had quite the shake-up this season, with only two returning players and nine new teammates. Understandably, the Violets are 8-10 as they try to find their groove. The next game for the women is Feb. 1 against the University of Rochester at Coles.
Men’s Fencing
Men’s fencing is 4-10 after they suffered losses five colleges at the NYU Invitational on Jan. 27. NYU was victorious over Wayne State University 23-4. They will be attending the upcoming Eric Sollee Invitational on Feb. 3, in Cambridge, Mass.
Women’s Fencing
Women’s fencing is currently 4-11, having just competed at the NYU Invitational on Jan. 27. While the Violets did lose to Ohio State, St. John’s, University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University, they were victorious against Wayne State and Division I Yale University. In the close match against Yale, NYU won the match 15-12. The Violets will also be competing alongside the men at the Eric Sollee Invitational.
Men’s Swimming and Diving
The team has gone 3-7 this season. Co-captain and senior Dan Isaacson was honored at the last home game of the season on Jan. 26, when the Violets won 149-65, against the Vassar College Brewers. Sophomore Jerry Crowley won the 50-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle against Vassar. “We’ve held up well against some of the best colleges in the nation, and I expect us to be very competitive in our conference meet in February,” Crowley said. The Violets have the University Athletic Association Championships on Feb. 14 to 16 at the University of Chicago.
Women’s Swimming and Diving
The team recorded their fourth win this season against Vassar College on Jan. 26, 147-76. Their record is now 4-5, with the UAA Championships at the University of Chicago on Feb. 14 to 16.
Men’s Track and Field
Men’s track and field has gotten the season off to a solid start, finishing ninth of 16 teams at the NYU Team Challenge and ninth of 14 teams at the NYC Metro Championships. Freshman Matt Powers has had a very strong collegiate debut, winning the 200-meter dash at Metro.
“I am very happy to have such early success, but I also just want to remain focused on getting better as the season progresses,” Powers said.
The Violets will return to the track on Feb. 8 at the Boston University Valentine Invitational in Boston, Mass.
Women’s Track and Field
The women’s track and field team has been breaking NYU records left and right. At the NYU Team Challenge, where the team finished sixth, sophomore Caroline Spring set a new school record in the 500-meter with a time of 1:18.58. At the second competition of the season, junior Emily Cousens ran a record-breaking 9:53.51 in the 3,000 meters, while the 4×800-meter relay team recorded a time of 9:43.21. The Violets will also compete at the Boston University Valentine Invitational.
Men’s Volleyball
Men’s volleyball is 1-1 after winning their second game of the season against Ramapo College to make up for the season opener against Division I Harvard University. The Violets dropped the first set 24-26 but took the next three 25-23, 25-16 and 25-22. Freshman Drew Steiner led the teams in kills with 12, while freshmen Nick Benson and Colin LaPorte contributed 11 kills each.
“It was good to get the win, but we need to play a lot cleaner if we expect to have a successful season,” Steiner said.
The Violets return to the court on Jan. 29, against Hunter College.
Men’s Wrestling
As of Jan. 26, the Violets were ranked 20th nationally by the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Poll.
“Despite the bumps I’ve experienced in the season, the end goal remains the same, to win regionals then win nationals.” Senior David Rice, who is ranked seventh in the NWCA individual rankings for the 165 weight class
The wrestling team will compete next at Muhlenberg College on Feb. 2 in Allentown, Pa.
Click on the photo below to view a photo gallery of NYU sports players:
A version of this article appeared in the Jan. 28 print edition. Mary Jane Dumankaya is sports editor. Email her at [email protected].