In Review

The Yellowjacket varsity teams are coming off one of the most successful years in the history of Rochester’s athletic programs as they head into the 2019–20 year.

Over the course of last year’s campaigns, 11 sports were represented in national postseason competition—10 in the NCAAs and squash in the top level of the College Squash Association championships—for the 10th consecutive season. Rochester students received All-America honors in field hockey, men’s soccer, men’s basketball, squash, and women’s track and field—both indoors and outdoors.

Rochester had six students voted to the Google Cloud Academic All-America Team in the sports of men’s soccer, baseball, softball, women’s indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Eighteen student-athletes were elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the international honor society.

The first home event takes place September 1.

Here’s a look at what’s ahead this fall:

Men’s cross country The early part of the season will be spent rounding out a consistent top five as the bigger events arrive, including the University Athletic Association championships and the NCAA Atlantic regional meet. Look for rising senior Ivan Frantz to lead the way, after finishing 60th at 2018 NCAA regional and turning in a really strong junior track season in the 5,000 meters. Rising senior Ryley Robinson should be another top returner to watch, as he was the team’s third finisher at the UAAs. Hunter Phinney ’19 capped his senior season last year with all–UAA and all-regional honors and an invitation to the 2018 NCAA championships, where he finished 49th.

Women’s cross country Four of the top five runners return from the squad that finished 21st at the NCAA championships last fall. Rising senior Kelly Reese finished second among Yellowjacket runners at UAAs, regionals, and nationals. Rising senior Jordan Hurlbut was Rochester’s third finisher at UAAs and in the top five at regionals and nationals. Rising junior Ximena Reyes Torres was the team’s No. 3 runner at the NCAA championships, and rising senior Julia Myers will also be a key returner after finishing as Rochester’s fourth runner at nationals.

Field hockey The Yellowjackets have solidified the program as a bona fide Division III power. Rochester enters the 2019 season having played in four consecutive NCAA tournaments, reaching the national quarterfinals three times. A number of veterans return, including all-league seniors Maya Haigis, Colleen Maille, and goaltender Kate Kujawa. Six of the top eight scorers are back. Kujawa set University records for victories last year (19) and shutouts (12).

Football More than 50 newcomers, many of them first-years, will be vying for playing time as Rochester continues to build and strengthen the program. Rising sophomore Caden Cole and rising junior Adam Baghi earned all–Liberty League honors a year ago. Rising sophomore Noah Shinaman caught 46 passes in 2018, four of them for touchdowns. Rising junior placekicker Dawson Klinger made six of nine field goal attempts and was 13–14 on PATs.

Men’s soccer Rochester takes the field in 2019 off its most successful season ever. The Yellowjackets reached the national semifinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs and were 16–3–2 overall. They were ranked No. 3 by the NCAA and No. 4 by the coaches association at the end of 2018. Seven players with starting experience return to the lineup. Six are rising seniors: Aidan Miller, Josh Cooley, Ulrik Koren, Mitch Volis, Zach Lawlor, and Cristian Baltier.

Women’s soccer The Yellowjackets were rewarded for playing one of the toughest strength of schedules in the country last fall. They played in the NCAA Division III tournament. Nine women who started 10 or more games last year are back. Rising sophomores Carolyn Richards and Cesca Sheppard combined for seven goals last year; five were game- winning goals. Rising senior Jorie Freitag scored two game-winners. Rising sophomore Emma Schechter posted a 1.00 goals-against-average last year and made 60 saves in 16 games.

Volleyball Six players who played in 30 or more matches last year return. Rising junior Allie DeRubertis led the team in kills (380), was ranked 64th in Division III and second in the UAA. Rising senior Beth Ghyzel had 1,129 assists, 10th highest in a single season at Rochester. She was ranked 31st in Division III. Classmate Kate Korslund had 114 kills and 27 blocks in 2018. Rising junior Tamera Shaw contributed 117 kills and 72 blocks. She was top-20 in the UAA in four block categories. Rising senior Sara Apanavicius posted a team-best 430 digs.

---

Dennis O’Donnell is director of communications for the Department of Athletics and Recreation.