With the 2020-2021 Academic Year coming to an end, the Seattle University Athletics have done well despite the adversity they have faced with the pandemic and online schooling. Many Redhawks found their names on All-WAC honor lists and their academic success has not gone unnoticed alongside their on-the-field accomplishments. 

For the fall quarter, the compiled average Grade Point Average (GPA) of all seventeen Division I teams was 3.447. With the success, 53 student-athletes achieved a 4.0 GPA. Seattle U continued their academic success among student athletes in the Winter Quarter with a cumulative GPA of 3.404. 

Along with Academic achievements, Seattle U’s teams finished with two Western Athletic Conference (WAC) season titles as the women’s soccer team and softball team found themselves atop their respective sports.

Among the title-clinching success, Redhawks on both the softball and women’s soccer teams saw their players gain national recognition for their success. Seniors Aly Choate, Carley Nance and Bailey Thompson of the softball team were recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Organization following their outstanding careers for the Redhawks. Choate finished the season leading in batting average, on-base percentage and hits. Nance was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the WAC tournament for a second season in a row. Thompson graduates as the best catcher to play at Seattle U with a batting average of .333 in 47 starts this season. The Seattle U community thanks Choate, Nance and Thompson for their success on the field. 

Seattle U Baseball finished their season this weekend with a loss to the University of Texas Rio Grande 19-9. The Redhawks finished the 2021 season 18-33 overall and won five of their last eight games. Freshman Nestor German and Senior Connor O’Brien named to WAC All-Tournament Team. They were the second set of SeattleU teammates in the program’s history to be recognized in the same season as members of the WAC All-Tournament Team. 

Womens soccer star and Junior Sydney Carr was named WAC Offensive Player of the Year as well as a nod to the All-WAC first team following their shared regular season title with Utah Valley. Michele Adam and Ava Benedetti joined Carr in making the All-WAC first team. Hallie Bergford took home the WAC Freshman of the Year award as Sarah Creighton joined her on the WAC all freshman team. Seattle U finished second place in the WAC tournament falling to Utah Valley State 1-0. 

The Men’s Soccer team also saw players on All-WAC team lists. Redshirt Senior Noe Meza made the All-WAC first team while Senior Alex Action-Petronotis (10 goals in nine matches), Habib Barry (four goals and one assist in eight appearances), and Redshirt Junior Akili Kasim (27th highest save percentage in the nation) were named to the Second Team All-WAC. Seattle U fell in the semifinal of the WAC conference tournament 2-0 to eventual champions Grand Canyon University. 

The men’s basketball team finished the season with a record of 11-10. They fell to eventual champions Grand Canyon University 81-47 in the WAC conference semifinals. The disappointing season was elevated with the success of the Redhawks top scorers Darrion Trammel and Riley Grigsby. Grigsby was named to the All-WAC Second Team. Trammel was named to the All-WAC Newcomer team and to the All-WAC First team. Unfortunately for Seattle U, Trammel announced his decision to transfer at the end of the season. 

The women’s basketball team capped their season off with a record of 11-14. Despite the losing season, individual players found success by being named to All-WAC teams. Bree Clahoun earned the WAC Defensive Player of the Year, WAC all-newcomer team, WAC all-defensive team and All-WAC Honorable mention. She also finished third nationally in steals per game. 

The Men’s Golf Team ended their season this Spring finishing in fifth place at the WAC Championship. Junior Nathan Cogswell was named to the All-WAC First team. The Women’s Golf team completed their season with a third place at the WAC Championship. Samantha Bruce earned her way to the All-WAC Second while also setting a program record for the lowest score on a 36 hole event. 

The Mens and Womens Tennis teams both lost in the semi-finals of their WAC tournaments, but received recognition for their players on All-WAC teams. Senior Peggy Rooke was named to the All-tournament team for her performance in the singles category. Senior Eli Oglivy collected an All-WAC second team award for both singles and doubles. Senior Lucas CerBelli joined Oglivy on the All-WAC Second team in the doubles category. 

Seattle U’s Track & Field finished sixth overall at the WAC Championship. They secured a conference championship, eight All-WAC Second-Team nods and one new school record. Sophomore Nicole Whittern claimed the conference title in the javelin with her win coming in at 42.63m. Junior Tricht Jocelyn set a new school record in the 200m with a time of 24.80 which was good enough to earn her sixth place. Sophomore Mens runner Ansel Pendley-Griffin set a new school record May 1 in the 800m with a time of 1:52.72.  

The Women’s Swimming team finished their season with an eighth place finish. Danika Himes achieved an All-WAC Second Team selection for her performance in the 200m breaststroke. Cassie Koester at the WAC Championships had her career best performance in the team 1650 freestyle. Koester jumped up to fifth on the programs all time list for freestyle swimming. The Men’s team placed sixth overall at the end of the season. Jack Neton received an All-WAC honor with a seventh place finish in the 200m breaststroke. 

The Women and Men’s Cross Country finished their shortened season February 27 at the WAC Conference Championship in Seattle, WA. Sophomore Emily Harris finished 13th overall, enough to earn her a spot on the All-WAC second team. For the men, Senior Kyle Kennedy placed 35th. 

All of the Athletics at Seattle U should be proud of their results. Although not successfully in securing championships, the Redhawks did well academically and on the field given a year full of challenges. With a quick turnaround for soccer and softball, athletes will use this summer for a much needed break before next year’s season starts.