By Kara Armstrong
It was a busy first week of the semester for Golden Bear athletics. A total of nine teams saw action, and four (women’s bowling, men’s and women’s indoor track & field and softball) competed in multi-day competitions over the weekend.
Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball team started their week with an electrifying overtime win against East Stroudsburg University (62-58) on Wednesday, Jan. 29. With 1.2 seconds left on the clock, KU sent ESU guard Brie Droege to the foul line, where she made both shots, extending ESU’s lead to 53-50. KU guard Naia Pulliam took the inbounds pass from Shannon Remolde, hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime, during which the Golden Bears outscored ESU 9-5 to take home the win.
The Golden Bears earned a second win against Mansfield University (79-60) in an away game on Saturday, Feb. 1. Junior Leila Hurley led the team with a career-best 24 points. Saturday’s victory elevated KU (13-10 overall, 8-6 PSAC) to second place in the Eastern Division standings, just behind Lock Haven (14-6, 9-5).
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team fell short in their home game against ESU on Wednesday, Jan. 29, ending the night with an 88-69 loss. Sophomore guard Yahmir Satterfield led KU with 15 points and three three-pointers.
The Golden Bears competed again on Saturday, Feb. 1 in a close game at Mansfield University. KU’s Jalen Bryant led the team with 22 points, and Jordan Nkoa Abessolo followed just behind with 21 points. KU’s scoring success was not enough to defeat the Mountaineers, and KU took home an 87-78 loss.
Women’s Bowling
Women’s Bowling competed at Chestnut Hill College’s two-day Griffin Baker Classic on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2. The Golden Bears finished day one with wins against Adelphi (891-844), Alvernia (949-883), Caldwell (1023-992) and Dominican (1040-856). KU fell short against Felician, finishing with a 996-910 loss.
KU split day two of the classic with wins against Wilmington (913-840, baker) and Caldwell (4-1, best-of-seven baker) and losses against Belmont Abbey (949-863) and Felician (4-3).
Women’s Indoor Track & Field
The Golden Bears competed at the two-day Bucknell Bison Open & Multi on Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1. KU opened strong with Sophia Knerr’s 5000-meter first-place finish, and teammates Beth Schearer (200m) and Maura Lenhart (5000m) finished as runners-up.
Saturday produced two first place victories: Delaney Beard (triple jump)—who improved her second-best indoor triple jump in school history—and Raechel Bonner (500m). Kiana Young also posted the sixth-fastest 60m time in KU program history.
The two-day competition produced a total of nine PSAC qualifying finishes: Schearer (200m), Bonner (200m), Young (200m), Knerr (5000m), Lenhart (5000m), Taylor Funk (Pole Vault), Deandra Young (Mile), Jaelyn D’Amelio (3000m) and Beard (Triple Jump).
Men’s Indoor Track & Field
On day one of the Bucknell Bison Open & Multi, KU earned two second-place finishes: James Washburn (200m) and Robby Lloyd (5000m).
On day two, Michael Fellin made history, breaking KU’s program record for the fastest 60m time with a 6.76 second finish, earning him first place and an NCAA provisional time. Three additional Golden Bears posted first-place finishes: Port Habalar (1000m), Trey Hamlin III (triple jump) and Kyle Archie (high jump). Archie cleared 6’8.25″ to claim an NCAA provisional mark and the fifth-best jump in KU history.
Across two days of action, 12 Golden Bears earned PSAC qualifying finishes: Washburn (200m & 400m), Lloyd (5000m), Daron Haggans (200m & 60m), Steele Wrigley (200m & 400m), Peyton Small (5000m), Fellin (60m), Adam Brocato (Mile), Habalar (1000m), Hamlin III (Long Jump & Triple Jump), Archie (High Jump), Jake Kelly (Shot Put) and Jacob Solonoski (Weight Throw).
Softball
KU softball kicked off its season at the three-day UNC Pembroke Invitational, finishing its five games undefeated. Across all games, KU’s total margin of victory totaled 54-15, including three run-rules and one shutout. The Golden Bears boast a 5-0 start to the season for the first since 2012, when the team went undefeated for their first eight games.
In Saturday’s 17-4 victory over Felician, the Golden Bears tied for most runs in a game since a 17-10 win over East Stroudsburg on April 14, 2009.
Women’s Swimming
Saturday’s USMMA Memorial Invite provided one last opportunity for the Golden Bears to qualify for the PSAC Championships. Olivia Bing and Lorelei Grove capitalized on this opportunity, earning new PSAC qualifying times in the 1650 Freestyle. They will join a handful of athletes already qualified for the Championships, a four-day event spanning Feb. 17 to Feb. 20.
Six other athletes earned PSAC qualifying times: Ana Soto in the 100 Freestyle, Kara Damico in the 50 Freestyle, Frannie Pease-Wingenter in the 50 Freestyle, Birta Smaradottir in the 400 IM, Phoebe Armes in the 200 Freestyle and Tatum Rothermel in the 200 Breaststroke.
Men’s Swimming
Freshman Matheson Bair made a splash at Saturday’s USMMA Memorial Invite, capturing first-place finishes in 100- and 500-yard Freestyle events. Bair’s 500 free time of 4:48.66 was both a personal best and the seventh-fastest time in KU history.
The Golden Bears produced three PSAC qualifying times: Bair’s 100- and 500-yard freestyle finishes and freshman RJ Otten’s third-place finish in the 200 breaststroke.
Wrestling
The Golden Bears battled to a come-from-behind 25-19 victory over the Gannon Golden Knights on Saturday, Feb. 1. After an early point deficit, KU’s Jimmy Ryan, Bailey Gimbor, Dalton Gimbor and Wayne McIntyre captured wins by decision. Matthew Weinberg secured a one-minute pin against his opponent at 184 pounds.
Freddie Retter’s 285-pound match against Daeshawn Larry (GU), decided Saturday’s victor. Retter secured a pin after 1:02 minutes of action to secure the Golden Bears’ first win over Gannon since 2019.