THE EXCITEMENT around Salisbury University Athletics undoubtedly reaches a fever pitch in the spring. At least one Sea Gull team has competed in the final round of an NCAA Tournaments in eight consecutive spring championship seasons dating back to 2016. So it was again this May, with women’s lacrosse standing as one of the final two teams in their bracket, but they were far from the only maroon-and-golds to experience the thrill of victory more so than the agony of defeat.
If spring is a time for new life and bloom, consider SU among the most fruitful gardens in all of college athletics.
Behind a National Defender of the Year in Natalie Held and four All-Americans, Jim Nestor’s women’s lacrosse side won its fourth straight Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) championship and advanced to the national championship game for the 10th time in program history. SU hosted NCAA Tournament action all the way up to the Final Four and avenged an earlier loss to William Smith by winning 13-10 in the national semifinal.
Salisbury men’s lacrosse also experienced a typically outstanding spring. With National Player of the Year John DeFazio and Midfielder of the Year Jack Dowd leading the way, the Sea Gulls completed an undefeated regular season, cruised to the Coastal Lacrosse Conference (CLC) title and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.
Sea Gull baseball and softball also made deep runs into their NCAA Tournaments, winning regional titles for the fourth and third consecutive years, respectively, and each hosting their third straight Super Regional rounds. Abby Mace rewrote the SU record book on the way to becoming a Four-Time All-American (see article on page 41), while Andrew Kell batted over .500 for the bulk of a breakout season.
On the track, the Sea Gulls saw athletes pick up All-America accolades during the indoor and outdoor national championship meets. Rashawn Markman finished sixth in the indoor triple jump, and Kai Smith crossed fourth in the outdoor 200 meters for SU’s highest national placement since 2018.
The SU tennis teams also returned to form during the spring, enjoying successful March swings through Georgia and posting identical 14-5 records while contending strongly for NCAA Tournament berths.
If spring is a time for new life and bloom, consider SU among the most fruitful gardens in all of college athletics.
10th
Time Women’s Lacrosse Has Advanced to the National Championship Game
.444
Batting Average From Andrew Kell
28
Combined Men’s & Women’s Tennis Wins
3rd
Consecutive Year Softball Won Regional Titles
Pictured above from left:
Natalie Held in the NCAA semifinals vs. William Smith
Kai Smith recorded the best All-America finish for a Sea Gull track & field athlete in six years
Gibelle Beaujon was named C2C Rookie of the Year