Fast Break: Bearcats climb aboard the struggle bus

A duck in a Willamette jersey about to score a goal on the soccer field while the crowd cheers behind them. Art by Wes Mowry-Silverman.

Hello, Bearcat Fan! It was a rough weekend in Bearcat sports, but as the sun comes out and spring break approaches rapidly, there is hope yet for a rebound for our glorious Willamette athletics. Maybe. Onto the news!

Track and field headed up to Newberg to compete in the Rich Allen Classic on Saturday, securing some solid finishes. On the women’s side, Juniper Ammirati (’28) secured a No. 1 finish in 400-meter hurdles with a personal best time of 1:10.21, and Amanda McArthur (’28) also took No. 1 in triple jump, recording a 10.44 meter personal best as well. Solid day for the second-years.

On the men’s side, the Bearcats dominated in long distance, earning three spots of the top five in the 5K, including a No. 1 finish from Thomas Bernadicou (’29).

Softball faced off against reigning NWC champions Linfield in two doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday in McMinnville, getting swept by the Wildcats and only scoring one run in all four matchups.

Baseball traveled south to California to play Cal Lutheran and Redlands, winning one game out of three against the Kingsmen and losing 9-14 against the Bulldogs. 

Lacrosse were once again defeated by their mortal enemies, the George Fox Bruins, at home on Sunday 9-20.

Women’s golf is still only Saida Seelig (’26), who tied for No. 27 of 53 individual competitors at the Willamette Valley Cup.

Defending champions men’s golf tied for No. 2 at the Willamette Valley Cup with their bitter rivals, the Whitman Blues, while the Linfield Wildcats took No. 1 overall. 

Women’s tennis lost to Pacific 0-7 on Saturday and Linfield 3-4 on Sunday, sweeping the Wildcats in doubles matchups.

Men’s tennis lost to both Pacific and Linfield 1-6 away over the weekend.

In the wider world of sport: Team USA knocked out the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic on a very controversial third strike call on Sunday, and advanced to the championship on Tuesday. March Madness Tournament brackets were also announced on Sunday for both the men’s and the women’s NCAA, with Duke taking the No. 1 seed for the men and UConn for the women. 

In the coming weeks: Softball, track and field, tennis and lacrosse all compete on Tuesday, with tennis taking on Salisbury University from the great state of Maryland, track competing against cross-town rival Corban, softball Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, and lacrosse the formidable Pomona Pitzer. Spring sports then head out or remain in Salem for a week of competition over spring break while you NARPs get to go home and “relax.”