By Amber Lubaszka
Winter sports conclude season as some are still in full swing. Many spring sports start off their 2018 seasons. Much is in store for many programs as they look to win East Coast Championships, Regional and National Titles as well as many honors, recognitions and awards.
Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field
The Men’s and Women’s Track and Field teams competed at the East Coast Conference Championship on Friday February 23rd at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. The Men’s team claimed their first indoor title as the Lady Spartans took 4th. To finish the indoor season, Saint Jacob Diodonet will compete at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championship in the 400 and 200 meters at the Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburg, KS.
The Spartans are set to begin their outdoor season in Miami, FL over spring break against Division II school Nova Southeastern and top Division I and II schools at the University of Miami Hurricane Invitational.
Men’s and Women’s Basketball
The Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams both won the ECC Championship in Rochester, NY and will advance to the Regional Championship respectively. Both teams are looking to continue their seasons by making it to the Division II Elite Eight Championship.
Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse
The Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse teams opened their 2018 seasons with the home opener on Sunday February 25th. The Lady Spartans fell to Merrimack 22-9 but beat Wilmington 16-12 on February 27th. They fell to NYIT in the ECC opener 16-6. The games continue over spring break with games against Nyack, Franklin Pierce, Caldwell and another ECC contestant, Robert Wesleyan. The Men’s team won their season opener against American International 13-6 but fell to Adelphi 22-7. They are also continuing their season over spring break against Wilmington and will play an ECC opener against Georgian Court Saturday March 17th.
Women’s Softball
The Lady Spartans opened their 2018 season in a non-conference double-header against Franklin Pierce with a split decision. In the opener, the Lady Spartans lost 8-1 but made a great come back in the second game, winning 7-1. The Women’s Softball team heads down to Florida with 10 games against teams from the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. After returning from Florida the Lady Spartans continue with non-conference doubleheaders against the college of Saint Rose, Holy Family, Caldwell, and Southern Connecticut.
Men’s Baseball
The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team starts the chase toward a National Championship title, as they are the returning NCAA East Regional Champs after finishing 3rd in the Elite Eight just a year ago. The Spartans also won the ECC Regular Season Championship. The Spartans opened their 2018 season with victories over Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Jefferson University and Westchester University at the Dinwiddie Challenge in Dinwiddie, Virginia. After multiple victories in Virginia, the Spartans are ranked #1 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Regional Poll and 5th Nationally.
The Thoma 