The wait is over. The Walsh Cavaliers returned to competitive play this spring after COVID-19 shutdown most of the fall season. This spring, a total of 20 of Walsh’s 22 athletic teams are competing, with several athletes already earning national rankings and setting new school records.

Outside of competition, Walsh’s student athletes also earned national recognition for their community engagement and commitment to service as a finalist for the NCAA Division II 2021 Award of Excellence for the third straight year and fourth time in five years. Walsh was recognized in large part for our support of the Walk for Freedom this past October. 

Spring will mark the first time lacrosse and soccer athletes are able to compete in Walsh’s new home stadium, Larry Staudt Field. Basketball, bowling, track and field, golf, lacrosse, tennis, softball and volleyball seasons have already begun. This March will see season openers for football (March 13, Tiffin University), baseball (March 5, California University of Pennsylvania), men’s soccer (March 10, Gannon University) and women’s soccer (March 6, Ashland University). For the most up-to-date information, visit walsh.edu/athletics or follow the Cavaliers on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Season highlights to-date include:

Volleyball: For the first time in the Division II era, the Walsh women's volleyball team was ranked nationally in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Top 25 Poll (February 10). After being #11 in the first rankings, the Cavaliers jumped into the top ten in the latest poll.

Women’s Basketball: In late January, Mayci Sales was named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Player of the Week. Lexie Scarton also made her debut on ESPN Sports Center with a half court buzzer beater earning the “Top Shot from Long Range” honor. Watch the video here: https://twitter.com/i/status/1352679181465739264. Head coach Kate Bruce reached 100 career wins with the Cavaliers on February 11 at Findlay.

Softball: On February 4, the preseason G-MAC Head Coaches Poll ranked Walsh 9th in the conference, earning 42 votes. 

Men’s Basketball: Head Coach Jeff Young earned national ranking in the Top 10 for winning percentage of active NCAA head coaches (min. 10 years coaching). Jeff is the all-time winningest coach in Walsh University history and is in his 17th year as head coach.

Men’s Tennis: Jakob Riglewski earned back-to-back G-MAC Athlete of the Week Honors this February. To date, it is the third time he has earned the honor in his career. 

Women’s Indoor Track and Field: Ndidiamaka Anaraodo was named G-MAC Indoor Field Athlete of the Week on Tuesday, February 16. At that time, she was ranked 5th in NCAA DII for the shot put.  She also set the shot put school record (15.06 meters) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on February 13. Alexa Leppelmeier also broke the school record, twice this season, for the 3000 meter run with a time of 9:38.85 after previously breaking the Walsh record on January 30 by shaving nearly six seconds off the previous mark (9:46.60). Leppelmeier reached a NCAA Division II Provisional mark in her record-breaking run. 

Men’s Track and Field: During the Youngstown State Collegiate Invitational on January 30, Jacob Caniford (8:23.79 - PR) and Mitchel Dunham (8:26.00 - PR) both broke previous school records for 3000-meters, while finishing second and fourth place, respectively.

Football: On February 18, Walsh was slotted fifth of seven teams in the G-MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving 15 votes. 

Men’s Lacrosse: In the Great Midwest Preseason Coaches Poll released on February 19, Walsh was picked to finish 4th in the conference, earning 22 votes. The team gave Larry Staudt Field a debut on February 21, as the team hosted Roberts Wesleyan for the 2021 home opener.