The Bear Beats: A Weekly Roundup of Athletics at Washington University in St. Louis

18th Edition: January 8 – January 15, 2024

Men’s Basketball: A Resounding Victory and a Thrilling Overtime Escape

The No. 14 Washington University in St. Louis men’s basketball team maintained its winning momentum, securing two decisive victories in the past week. Their undefeated UAA record remained intact, propelling them to a remarkable 12-2 overall record and a 2-1 mark within the conference.

The Bears’ first triumph came against the then 23rd-ranked Emory University Eagles, who now occupy the 22nd spot. In a hard-fought battle, WashU emerged victorious with a narrow 85-81 scoreline. Junior Kyle Beedon led the charge for the Bears, delivering a team-high 20 points. Junior Drake Kindsvater also made a significant impact, nearly achieving a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds. Junior Hayden Doyle further contributed to the victory with 17 points and six assists.

The following contest against the University of Rochester Yellowjackets proved to be a nail-biter. The game stretched into overtime, with both teams locked in a tense battle. However, the Bears demonstrated their resilience and determination, ultimately prevailing with a thrilling 80-79 victory. Sophomore Calvin Kapral emerged as the leading scorer with a game-high 21 points. Kindsvater continued his impressive performances, recording 18 points and nine rebounds. Beedon added 12 points to the Bears’ tally, while sophomore Yogi Oliff earned a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Women’s Basketball: Close Contests and Valuable Lessons Learned

The WashU women’s basketball team faced a challenging week, encountering two close UAA contests that resulted in defeats. Despite the setbacks, the Bears displayed their tenacity and fighting spirit, striving to improve and learn from each experience. Their overall record now stands at 8-6, with a 1-2 mark in conference play.

In the first game of the week, the Bears fell to the then sixth-ranked (now No. 10) Emory Eagles by a mere three points. This loss marked the end of WashU’s five-game winning streak. Senior Jessica Brooks led the team with 18 points and nine rebounds, demonstrating her consistent contributions. Junior Brenna Loftus also made a notable impact with 15 points and seven rebounds. First-year Catherine Goodwin added 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, showcasing her all-around abilities.

The second contest against the Rochester Yellowjackets was another closely fought battle, with the Bears narrowly losing 75-71. First-year Sidney Rogers had a career-high performance, scoring 21 points and showcasing her offensive prowess. First-year Lexy Harris also contributed significantly with 20 points and five rebounds. Brooks once again displayed her versatility, notching a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Goodwin contributed 10 points and six rebounds, rounding out the Bears’ scoring efforts.

Men’s Track and Field: Returning to Action with Impressive Victories

The WashU men’s track and field team returned to competition at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, showcasing their talents and securing victories in four out of 15 scored events.

Senior Alex Djetto demonstrated his dominance in the 400-meter race, crossing the finish line with a time of 51.25, claiming the top spot. Sophomore James Corbett also secured a victory in the 800-meter event, outpacing his competitors with a time of 1:56.47. The Bears’ 4 x 400 relay team, consisting of first-year Alex Gardner, first-year William Frohling, graduate student Jackson Cox, and Djetto, displayed their teamwork and coordination, winning the event with a time of 3:23.30. Additionally, sophomore George Bourdier soared to victory in the pole vault, clearing a height of 4.80m.

No. 10 Men’s Swimming and Diving: A Weekend of Mixed Results

The No. 10 WashU men’s swimming and diving team engaged in a series of competitions this past weekend, experiencing both triumphs and setbacks.

In their encounter with the UMSL Tritons, the Bears emerged victorious with a final score of 130.00-75.00. The 200 medley relay team, comprising senior Alex McCormick, junior Justin Rockaway, junior Nathan Lin, and senior Austin Bick, set the tone for the victory with a winning time of 1:33.74. Sophomore Ethan Feng claimed the top spot in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:42.54, while Bick secured the 50 freestyle victory with a mark of 21.30. Feng continued his success by winning the 100 freestyle event in 47.15. Senior Kyle Wolford dominated the 100 backstroke, finishing first with a time of 50.77. Sophomore Orluke Borjigin demonstrated his endurance in the 500 freestyle, touching the wall first with a time of 4:44.13.

However, in their subsequent meet against the McKendree Bearcats, WashU faced a tougher challenge, resulting in a 178.00-102.00 defeat. Despite the loss, Feng continued to shine, winning the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:41.66. Junior Danny Sibley claimed the 400 IM title with a mark of 4:04.15. The team of Feng, Rockaway, Lin, and Bick once again collaborated to win the 200 freestyle relay, this time with a time of 1:24.84.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events and Challenges

The upcoming week promises a series of exciting competitions for WashU’s athletic teams.

The women’s track and field team will travel to Bloomington, Illinois, to participate in Illinois Wesleyan University’s I-55 Triangular, where they will showcase their skills and compete against other talented athletes.

The men’s track and field team will also make the short trip to Bloomington, Illinois, to compete in IWU’s annual I-55 Triangular, seeking to continue their winning momentum and demonstrate their athletic abilities.

The women’s basketball team will embark on a road trip, facing two challenging UAA opponents. They will first battle against New York University in New York City, followed by a matchup against Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. These games will test the Bears’ resilience and determination as they strive for success in conference play.

The men’s basketball team will also hit the road for a pair of UAA contests. They will face New York University in New York City before traveling to Waltham, Massachusetts, to take on Brandeis University. These games will be crucial in determining the Bears’ standing in the conference and their pursuit of a UAA championship.

The men’s swimming and diving team will venture to Greencastle, Indiana, for a dual meet against DePauw University, where they will aim to showcase their aquatic prowess and secure a victory.

Meanwhile, the women’s swimming and diving team will also travel to Greencastle, Indiana, to compete against DePauw University in a dual meet. They will strive to build on their previous performances and achieve success in the pool.

Check back next week for another edition of The Bear Beats, where we’ll bring you the latest news and highlights from Washington University in St. Louis Athletics. Go Bears!