By Dylan Weaver

As the spring season of collegiate athletics begins and continues for many athletes here at Colorado State University Pueblo a busy schedule ensues with several different teams taking action. Throughout the next four months from February to May there will be four different men’s teams that will find action and five women’s teams will see competition as well. Below is a showcase of who each team is and what they are looking for in this upcoming season.

Baseball: The Pack begins a new year of baseball under the leadership of coach Bobby Applegate who enters his second year at the helm after leading the team to a 27-26 record in his first season. After falling in the consolation bracket of the RMAC tournament and ending last season just a game over .500 the team looks to come back and improve on last season. Being credited the #22 ranked recruiting class in the nation for Division two and having multiple junior college transfers, the men have bolstered their team of last year and face a strong schedule this year that features multiple ranked opponents and even some division one school.

Softball: Another team who saw a new coach at the reins this past season was the women of the softball team. In coach, Bianca Duran’s first season with the lady Thunderwolves they were led to a 21-24 record and after a tough finish to end the season narrowly missed the conference tournament. Only eight players return from last year’s team and they are led by a strong freshman class who look to make a move up in the conference this year after being tabbed to finish in 8th place.

Golf: 

Mens: After an impressive 2021/2022 campaign that featured winning the RMAC Championship, taking the crown of the West/South Central Region, and a trip to the national tournament the men’s golf team of CSUP looks to repeat all these actions in yet another strong year for the program. Two team wins in the fall of 2022 already have started this ride for the Pack and as the season starts in early February hopes are high. Senior Liam Duncan returns this year once again as a reigning all-american and is accompanied by Matt Milar who saw himself earn two RMAC Player of the Week awards this fall. 

Womens: A young team this prior season will be in the works to move up the ranks this year after a solid fall season and the return of key players like Kylie Severin who was an all-conference pick. Picked to finish third in the RMAC the ladies will look to make a push at the title and see if their youthful team can prove to be a force to reckon with.

Track & Field: 

Mens: Closing up last season with finishes in the finals at the D2 National Championships the men’s track team, who saw six all-region members last season are returning five in hopes of getting to the national stage again. After finishing up the indoor portion of their season this winter outdoor action will start with five different events coming to the Thunderbowl later this spring.

Womens: After the departure of the Pack’s very own Colorado Collegiate Women’s Athlete of the Year in Yasmine Hernandez and only one returning all-region member, a new look to the women’s track team takes place this year with a freshman and sophomore-heavy lineup. With being ranked as high as #35 in the Indoor Track poll this January the ladies look to push up through the ranks this spring and make strides into the RMAC Championships.

Tennis: After a winless season this past spring the Pack looks to turn it around this 2023. New member Olivia Ivankoe joins the team in her freshman season and is surrounded by an experienced team of juniors and sophomores. With limited conference opponents in the RMAC, the team looks to other competitors from around the region to test their skills. Opposing schools of Mesa Community College, Hastings, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and other schools will provide action in yet another busy spring for the women.

Lacrosse:

Mens: Coming off a first-round knockout from last year’s RMAC tournament and a season that featured two losses against ranked opponents comes to a youthful team this year that looks to turn heads in their strong schedule. Five all-conference performers return with RMAC Co-Goalie of the Year Ethan Ferrie leading the way for the Pack.

Womens: A tough season last year for the women look to bounce back in new fashion this spring as they are led by new leadership in interim head coach Taylor Christensen who comes to the Pack after being a mid-year hire. 10 returners will see much action and are accompanied by a large freshman class who look to change the future of this team.