Coming off last year’s fifth-place finish at the CAA Tournament, the Tribe is committed to climbing the standings ladder this spring. With three tournaments down and two more to go, the College has the potential to turn a good season into a great one.
p. In two weeks the Tribe competes at the Marshall Invitational in Huntington, W.Va. After its final regular season event, the College will host the CAA Championship in Williamsburg April 18-20.
The Tribe is confident in its ability to have a strong showing, with the ultimate goal to advance to the regional tournament.
p. “Our team can almost be compared to this year’s basketball team,” junior Brent Paladino said. “Despite our ups and downs, the season doesn’t start until the CAA Tournament. We will be ready to play and might even become [the College’s] next Cinderella story.”
p. The spring campaign opened in Houston at the Rice University Intercollegiate Open Feb. 18-19. The Tribe looked rusty following a three-month hiatus, but the team recovered to post a solid ninth-place finish. Paladino fired closing rounds of 73 and 72 to lead the Tribe and finish in a tie for 18th. One week later at the rain-shortened Cuthbert Cup Paladino placed sixth while the Tribe finished in 10th place.
p. Paladino and junior Doug Hurson lead the College, consistently shooting scores in the high 60s and low 70s. Freshman Brandon Parker has played well this season too, recently finishing fifth in the College’s home tournament, the First Market Bank Intercollegiate, shooting rounds of 72 and 71.
p. The finale of the season will be the CAA Tournament. If the Tribe can hold off the likes of Georgia State University and Old Dominion University, they will be able to earn their ticket to the NCAA East Regional Tournament.