Despite Mother Nature's feeble and unsucessful attempst to bring winter to Hanover, we've had a couple chilly days recently. Those days, however, will be over quite soon. We will all leave campus in less than two weeks and embark on our respective spring break shenanigans. Upon our return, there's a chance we'll have a handful of days that require a heavy coat, but April is right around the corner, which means warmer days and lots of rain, too. We win some, you lose some.
If you can get over the fact that you'll have to carry around an umbrella, you'll realize spring is definitely a great term to be on campus, second only to sophomore summer. The grass is green, students are cheerful and flip-flops are seen everywhere. Want to go swimming in the Connecticut River and frolic around outdoors? Go ahead and do it. Need a break from the confines of Baker-Berry and want to read on the Green? Not a problem, I'll actually join you.
Spring also means great sports are starting up. Green grass means America's pastime is here baseball. All the stars we know will take to the diamond and begin crushing balls over the fence. Students will also be wearing much more Boston Red Sox gear, even if they're not huge fans or from the New England area. These same students will also be spotted in attendance at Dartmouth sporting events this spring, and I will absolutely be among their ranks. Dartmouth spring sports are extremely exciting, so here's a rundown of what to watch for when you return from Cancun or Panama City rocking the nose ring you don't remember getting.Baseball
Baseball is finally here, and Dartmouth is geared up for what will be a thrilling season. Unfortunately, the squad has suffered three straight losses to No. 13 Louisiana State University to begin the season, which probably wasn't the way it wanted to start. Nevertheless, I truly believe the team will turn it around in a quick manner and get into that groove that has allowed it to capture four straight Rolfe Division titles. Last season, the Big Green unfortunately couldn't make it back-to-back-to-back Ivy League Championships, as they lost to Princeton University. Dartmouth will be out for blood this season, which has me pumped up.
Head coach Bob Whalen is entering his 23rd season at the helm and will look to bring home the Ivy League Championship. First-Team All-Ivy shortstop Joe Sclafani '12 will once again lead the Dartmouth offense, and his performance on the field will surely be MVP-worthy. Sclafani's speed on offense will be essential this season, given that he broke a 73-year-old Dartmouth baseball record with eight triples last year. Keep your eye on pitcher Cole Susler '12, who had an amazing 2011 season with a 2.59 ERA.Sailing
These kids are back at it again, and no one is more excited than they are. The Big Green had a great fall season, which saw Dartmouth's coed team rise to third place in Sailing World's College Rankings. Sam Williams '12 and Bernie Roesler '12 are hard at work, using their leadership to prep the team for an awesome season. The women's team isn't doing too shabbily either, as it is also ranked third. Molly Wilson '13 and Catherine O'Sullivan '14 are ready to lead a group of girls that are receiving the recognition they deserve. The women's performance at the Atlantic Coast Championship was impressive, and they will look to build off of that momentum to continue their winning ways.Crew
The crew teams will be back in action in the near future, as the Connecticut River is currently thawing. Even though no one really talks about them, I'm intrigued to see how they perform this season. Look for these men and women to walk into FoCo (I refuse to call it Class of 1953 Commons) after practice and deplete it of all its food.
I'm personally super pumped about Spring term and look forward to writing my column while taking in the sun. Get amped and be ready to bust out your Wayfarers in due time. Just don't wear them indoors, please.
