I have never been more proud to be a Wildcat than I am this semester. Like other universities, ACU’s sports program has been strong in a few sports but has struggled in others. This semester, however, the Wildcats have been great in every sport. As an avid sports fan, I am truly proud to call myself an ACU Wildcat.
The football team is looking solid, going 4-0 to start off the season and earning the Wildcats a No. 5 ranking in the nation for Division II schools. The Wildcats offense has found a rhythm, led by a much-improved Mitchell Gale. ACU has averaged over 47 points per game in the first four games. This includes a 65-3 stomping over rival Tarleton State University last week, which has had the Wildcats’ number in the past couple years.
ACU volleyball pulled it together with a 10-2 start. ACU looked unstoppable recently and is currently riding a nine-game winning streak. ACU fans seem to have noticed, with home attendance up from last season.
Women’s soccer has greatly improved with a new offense led by freshman sensation Andrea Carpenter. Carpenter has scored eight goals already in only seven goals. She has recorded at least one goal in every game and is climbing the charts for a school career goals record – a record she could own by the end of her first season. The soccer team should be able to make some noise in conference play and even compete to make the NCAA national tournament.
ACU tennis has played great this season, knocking off Division I opponents across the board. The men’s team had two individuals win single matches against opponents from Texas Tech University and New Mexico University. Julia Mongin has played incredibly for the women’s team. Mongin won the last two tournaments she played and qualified for the national championship tournament. Jaclyn Walker also played well, making it to the finals against Mongin in the last tournament. She also qualified for the national championship tournament.
The golf team is off to a promising start after winning its first tournament last weekend in Oklahoma. Alex Carpenter led the Wildcats, tying for first place in the tournament.
Cross country is running in stride as the women’s team finished eighth last weekend in a meet that featured multiple Division I schools. Amos Sang leads the men’s team and has already won an individual meet this season, winning the Baylor Bear Twilight Invitational.
ACU sports have never looked better. Division II schools athletics are often looked down on, but this year nobody is looking down on the Wildcats.
