Slinga Da'Ink: An Update on Union Athletics

Basketball season at Union is over, and this season has to rank as the strangest season Union has seen. With the delayed beginning, not letting fans in and then randomly letting fans in, and then the even stranger ending, it was a wacky one. Both teams endured a lot of ridicule this season, but despite all the turmoil, both teams have a lot to be proud of. The girl’s team saw much improvement over their shortened season, and the guy’s team was easily one of the better teams that Union has had in recent history. Both teams were a lot of fun to watch, and their seasons were definitely not long enough, but I enjoyed going to the few games that I could. 

Now that the weather is warmer, there are some other sports that are starting. The soccer team, the newest official addition to Warrior athletics, is starting to practice again. It is still to be determined if they will play games against other teams, but they are on that track. This year, the team is composed of 22 players and is coached by Cainan Ming and his team of assistant coaches. In recent years, the soccer team has held the distinguished honor of being the only team to win multiple regular-season games in the same year. If fans are allowed to watch the games, they are definitely worth going to. 

Soccer is not the only sport that is starting up again. The Union College golf team is also starting to practice. The golf team is made up of seven guys and is coached by Nestor "Coco" Osorio and Daniel Cress. They have five matches scheduled, including one on March 31 at York College. 

The other sporting event that will happen this school year will be the gymnastics home show. The event will be open to the public and will take place on April 13 in the Thunderdome. Homeshow, described on the Union website as “the grand finale of the season,” is the only show that the team will put on this year due to COVID-19, but I know they will make it memorable. 

The 2020-2021 school year has been a strange one for Union Athletics, and we have a lot to look forward to for next year. With the probability of fans in the stands, Buell’s iconic announcing, Acrofest at Union, highschool tournaments back and the hope of a full season for all sports on campus, it’s hard not to be optimistic and excited about the future of athletics at Union. And who knows, we may even see the addition of a men's volleyball team.

Jacob Roney is a junior

business administration major

from Sturgeon, Mo.