By Simone Walker
On February 15, the presidents of the Northeast-10 conference schools formally approved to resume spring sports.
While things were on the fence due to the spike in cases around the country in the fall and the cancellation of fall and winter sports, this announcement came at the perfect time, as student athletes were getting settled back onto campus, eager to begin practices and workouts.
The Adelphi Athletics Department has spent countless hours cultivating the best possible seasons for its spring sport athletes and in return, the athletes have been working tirelessly to prepare for a season like no other.
The softball team, who have faced setbacks due to quarantines and 10-day pauses, are eager to keep pushing through the adversity to be at their best for the start of the season.
Amanda Owens, a sophomore, admits that the offseason has been anything but ordinary.
“The preparation to play this year has been rather unique,” she said. “Coming back from both summer and winter breaks we started with phases, which caused us to not be completely together all the time.”
Owens is eager for the opportunity that awaits this season. As a first year, she did not have the chance to compete much last year due to the shutdown of competition in March 2020.
“Being a sophomore, I have never played a season and am just looking forward to the opportunity to compete for Adelphi,” Owens said.
Amanda Owens’ looks to take off base during a 2020 softball game.
As of now, softball’s schedule consists of 40 regular season games and the chance to compete in playoff competition for a shot at the college World Series in Denver.
Owens’ teammate, first-year Alexa Sacripante, is excited to compete in her first collegiate season as well. “I am especially excited to play this year because of how long it has been,” Sacripante said. “I am so grateful that we have been given the opportunity to have a season.”
Adelphi softball is seated at number one in NE-10 Southwest Division per the 2021 softball coaches’ Poll.
In addition to the softball team, Adelphi track and field members anticipate a big year for the program. First year Isaiah Ferguson, commended his team and coaches for the opportunity to compete at a high level this spring.
“Preparation to compete this year has gone very well,” Ferguson said. “Our coaching staff pushes each and every one of us to unleash our full potential and will not accept anything but our best effort at all times.”
As of right now, there are seven meets scheduled for track and field, and while the team is thankful to have them, there are hopes to increase that number as the season progresses.
Tyler Wilkins, a senior, is grateful to end his decorated track career with the fortune of being able to compete one last time. He is entering his fourth year with the Panthers quite accomplished, as he was announced onto the university’s All Decade Team for triple jump this past winter.
Tyler Wilkins posing with his spikes during 2020 media day.
“I feel very grateful and blessed,” he said. “I have pushed through setbacks by constantly keeping my mind occupied and focused on the end goal.”
Following his graduation this spring, Wilkins, a finance major, is looking forward to starting his career with a Fortune 500 company, along with two positions with wealth management firms in New York City.
As for now, he and the squad are gearing up for the NE-10 track and field Championships that are scheduled to take place from May 8-9.
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