The spring semester is underway for Gannon University, and with that finally comes some sports action. Multiple teams have begun their respective seasons and many of the early results are promising.

Women’s basketball (5-1): Gannon is 5-1 and coming off an impressive 65-56 win over of Daemen, which was ranked 13th in the country.

The team is led in scoring by Tori Obenrader, who averages 12.6 points per game, followed by Emily Poling at 12.2 points per game.

Men’s basketball (4-0): The Knights have ripped off four straight wins to begin their season, which is their best start since 2012-13. After a couple early cancellations, they wrapped up two victories against Kentucky State, 83-58 and 76-71. They followed those wins with two more, this time versus Daemen.

Gannon is averaging 82.5 points per game through four games, winning those games by an average of 15.2 points. The team is shooting 48.6% from the 3-point line and its leading scorers are Chris Clancy and Ike Herster, averaging 15 and 13.8 points per game, respectively. Both of those players are also shooting 50% from three.

Men’s wrestling (0-1): Gannon opened its season with a 19-12 loss to Kent State but had four wrestlers gain victories in Jacob Dunlop (133), Austin Hertel (141), Dom Means (149) and Alex Farenchak (165). Gannon also won four of the five extra bouts.

The Knights also competed in a three-team event with Edinboro and Mercyhurst but team scores were not kept. Gannon won eight bouts against Division I Edinboro and its only three bouts against Mercyhurst.

Women’s wrestling (0-0, competed in one event): The Knights competed in the Adrien’s Women’s Invitational along with Adrien College and Davenport University. Caleean Blarr took first place in the 123-pound weight class, Lana Perez placed first at 130 and Amara Devericks won at 191.

Men’s swimming and diving (0-1): In their first competition of the year, the Knights fell 166-130 to Youngstown State. Even in a loss, two Gannon freshmen were impressive. Stephen McCallum opened his Gannon career with four wins, two in individual events and two in relay events. Chris Luus took first place in three events, one individually and two in relay events.

Women’s swimming and diving (0-1): In its season opener, Gannon lost to Youngstown State, 205-85. Silvija Taraska won three events, including two individual races and one relay. Zoe Snyder also won the 50-yard freestyle by 0.21 seconds.

Men’s water polo (1-0, competed twice): The Knights defeated Salem, 21-11, in an exhibition before facing off against – and beating — Mount St. Mary’s, 26-5. That 26-goal total is a new single-game record for Gannon, breaking the old one of 25. The 21-goal differential was also the largest in Gannon history, breaking the previous mark of 18. Seth Johnson led the team with a career-high five goals.

ALEX PEPKE
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