As the snow begins to melt, all eyes are starting to turn to the diamond, fields, track, and the bubble of Regis Jesuit. Baseball, track and field, rugby, lacrosse, and swimming all start up again soon. The anticipation is obvious with the athletes in their respective sports. Here is our preview for the spring sports.

Baseball
The Raiders hope to claim the second title in their history following a year where they went 21-5 (11-0) and lost 6-5 in the state championship game to Rocky Mountain. Three returning D1 and D2 signees, Brent Schwarz (Rice), Matt Schmidt (Texas), and Wesley Stark (Sioux Falls), hope to provide the push that would result in another state championship. With the new season also comes some fresh faces into the program like freshman Peter Wilson, who is going through the winter workouts. Wilson believes that there are much higher expectations now than previously in his baseball career. He sees the team returning to the top three this year.
“There is a lot of skill and the coaches know what they are doing but the team needs to straighten out and not be as social and be more dedicated to the game,” Wilson says.

Lacrosse
After beating Cherry Creek 14-7 in the championship last spring, Regis Jesuit is looking to repeat as 5A champs. After posting a nearly perfect record at 18-1 with their only loss to the eventual runners up, the Raiders hope to be perfect this year. With ten returning signees, their title defense should be heavy with experience. Those signees being Ben Bechter (Hobart University), Chet Dunstan (Air Force), Adam Kratt (Air Force), Brett Quartuccio (University of Delaware), Chase Konkel (University of Delaware), Matt Soran (Drexel University), Mike Wagner (Loyola University), Truett Davis (Colorado College), and Simon Quan (Sacred Heart University). The Raiders this year travel again to California in the middle of their schedule to face off against the best teams in that state, who finished second, third, and fourth. All teams that they swept last year.

Swim and Dive
Opening up the 2015, the Raiders swim and dive team are looking to defend their title. A state championship would mean five straight and their 21st over a span of 23 years. Signed swimmers and divers this year include Kyle Goodwin (University of Missouri), Will Pieseski (University of Miami, Ohio), Quinlan Stuart (NC State), Nick Birney (Washington University, St. Louis). The program is a historic one which freshman Elliot Steinberg is excited to put his mark on. He believes that he brings a sense of motivation and happiness to the team.
“50% of swimming is mental so it is really good to have that person on the team who really motivates you,” Steinberg says.

The motivation that Elliot Steinberg and his fellow freshman class bring to the pool will hopefully result in a repeat state title and many more for years to come.

Rugby

Raiders rugby hopes to rebound and take the continental league title this year. The team’s most recent succes was their third place title in 2011.

Track and Field

After placing seventh in state last year, Regis Jesuit track and field are llooking to build on their experience and capture their first state title in program history.