As Spring Sports tryouts begin in February, another opportunity arises for our school’s students to bring in more state championships as well as make many memories no matter what. The spring sports season consists of baseball, softball, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men’s golf, women’s soccer, men’s tennis, and men’s and women’s track and field. 

Last year, the only spring sport that won a state championship was the women’s lacrosse team. The baseball team is coming off of a historic season after making it to the state semifinals, and the men’s lacrosse team also made the state semifinals. 

Baseball

The baseball team went 16-15 last year and 7-3 in conference play. The Crusaders had a great postseason, making a historical run to the state semifinals but ended up losing to Ashley in a three-game series. The Crusaders will be led by seniors Owen Hines, Damon Phillips, and Matthew Van Tassel along with juniors Cam Tarkenton, Bryce Fitzsimmons, Peter Hoffman, and Jakub Mudd. The Crusaders will begin their out of conference slate on Feb. 24 in Clayton versus the Clayton Comets. The Crusaders begin conference play at home versus Enloe on Mar. 18. The Crusaders will be an exciting team to watch this year and will not be a team to miss as they follow up on a historic season. 

Softball

The softball team had a great season last year going 12-6 and having a near perfect 9-1 record in conference play while also taking the conference title. The Crusaders came into the playoffs as the six seed in the East, but ended up getting upset in the first round by 20-seeded Gray’s Creek. This year’s softball team will be led by seniors Layce Chappell and Avery Robinson, junior Bridget Mazzo, as well as sophomores Mallory Kelly and Katie Scavone. The Crusaders will travel to Garner on Feb. 26 to take on the South Garner Titans. Along with the baseball team, the softball team will take on the Enloe Eagles at home on Mar. 18th to start conference play. The team will be another fun team to watch as they compete for a state title and a back-to-back conference title.

Men’s Lacrosse

The men’s lacrosse team will be on a mission to make another statement in the playoffs as they do year in and year out. Last year the Crusaders lost to Green Level in the state semifinals in a heartbreaking loss. The Crusaders previously won the state championship in 2023. This year, the Crusaders will be a senior-heavy team being led by Zach Kerner, Jackson Cooling, Justin Conly, Brown Parker, and Joey Jonske. The Crusaders season begins on Feb. 25 at home against Durham Academy. The Crusaders will begin conference play at home against Enloe on Mar. 11. (Other non conference games will be played after this as well) The team will be a team to watch as they compete for a state championship as well as another conference championship.

Women’s Lacrosse

The women’s lacrosse team, year-in and year-out, is one of the best women’s lacrosse teams nationally. The Crusaders have won three state championships in a row and will be a contender for a fourth. This year’s team will be led by another  senior-heavy team being led by Lexi Mullahy, Ella Grimes, Hayden Miller, Emma Carmouche, Rocky Phelps, and Annabel Carlin.  The team’s season begins on March 8 at home against Charlotte Catholic, which will be a rematch of the past three state championships. Their conference schedule will begin on Apr. 8 at home against Enloe. Make sure to keep an eye out for the team as they begin their quest for a fourth straight state championship. 

Women’s Soccer

The women’s soccer team is coming off of a great season and a final four run. The Crusaders finished with a 17-4-2 record. The Crusaders finished with a perfect record in-conference and captured the conference championship.  They lost in the final four to Ashley 2-1. The Crusaders will be led by Seniors Hailey Cuomo, Caroline Robbins, Juniors Charlotte Fusco, Sophia Juhasz, Kate Sheehan, and Ashley Gilbert. The Crusaders will begin their season on Feb. 26 at home against Jordan. The Crusaders will start conference play on Mar. 26 against Enloe at home. Watch out for the Crusaders as they hope to make a big impact in the playoffs this year. 

Men’s Golf

The Men’s Golf team is coming off of a conference championship in the 2023-24 season. The Crusaders did not have as well as a season that they strived for, but they are still a very talented team. The Crusaders will be led this year by Senior Davis Kushner as well as Juniors Charles McPherson, Jack Schaad, Conner Freedman, and Sophomore Declan Daner. As the Crusaders try to capture another Conference Championship and make a deep run in states, they will be a phenomenal team to watch all season. 

Men’s Tennis

The Men’s Tennis team is looking forward to a great season this year. The Crusaders went 15-5 last year and made it to the third round of the playoffs. They lost to Green Hope High School. This year the Crusaders will be led by seniors Patrick Bass, and Blaise Bello as well as Junior Owen Treadway and Sophomore Connor Riely. The Crusaders will begin their season on Feb. 24 at home against Wake Forest. Their in conference schedule begins on Mar. 11 at home against Athens Drive. The Men’s Tennis team is going to be a fun team to watch this year as they try to capitalize on a third straight third round exit in the playoffs. 

Track & Field

The Track and Field Teams are looking to win a conference championship this year. Last year the Women’s team finished 12th in the State while the Men’s team finished 47th in the state. The Crusaders will hope to improve these rankings on their push for a conference championship. This year’s Women’s team will be led by Seniors Hannah Rae Shaffer, Adelynn Mitchell, Lucia West and Freshman Kaitlyn Estep. The Men’s team will be led by Seniors Sean Manuel, Blair Mitchell, and Joey Bishop. The season begins for the Crusaders on Mar. 14 at Apex Friendship for the Patriots Invitational. The Cap 6 Track and Field Championship will be held on Apr. 30 here at Cardinal Gibbons. Make sure to watch the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field teams as they look towards a great season ahead. 

For Cardinal Gibbons, the spring sports season is always a great time as there are many successful teams to watch throughout the season. As the 2024-25 school year comes to a close this also marks the last time Cardinal Gibbons will play in the Cap 6 conference and be in the 4A Classification as the state is moving from four to eight classifications. Good Luck to all of our spring sports teams! Make sure you come out and support our spring sports teams. For all home tickets go to https://gofan.co/app/school/NC8259