Women’s Lacrosse
One of the most dominant sports programs in our school is the women’s lacrosse team. This year they are looking to win their fifth state championship in a row.
Last year, they beat Weddington in the state championship 17-7. The girls had a record of 18-5, but did not lose to a single team in state. This year, the girls will begin their season in Virginia when they take on the Potomac School on Mar. 6. Some notable games for the girls are against Episcopal Academy on March 7, Charlotte Catholic on March 28, Providence Day on April 10, and St. Anne’s-Belfield on April 25.
Currently, they have six players committed to play in college. Jane Bailey Ward is committed to UMass, Kelcey Aiken is committed to Wofford, Hamilton Mason is committed to Queens, Bailey Booth is committed to Sewanee, CeCe Nunemacher is committed to Mercer, and Addie Brown is committed to San Diego State.
With a late season start, the girls are looking to begin the season with a big win. The hunt for a five-peat begins on March 7 with a big game that will not disappoint.
Men’s Lacrosse Preview
Cardinal Gibbons has one of the best men’s lacrosse teams in the state, the team is always filled with immense talent and many athletes committed to play at the next level. Last season the team went all the way to win the state championship. Throughout the season they went 24-2 overall and went 10-0 in conference games.
The team currently has nine players committed to play in college. These players include Hudson Beatman who will be going to Salisbury, Grayson Zola is to Sewanee, Ciaran Murphy to Albany, Cody Cartwright to Hampton Sydney, Owen Whitfield to Bellarmine, Peter Dolan is committed to Marist, Jared Hart is committed to Stevens, Aedan York is committed to Palm Beach Atlantic, and Treyton McMahon is committed to Embry Riddle.
Some of the “Matches to Watch” include Christ School, Hough, St, Anne’s Belfield, Blue Ridge, Lake Norman and Middle Creek. Gibbons is looking to go back to back and take home the state championship once again.
Softball
The Softball team is looking to make a big splash in their 7A debut. Last year, the team was dominant in the CAP-6 going 11-1 in conference and 15-5 overall. After earning a high playoff seeding, they were unfortunately knocked out in their first game against East Chapel Hill. This year, the players who dominated the team’s stats will be back as all of the stats leaders are returners. Bridget Mazzo led the team in batting average, on base percentage and hits. Mazzo is one of two college commits on the team. Mazzo is committed to Winthrop University and junior Katie Scavone is committed to Villanova University. Softball has already kicked off their season with a loss to Apex Friendship. Some games to look out for are on March 3 against Garner and March 9 versus East Chapel Hill. In a new conference, the softball team looks to win the Triangle Six conference and make a deep playoff run.
Baseball
Baseball at Cardinal Gibbons remains a strong point of athletic programs at the school. With plenty of senior talent returning to the team, the Crusaders will look to build off the success they found last season.
Last season, Gibbons lost in the second round of the 4A playoffs 8-7. The team finished the season with a 21-7 record overall, and an impressive 10-1 record in conference play. To start this season, the Crusaders will travel to face Cleveland on Feb. 25, followed by a home game against Charlotte Catholic on Feb. 27. Some matchups to look for later in the season will be Charlotte Christian on Feb. 28, D.H. Conley on March 7 and March 14, and Wake County Homeschool on March 30.
At the moment, there are seven players who have committed to college programs, Cam Tarkenton is committed to UNC, Jack Richards is committed to Marymount, Peter Hoffman is committed to Pfeiffer, Bryce Fitzsimmons is committed to Manhattan, Andrew Riedel is committed to Denison, Jack Bolte is committed to Kenyon, and Jakub Mudd is committed to North Carolina A&T.
With plenty of senior-led talent, the Crusaders will look to ride their experience all the way to a state title.
Track & Field
Year after year, the Cardinal Gibbons track & field team sits atop its conference. This season, the Crusaders will keep their sights set on repeating success from last year.
In 2025, the girls’ team won the state championship, edging out runner-up Mallard Creek by three points. While the boys’ team competed in the state championship, they placed outside the top 10.
This year, the Crusaders will kick the season off with a Tri 6 meet at Sanderson on March 10. Gibbons will then compete in the New Balance Nationals on March 12 held in Boston, the Patriot Invitational at Apex Friendship on March 13, and another Tri 6 meet at Middle Creek on March 19.
The latest signing day at Gibbons featured three girls track & field athletes. Mikaela Povsic is committed to Wesleyan University, Callie Swanson is committed to Elon, and Maggie Whitman is committed to High Point.
Gibbons is looking to build off their success from last season and potentially take home another state championship.
Tennis
The Cardinal Gibbons men’s tennis team has their sights set on another big season in 2026. Now in the 7A conference, the Crusaders will see tougher competition throughout the year.
Last year, Gibbons boasted an impressive 67.9 win percentage in 271 individual matches played, en route to a 4A East regional appearance. The Crusaders started their season on Feb. 25, losing a match at Jordan. They will look to bounce back against Hoggard in their home opener on Feb. 27. Future key matchups will include Millbrook on March 3, Chapel Hill on March 5, and Holly Springs on March 11. The Crusaders will look to repeat their strong success, and travel even deeper into the playoffs this year.
