The new school year has begun and the fall sports season has kicked off. 

Freshman will try to make a name for themselves. 

Sophomores are gaining confidence. 

Juniors are finding themselves in leadership roles, and seniors are dialing in for one last ride before college. 

The constant among every student-athlete is that they are working towards the ultimate goal of a state championship.

The expectations from last year linger as some teams try to match state championship victories and some try to up the ante from last year. 

One thing remains the same: Cardinal Gibbons is the place to be for student-athletes.

Five state championships brought the school their 15th Wells Fargo Cup. The Wells Fargo Cup is awarded off of a points system based on how a team stands in postseason play with a championship  receiving 50 points.

In the fall, two teams brought state championships home. The women’s cross country team took first place in 7A and earned a spot at the Nike Cross Nationals event in Oregon. This was their 16th state championship victory.

The women’s tennis team won the dual team state championship after pulling off an impressive 22-2 record. This was their first state championship victory in over ten years bringing the team total to four state championships. 

As winter came and sports moved indoors, the school’s swimming program dominated in the state. The Crusaders swim team beat Marvin Ridge on the mens side by over 20 points and the womens team beat them by over 150 points to once again take the throne of state champions.

Finally, in spring, after the last day of exams, one more team brought a state championship back to Raleigh. The men’s lacrosse team travelled to Lenoir-Rhyne University and won their second straight state championship over Lake Norman. 

This year, our teams will have many more opportunities to shine on and off of the field. As fall sports have begun, each student athlete is determined to bring a state championship home and leave an unforgettable legacy.