There is much excitement on the River Campus as the 2011-12 athletic season approaches. Eleven sports were represented at the national championships last year. Rochester had 11 All-Americans a year ago. Six of those competitors are back this year. Here’s a quick rundown – by season – of what to expect from the various sports teams.

FALL

The Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams are regulars in the NCAA Division III National Championships. Rochester’s women will be led by senior striker Ellen Coleman ’12 who has been an All-American for two straight seasons. Plenty of players will create offense for the men’s team, including locals Jake Cargill ’12 and Max Eberhardt ’12

When you watch the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams, look for All-American James Vavra ’12 and Hillary Snyder ’12 at the head of the respective packs.

The Football team is poised for a big year with 18 returning starters. Brendan Pidgeon ’13 and Kobie Hamm ’13 are both pre-season All-Americans. Football plays its first home game on Sept. 24 vs. Union. Catch the action a week earlier when the Yellowjackets compete in the Courage Bowl vs. St. John Fisher College at Sahlen Stadium in downtown Rochester

The Field Hockey team has a multi-faceted attack. Allison Beardsley ’12 and Anna Dobrzynski ’12 combined for 25 goals last year

The Women’s Volleyball team has seven home dates in all, including the UAA Round Robin on Oct. 15-16. Casey Larsen ’12 was among the UAA leaders in kills and service aces in 2010.

Winter
The Men’s Basketball team reached the NCAA Sweet 16 a year ago and returns three starters, including All-American (and UAA Player of the Year) John DiBartolomeo ’13

The Women’s Basketball team is seeking its seventh straight NCAA bid driven by an experienced senior class: Jodie Luther ’12, Maddie Korber ’12, Michelle Ketcham ’12, Kate Agan ’12

The Women’s Swimming & Diving Team has won two straight Liberty League titles. The men have won two of the last four.  There’s a lot of talent in the water for 2011-12

With two All-Americans returning to the lineup (Ben Fischer ’13, Andres Duany ’13), look for the Yellowjackets Squash team to retain its top 10 ranking.

Spring:
Men’s and Women’s Track and Field will host the NY State Collegiate Track Conference Outdoor Championships on May 4-5. The men will be sparked by school record-holder Francisco Ramirez (Gr.). The women have several defending state champions, including Claire Crowther ’13

The Women’s Tennis team was ranked as high as 20 last year. Danielle Shreck ’12 and Frances Tseng ’13 will lead the way

The Men’s Tennis team has seven veterans returning, including seniors Brian Rice ’12 and Matt Volkov ’12

Returning for Rochester’s Softball team, Maddie Skellie ’13 was the Liberty League Pitcher of the Year in 2010 while Nina Korn ’14 was the Rookie of the Year.

The Baseball team has to replace four starters in 2012. Alex Caghan ’12 was named to the Jewish Sports Review All-America Team in 2010 and 2011

In 2011, Nicholas Palladino ’14 won the Phil Mickelson Award as the Division III Freshman of the Year in Golf

The Women’s Lacrosse team hopes five March home games will fuel a quick start

Women’s Rowing will continue to build, fueled by a bronze medal at the Dad Vail Championships in 2011.