Looking ahead: the NSU 2024 sports season

By Bella Giaquinto and Abraham Velasquez

Coming off the most successful year in NSU Athletics’ history, the Sharks won NCAA Division II National Championships in women’s swimming, men’s basketball and men’s golf, and placed 7th overall in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, awarded annually to colleges and universities with the most success in collegiate athletics.. There is much to look forward to in 2024. NSU’s national champions will defend their titles while other sports such as softball, baseball and tennis are coming close to claiming their own national titles.

Women’s basketball

Entering the new year, the women’s basketball team achieved victories against Barry University, Palm Beach Atlantic and the University of Mount Olive, winning all three matchups by double digits. Leading the Sharks in scoring is graduate student Nicole Scales, averaging 13.3 points per game as well as the most minutes per game with 35.7. There are many crucial upcoming games for the Sharks as the NCAA National Championship approaches on March 25. Some opponents include Florida Southern College, the University of Tampa and Florida Tech.

Keep up with the women’s basketball team on Instagram and X at NSU WBasketball.

Softball

The softball team starts its 2024 season on Feb. 2, with an away game against Auburn University Montgomery. The game holds high expectations, following an impressive 2022-2023 season where the Sharks achieved 43 wins and 16 loses.

NSU will compete in 53 matches this spring, with 21 of those matches being played at the AD Griffin Sports Complex.

The softball team will begin preparation for the NCAA South Regional Tournament in May.

Keep up with the softball team on Instagram and X at NSU_Softball.

Men’s basketball

The Sharks have been off to a fast start now that they are halfway through the 2023-2024 season. Coming off a 2022-2023 NCAA Division II championship, the basketball team has only three months until it competes for yet another title. Some future opponents for this season include Florida Tech, Barry University and the University of Tampa. Currently, Shane Hunter leads the Sharks in scoring, averaging 16.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, along with 29 total blocks.

Keep up with the basketball team on Instagram and X at NSU_MBasketball.

Men and women’s swimming

The swim teams waste no time diving back into the pool for 2024, as they competed in a tri-meet against West Chester University and Indian River State College on Jan. 12. Featured meets leading up to the Sunshine State Conference Championships, starting on Feb. 14, include Florida Southern College, Keiser University, and Rollins College. The Sharks will then compete for a NCAA National Championship title starting on March 12.

Keep up with both men and women’s swim teams on Instagram and X at NSU_Swim.

Men’s golf

Coming off of a 2022-2023 National Championship Title, the golf team continues its 2023-2024 season with upcoming tournaments against Matlock Collegiate, Saint Leo University, Georgia College, and Barry University leading up to the Sunshine State Conference on April 21. To keep its championship title aspiration alive, the Sharks must dominate up until the NCAA National Championship Tournament on May 19.

Keep up with men’s golf on Instagram and X at NSU_MGolf

Women’s golf

The women’s golf team continues its 2023-2024 season with its first tournament of the new year beginning Feb. 4. Some featured opponents include Florida Southern College, Lynn University, and the World Golf Invitational. The Sharks will compete in the Sunshine State Conference Championship Tournament starting on April 13, followed by the NCAA National Championship on May 21.

Keep up with women’s golf on Instagram and X at NSU_WGolf.

Women’s tennis

The tennis team enters the 2024 season with new faces and transfers, including junior Ita Habekovic and junior Sofia Shing. The Sharks wrapped up a successful fall 2023 schedule, showcasing strength in the Shark Bite Invite and ITA South Regionals. Upcoming matches include a scrimmage against Hillsborough Community College on Jan. 28, Palm Beach Atlantic University, the University of Tampa, and Florida Southern College. The Sharks will prepare for the Sunshine State Conference Championship Tournaments starting on April 26, followed by the NCAA National Championship on May 20.

Keep up with women’s tennis on Instagram and X at NSU_WTennis.

Baseball

The baseball team’s opening weekend starts Friday, Feb. 2, and concludes on Sunday, Feb. 4.

NSU hosts the first game of the season against Tusculum and Catawba in a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. The newest addition to the 2024 squad is Head Coach Adrian Morales. The Sharks ended its 2023 season with a Sunshine State Conference series victory over the Florida Tech Panthers, finishing with an overall record of 26 wins and 23 losses. The season’s success was highlighted by four student-athletes earning postseason honors in the Sunshine State Conference.

Keep up with the baseball team on Instagram and X at NSU_Baseball.