Ave Maria University
The Ave Maria Gyrenes had a busy year in 2022, filled with record breakings, historic wins, and talent acquisitions! Here is a wrap-up of some of the most important news of the year for AMU Athletics:
Five Home Runs Lead AMU to Series Win The Ave Maria University baseball team bounced back on January 22, winning both games of a doubleheader to earn a series victory over the Eagles of the University of Fort Lauderdale. The Gyrenes belted five home runs over the two games, earning victories of 10-8 and 5-3. The Gyrenes hit eight home runs on that weekend, a total that currently ranks fifth in the nation.
Gyrenes Earn Major SUN Win over STU The Ave Maria University women’s tennis team made their first win of 2022 an important one, as the Gyrenes defeated the St. Thomas University Bobcats, 4-3, in Miami Gardens on February 5. The win opened Sun Conference play for both schools, and saw Ave Maria knock off a Bobcat team that received votes in the preseason NAIA Coaches’ Poll.
Dance Team Wins First Dual in Big Easy The Ave Maria University competitive dance team took the floor for the first time in school history on the second week of February, competing in the Battle in the Big Easy, hosted by Xavier University New Orleans. The Gyrenes competed in three dual meets, including the first head-to-head win in school history. They finished in the middle of a competitive nine-team field in the overall competition.
Swimmers Rewrite Records at Conference Championships The Ave Maria University swim teams competed in the Sun Coast Conference Championships on February 14 in Fort Pierce, completing the first season in school history. The Gyrenes logged 48 total personal bests during that weekend, which saw the Gyrene women place fourth of the six teams in the conference, and the men take fifth of six teams.
Men’s Tennis Beats Division I Team The Ave Maria University men’s tennis team made program history on the evening of March 12, defeating an NCAA Division I opponent for the first time ever. The Gyrenes, then ranked 17th in the most recent NAIA Coaches’ Poll, swept all five singles matches that were played against Bucknell University of the Patriot League. They remained undefeated at home with a 6-1 win over the Bison. Bucknell is a top four program in the Patriot League and had the Patriot League Player of the Week earlier this season.
Gyrenes Advance By Breaking Georgetown Curse The Ave Maria University lacrosse team ended an eight-game losing streak to the Tigers—dating back to the start of the program—on the third Thursday of April, and advanced in the Mid-South Conference Tournament with a 14-13 victory on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands. AMU rallied from a 12-7 deficit after three quarters to pull off the shocker, the team’s first-ever postseason win.
Alan Webb Joins Ave Maria Family The Ave Maria University athletic department announced the hiring of Alan Webb as the new head coach of the Ave Maria cross country, track and field, and swimming programs. Webb is a three-time United States champion in the 1500-meter run, and he represented the United States in the event in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. In 2007, he ran the mile in 3:46.91, a mark that still stands as the fastest mile ran by an American runner. He also possesses the mark for fastest mile run from a high schooler, clocking in at 3:53.43 in a 2001 race.
“Coach Webb epitomizes excellence,” said AMU Director of Athletics Joe Patterson. “His Catholic faith is inspiring, his coaching credentials are great, and his own competitive successes are impeccable. During his visit to Ave Maria, he inspired great confidence from all of the key stakeholders. I’m thrilled that he will be joining the Ave family.”
Gyrenes Dominant against FNU The Ave Maria University volleyball team dominated in every facet of the game on August 30, sweeping past the Conquistadors of Florida National University in Hialeah, 25-13, 25-13, 25-11. The victory was Ave Maria’s tenth consecutive victory over Florida National, who played in last season’s NAIA Tournament as the champions of the Continental Athletic Conference, and the third consecutive sweep for the Gyrenes over FNU.
Men’s Soccer Steamrolls Trinity Ave Maria Gyrenes men’s soccer team had a historic start to the season, as they beat the Trinity College Tigers 11-0. The Gyrenes broke many school records on the evening of the second Saturday of September and are beginning to etch their name as the greatest Ave Maria team in their 13 years of existence.
Men’s Golf Sets Program Records in Lakeland The Ave Maria University men’s golf team once again proved they can compete among some of the best teams in the nation, placing sixth at the Southeastern University Fall Invitational, which was played in October at the Grasslands Golf and Country Club in Lakeland. The Gyrenes set a school record with their 289 in the second round. They shot the first 54-hole tournament of less than 900 strokes in school history, playing the event in 899 strokes.
Gyrenes End Season with Emphatic Victory The Ave Maria University football team made it a Senior Night to remember on November 12, as the Gyrenes throttled the Warner University Royals, 48-6, at Gyrene Field. It marked the second consecutive 48-point outing for the Gyrenes against the Royals, and it was AMU’s third straight win in the series. The win gave the Gyrenes a 6-3 record to conclude the 2022 season, the program’s second-best mark ever.
Uzdavinis Hits 1000 in Gyrene Win The Ave Maria University men’s basketball team finished off a sweep of the SUN-SSAC Challenge on December 30, rallying in the second half for a 68-66 victory over the Rams of the University of Mobile in Montgomery, Alabama. Ave Maria came back from a 14-point second half deficit to earn their ninth win of the season, while senior Lucas Uzdavinis made program history, becoming the seventh player to reach 1000 points in an Ave Maria uniform.
Follow all our athletic department updates and teams on avemariagyrenes.com
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