Claire Voltarel, Campus Carrier Sports Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF JORIE HODAPP

From left: Coach Sydney Weaver, junior Ally Smith, freshman Loren Kim, sophomore Jorie Hodapp, sophomore Rachel Belanger and junior Karley Hammond celebrate sixth place in the sun.

Several Berry teams proved successful on the road over spring break. Berry Tennis traveled to Hilton Head, SC. on March 11-16, with the men’s team finishing 3-2 and the women’s team finishing 4-1 overall. Freshmen Sara Myers, who placed first in singles and second in doubles, said the trip was a great opportunity to bond as well as implement the hard work the team put in during the weeks leading up to spring break. According to Myers, while there was little down time, the team still enjoyed the weather, the beach and each other’s company.

“We became a really close team over spring break,” Myers said. “It was really nice to get to know the girls better because we haven’t had the chance to hang out much, since the season just started.”

Track and field also ventured out to Myrtle Beach, SC. on March 15-17 to compete in the Shamrock Classic. The Vikings brought home several personal and school records, including sophomore Abby Caroll in the women’s 10k, sophomore Meridith Herman in the 5k and senior Alainna Chretien in the women’s mile. Caroll also earned SAA Athlete of the Week and a ninth-place national ranking after the trip.

On the men’s side, junior CJ Stone set two personal records in the 100m and 200m, junior Jed Woodward increased his shot put throw personal record, and the men’s 4x200m relay team of junior Derrell Mims, freshmen Malik Howard, senior Rory Fleming, and Stone broke the Berry school record in the event.

“It was really good to see where we are at and that we can compete with a bunch of Division I and Division II schools,” Caroll said.

Carroll also noted that the team spent some time at the beach, but tried not to soak up too much sun, to avoid fatigue for the day’s events. Nevertheless, the trip helped to connect the individualized sport.

Men and women’s golf competed in Jekyll Island, Ga., the women coming home with a sixth-place spot on the leaderboard, and sophomore Jorie Hodapp taking eighth place individually. Hodapp said the team enjoys this competition because it is a chance to compete against a strong field of teams, but allows one more day to help make up for challenging rounds.

“Aside from really good golf tans, we walked away knowing that we can compete with other highly-ranked teams, and that we all have key areas to work on in order to qualify for nationals,” Hodapp said.

Hodapp also noted the impactful team bonding experience that comes from the long bus rides, to beach days with barbeque. Overall, the teams are very close.

“My teammates are the first people I go to if I need anything, and we don’t really need any planned or formal team bonding to grow closer as a unit,” Hodapp said.

Several other spring sports took short trips to participate in away games over the break.

Berry baseball fell to Emory while away on March 13, and returned home with one win and two losses against conference competitor Millsaps over March 16 and 17.

Softball also faced Milsaps away the first weekend of spring break, bringing home two wins with one game postponed. Additionally, The Vikings traveled to Piedmont College, sweeping the Lions 16-0 in the first game and 7-4 in second game of five innings on Friday, March 16.

Men’s lacrosse faced two conference teams away, resulting in a loss to Rhodes College and a win over Hendrix College.

Women’s Lacrosse fell to Emannuel College on March 13, and had their second scheduled game of the break cancelled due to a miscommunication.

With spring seasons on the home stretch, many teams are gearing up to finish off conference matches and land in strong positions for conference tournaments.