The No. 10 Wesleyan men's lacrosse team delivered a commanding performance against No. 16 Amherst, securing a 16-4 victory on April 1. This win marks the largest margin of victory over Amherst in the 69-game history between the two teams. After a tight first half, where Wesleyan led 2-1, the Cardinals outscored the Mammoths 9-0 in the second half, showcasing their defensive prowess and offensive depth. Ben Burns '26 led the scoring with a hat trick, while contributions from Kyle Short '28 and James Bailey '26 solidified the win. With this victory, Wesleyan improves to 7-2 overall and 3-2 in the NESCAC, earning their first league home win of the season.
In addition to the athletic achievements, Wesleyan's athletics department celebrated academic excellence as 14 senior student-athletes were inducted into the Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, tying a department record set in 2019. This prestigious honor recognizes students who have achieved a GPA of 93 or above and demonstrated curricular breadth. The induction ceremony is scheduled for May 23, 2026. Director of Athletics Mike Whalen '83 expressed pride in the student-athletes' dual success in academics and athletics, underscoring the university's commitment to excellence in all areas of student life.
As the spring season progresses, the Wesleyan football team continues to prepare for the upcoming fall season, with senior Jack Lucido '26 reflecting on the balance of rigorous academics and high-level athletics. His structured approach to managing time and commitments exemplifies the dedication required of student-athletes at Wesleyan, emphasizing the importance of self-efficacy in achieving both personal and team goals.