Sports

The Luther College men’s tennis team opened IIAC league play with an 8-1 victory over Wartburg as the two teams met in Mt. Vernon, Iowa on Saturday, Feb. 18. The Norse nailed down wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles before sweeping the six singles matches.

The Luther College softball team has won the IIAC Conference Championship and has advanced to the NCAA National Tournament in each of their last two seasons.

The recent success of the program has propelled Luther to a top five ranking in the nation as practices have officially begun for the team.

200 extra laundry bags. Practice at 11 p.m. Extended work hours. Balancing two sports at once.

The overlap period between winter and spring sports affects athletes, staff and student workers alike. With twice as many athletes, the usual hustle and bustle of the Regents Center is only heightened. With more work needed, keeping everything running efficiently becomes a balancing act.

Since the Luther College men’s and women’s swim teams concluded the regular season with blowout wins against Coe College on Jan. 28, the teams have been in preparation for the Liberal Arts Championship in Elsah, Ill. this weekend.

In what has got to be one of the most dramatic underdog stories of the New Year, the tiny (in soccer terms) nation of Zambia defeated arguably the strongest team on the African continent, Ivory Coast, on Feb. 12 in the final of the African Cup of Nations.

Luther College Wrestling Head Coach Dave Mitchell and Assistant Coach Jeff O’Gara have led the team to a 13-5 record this season, and are currently ranked 10th in NCAA Division III. Mitchell and O’Gara have been coaching together for the last 16 years, and in January won their 200th dual meet at the Iowa Conference Duals meet.

“Before Coaches Mitchell and O’Gara came to Luther the program wasn’t stellar. As soon as they came it became a top 10 program in the country,” Billy Baringer (‘12) said. “It’s pretty significant for a team to be at this level for as long as it has.”

After competing in the Falcon Invite in Minneapolis this past weekend, Luther men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams look forward to continued success throughout the season.