Love is in the air… but not for NU athletics, which suffered from a sad, sappy week of poor results. Wildcat sports only flirt with success, but even these past seven days seemed rougher than usual. No movement at the top, but a late loss for the ‘Cats Women’s Tennis team makes NU’s best sports squad playing a little more vulnerable. Hopefully, someone can show the sports teams a little love this week.
1. Women’s Tennis - A week ago, the Wildcats toppled the top-in-the-nation Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, staking their claim as the best team in the nation. The two teams clashed again in the finals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Indoor Championship tournament, with Georgia Tech avenging their loss to NU, 4-2. It was a tough loss for the ‘Cats but shouldn’t diminish the dominant run the team had to get to the finals – they crushed California, Fresno State and North Carolina en route to the championship game.
2. Willie the Wildcat - The only NU entity not saddled with a loss this week, Willie misses out on the top spot only because the Women’s Tennis team remains one of the top three in the country right now. Willie better be getting some come Valentine’s Day. Now I have disturbing images in my head.
3. Wrestling - Another tough Big Ten loss for the ‘Cats, falling to the #4 Minnesota Golden Gophers . But NU rebounded later in the week, slamming Michigan State 25-15.
4. Women’s Swimming - No action this week, but the ‘Cats are preparing for the Big Ten championships coming up a week from now.
5. Men’s Swimming - Also idle, also getting ready for the Big Ten championships. Everyone needs a week off.
6. Men’s Tennis – Yes Virginia, Northwestern does suck in your state. The Wildcats fell to Virginia Commonwealth and then William & Mary. Virginia is for lovers, but not NU.
7. Fencing - Hey, angry fencing people down in the comment section. I have a deadline for this column, and NU Sports tends to neglect updating your sports section before this goes up. So, blame them not me. But hey! I’ll count your domination of Notre Dame in next week’s ranking.
8. Men’s Basketball - Still looking for some Big Ten love. Minnesota came into Welsh-Ryan and thwacked the ‘Cats, while a roadtrip to East Lansing ended in a 15-point loss to Michigan State. Why can’t they just play Texas-Pan American every week?
9. Women’s Basketball - Not moving anywhere in the near future. Dropped two more games this week, to Indiana and Minnesota. Just a bad, bad team.