Spring teams aim high as seasons start
Article By: Clark Leonard
Seven University of North Georgia (51³Ô¹ÏÍø) athletic teams start their spring seasons with high goals in 2023.
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø softball team is coming off an NCAA Division II Final Four appearance and the men's golf team is off its first NCAA Division II championship appearance to headline the spring sports, but all five other teams have a chance to make a major impact this year.
"As both of our basketball programs and the rifle team wrap up strong winter seasons, we are excited for our spring sports to continue our momentum," , 51³Ô¹ÏÍø director of athletics, said. "They all have a chance to compete at the highest levels in both the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and nationally."
Here's a quick look at what to expect:
Softball
Head coach Mike Davenport's 2022 team compiled a 49-18 overall record and a 20-4 PBC regular-season mark and earned PBC, Regional and Super Regional titles in the postseason.
This year's group opens the season with games Feb. 4-5 against University of West Alabama, Florida Tech and Rollins College in Gulf Shores, Alabama. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's home slate begins Feb. 11-12 with two games each against King and Florida Southern.
Baseball
Head coach Tom Cantrell's program was 31-22 overall and 16-11 in PBC play in 2022.
The 2023 team starts its campaign with 13 consecutive home games, including the season-opening three-game series Feb. 3-5 against Mars Hill University.
Track and field
Head coach Chris England's group took a program-best second-place finish at the 2022 PBC championship.
This year's group opens the season March 3 at the University of Tampa Distance Classic in Tampa, Florida.
Tennis
Head coach Kent Norsworthy's men's and women's tennis teams each earned a first-round NCAA tournament victory, and they both earned 15 total wins in 2022. The women were 6-1 and the men 4-2 in PBC play.
Both teams begin this spring Feb. 3 at Emanuel College before their Feb. 5 home openers against Carson-Newman University.
Golf
Head coach Bryson Worley's men's golf team will aim to build off its historic NCAA Division II championship appearance, and junior Maddie Ananthasane returns for women's golf head coach Sierra Campbell after winning PBC individual titles her first two years.
The men tee off their spring season Feb. 13-14 in the Spring Kickoff Intercollegiate at St. John Country Club in St. Augustine, Florida. Then, from Feb. 20-21, the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø women begin the spring in the Florida Southern College Lady Mocs Classic at Grasslands Golf & Country Club in Lakeland, Florida.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø will host the PBC men's and women's golf championships April 21-23 at Forest Hills Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia.
Get all the latest information on each team on the .
Nighthawks wrap up season in Sweet 16
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø women's soccer team fell 2-0 to Columbus State University in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship Dec. 1.
Women's soccer team makes Sweet 16
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø women's soccer team punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016 with a 1-0 victory against Lander University on Nov. 24.
Nighthawks make NCAA tournament
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø women's soccer team has earned the No. 3 seed in the Southeast Region of the NCAA Division II tournament, marking its fourth consecutive postseason appearance.
Basketball teams aim high in 2024-25
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø men’s and women’s basketball teams tip off their seasons in early November. Both teams return all-conference performers as they aim for national and PBC supremacy.