HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports program completed its games on the week of April 6-12 by taking part in four national events, including the Bassmaster College Series Lunkers Trai, Cheerleading NCA Nationals, NAIGC Gymnastics Nationals and NIRCA running event.
The Panthers' softball team was also involved in a battle for the Division III East crown, and earned a split on Saturday against Wake Forest.
The following is a recap of the week's action for all sports:
BASEBALL
April 7 | vs. New River CC | Pulaski, Va. | L, 12-2
April 11 | at North Carolina | Chapel Hill, N.C. | W, 12-1
April 11 | at North Carolina | Chapel Hill, N.C. | L, 10-2
April 12 | at North Carolina | Chapel Hill, N.C. | L, 7-6
Despite losing a series on the road at North Carolina, the High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports baseball team put an end to its 11-game losing skid with a decisive 12-1 victory over the Tar Heels when the two teams clashed in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill.
The 12-run outing marked the 10th time this season that head coach
Todd Murphy's squad has topped double-digit scoring. North Carolina split the Saturday doubleheader by posting a 10-2 victory in game two. The Tar Heels and Panthers returned to the diamond on Sunday afternoon, where North Carolina escaped with a 7-6 win by virtue of a late rally, despite 10 hits from High Point in the contest.
BASS FISHING
April 7-8 | Bassmaster College Series Lunkers Trail (Tournament 2) | Clarendon, S.C.
The High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports bass fishing team completed the second of a three-tournament series hosted by the Bassmaster College Series on Thursday evening at the Santee Cooper Lakes in Clarendon, S.C.
The event, which was limited to one day of competition due to inclement weather on Wednesday, included 205 teams. Three of those teams were from High Point University.
The top unit for the Panthers were
John Bagdasarian and
Zachary Steinman, who hauled in two fish that totaled 12 lbs. Teammates
Cole Mitchell and
Leo Goldman also caught a pair, which were eight pounds. The same was true for
Kole Costello and
Trey Horton, who paired up for the Panthers, and brought home two fish for eight pounds.
On Thursday, there were 56 teams that caught at least 20 fish, including Caleb Edwards and Jayden Lintner (Emmanuel), who took home the top prize with 34 fish that weighed nine pounds. They edged out Brody Robison and Peyton Sorrow (Montevallo), who closed with 34 fish that totaled six pounds.
The top five teams in the event closed with at least 30 fish on the event. Furthermore, there were seven teams that had fish a total haul of 15 pounds.
CHEERLEADING
April 8-12 | NCA Nationals | Daytona Beach, Fla.
The High Point University cheerleading team spent five days in Daytona Beach, Fla., competing in the National Cheerleaders Association Nationals. The Panthers were one of 31 teams to compete in the event.
"To compete on the national stage is always an honor and great exposure for a small school like High Point University. We are so happy we got to put High Point on the map and make our university proud," said
Giana Marielli.
GRAPPLING
April 11 | Good Fight Tournament | Morrisville, N.C. | All Day
For the second time in as many weekends, the High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports grappling team competed in an event. High Point took part in the Good Fight Tournament on Saturday afternoon in Morrisville, N.C., marking the last opportunity for the Panthers' grappling unit to compete before the National Collegiate Grappling Championships in Sacramento on April 25th.
The Panthers took second as a team this weekend, finishing just one medal shy of first. Medalists included:
Jacob Hill (Bronze, No-Gi),
Jase Gartrell (Silver Gi, Bronze No-Gi),
Thomas McGinn (three Golds – two Gi at 205 & Heavyweight, one No-Gi at 205, All submissions),
Haydenn Bouley (Silver),
William Wells (Bronze).
Klaus Mangeot (fourth),
Spencer Gordon (fourth) and Dan Perniola also made solid contributions for the Panthers.
GYMNASTICS
April 10-11 | NAIGC Nationals | Birmingham, Ala.
For the second time in a 13-day span, the High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports gymnastics team took part in a competition. The Panthers participated in the NAIGC Nationals which was held at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Ala.
Josie Chretien competed in the all-around and had scored a 9.6 on vault and a 36.95 all-around score.
Hailey Condron had a 8.75 on floor. Meanwhile,
Rylee Heidloff notched a 9.45 on beam, helping her and an all-around score of 36.725.
Katelyn Combs competed in the vault and Panther teammate
Makayla Lanthrop had a solid beam routine.
RUNNING
April 11-12 | NIRCA Track & Field Nationals | Olivet, Mich.
The High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports running team wrapped up the 2025-26 season with a trip to Olivet, Mich., where the Panthers competed in the NIRCA Nationals.
The Panthers were represented by six competitors —
Adrian Smith,
Adam McKay,
Nicholas Baldwin,
Nicholas Mair,
Connor Bain,
Ethan Tharp —in the event. The following is how each Panther finished in their respective event:
100m
23rd:
Adrian Smith: 11.30
400m Hurdlees
38th:
Adam McKay: 1:05.94
200m
17th:
Adrian Smith: 22.56
33rd:
Nicholas Baldwin: 23.06
91st:
Adam McKay: 24.28
1500m
123rd:
Ethan Tharp: 4:23.78
213th:
Nicholas Mair: 4:41.75
288th:
Connor Bain: 5:21.26
800m
88th:
Ethan Tharp: 2:08.44
156th:
Nicholas Mair: 2:16.92
199th:
Connor Bain: 2:31.32
4x400m Relay
18th:
Nicholas Baldwin /
Adam McKay /
Ethan Tharp /
Adrian Smith | 3:36.89
SOFTBALL
April 11 | vs. Wake Forest | Burnett Park / High Point, N.C. | W, 3-2
April 11 | vs. Wake Forest | Burnett Park / High Point, N.C. | L, 16-11
The regular season for the High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports softball team drew to a close with a series split against Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon at Burnett Park.
The Panthers split the series after taking the first game by a 3-2 margin, but Wake Forest rebounded in game two to post a 16-11 win.
High Point ended the regular season by winning four of its final six games, capturing victories over Charlotte, East Carolina, Johnson & Wales and Wake Forest. The Panthers are 17-8-1 on the season and were 13-1 at home.
MEN'S LACROSSE
April 8 | at Appalachian State | Boone, N.C. | W, 14-7
April 11 | at East Carolina | Greenville, N.C. | L, 12-9
After winning three games during a four game stretch he High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports men's lacrosse team dropped a difficult 12-9 contest at East Carolina on Saturday that will keep the Panthers out of postseason contention.
High Point, which had posted a 12-11 victory at Davidson on March 28th, rebounded from a 10-8 setback at Charlotte on March 29th by winning a 14-11 outing versus William & Mary on April 1st.
The Panthers followed that with a 14-7 triumph at Appalachian State on March 8th, setting themselves up for a critical clash with East Carolina. With the playoff berth on the line, the Pirates emerged with the victory, which dropped High Point to 7-7 on the season.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
April 11 | vs. Appalachian State | UNC Wilmington Tournament | W, 14-6
April 11 | vs. North Carolina | UNC Wilmington Tournament | L, 11-8
April 11 | at UNC Wilmington | UNC Wilmington Tournament | Canceled
April 12 | Coastal Carolina | UNC Wilmington Tournament | L, 11-3
April 12 | vs. N.C. State | UNC Wilmington Tournament | L, 11-3
The High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports women's lacrosse team who posted back-to-back victories against Davidson (8-7) and Wake Forest (7-5) on March 28th and 29th, respectively, head to the crystal coast for a five-game, two-day event hosted by UNC Wilmington.
High Point opened the two-day event with a 14-6 win over Appalachian State on Saturday morning. However, North Carolina took down the Panthers in the second game of the day by an 11-8 margin.
When the Panthers returned to the field on Sunday, Coastal Carolina and N.C. State emerged with a pair of 11-3 wins to complete the event. High Point is now 8-9 on the season.
