Commencement 2011
MEN'S SOCCER: Crimson Falters Late in Year
Harvard began its fall season with a win over then-No. 13 Stanford and ended its schedule with a victory over then-No. 18 Penn. In between, the Crimson struggled to convert its close matches into wins, finishing 5-7-5 overall and 2-3-2 in the Ivy League to tie for fifth in the Ancient Eight. But these bookend wins speak better to the spirit of the season, in which Harvard grew as a squad and competed with some of the best teams in the nation.
Playing Two Sports Poses Tough Test
Trying to balance the demands of a Division I college sports team and a top-tier academic university can understandably become difficult. But some individuals take this time-crunch to a whole new level by participating in not just one, but two varsity sports—and often excelling at both.
SOFTBALL: Crimson Avenges 2010 Loss in ILCS
Revenge is sweet. Taking the Ivy League championship and going to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007 and the fifth time in school history makes it that much better.
WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Midseason Surge Leads Crimson to ECAC Semis
Though the Harvard women’s hockey team (17-11-4, 14-5-3 ECAC) got off to a slow, 5-6-3 start this season, the team came back rejuvenated after winter break just in time to turn things around.
COACH OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP: Coach Plays Integral Role in Title
Behind every great team is a great coach. Jenny Allard is that coach for the Crimson, and has been for 17 seasons, making her the Ivy League’s longest-tenured softball coach.
WOMEN'S CREW: Radcliffe Crews Command Waters to Earn NCAA Berths
But after ending the dual season with an 11-4 record, a fifth-place finish at the EAWRC Sprints, and a berth to the NCAA Championships, it was clear that the Black and White heavyweights not only exceeded expectations, but also returned to their former prestige.
CROSS COUNTRY: Chenoweth and Richardson Lead Crimson on Trails
In spite of numerous injuries that marred their rosters, the Harvard men’s and women’s cross country teams enjoyed a successful 2010 season.
SAILING: Co-eds, Women Qualify for Nationals
The co-ed and women’s squads of the Harvard sailing team have enjoyed tremendous success this past spring, both finishing the season ranked in the top ten nationally. As the season quickly winds down, both hope to add one more victory to their already-impressive resumes. in the coming weeks.
PARTING SHOT: Writer Inspired by Unlikely Moments
You would think that after nearly 250 Crimson articles over the last four years, banging out one last column would be a breeze. But when I sat down at my computer, I found myself, for nearly the first time, at a loss for words.
Confronting the Concussion
As research increasingly shows that brain trauma has significant neurological implications—and can even induce severe depression—Chris Nowinski '00 has helped the public and professional athletes understand the serious risks posed by damaging blows to the head.
SKIING: Middling Results Characterize Year
Depending on how you look at it, the Harvard ski team’s 2010-2011 season was either mediocre or wildly successful.
TEAM OF THE YEAR: First-time Champions
It was a season to remember for Harvard, which won a program-best 23 games and set school records for conference victories with 12 and home wins with 14—in 14 contests.
FEMALE BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP: Focus on Teammates Gives Sophomore Chance to Excel
When opponents focused on defending sophomore attacker Jennifer VanderMeulen, who has led the Ivy League in goals for two consecutive seasons, an opportunity opened up for her teammates to shine. And sophomore midfielder Danielle Tetreault seized the chance to put up some results.
MALE BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP: Ortiz Neutralizes Ivy Offenses, Linemen
To an outsider, Josue Ortiz became one of the most important defensive players in Ivy League football in 2010, and one of the best. But his teammates have a simpler understanding of the senior defensive tackle.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Fast Start Gives Way to Forgettable Rest of Season
Although the Harvard men’s volleyball team began the season with a string of victories and earned retribution for some of last year’s losses, the Crimson (9-13, 1-7 EIVA Hay) struggled in league play in the latter stretch of its season, earning its only league victory against NJIT in the last game of the season.
MALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP: Rivard Shines as Sixth Man, Sharpshooter
The Eagles had cut the Crimson’s 11-point lead to five in less than two minutes, and momentum was swinging away from the visiting Harvard squad. That’s when rookie Laurent Rivard stepped up.
WOMEN'S TENNIS: Doubles Trouble Crushes Crimson Tournament Hopes
The sharp upward rise of the Harvard women’s tennis team took a dip this year. Finishing 9-9 overall (4-3 Ivy) and without an NCAA berth, the squad feels as if it underachieved.
FEMALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP: Clark Shows Precocity in Ivy League Play
With less than 10 seconds left on the clock, Harvard needed someone to step up and make a shot to avoid a one-point loss to Columbia. That person would prove to be rookie Christine Clark.
MEN'S TENNIS: Conference Performance Not Enough for Ivy Title
Just as top players such as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have struggled against the dominant forces of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the past, the Harvard tennis team’s best was not enough to defeat its toughest Ivy League opponents.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Rough Season Gives Inexperienced Squad Chance to Improve
The young Harvard women’s volleyball team struggled mightily at the onset of its season but finished the year on a high note, winning four of its last seven games.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Amaker Turns Around Struggling Program in Four Years
In four short years, Harvard coach Tommy Amaker has led the Crimson to league and national relevance, punctuated by Harvard’s first ever Ivy League title this season.
MEN'S WATER POLO: New Coach, Seniors Help Team Improve
The Crimson (12-16, 2-5 CWPA) earned third place at the first-ever Ivy Championship and finished the year with a fifth-place finish at the Collegiate Water Polo Association Northern Division Championship.
GAMES OF THE YEAR: A Tale of Two Teams
Two games against the Princeton Tigers defined a record-breaking 2010-2011 season for the Harvard men’s basketball team.
WOMEN'S WATER POLO: New Additions Help Crimson Break .500
New additions helped the Crimson (17-15, 2-3 CWPA) transform its declining program into a growing threat in the Southern Conference throughout the year.
MEN'S CREW: Late Surge Helps Harvard Over Ancient Eight Rivals
Harvard took each race, each practice one step at a time. And it didn’t miss a single one.