Canisius athletes have quickly and convincingly dispelled any thoughts that last year’s athletic dominance could not be replicated. The Crusaders have won regular season titles in each of the five sports that compete during the fall.

The golf team successfully completely a perfect 11-0 season and have already taken the All-Catholic crown. Senior Colin Burns led the way for this year’s golf team with strong support from Juniors Brian Jurkiewicz and Dan Yustin who will look to defend the title next year.

The soccer team won its second regular season championship in a row under Coach Sam Belsito. Seniors Brian Graham and Peter Roehmholdt led the offense attack while Ryan Burkard ’10 and Goalkeeper Max Kilb ’10 stonewalled the Crusaders’ opponents leading to an 8-1-1 MMAA record. The championship match will be Sunday, November 8th at 2pm at St. Joe’s. The match is also against St. Joe’s who the Crusaders’ have split a pair of 1-0 decisions with already this year.

With the volleyball team’s completion of another perfect 10-0 season in the MMAA, the Crusaders have now reigned atop the league for a complete decade. Senior outside hitter Luke Klee and Carlton J. Coatsworth ’11 have led the team in kills and libero John Jepson ’10 has kept his team alive with countless acrobatic digs throughout the season. Coach Tom Weislo and his Crusaders begin their playoff run Thursday, November 5th at 6pm inside the Bernard J. Kennedy Field House.

In the face of tough competition from a rejuvenated St. Joe’s team, the Canisius Cross Country team managed to win its 5th straight regular season title under Coach Brian Lombardo. Cole Townsend ’11 and Eli Dawli ’10 have made sure that Canisius Cross Country did not lose a step after the graduation of Jordan Hamm ’09. The Crusaders run for the All-Catholic title Sunday, November 8th at 11:30am at Elma Meadows.

Coach Brandon Harris has the Crusader football team on the winning track again by completing a second consecutive undefeated regular season in the MMAA at 3-0 with impressive wins versus St. Joe’s, Timon, and St. Francis. The football team, like all Crusader teams this year, has had to overcome major losses from last year’s senior class. Quarterback Travis Eman ’11, running back Ricky Pringle ’10, and wide receiver Theo Russell ‘11 have kept the Crusader offense rolling while Paul Rubino ’10, James Gaines ’10 and Bernard Williams ’10 have kept opponents out of the end zone on the defensive side of the ball. The Crusaders will play for the chance at a 3rd straight trip to Ralph Wilson Stadium when they take on Bishop Timon on Saturday, November 7th at 2pm at the Stransky Memorial Athletic Complex.

Congratulations to all our student-athletes and their coaches and we hope to see you out in support as the teams look to turn the regular season titles into playoff championships!