MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference announced the Players of the Week for the week of December 11 – December 19, on Wednesday afternoon. Nova Southeastern Sharks student-athlete Rafaela Raurich (Women’s Swimming) earned honors following her performances this past week.
Raurich gathers Swimmer of the Week following four wins in a dual meet against Tampa. The Brazilian’s top performance came with a victory in the 200 Fly (1:58.12), where she set the NSU program record and bested the NCAA “A” Qualifying Mark. Additionally, Raurich was victorious in the 100 Free (51.57), 200 Free (1:51.43), and 100 Fly (55.19), surpassing the NCAA D2 “B” Standard in all three events.
To stay up-to-date on Sharks athletics, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter at NSUSharks.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University Athletics is proud to announce the continued academic success of the Sharks athletic programs. NSU achieved a 3.48 departmental grade-point average (GPA) in the fall semester and the department has achieved 27 consecutive semesters of a GPA above 3.00
Rachel Fineberg, the Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Support Services, Senior Woman Administrator and Title IX Coordinator, leads the academic efforts of the Nova Southeastern Athletics Department and has overseen the success of the student-athletes in the classrooms. “Our Shark student-athletes continue to achieve at incredibly high levels in the classroom and set standards of excellence in the way that they represent NSU,” stated Fineberg. “On behalf of our NSU Athletics administration and coaches, we are all incredibly proud of the caliber of student-athlete that we are fortunate to have within our community. Congratulations as well to the amazing nine Shark student-athletes that earned their degrees and finished their programs this fall!”
During the fall semester, 84% of Nova Southeastern student-athletes recorded a GPA above 3.00, while 37 Sharks earned a perfect 4.00 GPA. 107 student-athletes (36%) earned Director’s List honors – GPA above 3.80, the highest total in program history – and 220 student-athletes (73%) were named as scholar-athletes – GPA higher than 3.25, the highest total to date.
TAMPA, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern women’s basketball team took down Walsh University in an overtime thriller on Tuesday afternoon. Nicole Scales led the Sharks to victory with her fourth consecutive double-digit effort.
SCORE: Nova Southeastern 75, Walsh 70 RECORDS: Nova Southeastern 7-3, 2-1 SSC, Walsh 3-7, 1-3 G-MAC LOCATION: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla. GET SOCIAL: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball
First half – Jess Moors kicked off the action with a layup. The rest of the quarter featured a back-and-forth affair, with the Cavs taking a 25-19 lead heading into the second quarter. Back-to-back layups by India Shepherd and Delaney Wolfe cut the Sharks deficit to two. The Cavs withstood the Sharks run and extended their lead to ten, but NSU wasn’t going away. With just under two minutes remaining in the match, a 10-0 run capped off by free throws from Kailyn Terrell sent the Sharks into the half with a 44-39 lead.
Second half – Both teams came out strong, trading baskets, with the Cavs reclaiming a 47-46 at the 7:12 mark. A strong defensive effort by the Sharks helped the Sharks take a one-point advantage as they headed to the fourth. With 3:30 remaining in the match, layups from Zeyno Seren and Terrell gave the Sharks a four-point lead. The Cavs had a late surge, tying the match at 67, ultimately sending the match to overtime.
Overtime – Scales scored the first five points of overtime, giving NSU a 72-67 lead. Walsh got within three, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback. Nova Southeastern secured the 75-70 victory over Walsh University, extending their winning streak to five games.
Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry: We pulled out a big win versus a region team that shot lights out from three. Our players did a great job gutting out the win. I’m proud of our players’ resilience pushing through to win five straight before the break.
Nova Southeastern returns home to take on Embry-Riddle in an SSC battle on Saturday, Dec. 30. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. EST.
To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, follow on Instagram and Twitter at NSU_WBasketball.
TAMPA, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks won their fourth consecutive game on Monday afternoon. The Sharks were led by five double-digit efforts from Nicole Scales (16), Aubrey Stupp (14), Alana Ellis (14), Kailyn Terrell (11), and Jess Moors (10).
SCORE: Nova Southeastern 71, Saint Anselm 49 RECORDS: Nova Southeastern 6-3, 2-1 SSC, Saint Anselm 4-5, 2-3 NE10 LOCATION: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla. GET SOCIAL: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball
First half – The Sharks came out hot, scoring the first seven points of the match. The Hawks clawed their way back, bringing their score to 14-16 with just under three minutes remaining. A layup from Nicole Scales then capped off an 11-0 run, sending the Sharks to the second quarter with a 27-14 lead. NSU picked up where they left off, scoring a quick seven points, extending their lead to 20 points. Tenacious defense from the Sharks held the Hawks to five points in the quarter, securing a 40-19 lead as they headed into the break.
Second half – Midway through the second half, Moors knocked a jumper to give the Sharks a 25-point lead. The offensive onslaught continued for NSU towards the end of the quarter, as layups from Ellis and Terrell sent the Sharks into the final frame with a 60-34 lead. The Sharks kept their foot on the gas pedal in the fourth quarter, cruising to a 71-49 victory over the Saint Anselm Hawks.
Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry: Great team effort today. Despite early foul trouble, we defended very well and held a solid team to only 49 points. Our players bought into the game plan and played really hard together.
Nova Southeastern takes on Walsh University in the second half of a back-to-back on Tuesday, Dec. 19. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. EST.
To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, follow on Instagram and Twitter at NSU_WBasketball.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – For the 50th consecutive time at the Rick Case Arena, the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team was victorious, as NSU defeated Lake Erie College 102-88 on Saturday afternoon. MJ Iraldi erupted for a season-high 25 points, shooting 60% from the field, and added seven steals, while both Shane Hunter and Mike Moore contributed 18 points each.
The unbeaten Sharks have now won 45 straight games and extended their NCAA Division II record for consecutive regular season wins to 61.
Records: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 9-0 | Lake Erie 3-9 Score: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 102 | Lake Erie 88 Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball
First Half – The Sharks opened the game on a 6-0 run, as MJ Iraldi, Shane Hunter and Isaiah Fuller got involved early in the contest. Lake Erie responded with an 11-0 rally, knocking down three consecutive three-pointers. Nearing the midway point of the opening half, both the Sharks and the Storm traded buckets back-and-forth, as the score was tied at 21-21. Mike Moore knocked down a pair of three-pointers, putting NSU ahead 34-33 with less than six minutes remaining in the half. Moore closed the half with his third three-point make, sending the Sharks into the half with a 47-37 lead.
Second Half – Hunter scored the first four points of the half, before Iraldi also added four straight points for NSU, opening up a 55-43 advantage. Later in the half, Ryker Cisarik finished off a second chance opportunity with a dunk, extending the Sharks lead to 65-47. Cisarik then added another six consecutive points for the Sharks, giving NSU a 22-point advantage. Lake Erie rallied to cut the Sharks advantage in half, putting the score at 88-77 with 3:30 remaining in the contest. Nova Southeastern held off the Storm surge, winning the 50th consecutive game at the Rick Case Arena 102-88.
Head Coach Jim Crutchfield – “That’s a good overall win over a solid Lake Erie team. It sure feels good to be going in to the Christmas break 9-0 and ranked No. 1 in the country.”
No. 1 Nova Southeastern returns to action on Saturday, December 30th, taking on Embry-Riddle in Sunshine State Conference action. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_MBasketball.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – NSU closed out their dual meet with Tampa at the NSU Aquatic Center on Saturday morning. The Women’s and Men’s teams closed out the fall schedule with strong outings throughout the entire event.
The Sharks will be back in the pool January 12 as they open the second half of their schedule with a meet with West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, FL.
To stay up-to-date on the Sharks, follow on Instagram and Twitter/X at NSU_Swim.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern opened day one of their dual meet with Tampa on Friday night at the NSU Aquatic Center. Despite the rainy conditions, the Sharks powered through, heading into day two of the meet on a strong note.
In the 200 Fly, Rafaela Raurich took first with a time of 1:58.12, setting a new NSU school record.
With a time of 23.44, Maya Esparza took first in the 500 Freestyle.
Mollie Morfelt captured first in the 200 Back with a time of 2:05.23.
Raurich claimed her second first-place finish, this time in the 100 Freestyle, ending with a time of 51.57.
Estelle Bauer took first in the 200 Breaststroke with a time of 2:19.14.
Trieschmann, Solana Capalbo, Esparza, and Goncalves finished first in the 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:34.63.
(Men’s)
Luca Alessandrini captured first in the 500 Freestyle with a time of 4:24.33.
In the 200 IM, Inigo Marina placed first with a time of 1:53.66.
Alessandrini secured his second first-place finish, this time in the 200 Fly, finishing with a time of 1:48.93.
Marcel Snitko was victorious in the 50 Freestyle with a time of 20.54.
Snitko took his second first-place finish of the night, securing first in the 100 Freestyle with a time of 44.84.
With a time of 2:01.87, Marina took first in the 200 Breaststroke.
The group of Snitko, Marina, Umberto Marsic, and Mateus Ribeiro took first in the 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:23.91.
The Sharks will be back in the pool December 16 at 10:00 AM as they host Tampa for day two of their dual meet at the NSU Aquatic Center. To stay up-to-date on the Sharks, follow on Instagram and Twitter/X at NSU_Swim.
MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference proudly announces the addition of men’s outdoor track, and women’s outdoor track starting in the 2024-25 academic year. With these additions, the conference will sponsor 21 sports, including 12 women’s sports.
Currently, eight members compete in outdoor track.
Founded in 1975, the Sunshine State Conference has risen from a single sports organization to the NCAA Division II “Conference of National Champions.” Since its inception, the conference has shown steady growth in sports played, membership, and national prominence. Member institutions have won 122 NCAA team national championships across 14 sports, including 38 this past decade in 12 sports. Academically, SSC members lead NCAA Division II with a record-tying 89% Academic Success Rate in 2022-23.
Additional details surrounding men’s and women’s track will come at a later date.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Tenacious defense helped lead the Sharks to victory over Mount Olive on Wednesday night from the Rick Case Arena. NSU was led by four double digit efforts from Nicole Scales (15), Jess Moors (11), Kailyn Terrell (11), and Madison Frederick (11).
SCORE: Nova Southeastern 70, Mount Olive 57 RECORDS: Nova Southeastern 5-3, 2-1 SSC, Mount Olive 3-5, 1-0 CC LOCATION: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. GET SOCIAL: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_WBasketball
First half – Quick baskets from Aubrey Stupp and Moors put the Sharks up 4-0 one minute into the game. In what was a back-and-forth affair, a layup from Stupp would give the Sharks a 19-15 lead as they headed to the second quarter. The Sharks kicked off the second quarter with a 6-0 run, featuring baskets from India Shephard, Scales, and Alana Ellis. The Trojans battled back and cut their deficit to one, but NSU withstood the Mount Olive run, holding a seven-point lead heading into the break.
Second half – Midway through the third quarter, a three-pointer from Moors extended the Sharks lead to ten. NSU’s pesky defense led to three-pointers from Zeyno Seren, Kailyn Terrell and a layup from Stupp, giving the Sharks a 52-40 lead going into the final frame. Nova Southeastern stayed aggressive on defense in the fourth quarter and secured the 70-57 win over the Mount Olive Trojans.
Head Coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry: We played sharp today and shared the ball well against a very aggressive defensive team. It was nice to see five players with two or more assists with only 14 turnovers. Defensively, we brought high intensity for most of the game and need to keep focusing on that every day.
Nova Southeastern will head to Tampa to take on Walsh University in a neutral site matchup on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 2:00 p.m. EST.
To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, follow on Instagram and Twitter at NSU_WBasketball.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The top-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team added another victory to the ledger, extending the program’s winning streak to 44 consecutive games, by defeating Keiser 103-73 on Wednesday evening from the Rick Case Arena.
Ryan Walsh, providing a spark off the bench, went a perfect 6-6 from beyond the arc and scored a game-high 22 points in the effort. Shane Hunter recorded his first double-double of the season, tallying 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Records: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 8-0 | Keiser 7-3 Score: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 103 | Keiser 73 Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball
First Half – The Sharks got off to a hot start, taking an 11-6 lead over the Seahawks with a dunk from Shane Hunter. Trey Doomes scored seven consecutive points and started a 24-3 run, putting NSU in front 38-13 over Keiser. During the lengthy run, which spanned nearly half the first half, featured contributions from Doomes, Hunter, Ryker Cisarik, MJ Iraldi, and Mike Moore. The Sharks closed the first half with a 48-29 advantage over Keiser.
Second Half – Iraldi scored four of the first six points to open the second half, extending the lead to 54-34. Ryan Walsh knocked down a pair of three-point buckets and scored nine straight points for the Sharks, pushing the lead to 75-49. Walsh added three more three-point makes in the second half, going 5-5 in the second frame and 6-6 in the contest, as Nova Southeastern took 90-66 lead over Keiser. NSU closed out the contest with a 103-73 win, earning the program’s 44th consecutive win and 49th straight win at the Rick Case Arena.
Ryan Walsh: 22 points, 6-6 3PT, 8-10 FG Shane Hunter: 16 points, 10 rebounds Mike Moore: 14 points, 4-9 3PT, four steals MJ Iraldi: 15 points, seven rebounds The Sharks forced 23 turnovers by the Seahawks and recorded 31 points off the Keiser miscues. Nova Southeastern’s bench was responsible for 42 points, including 22 from Walsh.
The top-ranked Sharks return to action on Saturday, December 16th, taking on Lake Erie College at the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_MBasketball.
