The 2001-2 athletic year was particularly prolific for Tufts, as the Jumbos ran, hit, and threw their way into the record books. Eight teams made the playoffs, one team finished second in the nation, seven athletes competed in nationals, another was drafted by a professional baseball team, and one competed in the Olympics.
The men's basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and tennis teams all competed in their respective playoff tournaments, as did the women's soccer, softball, and tennis teams. Junior track and field stars Greg Devine and Brian Pitko represented their team in national competition, while sophomore heptathlete Jess Trombly stood toe to toe with others from around the country at her national competition. Sophomore Mika Sumiyoshi and freshman Erica Weitz swam their way to nationals, and sophomore diver Beth Wecksell twisted and somersaulted to the national meet in Ohio. Men's swimmer Tyler Duckworth also competed in the men's national meet.
In February, freshman Christy Ren competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, representing her native Hong Kong in short track speed skating. Ren was the first person from her country to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Back in New England, the football team began the athletic year by charging to a third place finish in the competitive NESCAC, as junior running back Kevin Kelley led the squad to a 6-2 record on the year. Kelley ran for 1,079 total yards last season, averaging 134.9 yards per game, and 4.7 yards per carry. He was named to the All-NESCAC team along with six other teammates, while he and senior offensive guard and co-captain Mike Willey were named to the New England Football Division II-III All Star team.
Tufts' strong athletic performances continued in the winter as the men's basketball team arrived at the NESCAC playoffs, despite losing seven of the last nine regular season games. The Jumbos made it to the postseason behind the stellar play of junior Mike McGlynn, a transfer student, who was hot from downtown night after night with a blistering .481 three-point percentage. The team also relied heavily on NESCAC Rookie of the Year Craig Coupe, who provided a much-needed inside presence for the Jumbos.
Four years of stellar performance on the baseball diamond field landed senior Dan Callahan his dream job - he was selected in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Callahan is currently playing for the team's single A affiliate, the South Bend, IN Silver Hawks in the Midwest League, where he is third on the team in batting with a .260 average.
Last year, the 6'4,"190 lb Callahan led the team to the NESCAC championship and the second round of the NCAA tournament. He finished his career holding nine different baseball records, including career hits (219), runs (153), and runs batted in (130). He had a hit, a run and an RBI playing in the New England College Baseball All-Star game at Fenway Park. The Jumbos won a school record 27 games last season, including the program's first NCAA Tournament win in 52 years.
But with last year's highs come lows, and while many of Tufts teams and athletes experienced record breaking years, others struggled to achieve mediocrity.
In its first season playing in the NESCAC, the men's hockey team sputtered its way to a 6-17 record (4-15 NESCAC) and a last place finish. The Jumbos suffered a 10-0 defeat to eventual NESCAC champion Middlebury, the worst of the season. The lone bright spot for the team may have been the play of junior Mike Carceo, who scored 14 goals, and 39 points, including the 100th of his career.
Similarly, the women's basketball struggled to a 9-14 record (1-8 NESCAC). After a promising 5-2 start, the team lost 12 of its next 16 games, including six straight to end the season. With the end of the tumultuous season came the end of coach Janice Savitz's career. The coach resigned after eight seasons, and the team will play under new coach Carla Berube this year.
