RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Concordia University Chicago (CUC) athletics continued to shine this week, pouring out strong performances from overall champions to huge victories that clinch a playoff spot. Check out all the action below.
 
Track & Field
The Cougars begin the outdoor season this week. They will head to Cleveland, Tenn. to compete at the Lee University Invitational.
 
Men's Volleyball (10-8, 2-4)
The men's volleyball team played two matches this week. The first against Aquinas College and the second against St. Norbert College (SNC).
 
The Cougars welcomed the Saints of Aquinas to Geiseman Gymnasium on Wednesday and clinched a 3-0 sweep. Ayaaz Arif (Bolingbrook, Ill.) secured a career-high 10 kills, three digs, and four blocks. Tyrise Armstrong (Grayslake, Ill.) led the squad with 11 kills, nine digs, two aces, two blocks, and an assist. Elijah Mosher (Clayton, Ohio) recorded 33 assists to help the strong offensive charge.
 
Before the match, the Cougars honored their seniors, Arif and Mosher.
 
Then, CUC traveled to De Pere, Wis. to face SNC in a Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) matchup. It was an intense five set battle, but the Cougars ultimately fell, 3-2. Leon Gudzovski (Des Plaines, Ill.) shined with a career-high 20 kills, three blocks, two digs, and an ace. Alexander Ford (Skokie, Ill.) recorded 15 kills, six blocks, and a dig. Tristan Caminar (Bolingbrook, Ill.) picked up nine kills, two assists, two blocks, and 10 digs. Michael Cardines (Chicago, Ill.) registered a career-high and team-leading 22 digs.
 
CUC will return to Geiseman Gymnasium for two matches this week. First, the Cougars will welcome the Falcons of Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) on Wednesday, March 18. First serve will be at 7:00 pm. Then on Friday, March 20, the Muskies of Lakeland University come to town for a 6:00 pm match.
 
Baseball (4-8, 0-0)
The CUC baseball team traveled to Abilene, Texas for a three-game series against Hardin-Simmons University.
 
In game one, the Cougars fell, 8-2. Jake Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.) was the lone Cougar with multiple hits, going two-for-four at the plate, picking up a run. Cam Buckley (New Lenox, Ill.) and Brandon Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.) each picked up a hit, as Buckley smashed a solo home run and Mahler recorded a double. Ryan Renella (Bartlett, Ill.) pitched six innings and picked up one strikeout.
 
The Cougars came out on top in game two, 13-9. Buckley led the charge, going three-for-four with four runs and three RBIs. Connor Jerkatis (New Lenox, Ill.) followed closely behind, going two-for-four at the plate with four RBIs. J. Mahler, B. Mahler, and Jeffery Beckert (Mount Prospect, Ill.) each also recorded multiple hits. Dylan Scott (Bartlett, Ill.) pitched six innings for the maroon and gold, recording three strikeouts to secure the win on the mound.
 
CUC faced the Cowboys one more time the following day, falling 14-9. B. Mahler led at the plate, going three-for-four with one RBI. J. Mahler was the only other Cougar with multiple hits, going two-for-six. Jerkatis had a strong day, going one-for-three while adding two runs, two RBIs, and picking up three walks. Six Cougars stood on the mound, with Jack Linko (New Lenox, Ill.) picking up a career-tying three strikeouts while  Jack Carroll (North Aurora, Ill.), Josh Prosise (Joliet, Ill.), Blake Hickey (Chicago, Ill.), and Kadin Borck (McHenry, Ill.) each added a strikeout.  Anthony Pullano (Park Ridge, Ill.) made his first return to the mound since 2024, pitching one inning to hold the Cowboys scoreless while forcing three outs in the air.
 
This week, the Cougars will play one game against Wheaton College at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, March 18. Then, they will begin NACC play on Saturday, March 21. CUC will have its home opener double header against CUW with first pitch at 12:00 pm.
 
Softball (3-5, 0-0)
The Cougars return to action on Wednesday, March 18. They will play a double header up in Kenosha, Wis. against Carthage College. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 pm. Then on Saturday, March 21, CUC will have its home opener double header against Lakeland. First pitch will be at 12:00 pm. Then, they will head to Lisle, Ill. on Sunday, March 22, to face Benedictine University for a doubleheader. First pitch will be at 12:00 pm.
 
Dance
The dance team hosted the Spring Cougar Collegiate Invite this past Saturday. The squad dominated, being named the overall champion of the competition.
 
Before the competition, the Cougars honored their seniors,  Gizelle Boyzo (Cicero, Ill.), Alexa Ciccia (Wood Dale, Ill.), Airam Mejia Torres (Addison, Ill.), and Amaya Moody (Berwyn, Ill.).
 
CUC took first in the Pom category with a score of 60.9. Then, with a score of 61.5, the squad took second in Team Performance. The Cougars' soloists also excelled as Cienna Reed (Milan, Ill.) was crowned the overall soloist champion while  Kaitlyn Witnik (Franklin Park, Ill.) secured fourth.
 
The team's next competition will be Saturday, March 21. The Cougars will travel to Palos Heights, Ill. to compete at the Trintiy Christian College Dance Invite.
 
Esports
Both the Smash and Overwatch teams competed this week.
 
Smash defeated Augustana College – Gold, 2-0. The Cougars won game one, 12-7. James Bruxvoort (Holland, Mich.) took seven stocks, Cameron Hall (Chicago, Ill.) took three, and Luis Cortes (Maywood, Ill.) took the final two to take the win. Then, in game two, CUC won, 12-11. Chrisovalanti Charis (Elmwood Park, Ill.) took five stocks, Bruxvoort and Hall each took three, while Hall took one stock to help secure the win.This victory puts the Cougars at 3-2 on the season and secures the Cougars' spot in the Midwest B playoffs. CUC will play the final regular season match on Tuesday, March 17. They will play UM-Flint Maize, at 6:00 pm.
 
Overwatch beat Thomas More University Blue, 3-0. In game one, on control, it was an intense back-and-forth battle that ended with the Cougars coming out on top. CUC used that momentum, taking the victory in game two and then securing a perfect victory in game three. The squad didn't drop a single point the whole match, highlighted by stellar teamwork. Their record for the season is now, 3-3. The team's next match will be on Friday, March 20, against HCC Hawks at 8:00 pm.
 
You can keep up with all things CUC Athletics on Twitter @CUChicagoSports, watch all the action at cucougars.com/coverage, and view all photos from the seasons here.