Star Athletes Set Records: Hawk Athletics Feb. 16 Recap

Full Feb. 16 Episode of “Hawk Athletics” hosted by David Horn

The Hawks enjoyed a low-stakes week as big playoff matches loomed on the horizon.

None of Hunter’s matches during the week of Feb. 16 impacted their commissioner’s cup score. But for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, they were the final ones before playoffs, so their performances would set the tone for the upcoming games.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The women’s basketball team won all three games over the week. They started by beating the fifth-seeded (fifth place before the playoffs) Lehman College 83-64.

The dominant win featured double-digit scoring from center Katie Burke, point guard Erin Cosio, and guard/forward Eliah Yode. Sophomore and co-captain Alexa Charles led the team, scoring 21 points to go along with 15 rebounds, six assists, and six steals.

The Hawks faced York College in consecutive games next. The first resulted in a resounding 27-point victory, which was subsequently topped by their 30-point victory four days later. Charles shone again, with 24 and 26-point performances in the two games.

GUEST OF THE WEEK: ALEXA CHARLES

Alexa Charles lined up for a free-throw shot against Farmingdale University on Nov. 17. The Hawks lost 80-65. (Photo Credit: Hunter College Athletics Department)

As reported last week, Charles continues to play phenomenally this season. Her averages over the last three games sit at 23.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 6.3 steals per game, and has managed to outdo her season averages. The reigning ECAC Rookie of the Year joined David Horn on the Feb. 16 episode of “Hawk Athletics” to discuss the upcoming playoff games.

“We need to keep our intensity up and not underestimate the teams we’ll be playing even though we’ve beaten them in the past,” said Charles.

“If mistakes occur, just flip the page and keep playing.”

When asked about the prospect of facing perennial CUNYAC winners Brooklyn College, who are currently #1 in the conference, Charles explained that their recent win over the college gave her confidence.

“That win felt so good compared to all the other wins this season because they’ve won the [bid to] the NCAA tournament for a number of years now,” Charles said. “And it’s like there’s this clarity that we can do it and it’s doable and it’s not something that’s out of reach for us.”

GUEST OF THE WEEK: BRIAN GUILLERMO

Brian Guillermo running an indoor relay for Hunter. (Photo Credit: Hunter College Athletics Department)

Junior and star-runner Brian Guillermo also joined Horn on the Feb. 16 edition of Hawk Athletics. The championships for the men’s and women’s track and field teams were the following weekend, so Guillermo gave some foresight regarding the Hawks’s expectations.

Guillermo said although he prefers to run long-distance races in cross country, where he won the fall 2023 MVP award after running an 8k race in 27:55.2 minutes, he is confident in the ability of his team to get good placements at the championships.

Guillermo has also achieved all-time highs this season. He set his personal record in the mile of 4:34.59 on Jan. 19., which was over ten seconds faster than second in the conference.

Going into the playoffs, Guillermo is also first in the 800 meters, and second in the 3000 meters, giving him the best conference time in every distance race.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The men’s basketball team played two matches over the week. Both games came down to the wire, with an eight-point loss to Lehman College on Feb. 9 and a four-point victory over York College on Feb. 14.

The Hawks struggled on the boards against Lehman, grabbing 35 to Lehman’s 49.

Lehman beat the Hawks on the boards. They grabbed 49 rebounds to Hunter’s 35 and scored 17 points off offensive rebounds. Hunter only scored six second-chance points, and that ultimately ended up deciding the game.

Against the seventh-seeded York, the Hawks were initially off-pace in a game that was a must-win.

At halftime, it was 42-38 to the Hawks, but the game remained close, and York forced overtime at 88-88. Hunter held on during overtime, winning 101-97, with Kareem McDonald scoring seven of the Hawks’s 13 points. All seven points came from free throws.

MEN’S WRESTLING

Hunter’s wrestling team in a recent match at the University of Scranton. (Photo Credit: Stockton Photo Inc.)

The men’s wrestling team attended the University of Scranton Duals, as they took on Kings College, Utica College, and the University of Scranton. All three matches resulted in losses, however, a standout moment came for freshman Michael Douglas, whose pin on Utica College’s Marco Milankovic was his first of the season.

LOOKING AHEAD: Next week’s coverage will feature the playoff results of the Hunter men’s and women’s basketball teams. The women are playing first-seed Brooklyn College while the men are playing first-seed Baruch College in their respective semi-final matchups. It will also feature the Hunter College track and field championship results, where Hunter looks to retain their trophy from cross country in the fall.

“Hawk Athletics” is a sports show hosted by David Horn airing every Friday at 12 p.m on the Where Hunter College Speaks (WHCS) radio station. The Envoy’s Conor Sullivan breaks down Horn’s weekly show and recaps the latest on all things Hunter athletics.

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