Colorado State athletics 2013-14 team-by-team report card
The 2013-14 college athletic season officially came to a close Wednesday night when Vanderbilt captured the College World Series title, putting a stamp on what's been an exciting year of sports, not only across the country, but at CSU.
Colorado State University took home two conference championships, started a new program and won something it hadn't in five years — a bowl game.
As the 2014-15 season is set to get started in two months, The Coloradoan is taking a look back at what the Rams accomplished last year and grading each team.
Football (B)
CSU had its best season in, at least, the last five years, but it still wasn't spectacular — something coaches and players recognize. The Rams won the minimum amount of games possible to reach a bowl with a couple of head-scratching losses to San Jose State and Tulsa.
Records were set on offense, but the defense – secondary in particular – consistently struggled by giving up big plays. The Rams did, however, what they needed to, winning their four of their final five games, including a thrilling New Mexico Bowl.
Men's basketball (C)
A 16-16 record deserves an average grade. The Rams weren't bad, but weren't good, either, missing the postseason for the first time since 2009. It turned out to be exactly what coach Larry Eustachy expected, a rebuilding season, after losing five senior starters off the previous team's roster.
There was a chance for CSU to have some vindication in the Mountain West tournament, but blew a nine-point lead in the final 2 minutes to Utah State, ending the season with a sour taste.
Women's basketball (A-)
CSU wasn't expected to do much this year, but second-year coach Ryun Williams shattered expectations, leading the Rams to a regular-season Mountain West championship and a berth in the National Invitational Tournament.
The only thing keeping CSU from earning a solid A was failing to reach the NCAA tournament due to its loss in the Mountain West title game.
Volleyball (A)
CSU had quite possibly the best regular season in program history, winning its fifth consecutive Mountain West championship, going 28-1. The Rams' only regular-season loss came against San Diego State in their final match. They were later upset by Cal State Northridge in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
The next step for CSU is finally reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament – a round it's never made it to.
Softball (C+)
Record wise, CSU was fantastic, going 32-17 with an outstanding start to the season, but once Mountain West play rolled around, things started to become more difficult. The worst single series came in the conference opener, getting swept at last-place Utah State, which killed the Rams' chances of winning a league title.
CSU entered the final weekend of the season within reach of the Mountain West crown, but finished sixth.
Men's cross country (B+)
CSU was ever so close to taking home a conference title, finishing second at the Mountain West championships. The Rams advanced to the NCAA Mountain Regional (sixth-place finish) and then the NCAA championships in Terre Haute, Indiana, where they came in 29th.
The highest CSU was ranked, nationally, last season was 16th – its best mark since 2003.
Women's cross country (B)
The CSU women didn't reach the NCAA championships, but did finish third in conference and 10th at the NCAA regionals. Their best single-meet result was second at the CSU Invite.
Men's track & field (B+)
If there's one name that sounds familiar from the men's track and field program, it's likely Trevor Brown. The senior hurdler consistently broke his own Mountain West and CSU records. He was an All-American and finished fifth, nationally, in the 400 meter hurdles.
The CSU men finished 73rd at the NCAA outdoor championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Women's track & field (B+)
CSU was led by star-powered throwers during the outdoor season, taking third place at the Mountain West championships.
Freshman Aaliyah Pete won the shot put event at the conference meet while fellow throwers Jessica Sharbono (fourth) and Kiah Hicks (eighth) also did well.
The trio reached the NCAA championships, where CSU finished in a tie for 54th. Hicks and Sharbono were named All-Americans.
Soccer (Pass)
CSU women's soccer, which played its inaugural season in the fall, gets a passing grade due to the program's circumstances and having no prior success to compare it to.
The Rams went 2-13-3, including a win at Nevada, with a team that had no seniors and three juniors.
Tennis (D-)
Women's tennis struggled mightily last season, going 3-13 overall with its only wins coming against small schools Colorado Mesa, Cal State Los Angeles and Vanguard.
10 of the Rams 13 losses were shutouts.
Swimming & Diving (C)
The Rams went 6-5 in head-to-head duals last season, but finished 10th in the Mountain West championships.
Men's golf (C+)
The Rams didn't reach postseason play beyond the Mountain West championships, where they finished fifth, but there were a few bright spots this year, particularly Parker Edens and Cameron Harrell. The duo led CSU in first and last-round scores.
Edens had five eagles on the year and was the Mountain West golfer of the week after his top 10 finish at the El Macero Classic.
Women's golf (C-)
Similar to men's basketball, there wasn't much good or bad for the Rams' women's golf team that finished eighth at the Mountain West championships, which was their best outing of the spring.
Follow reporter Matt L. Stephens at twitter.com/mattstephens and facebook.com/stephensreporting.