By Elijah Alvarado, Sports Editor
Saint Leo University launched its first-ever Women’s Flag Football program in Fall 2025, led by head coach Eli Taliaferro. As interest in flag football continues to grow nationwide, this new addition by the athletic department is a major step in providing opportunity for female athletes. On March 4, Saint Leo hosted the University of Tampa for the first home game of the season at Saint Leo Turf Stadium.
Sports are not just about having fun, but about each player competing to be the best they can be. This academic year, history was made at different levels across the athletics department. On Dec. 31, during a match against Rollins College, Saint Leo Women’s Basketball set a new program record for most three-pointers made in a single game: 15. The record was previously set on Dec. 4, 2018, at 14 three-pointers.
Sports can be highly competitive, especially at the collegiate level, as many athletes try to continue their careers professionally. High standards are being set in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC), specifically in women’s sports.
On Feb. 10, Jessica Harclerode, a senior majoring in elementary education and goalie for Women’s Lacrosse at Saint Leo University, set a new level in the SSC, breaking the record for career saves in Women’s Lacrosse.
According to Saint Leo Athletics, she passed Florida Tech’s goalie Stephanie Stuart, who previously led the conference with 504 career saves. Achieving a milestone can have different effects on everyone, but it is a step forward. Harclerode has finished the regular season with 614 career saves.
After an approximately two-year absence, Saint Leo University Athletics welcomed back the Track and Field Program. According to the Saint Leo University website, the Track and Field program was discontinued in March of 2023 and returned in March of 2025, with the season starting in January 2026. The program returned to action with high expectations, and it showed in the results.
Freshman Dackjerlin Senior Feliz broke the school record in the 800m, scoring 2:13.45. The record was previously set by Holly Little on April 7, 2023. A few weeks later into the season, she broke her own record, making it 2:13.39.
School records have been broken across different components of this program. Most recently, freshman Kansas Henry broke the school record in the 400 m with a score of 58.22.
Just like any other sport, softball can be competitive and requires full-force effort. However, nothing compares to the collegiate level. This is especially true in the Sunshine State Conference, Division II.
The Saint Leo University Softball Team is having a season that will go down in the books. On March 28, the Softball Team set a record for the longest win streak in school history at 24, with the previous record set back in 2016. Since then, the Lions have yet to lose and have now extended this streak.
In addition to the win streak, Saint Leo Softball is shining across the nation, making noise in the Division II conference. According to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll, for the first time in program history, the Saint Leo Lions are ranked number one in the nation in the Division II conference.
The Sunshine State Conference is filled with tons of talent from different sports all over the state. Saint Leo Athletics is becoming a big part of that lengthy list of talent.
On March 2, it was announced by the Saint Leo Beach Volleyball team that Seniors Emma Laade and Thalia Brassard were named SSC pair of the week. Although this may seem like just a typical weekly honor, it is the first of many for the Beach volleyball team. In addition, Saint Leo University hosted the 2026 SSC tournament.
Perfection is challenging but not impossible. To be perfect, it requires practice, and in most cases, it’s about team chemistry.
On Feb. 12, the Saint Leo University Acrobatics & Tumbling Team scored a perfect 10.0 in the inversion pyramid for the first time in program history. In March, they received a perfect score in the pyramid competition again.
In addition, the team set a new program record for overall match score in program history with a score of 262.9.
These dominant performances have made a significant impact on the rankings. According to Saint Leo Athletics, the Acrobatics & Tumbling Team finished the season ranked ninth in the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association.
The Saint Leo Women’s Lacrosse has had the best start to their season in program history. According to Saint Leo Athletics, the Lions have finished the regular season ranked second in the Sunshine State Conference, fourth in the nation, the highest rank in school history.
According to Saint Leo Athletics, the Women’s Lacrosse Team finished with the most wins in a season in program history at 14, the most SSC wins in a season at six, and senior Holly Hill, the first player with a 100-point season.
