By Jackson Lollis
ATHENS, Tenn. – The Tennessee Wesleyan University Men’s Lacrosse team has been a fairly dominate team in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), although the Bulldogs are stuck between a rock in a hard place. This season the bulldogs started off rocky, only winning 3 out of their last 9 games. The Bulldogs are eager for a win in the last four games to stay in contention for the AAC playoffs.
The AAC has had teams win 6 NAIA nationals’ invitational in a row. As well as holding 5 top 8 teams, with 4 being top 5 in the NAIA 2024 rankings. With such a competitive conference, every game feels like a national championship game. The last four games mean a lot more than just the end of a regular season. Head Coach Kevin Parker stated, “they are important… If we don’t win the next one it will be very hard to get in the AAC tournament.” The Bulldogs are ranked 7thin the conference out of 9 standout teams. Yet only 6 teams make it to the playoffs. With a tough 4 games ahead, the Bulldogs will have a chip on their shoulder, with at least one game to win or the season will end March 13th against the University of the Cumberland’s.
But how will the Bulldog’s do it? Junior Carson Bowling shared “When we are on the field its business time, not time to mess around… hopefully we can do what we know best and go out there and win”. The Men’s lacrosse team have a lot of pressure and some big shoes to fill, being they have made every AAC tournament since 2017. With high hopes to do it again, the Bulldogs will have to utilize everyone on their team. Senior Points leader Robert Holekamp shared, “Lacrosse is a team sport, so it is very important that everyone is rolling, and we are working together as a team”. The last four games of the season mean a lot to the Bulldogs and everything to the seven seniors. There is a chance, but it will take a team effort and hard work no other team can match. As the Bulldogs take on the most crucial four games of lives, there will have to be major adjustments, and ultimately a never give up mentality.
Edited by Jack Shaw
Editorial Assistance by Elijah Lovelady
Photos by Megan Tipps
Interview by Jonathan Powers and Jack Shaw
Audio by Dan Thornton
The Bulldog Beat 