As Colby students dove into a variety of global opportunities during JanPlan, winter Mule athletes continued the strong seasons that they began before the holiday break, while spring teams started preparing for the season ahead.
Both basketball teams began the New Year with momentum. The men’s team picked up wins against SUNY Oneonta and Connecticut College within the first week of 2026 and the women picked up two big victories against Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tufts University. During the month, Kate Olenik `27, a key offensive weapon across the past three seasons, surpassed the 1,000 point mark for her collegiate career. With over a season left to play, she will set her sights on the program record, which is 1,452 career points, set by Kaye Cross `84. For his 25-point performance in the Mules’ month-ending win over Hamilton, Dan Civello `28 earned NESCAC player of the week honors for the men’s team.
On the ice, the hockey teams both accomplished upset victories following incredible individual performances. After splitting their games at the Lobster Pot tournament to open the year, the men’s team bounced back with a shootout victory over Amherst College behind goaltender Cooper Rautenstrauch `28, who made 39 saves in the contest. The team also posted a 6–3 rout of Middlebury College on the road and hopes to continue their offensive momentum into the conference postseason.
The women’s hockey team had an equally strong month, earning convincing wins over Utica University, Hamilton College, and Connecticut College. Over these games, first-year Emily Olsthoorn `29 scored three times and assisted on a further two goals, earning a NESCAC player of the week honor for her performance.
The squash teams also recorded excellent months, with the men’s team defeating a ranked opponent in #14 Amherst College. They also lost two tough contests by a single match, falling to #11 Tufts University and #16 Middlebury College. After locking up the CBB championship during the early days of the spring semester, the team is set to face Amherst again in the NESCAC Tournament.
On the women’s side, the team picked up a pair of 9–0 shutout victories against Connecticut College and William Smith College but fell to several nationally ranked NESCAC opponents. They also faced off against Amherst in the conference tournament, hosted by Hamilton College on Valentine’s Day.
The ski teams fared well during their busy carnival season, with Carissa Cassidy `26 continuing her individual dominance by winning the slalom at the Colby Carnival early in the month. All four ski teams hope to send strong contingents to the NCAA Championships later this spring.
On the international stage, January saw the qualification of two Mule student-athletes for the Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Maddie Hooker `27 will represent her native Australia while Jack Young `25 will represent the United States. Each will participate in cross-country skiing. Hooker is a distance specialist, while Young excels in sprints.
~ Matt Quealy `27
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