Well, friends, the school year is quickly coming to a close. With only two Northwestern squads still playing games (as well as a few women’s tennis players), many of our Wildcat-centric minds have begun to wander towards September and the new hope it brings for all teams.

And so, without further ado, it is my great pleasure to present to you some of my NU sports predictions for 2008-2009…in iambic pentameter!

FOOTBALL

Since football plays another Big Ten slate

Without the powers Wisco or Penn State,

The Cats should march their way to 9-0

And they’ll lead OSU with 10 to go.

But even if the Buckeyes do prevail,

A Rose Bowl win would really cure what ails.

MEN’S SOCCER

With many potent threats its fans adore

The soccer team will make the Final Four.

A strong attack and Rosenthal in goal

Will make it easy for the Cats to roll.

Alas, their title dreams will fall just short,

So now let’s turn our focus to the court.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

If basketball is to put up a fight

It must rely on all that brand-new height.

We know that Moore and Coble both can shoot,

But now let’s see if Carmody’s recruits

Can turn around a program in decline

And keep our interests piqued come tourney time.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The women’s team will have a new head coach

(There is no word that fits that rhymes with coach).

So anyway, once NU learns to score

Its conference wins will jump from one to four.

They may not win a dozen Big Ten games,

But you will like their new look just the same.

WRESTLING

When Herbert’s done with his Olympic year

He’ll speak the words his fans have longed to hear:

“I want you all to know, starting today

I’m making sure the Cats go all the way!”

Though he and Fox will surely do their parts,

They need more depth before the titles start.

SOFTBALL

As hard as NU ace Delaney throws,

The future of this team – well, no one knows.

The talent for a title’s clearly there;

They’ll capture the Big Ten with games to spare.

With all but one returning in the fall,

I have to say: I think they’ll win it all.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

If we were only talking the Big Ten

Then women’s tennis surely sweeps again.

But trouble could arise when they must play

The NCAA tournament in May.

And should it be so much for me to ask

The Cats to make the semis there at last?

LACROSSE

Lacrosse will take the title once again

(The women, not the non-existent men).

With Lathrop, Bowen, Nielsen, Frank and Dowd

The Cats’ success will please the purple crowd

With five-straight crowns (and undefeated, too),

Will Lax fans now spell dynasty N-U?

Assistant sports editor Ben Larrison is a Medill junior. He can be reached at [email protected].