David Greenbaum

Among the thousands of students who will graduate on Monday are dozens of athletes who are officially retiring from their respective sports. Sports have been a large part of their identities dating back to their childhood. And the large majority of Penn’s athletes have played their last competitive games … ever.

On Friday afternoon, Special Olympians — athletes with intellectual disabilities — will compete in their own division in two races — the 4×100-meter relay and the 100-meter dash. In total, approximately 20 athletes from all over the East Coast will participate.

After balancing school and athletics for three and a half years, nobody would blame senior football players C.J. Mooney and Dave Twamley for relaxing their last semester. Instead, they decided to double up and play for the lacrosse team this spring.

Penn got off to a fast start, shutting out the Tigers (4-2, 0-1 Ivy) in the first quarter, while scoring three goals of its own.

The Quakers performed admirably, bouncing back from a loss against No. 7 Denver by beating No. 17 Lehigh and Villanova to bring their record to 4-1 after the break.

The Quakers were under the radar against Duke, but this time around they will be the favor as they face as St. Joe’s.

Most teams like to open their season against a weaker opponent to gain confidence going into the season. But Penn men’s lacrosse is not most teams, as they will take on No. 14 Duke.

This year, it has taken just three Ivy games for the Red and Blue to pick up two losses, making this weekend’s games must-wins.

Penn held NJIT to just 27.7 percent shooting from the field, a season-best for the Quakers’ defense, as they took a 54–53 victory at the Fleisher Center on Thursday night.

The Quakers are just 2-13 and have yet to win a road game this season. Penn will seek its first road win and 1700th win as a program Thursday night against the NJIT Highlanders (9-8) at the Fleisher Athletic Center.