2020: short on action, big on storylines

The year in GCU Athletics began normally but quickly adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Competition was limited greatly but there were still plenty of moments, movements and memories to be had for the Lopes.

GCULopes.com looks back at the 10 top newsmakers of 2020 in chronological order:

Baseball begins with big bang

GCU baseball opened the season in February with two accomplishments that are becoming normal for the program – a win against a top-25 program and a huge crowd (3,843). But the Lopes also won the series against No. 22 Oklahoma State with three-hit performances from Drew Smith and Juan Colato (pictured) in the opening win and another three-hit game from Channy Ortiz in the rubber match.

Men's volleyball plays twice as nice

Gianni

GCU men's volleyball enjoyed the program's best homestand in February, when it beat No. 8 UCLA and No. 6 Pepperdine. With 1,923 fans at GCU Arena, the Lopes lost the first set to UCLA but won the next three sets while setting a team record with 11 aces. Two days later, GCU repeated a four-set win against Pepperdine as Camden Gianni (pictured) recorded 36 kills in the two wins.

Women's golf ends on win, Linam record

GCU women's golf claimed the GCU Invitational in thrilling style, winning the 14-team event by one stroke as Alexis Linam (pictured) set a tournament record with a score of 6 under par and claimed her first collegiate medalist honors. In their only spring action, the Lopes finished at even par to edge California Baptist with the help of Carmen Belmonte taking fifth place in her fourth GCU tournament.

Men's track and field completes 5-peat

Trey_Johnson

GCU men's track and field got "one for the thumb" in becoming the only program besides BYU and UTEP to win five consecutive WAC Indoor Men's Track and Field Championships. On March 1, the Lopes trailed by a half-point but the finale, the 1,600-meter relay, put GCU on the title trophy stage. Trey Johnson (pictured) won two races to be honored as Most Outstanding Track Athlete.

Softball's Denhart says no-no

Ryan

GCU softball enjoyed a no-hitter from junior pitcher Ryan Denhart (pictured) in its last day of the season. Denhart threw a five-inning no-hitter with the run rule ending a 9-0 Lopes win against South Dakota. A final-inning error broke up Denhart's bid for a perfect game. GCU scored 25 runs in 11 innings for two victories on March 11, the GCU Invitational opening day before games were canceled the next day.

Diving's Lameiro qualifies for NCAAs

GCU diving claimed Lopes history with freshman Sara Lameiro Castellanos (pictured) becoming the first female GCU student-athlete to become a Division I NCAA Championships individual qualifier. Lameiro, from Spain, learned English and robotics simultaneously, but still improved in platform diving to finish eighth at a NCAA zone meet in early March. That effort earned a spot for nationals, which was canceled.

Drew, Miller hired as hoops hierarchy

Molly Miller Headshot

GCU basketball headed in a promising direction over a three-week spring span with the hiring of two esteemed head coaches. First, ex-NBA pro Bryce Drew (pictured at right) was named the men's head coach after leading three NCAA tournament teams at Valparaiso and Vanderbilt. Then, two-time NCAA Division II Coach of the Year Molly Miller (pictured at left) became the women's head coach after becoming the winning percentage leader among all NCAA coaches at Drury.

U.S. beach team picks GCU dynamic duo

Teagan DeFalco Headshot

GCU beach volleyball already made the national scene with a No. 7 ranking when the season ended prematurely because of the pandemic in March. Bella Bauman (pictured at left) and Teagan DeFalco (pictured at right) took it farther when USA Volleyball selected the Lopes tandem for the 29-member U.S. Beach Collegiate National Team in May. The honor came one year after Bauman and DeFalco reached the round of 16 at Under-21 World Championships.

Mechals realizes MLB Draft dream

GCU baseball made another draft dream come true when Kade Mechals (pictured) was selected in the fourth round by the Chicago White Sox in June. Mechals was an ace but he was limited to three 2020 starts before having Tommy John elbow surgery in May. His skill set, game tenacity, body of work and improvement were enough to move him up 36 rounds from his 2019 draft spot.

Pandemic shifts sports calendars

GCU

GCU Athletics' year ended with competition on the basketball court, in the swimming pool and on the cross country course, but it took a winding road to get there. Events and activity were canceled nationwide in March. Hopes of returning in August were doused with a delay and then a suspension. Ultimately, after many protocols and provisions, the basketball seasons began later and fall sports shifted to the spring.

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