John Cabot University’s student-athlete delegation, the Gladiators, recently showcased their prowess at the 2024 International Sports Festival (ISF) held in Athens, organized by the American College of Greece. Among the participating universities were renowned institutions like the Lebanese American University (Beirut and Byblos Campuses), University of Balamand, American University of Sharjah, American University of Kuwait, and other Greek Universities.
The Gladiators, comprised of 20 student-athletes from Women’s Volleyball, Men’s Basketball, and Tennis, competed admirably, displaying pride and JCU spirit throughout the event.
In tennis, athletes Vittoria Caroli, Mattia Meucci, Alexis Aronin, and Noam Yawetz participated in both singles and mixed doubles tournaments. Although they showed significant improvements since the beginning of the season, they narrowly missed advancing to the final rounds after qualifying matches.
Under the guidance of Coach Jose Cano, the basketball team faced initial challenges against tough opponents but rallied to secure a memorable victory against ACG champions, showcasing resilience and determination. Despite narrowly missing the semifinals, the experience gained will undoubtedly bolster their performance in the upcoming Rome Championships Final on Tuesday, April 16.
Led by coach Livia Di Vincenzo, the volleyball team displayed dominance in the initial rounds, triumphing over opponents ACT and LAU. Although they faced a formidable challenge against ACG, their season’s progress sets a solid foundation for future endeavors.
Marco Iorio, the head of delegation, expressed immense satisfaction at rekindling this tradition disrupted by the pandemic. He emphasized the significance of fostering such sports initiatives within the network of American colleges across Europe and the Mediterranean basin, recognizing their invaluable impact on student-athletes’ development and lifelong memories.
A heartfelt thank you to Athletics Director Theodore Priskomatis for the invitation and to his entire team for the impeccable organization of the tournament, and a huge thank you to our coaches for accompanying and guiding our students through this wonderful experience as well.
This week promises significant events, including the Student Life Ceremony on Tuesday, April 16, where outstanding players will be honored for their contributions throughout the season. The day culminates in the JCU vs. Foro Italico Men’s Basketball championship final! Additionally, the Women’s Soccer Team will vie for their fourth title against Link Campus on Saturday, April 20, while the tennis team concludes their season with the Europa League final against Link Erasmus B.
Congratulations to all Gladiators for their exemplary performance thus far, and best of luck in the upcoming finals! Your dedication and determination continue to inspire the JCU community.
