2024 was an eventful year for University of Maryland athletics — football slumped on the field but had a transformative year on the recruiting trail, men’s basketball experienced ups and downs, men’s lacrosse made the national championship and women’s soccer parted ways with its head coach.

With the year wrapping up, The Diamondback sports desk reflected on some of our best stories from the past 12 months. Follow us @DBKSports on X and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay up to date with our coverage of Maryland’s sports teams.

FOOTBALL

Maryland football players run out of the tunnel before its 50-7 win over UConn on Aug. 31, 2024. (Neelay Sachdeva/The Diamondback)

Tai Felton joins Maryland football’s greatest receivers atop the record books
By Brandon Schwartzberg

‘He’s real, you can just sense it’: The untold stories of Michael Locksley
By Sam Jane

Inside Maryland football’s analytically-driven strength and conditioning program
By Brandon Schwartzberg

I faced a Maryland football player in EA Sports College Football 25
By Sam Jane

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Derik Queen and Julian Reese walk during Maryland men’s basketball’s 108-37 win over Canisius on Nov. 18, 2024. (Neelay Sachdeva/The Diamondback)

Derik Queen sacrificed family for basketball. Maryland gives him both.
By Harrison Rich

Selton Miguel’s lengthy journey, career ascent brought him to Maryland men’s basketball
By Eli Cohen

For Kevin Willard, wearing suits is more than a fashion statement
By Harrison Rich

Maryland men’s basketball’s tumultuous year tarnished Jahmir Young’s historic season
By Eli Cohen

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Shyanne Sellers darts upcourt in Maryland women’s basketball’s 78-68 win over Ohio State on March 8, 2024. (Rohan Pandit/The Diamondback)

Maryland women’s basketball’s scout team is the unsung group behind the Terps’ success
By Ben Geffner

A summer trip to Croatia helped a new Maryland women’s basketball roster gel
By Matthew Neus

Maryland women’s basketball embraced first sellout since 2016 against Iowa, Caitlin Clark
By Olivia Janik

Maryland, Duke women’s basketball to reignite ACC rivalry
By Ben Geffner

RECRUITING

Malik Washington high fives a teammate during Archbishop Spalding’s 31-7 win over McDonogh in the MIAA championship on Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Burke/Archbishop Spalding)

5-star Zion Elee chooses playing at home over powerhouse programs, large NIL offers
By Sam Jane

Meet Malik Washington, the driving force behind Maryland football’s recruiting resurgence
By Harrison Rich

Cayden Reese grew up with Maryland women’s lacrosse. Now she’ll join it.
By Michael Howes

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Maryland women’s lacrosse players celebrate during its 11-8 win over James Madison on March 10, 2024. (Autumn Hengen/The Diamondback)

Maryland women’s lacrosse’s inefficient attack prevented a deep run, ended an era
By Matthew Neus

The Q-Collar gives two Maryland women’s lacrosse players an extra layer of protection
By Matthew Neus

Sophie Halus’ quickness spearheads Maryland women’s lacrosse’s push attack
By Matthew Neus

MEN’S LACROSSE

Maryland men’s lacrosse celebrates during its 16-8 win over Princeton on May 11, 2024.(Eric Robinson/The Diamondback)

A grueling injury recovery set up Eric Malever’s success at Maryland men’s lacrosse
By Brandon Schwartzberg

Notre Dame throttles Maryland men’s lacrosse in NCAA championship, 15-5
By Brandon Schwartzberg

A trio of Vermont transfers have fit right in with Maryland men’s lacrosse
By Brandon Schwartzberg

BASEBALL

Matt Swope and Kevin Keister talk during Maryland baseball’s 14-3 win over Mount St. Mary’s on Feb. 20, 2024. (Lincoln Polan/The Diamondback)

Meet Evan Johnson, Maryland baseball’s No. 1 fan
By Michael Howes

‘He’s a psycho’: Chris Hacopian’s drive has him ready to be the face of Maryland baseball
By Michael Howes

Matt Swope could coach anywhere. But he’s never wanted to leave Maryland baseball.
By Taylor Lyons

MEN’S SOCCER

Colin Griffith dribbles during Maryland men’s soccer’s 1-1 tie against UCLA on Oct. 21, 2024.(Jordan Budney/The Diamondback)

Albi Ndrenika almost had to give up soccer. He’s thriving for Maryland.
By Matthew Neus

Sasho Cirovski has transformed Maryland men’s soccer’s international recruitment efforts
By Matthew Neus

From NAIA to NCAA, Sadam Masereka has found his stride with Maryland men’s soccer
By Matthew Neus

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Maryland women’s soccer players celebrate a goal during its 3-3 tie with Navy on Aug. 24, 2023. (Eric Robinson/The Diamondback)

Maryland women’s soccer’s disastrous season leaves more questions than answers
By Holliday Woodard

Interim coach Michael Marchiano brings Maryland women’s soccer together
By Holliday Woodard

Maryland women’s soccer tops Nebraska, 2-0, for first Big Ten win in two years
By Holliday Woodard

FIELD HOCKEY

Missy Meharg walks off the field after Maryland field hockey’s 2-0 win over Michigan on Oct. 20, 2024. (Neelay Sachdeva/The Diamondback)

Maryland assistant coach Jenny Rizzo’s field hockey journey spans 5 continents
By Aidan Currie

Freshmen Annemijn Klijnhout, Ella Gaitan play pivotal roles for Maryland field hockey
By Aidan Currie

Maryland field hockey suffered from a lack of shootout film on Michigan’s goalkeeper
By Aidan Currie

VOLLEYBALL

Ellie Watson and Sydney Bryant go for the ball during Maryland volleyball’s 3-2 loss to Iowa on Sept. 28, 2024. (Sam Cohen/The Diamondback)

Maryland volleyball’s Duru Gökçen found a sense of family more than 5,000 miles from home
By Jacob Kauderer

Maryland volleyball’s ‘red zone’ struggles have exacerbated in Big Ten play
By Jacob Kauderer

Maryland volleyball’s Katie Scherer has become an impact player in her freshman season
By Jacob Kauderer

SOFTBALL

Courtney Wyche pitches during Maryland softball’s 2-1 win over Virginia on March 12, 2024. (Sam Cohen/The Diamondback)

Maryland softball’s Keira Bucher embraced her heritage — and found herself
By Holliday Woodard

Courtney Wyche could’ve left Maryland softball. She left her mark in College Park instead.
By Holliday Woodard

Maryland softball tops Penn State in first round of Big Ten tourney, 3-1
By Holliday Woodard

GYMNASTICS

Alexa Rothenbuescher performs on bars during Maryland gymnastics’ 196.675-196.125 win against Nebraska on Feb. 10, 2024. (Eric Robinson/The Diamondback)

A midseason resurgence gave Maryland gymnastics a historic year
By Lea Glaser

Maryland gymnastics fills its practices with energy, detailed feedback
By Lea Glaser

RuPaul’s Drag Race among inspirations for Maryland gymnastics’ floor routines
By Lea Glaser

WRESTLING

Ethen Miller during the second day of the 2023-24 Big Ten championships on March 10, 2024.(Eric Robinson/The Diamondback)

After competing against Maryland wrestling, Cole Matthews landed on its coaching staff
By Michael Stamatos

Seth Nevills considered quitting wrestling. Maryland helped him revive his career.
By Michael Stamatos

Maryland wrestling’s John Martin Best, Chase Mielnik have been successful in earned roles
By Michael Stamatos

BEST OF THE REST

Originally self-trained, Rose Coats has found a team with Maryland cross country
By Faith Harris

Maryland women’s golf’s international roster bonds through cultural differences
By Faith Harris

Maryland icon Johnny Holliday has cemented his legacy beyond the booth
By Sam Jane

PHOTOS: The Mighty Sound of Maryland marches through game week preparations
By Sam Cohen