May 31, 2011
San Antonio – The St. Mary’s Athletics program went on a tear against St. Edward’s late in the spring semester, but it wasn’t enough to capture the first annual “Battle of the Saints” crown.
St. Edward’s won the friendly feud 6-5 – despite the Rattlers sweeping the points awarded for men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball.
The Hilltoppers topped the Rattlers at the Heartland Conference Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships to seal the victory.
The schools share 11 sports in which they both compete, with one point being awarded to the head-to-head winner of each sport. For sports that meet twice a season, the winner of each event/winner was given 1/2 point.
The trophy will remain in St. Edward’s possession until next season. The competition will resume on Sept. 23, when the two schools’ men’s soccer teams compete in San Antonio.
Student-athletes at St. Mary’s have a graduation rate of 63 percent, higher than the NCAA Division II average of 55 percent.