Category Archives: Cal State San Bernardino

Cal Poly third, CS San Bernardino seventh in All-Sports tally

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Cal Poly Pomona finished third in the battle for the Robert J. Hiegert CCAA Commissioner’s Cup.

The award, named in honor of former Commissioner Robert Hiegert is awarded to the institution with the highest aggregate ranking in eight of the CCAA’s 12 championship sports.

Chico State was winner for the third straight year. The Wildcats compiled 13 points by capturing four CCAA championships in men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track and field, along with a regular-season title in women’s basketball.

UC San Diego is the only other institution to have won the Cup in past years and finished second (22.5).  The Tritions claimed titles in women’s soccer and women’s basketball.

Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State L.A. tied for third (32) and were followed by Sonoma State (38), CS Stanislaus (41.5), CS San Bernardino (44.5), San Francisco State (46), CS Monterey Bay (48), CS Dominguez Hills (50.5), Humboldt State (51.5), and CS East Bay (59.5).

Cal Poly won a title in men’s basketball while CS San Bernardino’s lone title was in volleyball.

An institution’s Hiegert Cup ranking is calculated using its top two Conference finishes in the fall, winter, and spring sports seasons, as well as the highest two other finishes, regardless of season. An institution’s numerical finish for team sports is determined by regular season standings. Individual sports finishes are determined by the finishes at the season-ending championship event.

2012-13 Hiegert Cup Final Standings

 

Institution Points
Chico State 13
UC San Diego 22.5
Cal Poly Pomona 32
Cal State L.A. 32
Sonoma State 38
Cal State Stanislaus 41.5
Cal State San Bernardino 44.5
San Francisco State 46
Cal State Monterey Bay 48
Cal State Dominguez Hills 50.5
Humboldt State 51.5
Cal State East Bay 59.5

 

 

Two locals get promotions

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Travis Taijeron

Two athletes that made their names with stellar college careers locally recently earned promotions to Double-A teams with their respective organizations.

Cal Poly Pomona graduate Travis Taijeron was promoted from the New York Mets High-A affiliate in Port St. Lucie (Fla.) of the Florida State League to Binghamton (N.Y.) of the Eastern League.

He hit .303 with 20 doubles, nine home runs and 27 RBI in 55 games and earned league Offensive Player of the Week honors twice to warrant the promotion.

In his second game with the Double-A team on Sunday, Taijeron, an 18th round pick in 2011, slugged a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to snap a 2-2 tie and give Binghamton a 5-2 win over Altoona (Penn.).

Meanwhile pitcher Aaron Brooks, out of Cajon High School and Cal State San Bernardino, climbed another rung on the Kansas City Royals organization ladder.

Brooks, an eighth round pick in 2011, started the season at High-A Wilmington (Del.) of the Carolina League where he went 2-3 with a 4.47 ERA but he was 2-0 with a 2.34 ERA in his last two starts.

He got his first start in Double A on Saturday, leading Northwest Arkansas (Texas League) to a 6-3 win over Arkansas. He went six innings, giving up eight hits and three runs while striking out two.

Aaron Brooks

Citrus honors student-athletes

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From left to right: Kerry Carter, Coach Chris Victor, Coach Tim Tracey, Jasmine Williams, Coach Ron Ponciano, and Rodney Mathews at the 50th Annual Citrus College Achievement Awards Ceremony. Photo By: Andrew Vasquez

Sophomores Kerry Carter, Rodney Mathews, and Jasmine Williams have been named the 2012-2013 Citrus College Athletes of the Year. In addition six other Citrus College student-athletes were recognized for their work in the classroom.

Carter has spent three seasons with Citrus, red-shirting the 2010-2011 season, before stepping onto the floor for the first time during the 2011-2012 campaign. For his career, Carter averaged 16.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He is the career leader in program history in points per game average. In the fall, Carter will be attending NCAA DI St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA where he will be attending and playing for the Gaels on an athletic scholarship.

Mathews  (Damien High School) was a two-year starter, totaling a career-high 94 solo tackles and 158 total tackles. Mathews is second in program history with nine career interceptions and third in program history with 14 pass break-ups in his two seasons on the gridiron for Citrus. He is headed to Fresno State.

In her two seasons on the pitch, Williams meanwhile left her mark all over for the Owls. Williams is the single season record holder for points, goals, and assists in a season and holds the career records in all three categories as well. She is heading to Cal State San Bernardino in the fall.

In addition to the three Athletes of the Year, six other current and/or former Owls were recognized for their academic accomplishments on campus. James Ayotte (golf), Audriana Arceneaux (soccer), Julie Gongwer (swimming), Blake James (baseball), Bre Lockett (softball), and Alyssa Lozano (soccer/softball) were all recognized as Distinguished Students for their job in the classroom.

 

Alexander, Smith take top athletic honors at Cal State San Bernardino

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2012_13_student athlete honors night

Senior basketball All-American Kwame Alexander and two-time senior volleyball All-American Camille Smith were named Male and Female Athletes of the Year, during the Coyotes’ annual student-athlete banquet Thursday night at the Santos Manuel Events Center.

Alexander led the California Collegiate Athletic Association in points (16.7) and rebounds (8.8) for the Coyotes, who reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three seasons. The Moreno Valley native became the first player in seven seasons to lead the conference in both categories and was honored as just the fifth player in school history as an All-American.

Smith earned Honorable Mention All-America honors for the Coyotes, who reached the NCAA regional finals for the 13th consecutive season. The Norco native became the only player in Coyotes history to have more than 3,000 assists (3,121) and 1,000 digs (1,115) in a career and helped her team win four CCAA titles, four NCAA tourney berths, three NCAA regional titles and one NCAA runner-up finish. Individually, she was a three-time All-CCAA choice and two-time All-American.

Junior Lee Nishanian (soccer) and Chelsey Jones (soccer) were named Scholar-Athletes of the Year, while Brenna McIntosh (volleyball) and Ricardo Velasco (soccer) earned Pups of the Year honors, awarded to the top first-year Coyotes’ student-athletes.

Earning the CCAA Hal Charnofsky Awards were Johnny Bell (basketball) and Shayna Stuart (basketball).

On the season, 16 student-athletes earned All-CCAA honors with water polo’s Misty Vu receiving all-WWPA honors. Nine earned all-region honors with five teams (volleyball, cross country, men’s basketball, golf and water polo) represented in postseason play.

Jimenez a great choice to head Cal State women’s basketball program

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Head Coach Renee Jimenez

The vacancy directing the Cal State San Bernardino women’s basketball program has been filled with the appointment of Renee Jimenez, who had headed Cal State Monterey Bay the last five years.

She is the perfect choice. She took over an Otters program that was just transitioning to Division II and turned it into a contender pretty much over night. The team was 3-24 the year before she took over and won a conference title in her third year. Her record there was 97-46.

That was despite having the second-lowest budget of the 12 teams in the CCAA and one of the three of four worst facilities. It also isn’t an easy place in which to recruit players. Now put her in a place where she has a top-notch facility and a talent pool within a 30-40 mile radius  that is second to none. The rest of the CCAA should be afraid, very afraid!

Her teams play hard, play together and play unselfishly. Their trademark has always been defense. I saw them play when they were here to play the Coyotes and Cal Poly Pomona but also covered them for the Monterey paper when Cal Poly hosted the women’s regional a few years back. I was impressed. They got to the semifinal without a player on the team averaging double figures. That says a lot.

Better yet is her 100% graduation rate.

It seemingly took about five minutes to fill the position. Well, it’s probably three weeks from the time the resignation of the former coach was announced to the appointment. That’s moving the process along pretty quickly, Athletic Director Kevin Hatcher knew who he wanted.

The pool of candidates was strong, featuring many with Division I experience but this was the perfect choice.

 

 

 

Top 10 college athletes of 2012-2013

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Well the college sports season is officially over. So in celebration of some great accomplishments, I’m counting down the top 10 individual performances of the last season. There were a lot of candidates and narrowing it down to 10 wasn’t easy.

10. Camille Smith, Sr., Cal State San Bernardino volleyball

Was the  veteran leader and setter on an otherwise very young Coyotes volleyball team that managed to keep its CCAA title streak in tact. If nobody beat them out for a title this year, that may not happen for awhile. For good measure the Coyotes advanced all the way to the NCAA Division II West Region final, AGAIN!

9. Lenore Moreno, Sr., University of La Verne track/cross country

Was named Division III Cross Country West Region Female Athlete of the Year after placing first place at the West Region Championships, becoming the first-ever Leopard to win a regional championship meet. In track she set school records in two events.  Her season best of 17:09.70 in the 5,000 meters established a new La Verne record.  In addition, she set both a school and SCIAC record in the 10,000 meters (35:00.43) and placed eighth at nationals in the 10,000.

8. Vainayaki Sivagi, Sr., University of Redlands track

Won SCIAC titles in the 200 and 400 and contributed to a winning relay, earning conference Athlete of the Year honors. She went on to place second nationally in the 400 meters.

7. Khallifah Rosser, Chaffey College track

Won a state championship in the 400m hurdles with a time of 52:08 seconds and contributed to a fourth-place finish in the 4×100 relay. Next month he is headed to the U.S. Junior Championships.

6.Chandra Lukes, Soph., University of Redlands swimming

Became the school’s first female national champion with a win in the 100 free. She also placed fourth in the 50 free (23.31), an event in which she entered the competition seeded 16th.

5. Mitchel Anderson, Sr., Cal Poly Pomona basketball

He was the CCAA Player of the Year and an NABC All-American and the leader of the best team in the conference by far.  Ranked in among conference leaders in scoring (14.2 ppg), rebounding (8.1), steals (1.9). He’s not flashy but he’s consistent and reliable. Would probably av erage more for another team but the Broncos style of play doesn’t lend itself to huge numbers.

4. Kwame Alexander, Cal State San Bernardino basketball

Led the CCAA in both scoring (16.7 ppg) and rebounding (8.8 rpg), also earning NABC All-American honors. That’s pretty tough to do in a conference with great depth of talent in teams and individuals. He’s also high on the list because we was such great fun to watch.

3. Kristen Lim, Sr., Claremont-Mudd-Scripps tennis

Went undefeated in the regular season and was ranked No. 1 individually much of the year. Finished as national runner-up in singles and teamed with Caroline Ward for a runner-up finish in doubles as well.

2. Jeff Depew, Soph., University of Redlands swimming

It’s hard enough to win a national title but it’s probably even tougher defending it the next year and Depew did that, winning the 400 individual medley. He also gets props for winning an IM which means he’s good at every stroke which is the biggest compliment you can give a swimmer. He goes for a three-peat next year. He also placed 10th in the 100 back.

1. Brad Shigezawa, Jr., Claremont-Mudd-Scripps golf

Not much can trump a national championship and he was the best in all of Division III. In thinking about it, winning a national title in golf might be THE toughest sport to win one. No disrespect to say track or swimming. But in those sports you qualify, then have a prelim and a final. In golf you have to be the best over the course of four days – 72 holes. It doesn’t get tougher than that.

Bradley Shigezawa (Photo by Jack Hancock)

Top 10 jobs by local college coaches

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As always it was a banner year for local college programs. None won a national title but there were many in the running. Today’s countdown, the top 10 coaching jobs of the school year. Heavy emphasis placed on teams that won conference titles or were close.

10. Kristin Dowling, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women’s basketball

Gets major props for how far her team came in the course of a season. She got the job so late admissions were closed so she was left with whatever players remained. She had to get a tennis player and another who had never played before just to round out a roster of eight. The Athenas lost a lot of games early but were competitive by the end of the season. Can’t imagine how well she will do given a full year and chance to recruit.

9. Kristen Hauge, San Bernardino Valley College women’s soccer

The Wolverines (14-3-5) regained their Foothill Conference title and did so with a freshmen-laden roster. Some of the sophomores she did have, were ones with limited experience. Some minor injuries along the way also proved problematic but the Wolverines made their usual run deep into the playoffs. She also plays a difficult schedule and does a wonderful job of moving players on to the next level.

8. Bill Mierzwik, San Bernardino Valley College baseball

The Wolverines won their first Foothill Conference title since 2004 and they did it without a Pitcher of the Year or Player of the Year as those went to athletes from other schools. He might have been higher on the list it weren’t for a quicker than expected departure from the playoffs.

7. Chris Krich, University of La Verne football

The Leopards went 4-5, which was a repeat of the previous season. But it was a much better looking and more competitive 4-5. Let’s not forget how bad this program was when he took over three years ago. Numbers were down, interest was down. This should be the year the Leopards really turn the corner and make a significant impact.

6. Ben Cooper, Chaffey College men’s soccer

The Panthers went 16-5-2 overall, won the Foothill Conference and won three playoff games before falling to favored Golden West 3-1. The Panthers did it without a what you would call a “dominant” player. This is definitely a program on the rise.

5. Greg Kamansky, Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball

Another one that is going to be on the list every year. The Broncos (28-3) won what is one of the toughest conferences in the country by a whopping four games and they advanced to the West Regional semifinal. Kamansky did it with two experienced players in Mitchel Anderson and Terrence Drisdom. After that, Kamansky had a bunch of unproven role players. Yet the beat goes on for the Broncos.

4. Frank Pericolosi, Pomona-Pitzer baseball

The Sagehens (29-16) finished second in the SCIAC to Cal Lutheran and were given at at-large berth in the NCAA Division III regional. We have come to expect good things from the Sagehens because they have always delivered. But this year’s team  exceeded expectations. Pericolosi lost three pitchers and a catcher for a good portion of the year with injuries. One of the pitchers also plays first so it was like losing two players. Let’s not forget the high academic standards which  can make it tough to contend. Bonus points for playing a strong schedule that included three games against No. 1 Linfield (Ore.)

3. Laurie Nevarez, University of Redlands softball

The Bulldogs lost their All-American and career home run leader Amanda Lievanos to a knee injury before the season started and they didn’t have an experienced pitcher after workhorse Kayla Uphold. Still the Bulldogs won a ninth straight SCIAC title and came within one game of playing for the regional final and their 36 wins equals a program record.

2. Kim Cherniss, Cal State San Bernardino volleyball

Yes, she could collect a Coach of the Year honor pretty much every year. But this year was one of her best jobs. Maybe the Coyotes didn’t make it to nationals like they had done the previous four seasons but they did make it to the West region final, despite having graduated seven seniors. So this year’s run came with a senior setter and a boatload of freshmen yet the still won the CCAA by three games. If someone else didn’t win this year, they may never win. An absolute travesty that a coach with a sub-.500 record got Coach of the Year honors this season in the CCAA

1. Jeff Klein, Chaffey College men’s basketball

The Panthers (27-7) had the best season in school history, making it all the way to the state title game before falling to Mt. SAC 102-88. Most impressive was an 87-85 win over previously unbeaten San Francisco in the state semifinal. The Panthers had a solid, united core of sophomores that were the foundation for that success. They played hard, they played together, played with poise and were not in awe of their surroundings no matter what the situation. That’s a reflection of the coach and his staff.

Jeff Klein

 

Top 10 athletes I’m going to miss

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The college season is about done. It’s always fun to go back and think about who did what to make it a memorable school year.

So I’m going to kick out a series of lists, just for amusement. Today it’s the top 10 athletes I’m going to miss covering – I’m talking seniors at four-year schools or sophomores finishing up at a local community college.

Got to start at 10 and work my way up . . . build the suspense. Hopefully those not making the cut won’t be offended. I truly enjoy what I do, every game I cover (that doesn’t go overtime) and every athlete I meet.

10. Annie Lydens, Pomona-Pitzer track/cross country

The last two years have been tough on her (injuries). But she was the subject of a feature her sophomore year. She has interned at the United Nations and her goal is to visit another different country for every year she has been alive. That tells you all you need to know. Nice to see great athletes with such a different perspective. Every interview with a Pomona-Pitzer athlete is an enlightening one.

9. Sarah Beeman, University or Redlands softball

A great player who finally got through a season injury-free and had impressive numbers to show for it. Bonus points for saving me from getting drowned by a celebratory water bucket a few years ago when the Bulldogs won the SCIAC Tournament. Coach Laurie Nevarez was the intended target.

8. Jordan Richard, Cal State Los Angeles basketball

So he doesn’t “play” for a local school. He qualifies as a local because he went to Los Osos and played at CS San Bernardino as a freshman, Riverside as a sophomore. And he played many a game against Cal State and Cal Poly. His game improved each year he ended up being the top shot blocker in the country this season. That’s a good way to go out.

7. Stacey Howard, San Bernardino Valley football

He made just some ridiculous catches this year for the Wolverines. Don’t know how opponents left him so open sometimes, especially on the halfback option. He was the subject for my season preview story and it’s always nice when those guys deliver. Almost makes it seem like I know what I’m doing. (Headed to University of Hawaii).

6. Luke Sweeney, Pomona-Pitzer football

Some times guys pile up lofty statistics against garbage teams or they just because they get a ton of carries but Sweeney is legit. He’s pretty small by running back standards and took a beating. Injuries really limited him last season but he still became the school’s all-time leading rusher. I have to wonder what numbers he would have put up with more talent around him.

5. Jordan Garcia, University of Redlands football

Not a big guy by any stretch but had a nose for the football and always seemed to come up with the big play on defense. Also the only athlete to ever email me and thank me for a story after the interview and before it was even published.

4. Camille Smith, Cal State San Bernardino volleyball

The latest in a line of great Coyote standouts and maybe the MOST interviewed player on the list because of the team’s high profile and her major role in her time there. She’s tough, real tough. And she has always been quite articulate, win or lose. Bonus points for always keeping us guessing what color her hair was going to be next.

3. Sango Niang, Chaffey College basketball

The reason he makes the list is because I can’t remember the last time I saw a player improve so much from one season to the next. Sango excelled in track growing up. That comes from his father being an Olympian. He barely played basketball in high school. He was good as a freshman, phenomenal the past season. He’s small and quick but absolutely fearless. (He’s headed to Division II Simon Fraser next year).

2. Mitchel Anderson, Cal Poly Pomona basketball

He won a national championship with the Broncos in 2010 as a freshman. That is indicative enough of his talent. He’s just a smooth, consistent player. He may not be flashy but by the end of the night he is going to have his 15 pts, 8 rebs, 5 assists and a couple of steals.

1. Kwame Alexander, Cal State San Bernardino basketball

This was an easy choice. Who doesn’t like rim-rattling dunks? Kwame had some of the most ferocious ones I have seen at any level. Go ahead, Google him and check out the dunks on You Tube. Definitely the most exciting player to come along in the CCAA in the last decade.

Kwame Alexander vs. Chico State

JC basketballers make decisions

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It has been an eventful week  as many of the area’s top community colleges players have made decisions on four-year schools.

I’m starting with Chaffey because the Panthers (27-7) were the state runner-up. Foothill Conference Player of the Year Justin Long (Rancho Cucamonga HS) is headed to Hawaii Pacific. It hasn’t been a winning program but Long (15.8 ppg, 106 3-pointers) should be able to make an immediate impact and should play a lot.

SG Ryan Nitz (Rancho Cucamonga HS) will attend Cal State Monterey Bay, so I’ll be seeing him when the Otters are in town to play Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino. Nitz (9.8 ppg) was solid all year but was less publicized than some of his teammates. But he had a great state tournament which improved his stock. Monterey, also a team that has struggled, but Nitz should be a good fit there. The teams shoots a lot of 3′s and he hits them. Have also heard good things about the Otters coaching staff.

Like the others, SG Kenny Morgan (Summit HS) is headed the Division II route. Morgan (11.4 ppg) will got to Adams State. That’s a program with a little more tradition than the others. Good for him too.

That makes four Panthers who have decided. Speedy point guard Sango Niang (Summit HS) was the first when he signed with Simon-Fraser later in February.

San Bernardino Valley had three players make up their minds. They’re all destined for the state of Idaho. Yep, Idaho.

Sophomore F Marcus Bradley and freshman PG Evann Hall are going to Idaho State while freshman F Paulin Mwape (Redlands East Valley) is headed to Idaho

 

All-CCAA Baseball team announced

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Jordan Whitman

2013 CCAA Baseball All-Conference Team

First Team
Name School Pos. Yr. Hometown
Cody Doyle Cal State L.A. C Jr. Covina, Calif.
James Wharton Cal State L.A. 1B Sr. Reseda, Calif.
Ryan Cooperstone Cal State L.A. 2B Sr. Chatsworth, Calif.
David Garcia Cal State Monterey Bay 3B Sr. Gilroy, Calif.
Jason Merjano Cal State Monterey Bay SS Sr. San Ramon, Calif.
David Castillo Cal State East Bay INF Sr. Pinole, Calif.
Mark Hurley Cal State Monterey Bay OF Jr. Hollister, Calif.
Scott Masik Cal State L.A. OF Sr. Santa Cruz, Calif.
Danny Susdorf UC San Diego OF Sr. Newhall, Calif.
Ivory Thomas Cal State Dominguez Hills OF Sr. Los Angeles, Calif.
Jordan Whitman Cal Poly Pomona OF Sr. Cypress, Calif.
Jeremy Weber Cal State L.A. DH Jr. Lancaster, Calif.
Troy Cruz UC San Diego UTL Fr. Chula Vista, Calif.
Will Anderson Cal State Monterey Bay SP Jr. Pleasanton, Calif.
Nick Baker Chico State SP Jr. La Quinta, Calif.
Harmen Sidhu Sonoma State SP Sr. Martinez, Calif.
Glenn Wallace Sonoma State SP Sr. Reno, Nev.
A.J. Quintero Cal State Monterey Bay RP Jr. Vacaville, Calif.
Second Team
Name School Pos. Yr. Hometown
Mark Lindsay San Francisco State C Sr. Upland, Calif.
Bo Walter Cal Poly Pomona 1B Jr. Lafayette, Calif.
Ronnie Fhurong Cal State Monterey Bay 2B Sr. Hollister, Calif.
Tyler Christian Cal State L.A. 3B Sr. San Jose, Calif.
Miguel Flores San Francisco State SS Sr. Union City, Calif.
Kyle Zozaya Cal State East Bay INF Sr. Hollister, Calif.
Craig Beevers Cal State Stanislaus OF Sr. Newman, Calif.
Grady Espinosa San Francisco State OF Jr. Yucaipa, Calif.
Blake Gibbs Chico State OF Sr. Bellevue, Wash.
Garrett Schwartz Sonoma State OF Jr. Salinas, Calif.
Cody Webber Chico State DH Sr. Fountain Valley, Calif.
Charlie Sharrer Cal State East Bay UTL Sr. Palmdale, Calif.
Sean Becker Cal State East Bay SP Jr. San Fernando, Calif.
Troy Neiman Chico State SP Sr. Castaic, Calif.
Jeff Owen Cal State Monterey Bay SP So. Clovis, Calif.
Jordan Sechler Cal State L.A. SP Sr. Santa Maria, Calif.
Cody Ponce  Cal Poly Pomona RP Fr. Upland, Calif.

 

HONORABLE MENTION: SP: Nolan Sheridan (Fr., San Francisco State), Ryan Goodbrand (Sr., UC San Diego), Kagen Hopkins (SR., Chico State), Matt Fontaine (Sr., CS East Bay) RP: Sean Martin (Sr., Chico State); C: Ben Manlove (Sr., Chico State) 1B: Richard Seigel (Sr., UC San Diego); 2B: Eren Miravalles (Jr., CS East Bay) 3B: Pierson Jeremiah (Sr., Chico State) SS: Dillon Moyer (Jr., UC San Diego) INF: Myles Dempsey (Sr., Chico State), Cody Slader (So., Chico State), Zac Chuvala (Sr., CS East Bay); OF: Brandon Alexander (Sr., CS East Bay), Steven Filippi (Sr., Sonoma State), Kevin Logan (Jr., CS Dominguez Hills), Austin Prott (Sr., Chico State) DH: Billy Hamilton (SR., CS San Bernardinoi); UT: Jason Padlo (Fr., Cal Poly Pomona).

Most Valuable Player: Glenn Wallace, Sonoma State
Most Valuable Player: James Wharton, Cal State L.A.
Freshman of the Year: Troy Cruz, UC San Diego
Co- Newcomer of the Year: Mark Hurley, Cal State Monterey Bay; Sean Becker, Cal State East Bay
Coach of the Year: Walt White, Cal State Monterey Bay