Category Archives: San Bernardino Valley College

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-Region and state selections in Community College softball

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Photo Credit: Dave Aguilera

CCCAA SOFTBALL AWARDS

Coach of the Year – Ruby Rojas, Mt. SAC

Player of the Year – Natalie Barrios, Riverside

Pitcher of the Year – Emily Seidel, Mt. SAC

ALL-STATE (SOUTH)

Gabrielle Beasley, Southwestern; Vanessa Bracamonte, Mt. SAC; Carlie Daniel, Palomar; Kawehi Ephan, Citrus; Alyssa Fuimaono, College of the Desert; Gina Grijalva,Riverside; Kimmie Lockhart, College of the Canyons; Katherine Macias, Riverside; Kryn Matsutani, Cuesta; Ariana Mejia, Cerritos; Nicole Nobbe, Cypress; Alendrina Pichardo, Mt. SAC; Chelsea Ponce, Riverside; Karina Romero, College of the Desert; Alexandrea Simmons, Mt. SAC; Alexandria Thorpe, Ventura.

ALL-STATE (NORTH)

Racie Carel, Shasta; Kyla Cisneros, Fresno; Sierra Clark, Cabrillo; Grace Combs, Fresno; Bridget Godfrey, Sequoias; Kaycee Gonzalez, Hartnell; Miya Hamilton ,Napa Valley; Tawni Jobke, DeAnza; Megan McColpin, Shasta; Selina Rodriguez, San Mateo; Treasure Rodriguez, San Jose; Megan Scherer, Monterey Peninsula; Samantha Schilling, Marin; Jenna Thorne, Sierra; Ashten Welch, Sacramento; Taylor Wright, Sequoias.

ALL-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Andrea Arellano, Cerritos; McCrae Cayton, Saddleback; Amanda Chatman, Moorpark; Nicole Checkie, Moorpark; Kelsey Christopherson, LA Mission; Ashley Colon, Canyons; Brenna Farinas, Antelope Valley; Savannah Gutierrez, Canyons; Monique Guzman, LA Mission; Alyssa Hernandez, Canyons; Stephanie Luhman, Cypress; Brenna Parker, Palomar; Terry Lee Rahe, Santiago Canyon; Hannah Romanski, Santiago Canyon; Katelyn Traut, San Bernardino Valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All-Foothill Conference baseball honors

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The Foothill Conference baseball coaches have taken a cue from softball coaches, naming everybody to the All-Conference team. A total of 23 players on the second team . . . Come on guys. For better of worse, here it is.

Pitcher of the Year – Paul Paez, Rio Hondo

Player of the Year – Jeff Ricker, Mt. San Jacinto

Coach of the Year – Bill Mierzwik, San Bernardino Valley

Howard Lowder Award – Nate Lamdin, Barstow

FIRST TEAM

Starting pitchers – Manny Arciniega, San Bernardino Valley; Jake McCoy, College of the Desert; Joe Fernandez, Mt. San Jacinto, Diego Ibarra, Chaffey

Relief pitcher – Tyler Campbell, Chaffey

Catcher – Ryan Miller, San Bernardino Valley

First base – Alex Campos, Rio Hondo

Infielders – Kyle Jackson, Chaffey; Ryan Goodman, Chaffey; Vince Carnales, Mt. San Jacinto; Dylan Lohman, Antelope Valley

Utility – Gabriel Soto, Barstow; Brandon Kinser, San Bernardino Valley

Outfielders – Aaron Owen, Antelope Valley; James Carraway, Barstow; Jesus Cuevas, Rio Hondo; Isaiah Delsi, Chaffey

Designated hitter – A.J. David, San Bernardino Valley

SECOND TEAM

Starting pitchers – Andrew Rabiej, Antelope Valley; Tyler Rich, San Bernardino Valley; Augie Gallardo, Mt. San Jacinto; Josh King, Barstow

Relief pitcher – Kurtis Sargent, San Bernardino Valley; Adrian Lopez, Victor Valley

Catcher – Bryce McKee, Desert

First base – Alex Pollard, Barstow; Andrew Dorado, Chaffey; Nick Meyers, Cerro Coso

Infielders – Johnny Armenta, Mt. San Jacinto; Sho Serrano, Antelope Valley; Dominic Davis, Rio Hondo; Conner Garrison, Desert

Utility – Cory Clevenger, Desert

Outfielders – Dominic Martinez, Rio Hondo; Tyler Spotville, Victor Valley; LKeonard Malfavon, San Bernardino Valley; Gabby Soto, Barstow; Chase Phillips, Mt. San Jacinto

Designated hitter – Jorge Ortega, Rio Hondo; Bryan Faucher, Cerro Coso; Michael McNicholl, Barstow.

Gold Glove winners

Infield – Kyle Jackson (Chaffey); Outfield – James Carraway (Barstow); Catcher – Ryan Miller (San Bernardino Valley); Pitcher – Diego Ibarra (Chaffey)

 

All-Conference honors not always an “honor”

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There’s nothing like watering down what is supposed to be a nice honor. The issue came to my attention as I’m typing in the All-Foothill Conference selections for softball in this same space.

There were a total of 21 players named to the first-team alone in women’s softball. There were another 16 named to the second team. That’s totally ridiculous for a sport in a good conference, much less a bad one. The Foothill Conference is good in some sports but softball isn’t one of them.

I’m OK with maybe 12 – nine position players in addition to a Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year, maybe one utility player. More than 12 and it ceases to be that much of an honor.  This isn’t one of those leagues where everyone gets saluted for “participation.”

It is evident in the selections that it is predetermined how many selections each team will get, with every team getting at least a token selection. So even last-place Barstow (6-29, 1-13) had two selections, a first team and a second team selection. The first-place selection from Barstow hit .286, .a .286 in a weak conference, Ugh, OK!

First place College of the Desert had 10 selections. So every player in the starting lineup made All-Conference. Really?

Maybe coaches feel pressured to push for their players, lest they be subject to ridicule from parents, much like it can be at the high school level. Well at the college level we’re dealing with adults. We shouldn’t be throwing lots of names out there just so no one’s feelings are hurt.

All-Foothill honors out in softball

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Softball

All-Conference honors have been announced in softball with lots of locals among those selected. Here’s the full list:

Coach of the Year – Bianca Urquidi, Rio Hondo

Pitcher of the Year – Alyssa Fuimaono, College of the Desert

Player of the Year – Karina Romero, College of the Desert

First team

College of the Desert – Miranda Romero, Danyelle Sturm, Tori Heinemann, Janelle Eccles; Chaffey – Taylor Jenkins, Anjelica Cerecedes, Jennifer Del Mar, Allison Dunn, Morgan Hoare; Antelope Valley – Breanne Farinas, Destinee King, Haley Schulman; Rio Hondo – Aisha Ruiz, Samantha Martinez; San Bernardino Valley – Katelyn Traut, Katherine Maldonado; Mt. San Jacinto – Nohely ALvarez; Victor Valley – Marissa Amaya; Barstow – Tessa Saenz

Second team

Desert – Roxanne Allen, Ashlee Stolarski, Natalie Padilla, Rylee Perez; Chaffey – Lauren Avila, Jennifer Springer, Alexandria Haro; Antelope Valley – Ashlee Vivirito, Taylor Anderson; Rio Hondo – Natalie Nunez, Amanda Reynoso; San Bernardino Valley – Celeste Martinez, Robyn Davis; Mt. San Jacinto – DJ Morones; Victor Valley – Lorena Acosta; Barstow – Alexis Conant

 

 

JC baseball pairings announced

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San Bernardino Valley College has received the No. 4 seed for the community college playoffs which start on Saturday. The Wolverines (28-8) claimed their first Foothill Conference title since 2004 and have won 17 of their last 18 games.

Here’s the rundown:

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Tuesday (single elimination) No. 17 Santa Barbara (20-16) at No. 16 E Camino-Compton Center (21-15); No. 18 East Los Angeles (24-12) at No. 15 Rio Hondo (23-12).

Friday (Game 1, best-of-three series)

Compton-Santa Barbara winner at No. 1 Fullerton (25-11); No. 9 Cypress (23-13) at No. 8 Cuesta (21-15); No. 12 Mt. San Jacinto (24-12) at No. 5. Mt. SAC (26-10); No. 13 Canyons (22-14) at No. 4 San Bernardino Valley (28-8); No. 14 Bakersfield (24-12) at No. 3 Saddleback (25-11); No. 11 Orange Coast (22-14) at No. 6 Palomar (24-11); No. 10 Grossmont (26-10) at No. 7 Glendale (25-11); Rio Hondo-East LA winner at No. 2 Riverside (24-12).

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Tuesday (single elimination) – No. 17 Sequoias (19-17) at No. 16 Modesto (18-17); No. 18 Los Medano (18-18) at No. 15. Mission (22-13).

Friday, Game 1 (Best-of-three) – Modesto-Sequoias winner at No. 1 Santa Rosa (28-6-1); No. 9 San Mateo at No. 8 Cabrillo (18-18); No. 12 Sacramento (18-18) at No. 5 Chabot (24-12); No. 13 Laney (21-14) at No. 4 Fresno (26-10); No. 14 Solano (21-13) at No. 3 Marin (28-8); No. 11 Monterey Peninsula (23-13) at No. 6 San Joaquin Delta (24-12); No. 10 Merced (22-14) at No. 7 Feather River (24-12); Mission-Los Medano winner at No. 2 Sierra (29-7).

It’s a great day for local athletes in many sports

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It was a great day for a lot of athletes who made names for themselves in the Inland Empire and continued to do so on a bigger stage.

First, there was the NFL draft where two locals were chosen in the seventh round. Southern Utah quarterback Brad Sorensen (Colton HS/SBVC) was chosen by the San Diego Chargers with the 221st overall pick.

He played on some great teams at Colton with the likes of Allan Bradford and Shareece Wright, who is also with the Chargers.

Going later in the round, Nebraska safety Daimion Stafford (Norco HS/Chaffey College). Stafford was second on the team with 96 tackles, including 51 solo stops. He made at least seven tackles in 10 of 14 games, including a season-high 11 stops at Michigan State. Stafford racked up 176 tackles in his two seasons with the Cornhuskers, the fourth-best total in school history among two-year players.

In baseball, third baseman Jermaine Curtis (Miller HS/UCLA) made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in a 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance.

In 17 games at Triple-A Memphis Redbirds (Pacific Coast League) this season he hit .292 with 17 RBI.

Then there’s one of the fastest-rising stars in the United States when it comes to track. Brenda Martinez (Rancho Cucamonga HS/UC Riverside) participated in the Penn Relays, running a leg for the victorious Red team in the 4×800 USA vs. the World Relay. Martinez ran a second leg of 2:00.6. The only faster leg was that of Alysia Montano who ran a 1:58.6 anchor for the same quartet.

In NBA action, Ivan Johnson (Cal State San Bernardino) helped the Atlanta Hawks to a 90-69 playoff win over the Indiana Pacers. In 26 minutes off the bench Johnson, who played for the Coyotes in 2007, contributed 7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot.

 

SBVC clinches first Foothill baseball title since 2004

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San Bernardino Valley clinched its first Foothill Conference title since 2004 with a 5-4 win over local rival Chaffey on Thursday. Word of Mt. San Jacinto’s loss to College of the Desert trickled over just as the Wolverines were recording the last out. That made it official.

Of course it was just a matter of time. SBVC’s last three-game series is against last place Victor Valley so it’s not like it was going to lose multiple games to the Rams.

It’s one of the better teams coach Bill Mierzwik has had in his more than two decades. The Wolverines (24-8, 16-4) don’t do anything fancy. They had eight hits in their most recent game. That’s OK, but it’s not overwhelming.

They get good pitching, play solid defense and do a good job with situational hitting. That’s what it takes, particularly come playoff time when hits are harder to come by.

It’s also a matter of minimizing the damage. Don’t let an opponent put up a big inning. All four of Chaffey’s runs came in different innings as pitchers Tyler Rich and Kurtis Sargent were able to work out of trouble when Chaffey did threaten.

It is the 13th conference title in he history of the baseball program and the sixth that has come in the Foothill. It’s the best record the Wolverines have had since the 28-9 overall (22-5 in conference) of the 2004 team.

Chaffey has had a stellar program but the Panthers are young this year, with a freshmen-laden roster. So it’s the Wolverines time! Hopefully the squad make a run in the postseason and represent the Foothill Conference.