July 2008 Archives

Senior defensive tackle Brock Arndt (Valencia, CA) landed on the D3football.com Preseason All-American Second Team for Defense.

 

During the 2007 season, Arndt helped the Bulldogs win their 28^th Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championship and advance onto the NCAA playoffs for the fifth time in school history.  In nine games, he provided 29 solo and 19 assisted tackles to rank fifth on the team in total tackles with 48. 

 Arndt supplied 10 tackles for a loss of 53 yards, including five sacks for a loss of 39 yards.  In addition, he racked up nine quarterback hurries and three pass break-ups while recovering two fumbles for 10 yards.  Despite missing the final game of the season due to injury, Arndt earned First Team All-Conference and D3football.com Second Team All-West Region honors.

 

For a complete list of the D3football.com Preseason All-Americans, please log onto http://www.d3football.com.

 

 University of Redlands track & field standouts graduate student Fritz Nugent (Tinley Park, IL) and Natalie Calderon '08 (Pasadena, CA) were named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Field Scholar-Athletes of the Year. 

 

In addition, freshman Mackenzie Smith (Hoquiam, WA), sophomore Jake Baechle (Aurora, OH) and sophomore Richard Valenti (Palm Desert, CA) joined them as members of the 2008 USTFCCCA Division III All-Academic Track & Field Team.  To earn a spot on this team, the student-athlete must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and earned at least one provisional or automatic qualifying mark in his/her respective event.

 

Boasting a cumulative GPA of 3.957 in graduate school, Nugent earned the male field scholar-athlete of the year award based on his success both in the classroom and in competition. He captured a gold medal at the 2008 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the Long Jump.  Currently, he is pursuing his Master of Arts in Higher Education at Redlands. 

 

"Fritz is a true 'Renaissance Man,' being able to balance excellence in many different facets of track & field and in life," Head Coach Mike Schmidt said.

 

Calderon won the women's field scholar-athlete of the year award after accumulating a 3.797 cumulative GPA as a Communicative Disorders major. She led the Bulldogs to their first women's track & field conference championship since 1978 and won both the Long Jump and the Triple Jump at the 2008 NCAA Championships.

 

"Natalie is a true student-athlete who has shown an amazing ability to balance academics, athletics and community service," Schmidt said.

 

With a 3.737 cumulative GPA, Smith supplied a standout freshman season, placing sixth at the NCAA Championships in the Javelin Throw with a mark of 138' 8".  She earned All-American honors and placed third all-time in program history with her performance.

 

Baechle and Valenti join Nugent on the men's side as members of the 2008 USTFCCCA Division III All-Academic Track & Field Team.  As a Business major, Baechle put together a 3.393 cumulative GPA to compliment his breakout year in the 800m Run. He qualified for the NCAA Championships with a time of 1:51.76 and also ran on a 4x400m Relay team that provisionally qualified for the national meet.  Valenti boasts a 3.457 cumulative GPA and qualified for the NCAA Championships in the Hammer Throw where he threw for a distance of 157' 0".

 

The University of La Verne has given a couple of coaches additional duties.

Baseball coach Scott Winterburn has been named assistant athletic director for compliance. He has been part of the athletic staff since 2000, winning three SCIAC titles in his eight years, the most recent coming this spring.

Softball coach Julie Smith, who just completed her first year at the school, is assuming a new role as senior women's administrator.

She led the Leopards to a 28-19 mark on the diamond, including a win at the first SCIAC Tournament that gave them a berth in the Division III West Regional.

Two Chaffey College basketball standouts have decided their future plans. Jeffrey Sawyer is headed to Division II Bloomfield College in New Jersey while Stephon Richardson will attend NAIA Bacone College in Oklahoma.

Sawyer, a 6-foot-3 forward out of Miller High School, averaged 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. He transferred from San Bernardino Valley College where he helped the Wolverines to a Foothill Conference title as a freshman.

Richardson, a 5-10 guard out of Montclair High School, averaged 3.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

(July 7, 2008) - UC Riverside Track & Field Coach Irv Ray announced today the signing of 18 track and field recruits that will make up the recruiting class for 2008-09. "This is our finest recruiting class in our 5 years of building this Division I program," said Ray. "(Assistant coaches) Browne and Basler have done an outstanding job in recruiting an excellent class of student athletes who will represent UCR with excellence in both the class room and on the track."

Women's Track & Field Recruits

Amy Cordisco - Skyline HS - Oakland, CA
CIF Oakland Section champion this year at 3200m. She owns personal bests of 11:14 and 5:21 for the 3200m and 1600m races. "Amy will be a solid addition to the team. She comes in knowing her best events at this level will be the 5k and 10k. This will allow her transition to come easier as she is ready and willing to step up her racing distances."

Karen Han - Arcadia HS - Arcadia, CA
Pacific League champion in the high jump and made it all the way to the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet. Her best marks are 5' 7" in the high jump, 37' 9" in the triple jump and 12.67 in the 100m. "Karen fills a glaring need for us in her primary event, the high jump. She'll also be a factor in the triple jump as she learns that event as she has only done it a handful of time. We are excited about what she brings to the table."

Yozmine Modeste - Scripps Ranch HS - San Diego, CA
State qualifier in the 400m out of the San Diego Section. She trimmed her 400m best down to 57.60 this year at the San Diego Section Finals to qualify for State. "Yozmine has a great personality and a strong desire to continue her improvement in track. She is just starting to scratch the surface on what she can accomplish in this sport. She also runs the 200m and will add to our 400m depth from last year."

Chinwe Oniah - Skyline HS - Oakland, CA
CIF State Championships qualifier in the high jump and triple jump. This was after being the Oakland Section champ in both events. Her best marks are 39' 1" in the triple jump, 5' 1" in the high jump, 17' 6" in the long jump, 12.5 in the 100m and 25.5 for the 200m. "Chinwe is the total package. She is intelligent and has the athletic abilities to boot. She will do a lot of different events for us focusing primarily on the jumps and sprints. Coach Cooks (Skyline HS coach) has done an excellent job of getting her prepared for our program."

Brittany Reimer - La Quinta, HS - La Quinta, CA
CIF Southern Section Prelims qualifier in four events after being Desert Valley League champion in the 800m, 1600m, 3200, and 4x400m relay. Has run 2:21 for 800m, 5:08 for 1600m, 11:24 for 3200m and completed a road 5k in 18:22. "Brittany is a conscientious student and also has that mindset about her training. She is looking forward to being part of a team that can push her. Her marks will continue to drop during her Highlander career."

Jessica Soltysiak - Otay Ranch HS - Chula Vista, CA
CIF San Diego Section finalist. Jessica played basketball for years and brings that athleticism to the throws. She comes in with marks of 131' 0" in the discus and 37' 2" in the shot put. "Jessica will headline the next generation of throwers for Coach Rica Bush (UCR Throws Coach). Her marks are comparable with where other athletes came in as a freshman that Coach Bush developed into NCAA Regional qualifiers and Big West conference scorers. This bodes well for the type of improvement Jessica will see with continued dedication and focus."

Reanne Swafford - Chaparral HS - Temecula, CA
Scholar athlete from the Murrieta/Temecula area. Her best marks are 25.9 for the 200m and 58.7 for the 400m. "Reanne is a stellar student and has expressed a desire to move up to the 800m distance. Her speed at the shorter distances suggests she can be a factor in the conference at 800m. We need someone to help fill the space left by two seniors and Reanne looks to be one of them."

Diahann Williams - Templeton HS - Templeton, CA
CIF Southern Section Masters qualifier. Diahann played volleyball and soccer in addition to having her stellar track career. She has the ability to do the triple and long jump at a high level as well as the short sprint events. Her triple best is 38' 8", long jump is 18' 4", 100m is 12.2 and 400m is 58.6. "Diahann is an athlete! This is what her father and Coach Steve informed me at a meet. After watching her compete I agree. Her ability is untapped at this point. She will be a point scorer right away for our team. There is no question that she can help our sprints group as well."

Men's Track & Field Recruits

Conor Burton - Loyola HS - Los Angeles, CA
CIF Southern Section Prelims qualifier. Conor is new to the sport of track & field having played basketball for a number of years. He comes from the storied Loyola HS program which has produced many solid collegiate athletes. His personal bests are 51.2 for the 400m, 1:56.2 for the 800m and 4:30 for the 1600m. "Conor comes from a great family and has a tremendous desire to improve and run fast. His background as a basketball player and long lanky physique makes him primed and ready for the 800m races in college. This guy will improve by leaps and bounds."

Steven Crum - Santiago HS - Corona, CA
First Team All State in XC and All CIF Southern Section in XC as well. Steven has run a very fine 15:29 for 5k on the Woodward Park State Meet cross country course. Also has a 15:01 Mt. Sac time to his credit, 9:23 for 3200m and 15:13 for a flat 5k. "Steven is a workhorse - enough said. He is the most ready distance runner to contribute to our program at this level. He wants to run the 5k and 10k in college and has the ability, stamina and desire to make it happen."

Sean Ferrara - Claremont HS - Claremont, CA
CIF Southern Section Finalist in three events - the 400m, 300m hurdles and the 4x400m relay. Sean was the Baseline League Champ in the 400m, 300m hurdles and the triple jump and was named the Claremont HS Athlete of the Year. His best marks include 39.28 for the 300m hurdles, 49.43 for the 400m and a 45' 0" triple jump. He is a younger brother to UCR basketball alum Mike Ferrara. "Sean has tremendous potential. He's athletically gifted enough to do several events well. He will be a contributor over the hurdles and on the 1600m relay right out of the gate. Although he comes from an athletic family, I'm confident Sean will make a name for himself."

Reginal Jackson - San Gorgonio HS - Highland, CA
CIF Southern Section Masters qualifier in the high jump after finishing as the runner up in Southern Section Division 1 Finals in that event. He also qualified for the CIF Finals in the 110m high hurdles and was the San Andreas League titlist in the high jump. His best marks are 6' 10" in the high jump, 14.94 in the 110m hurdles and 46' 8" in the tripe jump. "We are thrilled to have Reggie as a part of our program. He turned down full scholarship offers to play football because of his love for track & field. This guy can get up high - he'll challenge the school record in the high jump before he graduates. His height and explosiveness will make his transition to college hurdle height (39" to 42") much simpler."

Talal Khan - Valencia HS - Placentia, CA
CIF State qualifier in the 1600m and the State XC Championships. He was also the CIF Southern Section Champ for Division 2 at 1600m. Talal was the Empire League Champion at 4 events this year 800m, 1600m, 3200m, 4x400m relay. Talal sports personal bests of 1:55, 4:13 ,9:21 ,15:30 for the 800m, 1600m, 3200m and 5k XC race distances respectively. "He has all the tools to be a mainstay on our team for the next four years. Talal is driven to run with the best. He comes from great coaching and a strong program that does similar work to what we do at UCR. Coach Pat Hadley has done a fine job molding Talal into a great prospect."

Jerome Rideaux - Roosevelt HS - Corona, CA
CIF Masters qualifier as the leadoff man on Roosevelt HS school record setting 4x400m relay. Fine student who boasts track bests of 22.3 for the 200m, 49.5 for the 400m and 21' 8" in the long jump. "Jerome comes with high recommendation from his high school Coach Grace Margain. He has some incredible turnover and will challenge for a spot on the 4x100m and 4x400m relays right out of the gate."

Travis Smith - Clovis West HS - Clovis, CA
CIF Central Section Finalist in the throws. Travis hails from the renowned Clovis West program where he played football and did both the shot and discus at a high level. His farthest throws are 52' 7" in the shot put and 160' 10" in the discus. "Travis is a big, strong kid already. It's just a matter of time before Coach Rica Bush has him at the top of the Big West conference in the throws. He was coached by his father who did an excellent job preparing him for this step."

Ryan Swafford Jr. - Vista Murrieta HS - Murrieta, CA
This combo triple, long and high jumper was the 2008 California State Runner Up in the triple jump after being taking 5th in 2007 in that event. He has bests of 49' 1" in the triple jump, 23' 0" in the long jump, and 6' 8" in the high jump. "Ryan is our most explosive recruit because he can do all three jumping events well. He has the ability to do three events really well and will excel as a collegiate triple jumper. He's only been doing track for three years so his potential is enormous. He comes from one of the largest and best programs in this area in Vista Murrieta HS. We were fortunate to sign Ryan as many other top end programs were after his services."

Shane Tucker - El Toro HS - Lake Forest, CA
CIF Masters qualifier after being the CIF Southern Sections Division 1 runner up in the discus throw. Shane is also a solid performer in the shot put. His discus best is 166' 0" and he has thrown 51' 3" in the shot put. "Shane is an honor student in the classroom and is downright explosive on the field. His lifts and foot speed are on par with collegiate level hammer throwers already. He'll get the chance to try the different throws but I'd bet he'll be a dominant hammer and discus thrower on this level."

Brett Valencia - Los Osos HS - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
CIF Southern Section Prelims qualifier after winning both the 800m and the 1600m at the Baseline League Finals. He was also the Baseline Champion in XC and was ranked in the Top 3 in San Bernardino County during the XC season. His best mark in the 1600m is 4:19 and he also ran 14:56 for a three-mile XC race. "Brett is fairly new to the sport - only two years of competitive running. He is barely getting started and will make some remarkable improvement because he is a student of the sport. He comes from a great family which includes a supportive environment, making for an easier transition to collegiate athletics."

It's ready, set, hike time for Ashley Moody. But her chance to play football didn't come until she finished up her collegiate basketball career.

Moody, 22, finished her eligibility with the Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball team in March. As soon as her season ended she was on the gridiron with the Los Angeles Amazons of the National Women's Football Association.

"I always wanted to play football," said Moody, who averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Broncos. "When I was little my uncle had a team and he wanted to play but of course my mother said no. I love all sports but this is new so it's exciting."

Moody was introduced to the sport and the franchise by Tamara McDonald, a first-year assistant coach for the Broncos who was playing for the Amazons, but has since stopped because of injury.

McDonald talked up the football team with the Broncos and invited the seniors to come to a practice, an offer Moody gladly accepted.

Moody, a 5-foot-7 guard on the hardwood, said even she was surprised at what she found when it came to the team.

"I thought there would be all these massive 6-foot-4 women. And it wasn't that at all," she said. "There are players all different sizes, different ages. And the competition is tough. We play hard."

Moody, a native of Carson, didn't get much playing time at first but has become a valuable addition, particularly on special teams. The highlight for her this season was a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 41-14 win over the Phoenix Prowlers.

She has also seen some time at cornerback and has 13 carries for 133 yards on offense.

The Amazons are one of 38 teams in the league which is set to expand by nine teams in 2009. They are 9-0 and the only unbeaten team in the 19-team Southern Conference. They will host a playoff game at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bassett Stadium in La Puente.

Moody can forsees the sport gaining in popularity.

"It is that way for every woman's sport," she said. "It always takes awhile to catch on. Look at the WNBA. It has become very popular but it wasn't always that way."

Although Moody is done with basketball, she still has a year left before getting her degree in graphic design. She plans to follow through with that.

"Definitely, school comes first," she said.

Five players from the University of Redlands men's water polo team received All-Academic Team laurels from the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA).  This honor requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale), status as one of the top-10 student-athletes on the team as deemed by the head coach, and enrollment as a full-time student who has completed a minimum of one semester or two quarters at his institution.

 

With a 3.72 GPA, senior driver David Mills (Los Alamitos, CA) boasts the highest GPA of the five Bulldogs named to the All-Academic Team.  This Business major scored eight goals and accumulated seven assists, 14 steals and three ejections drawn over the course of the 2007 season.

 

Sophomore defender John Floersch (San Jose, CA) offers a 3.45 cumulative GPA as a Business major.  He recorded 11 goals, seven assists, 11 steals and 17 ejections drawn in the Bulldogs' 2007 season.

 

Also majoring in Business, sophomore driver Ryan Floersch (San Jose, CA) posted a 3.58 GPA. In addition to his 25 goals, R. Floersch supplied 14 assists, 19 steals and 30 ejections drawn during the 2007 season.

 

Junior driver Clint Stevenson (South Jordan, UT) earns a spot on the team with a 3.01 GPA as a Business major.  He offered 18 goals while totaling nine assists, 24 steals and eight ejections drawn during the 2007 season.

 

Finally, sophomore goalkeeper Teddy Trowbridge (Mercer Island, WA) rounded out the Redlands players represented on the team with a 3.41 GPA as a Computer Science major. Trowbridge tied for 11^th in the country in saves with 233 and posted a save percentage of 43 during his 2007 campaign.

 

The Bulldogs compiled a 22-14 record during the 2007 season and finished ranked as the top Division III team in the Collegiate Water Polo Coaches final poll.  In addition, Redlands tallied a 9-1 mark in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action to take second in the standings.

 

 

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Even before the United States Olympic Trials, Rialto native Damein White called Tyson Gay his track idol. So running in the lane next to him in the quarterfinal heat on Saturday at Hayward Field in Euguene, Ore., had to be a little overwhelming.

But no one could have expected what actually took place. Gay pulled up in the opening few meters of the race and went sprawling to the ground with what was later said to be a severe cramp. The world record holder was down and out. Yes, he still qualified in the 100, but the chance for a double was gone.

White admitted to being a bit distracted and ended up running a 27.96 - way, way off his best of 20.55. That's a huge difference in a race so short.

White was interviewed by the national media after the race about Gay's mishap since he was the athlete closest and there was no mention of an injury to him. But the incident may have caused him to lose stride or concentration just enough to prompt his own poor time.

But it's all a learning experience. At 23, White will probably have another chance at the Olympic Trials. With just three years of experience in the sport, he is a relative rookie.

But he will have a story to tell when he returns home nonetheless.

Three athletes with local connections fared well in their appearances at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials Friday at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Rialto native Damein White, representing Cal State Los Angeles, won his preliminary heat in the 200 meters with a 20.93 to qualify for today's quarterfinal. White, running in the last of five heats, posted the 10th best time of those that advanced but was still off his personal best of 20.55.

In the javelin prelimiaries, USC junior Corey White advanced to Sunday's final with a throw of 236 feet, nine inches. White, who won a Division III national title at the University of Redlands as a freshman, was the 10th plave overall qualifier.

Former Pomona-Pitzer distance standout Will Leer competed in the semifinals of the 1,500 meters and finished third in his heat (3:44.19). He will be one of 12 athletes in Sunday's final, qualifying with the sixth best time.

Leer, running for the Oregon Track Club, was fourth in his preliminary heat Thursday with a 3:43.79. He spent the entire race in the middle of the pack on an inside lane and was fortunate to avoid trouble when another runner was tripped up and went sprawling to the ground.

Well the Cal State San Bernardino men's basketball program has announced the first wave of newcomers set to join the fold in th fall. Like all signing classes, it looks good on paper.

All four are transfers, as is usually the case at Cal State. Coach Jeff Oliver is particularly high on 6-foot-7 forward Brandon Brown, a native of New Orleans who comes to the Coyotes via Holmes Community College in Mississippi.

Of course whevever you're talking big men and Cal State, you have to think of Ivan Johnson, the behemoth Division I bounceback from Oregon that led the Coyotes to the Division national semifinal in 2007. Johnson had great agility for a guy 6-7 and 250 pounds but he didn't always rebound like a guy that size should. And he was a little rough around the edges as they say.

Johnson, who played last season in the NBA's D-League, was intimidating. But Oliver said Brown is more of a true scorer and has great moves around the basket. That is something the Coyotes lacked last season.

Other newcomers are Larry DeHughes, a 6-4 junior guard out of Fullerton College. I saw that team play a couple of times against the locals but they had lots of stars so I can't say I remember him.

Then there's Lawrence Tyson, a 6-2 point guard out of Northeastern Junior College in Colorado. He also played at Cal State Northridge. With Omar Krayem, a highly touted player who redshirted last year, leaving - Tyson could land a starting spot.

And lastly, Michael Frazier, a transfer from Northern Colorado who also isn't totally unfamiliar with Southern California having played a year at Mt. San Jacinto JC.

Oliver still has a couple of scholarships available and always seems to come up with a gem in September. This looks like a good start but a few pieces are still missing, especially since the Coyotes graduated seven players, four of them full-time starters.

There are also a few question marks, one of them the availability of Renardo Bass, who started some games. He never seemed to have an impressive line, but did all the little things well and came up with some huge plays when needed. Bass, who has overcome multiple hardships in his life, has fallen behind academically and has a long way to go to be eligible.

But Oliver will have a contender come November. That always seems to be the case.

By Michelle Gardner

Staff Writer

Tacy Duncan's job just got a lot easier.

Trying to compete in one of the premier conferences in the country was tough enough. And when Duncan took over three years ago the program was the conference doormat.

She did that while holding down a full-time job in the Alvord Unified School District in Riverside. Then a year ago motherhood factored into the mix as she gave berth to twins.

But the load has been lightened considerably as Duncan's position has been elevated to full time. She becomes the first full-time coach in the 11-year history of the program.

The school had planned on making the full-time appointment last year but the timing wasn't right so it was put on hold until this year.

Duncan had to go through the interview process all over again with job having to be advertised, even though she had done a stellar job in her three years as a part-time coach, highlighted by her selection as CCAA coach of the year by her peers.

She was still the best person for the job.

"We got a good pool of applicants," Cal State athletic director Kevin Hatcher said. "But I think much of the reason for that was the success she had last year and the recognition she brought to our program. We couldn't not look at what she has been able to do in a short time."

The Coyotes are coming off their best season in school history. Cal State went 36-32 overall (17-13 in CCAA play), advancing to the postseason for the first time ever. They also advanced to the Division II West Region, before being eliminated by Humboldt State which went on to win the national championship.

That was a significant improvement over the 2007 season in which the Coyotes were sixth in the conference and 27-27 overall.

The team went 21-32 in Duncan's first year and that represented a 10-win improvement over the previous year.

To put the progress in perspective, the Coyotes were a combined 38-129 overall and 24-70 in conference play the three seasons before Duncan took over.

Hatcher said he expects the program to continue to grow, thanks in part to the Western Interchange Program adopted by the school for the coming calendar year. The program gives all students from the western part of the country in-state tuition. That should make it easier for coaches to lure in top talent from out of the area.

"I see how well she has done evaluating talent," he said. "I can't imagine how much better she will do with more time to do it."

But Hatcher said the school will still stick to its core area for the majority of its players.

"We have great talent in this area," he said. "There is no reason we shouldn't get the bulk of our players from around here."

Duncan earned her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Mary in North Dakota where she also earned All-American honors as a player. She got a master's in counseling from the University of Redlands while serving as an assistant coach from 2002 to 2005.

Seven of the Coyotes 11 head coaches are full time. The exceptions are women's tennis coach Heather Lehman, women's water polo coach Tom Finwall, women's cross country coach Tom Burleson and men's golf coach Tom Mainez.

Hatcher said he would eventually like to have the other four coaches at full-time status as well.

"I'm asking them to go out there and win conference titles and it's hard for me to look them in the face and ask them to do it when this is their second job."

The Cal State San Bernardino baseball team signed three players,
all of them Inland Empire products and familiar names to local
enthusiasts.

Leading the trio is right-handed pitcher Andrew Schile out of A.B.
Miller High School and Chaffey College. Joining him are Riverside
Community College infielder Cody Madison and Upland Christian's Ethan
Chapman.

Schile posted a 9-3 record for the Foothill Conference champion
Panthers in 2008. He posted a 2.94 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 64
innings and limited opposing hitters to an overall batting average of
.212. He was chosen conference pitcher of the year.

Madison, out of Moreno Valley, batted .329 for the Tigers. He had
two home runs, 32 RBI and a .419 on-base percentage on a team that
went 34-20 and made it to the state championship tournament. He had a
.976 fielding percentage.

Chapman had an impressive high school career. He earned
all-league four times and was an all-CIF Southern Section selection
twice, as well as prep all-America.

He was the 2007 CIF player of the year in his division as Upland
Christian won the section championship and was the Arrowhead League
offensive player of the year in 2007 and 2008. He batted .685 as a
senior with eight home runs, 74 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 33
attempts.

Chapman led his team to a 19-11 season (12-0 in league) and a
second straight appearance in the CIF championship game. In his 92 at
bats over 30 games, he had 63 hits, 16 doubles, 10 triples and a
slugging percentage 1.337. His on-base percentage was .723. He plays
for the Southern California Bombers in travel ball.

The Coyotes graduated 16 seniors, including the bulk of their
pitching staff. Earlier this spring head coach Don Parnell signed
pitchers Dan Stenavich (all-Southern California first-team selection)
and Jorge Dryjanski from Pacific Coast Conference champion
Southwestern College along with lefthanders Kevin McLaughry and
Garret Nelson from Grossmont College.

Other recruits to date are Aaron Brooks, an all-CIF and all-area
pitcher-infielder from Cajon; Andrew Harrison, a slugging first
baseman from Riverside's Norte Vista; Matt Winn, an outfielder from
Canyon Springs HS; Darren Dworak, an infielder from Damien and Ken
Othman, a catcher from Riverside's Martin Luther King.

The Cal State San Bernardino men's basketball team graduated seven players, five of whom played considerable minutes. Head coach Jeff Oliver has started rebuilding with the addition of four players to the program.

All are transfers, which has pretty much been his pattern since stepping in as head coach six years ago.

Oliver said the team's biggest needs have been addressed. The Coyotes (22-8, 15-5) led the CCAA in scoring defense but were just fifth in offense and seventh in field-goal percentage.

The Coyotes have finished with at least a share of the conference title seven of the last nine years but were bounced from the Division II West Region tournament in the quarterfinal.

"Our achillies heel was our offense and the fact that we weren't consistent from long distance," he said. "We took care of those issues. I expect us to be one of the better 3-point shooting teams."

The newcomers are 6-foot-7 junior forward Brandon Brown (Holmes CC in Goodman, Miss.), 6-4 junior guard Larry DeHughes (Fullerton JC), 6-4 senior forward-guard Michael Frazier (Mt. San Jacinto/Northern Colorado) and 6-2 junior point guard Lawrence Tyson (Northeastern JC in Colorado/Cal State Northridge).

Brown, a New Orleans native, averaged 27 points and 13 points for a team that went 16-8. He had a season high of 38 points twice.

Oliver expects him to be an impact player.

"He could be the best inside scorer we have ever had," he said. "He is an absolute presence in the paint and has 101 post moves and he's a great athlete."

Frazier last played at Northern Colorado in 2003-04 after transferring from Mt. San Jacinto. Oliver said he has unlimited range and won't affected by the move of the 3-point line back a foot.

DeHughes played at Compton as a freshman and at Fullerton last year, helping the Hornets to the state title game and earning All-Orange Empire Conference honors.
Tyson played at Cal State Northridge as a freshman and is a graduate of Quartz Hill High School.

The Coyotes have just one returning starter - defensive stopper Phil Jones. Reserves Devon Davis, Reggie Brown and Steve Gaston saw considerable time while freshman Ryan Kinney saw some playing time.

Those who redshirted last year expected to have an impact next season are guard Tim Denson, a transfer from Colorado State, and center Jordan Richard, out of Los Osos High School.

Guard Omar Krayem, who redshirted last season afer coming in from Eastern Washington, is not returning.

Oliver is still looking for a wing, a point guard and another big man.

The only other question mark is an intangible as Oliver will be looking for a floor leader to replace departed guard Marlon Pierce who filled that role.

"We really don't know yet who is going to be the take charge guy," he said.

Chaffey College wide receiver and kick return specialist Alex
Thompson has signed with Division I Northern Colorado University in
Greely, Col.

Thompson, a Damien High School graduate, excelled for the Panthers
for two year despite being undersized at 5-foot-11. he was also a
threat on special teams, earning All-Foothill Conference honors as a
return man.

He is one of three locals who will be playing for the Bears next
season. Among the others who signed there earlier in the spring are
Ayala quarterback Matthew Baca and quarterback Bryan Waggener, a
resident of Chino Hills who played at Citrus and is transferring from
University of Florida where he played behind Tim Tebow.

The Bears ended last season 1-11. They open the 2008 season at Big 10
contender Purdue.

 

LEADER OF THE PACK ACADEMIC AWARDS (3.5-4.0) FOR SPRING QUARTER

Men's Soccer -- Lorenzo Loson, Helio Navarro.

Women's Soccer -- Sophie Bruins, Alejandra Flores, Ashley Haagsma, Jacqueline Reyes, Cleary Taylor.

Women's Cross Country -- Shawna Alavarez, Marlene Malagon, Kristen Torrez.

Women' s Volleyball -- Alyssa Auck, Meghan Haas.

Men's Golf -- Dane Bagnell, Bill Clayton, Joshua Segal.

Men's Basketball -- James Estrada, Joseph Tillman.

Women's Basketball -- Mindy Baker, Shanae Blake, Jaclyn Rainville.

Baseball -- Robert Badilla, Tyler Cross, David Martin, Michael Minjares, James O'Neill, Brent Planck, Corey Sandoval, Justin Watson.

Softball -- Tawni Baker, Tori Beaudette.

Women's Tennis -- Brittany Choate, Priscilla Cooper, Dottie Elwell, Leslie Horn.

Women's Water Polo -- Jennifer Goetz, Kaitlin Hartman, Italia Iossif, Sabrina Marquez, Cheryl Salazar, Aimee Salcido.

COYOTE PUP ACADEMIC AWARDS (3.0-3.49) FOR SPRING QUARTER

Men's Soccer -- Nick Boyce, Zach Ellis, Ryan Larson, Ryan Myers, James Pusey, Brock Steele, Brent Vander Eyk.

Women's Soccer -- Lynn Castillo, Jenna Faughnder, Krista Feer, Karissa Kelly, Katie Liby, Megan Monahan, Cathleen Rodriguez.

Women's Cross Country -- Kari Brandt, Holly DiGerolamo, Kim Miller

Women's Volleyball -- Michelle Alvarez, Sara Hoffman, Alicia Karver, Ligaya Malones.

Men's Basketball -- Grants Huff, Ryan Kinney

Baseball -- Theron Cueva, Billy Haynes, Ronald Leon

Softball -- Anjelice Foreman, Jocelyn Perry, Maddie Pulido, Rhiannon Treat.

Women's Tennis -- Xinia Chaves, Kara Jenkins, Ashley Hulett, Christine Macias

Women's Water Polo -- Freyja Berg, Sara Hastings, Ashley Hays.