Athletics Awards & Accomplishments

May 27, 2009

Sierra College Athletics Ranks Third in the Nation … Again!

Only 2 points behind the #1 college

The California Community College Commission on Athletics and National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) has named Sierra College third in the nation for overall athletic excellence.

“This will be Sierra Colleges 4th Trophy in the last 6 years since the NATYCAA CUP has been in existence. One 1st ; one 2nd; and two 3rd place finishes. Our coaches and athletes have done a great job. I couldn’t be prouder. We’re going to need a bigger office soon to display all the trophies…not that I’m complaining!” commented John Volek, Dean of Athletics. Since the establishment of the NATYCAA cup in 2003-04, Sierra College Athletics has ranked in the top four positions.

This year the first place cup went to Mt. San Antonio College with a score of 168.5 points. Finishing second was Cerritos College with 168 points, followed by Sierra with 166.5 points. A college is awarded points based on its teams’ final positions in post-conference competition. Each college’s top-five men’s and top-five women’s team results count toward the school’s overall point total. Complete standings, scoring criteria, and a history of the NATYCAA Cup are available on the CCCAA Web site, www.coasports.org.

The 2008-09 winners will be recognized at the NATYCAA Awards Luncheon, held during the 2009 NATYCAA Convention, June 18-21 at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida. Awards will be presented to the top three colleges, and the top twenty schools in the division will receive recognition.

NATYCAA is the professional organization of two-year college athletic administrators and membership is open to all two-year institutions from throughout the country. The awards were designed to recognize and reward overall program excellence at the two-year college level. The criteria for the State Associations division were developed by the COA in conjunction with the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA).

To view the latest news, information and updates of all 23 COA sanctioned sports, visit www.coasports.org. For more information about the Sierra College Wolverine Athletic Sports Programs click on the Events & Athletics tab above.

California State Legislature Assembly Resolution Honors State Champion Wrestling Team and Coaches

Fall 2007 Athletic Accomplishments

• Combined grade point average (GPA) for seven Fall 2007 teams was 3.05.
• Football: Valley Conference Champions, Third in State, and Fifth in Nation. Mr. Jeff Tisdel was awarded Region One Coach of the Year.
• Women’s Golf: Northern California Champions, Big 8 Conference Co-Champions, Fourth in State. Ms. Karen Linde was awarded Conference Co-Coach of the Year.
• Wrestling: State Champions by a wide margin. Mr. Ken Wharry was awarded Coach of the Year, Mr. Don Martinez was awarded Assistant Coach of the Year, and student Norman Richmond was awarded Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Wrestling Team Wins State Championship!

The Sierra College Wolverines for the first time in the six years under Ken Wharry and Don Martinez III, have finished off their season with a California Community College State Championship. They won with 146 points; second place had 103 points.

The Wolverines sent 10 wrestlers into the tournament held at Fresno City College December 8th and nine wrestlers came home with medals.

All Americans

Sophomore Chauncey Phillips finished off his career by becoming a two-time All-American for the Wolverines at 125 lbs by finishing 3rd. Sophomore Travis Wood also became a two-time All-American, finishing 6th at 157 lbs. Mingo Grant finished 3rd, earning All-American Honors. Mingo also became a two-time Academic All-American.

Freshman Chris Stanana finished 3rd at 149 lbs and Mike Fucci and Zeth St Clair both finished 4th at 165 lbs and 174 lbs. With their finishes they also earned All-American honors.

In the finals Sierra had 3 representatives as Norman Richmond won the 133 lb State Championship beating Paul Lyon of Cerritos College in a very exciting final.

Erik Nye finished off his career at Sierra undefeated in the Junior College ranks and becoming the second two-time Junior College State Champion for Sierra College since Brian Holt in 2000. He kept the streak alive of state heavyweight champions winning by fall in the finals for Sierra College.

Alex Howard moved up 2 weight classes and still finished 2nd at 184 lbs to earn his first All-American award.

Coaches of the Year

As a team three awards were presented. The Coach of the Year Award went to Head Coach Ken Wharry and the Assistant Coach of the Year Award went to Don Martinez III. The Most Outstanding Wrestler Award went to freshman Norman Richmond.

Sierra College Honors 1936 Student and Foundation Donor, Wayne H. Towne

Press box dedication held Saturday September 15th, 2007

In 1936, a young athlete named Wayne Towne enrolled in Placer Junior College, with big dreams, but little cash. Wayne was mentored by then Sierra College coach Howard Woodside and given financial support by Burt and Emma Teagarden. Now seventy years later, this modest man who long ago established a scholarship endowment for Sierra students through the Foundation, has found another way to honor those who helped him. 

Named for Mr. Towne's Former Coach and Supporter

The 300-square foot Woodside Towne Teagarden press box located in Rocklin was dedicated in a special ceremony in Rocklin on Saturday, Sept. 15 when the Wolverines defeated Feather River College.  In addition to numerous other donations from members of the community, Mr. Towne donated $100,000 to the Wolverine Athletic Association a part of the Sierra College Foundation to assist in the project’s completion.

The press box provides seating for radio, television and print media as well as space for coaches from both the home and visiting teams. “The Homer “Buzz’ Ostrom stadium provides a source of pride for the Sierra College Community,” said Sierra College Athletic Director John Volek, “When it opened in 2006, it was the first time since 1936 that Sierra College has truly had a home stadium. And now with the completion of the press box, Homer “Buzz” Ostrom Stadium is truly now a reality.”  

Three Sport Athlete and Student Body President

Mr. Towne was one of the first students to enroll at what was then known as Placer College in Auburn. During his Sierra College career Mr. Towne acted as student body president and participated in football, basketball and baseball.

“Mr. Towne is a generous, dear man, who has made his mark on Sierra College,” stated Foundation Director Sonbol Aliabadi, “I am so happy that this campus will have a permanent public reminder to honor him.”

For more information, contact Sierra College Foundation Director, Sonbol Aliabadi at (916) 660-7021 or saliabadi@sierracollege.edu.

June 1, 2007

Sierra College Athletics Program Places second in the Nation

The California Community College Commission on Athletics and National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) recently named Sierra College second in the nation for overall athletic excellence. In its four year history, the Pepsi/NATYCAA cup has ranked Sierra College Athletics in the top five each year. In 2003-04 Sierra captured first place to win the cup and in 2004-05 and 2005-06 the Wolverines came in fourth. This year the cup went to Orange Coast College.

The Pepsi Challenge Cup was created to honor the top schools in the nation in overall athletic performance as determined by the Commission on Athletics, a national association that monitors all sports each season. A college is awarded points based on its teams' final positions in post-conference competition. Each college's top-five men's and top-five women's team results count toward the school's overall point total.

NATYCAA is the professional organization of two-year college athletic administrators and membership is open to all two-year institutions from throughout the country. The Pepsi/NATYCAA Awards were designed to recognize and reward overall program excellence at the two-year college level. The criteria for the State Associations division were developed by the COA in conjunction with the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA).

The 2006-07 winners will be recognized at the Pepsi/NATYCAA Awards Luncheon, held during the 2007 NATYCAA Convention, June 6 & 7 at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando Florida. Awards will be presented to the top three colleges, and the top twenty schools in the division will receive recognition. John Volek, Dean and Athletic Director at Sierra College will be there to accept the second place trophy.

The Women's Tennis Team Wins the 2007 State Championship!

After winning the Big 7 Conference Championship and the Northern California Championship, they cap off the season by defeating Saddleback College 5-2 on May 10th to win the State Team Finals! Coach Steve Dunmore has already been named 2007 California State Coach of the Year.

Congratulations to the Sierra College Baseball Team

The 2007 Sierra College baseball team, who was ranked #1 in California and #3 in the Country for most of the season, has advanced to the first round of the state baseball playoffs. The Wolverines finished the season with a 30-12 record and are seeded #4 in Nor-Cal and will host #13 ranked Modesto Junior College. This will be a best 2 of 3 series in Rocklin on Friday and Saturday May 11-12, 2007. Game 1 will be Friday at 3:00 pm and game 2 is Saturday at 11:00 am. If necessary, game 3 will be played at 2:30 pm Saturday.

For the fourth consecutive year, 100% of the baseball sophomores will be transferring to a 4-year university.

Women’s Swim Team Placed 2nd in the State Championships!

Men’s swim team placed 8th in the State Championships!

Top Women Performers:

• Lauren Caines – State Champion in the 500 freestyle/1650 freestyle & Performance of the meet in the 1650 freestyle
• Charday Graff, Niki Simmons, Brenna Phillips & Lauren Caines – State Champions in the 400 Medley Relay

Top Men Peformers:

• Andy Perez placed 3rd in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke (School Record in the 100)
• Brent Nicolaysen placed 4th in the 400 Individual Medley

Women's Softball Team Win Advance in the State

The softball team won the 1st round playoff series and advanced to the 2nd round playoffs.

Men's Golf Team Win Northern California Championships

On May 7, the Sierra men's golf team won the 2007 NCGA/COA Men's Individual and Team Golf Championships at Fort Washington Golf and Country Club. The top four teams qualify for State.

• Sierra College 367-368--735
• Chabot 376-366--742
• Fresno City College 363-383--746
• Cabrillo 369-378--747

Final Results - Individuals

Top 6 players not on a team qualify for the state. Jason Alves claimed medalist honors with a birdie on the second playoff hole. Aaron Briones qualified on the first playoff hole with a birdie.

• Jason Alves - Medalist Cabrillo 72-67--139
• Nick Neal Sierra College 71-68--139
• Stephen Edman Sierra College 68-71--139
• Nick Rechedy Chabot 71-70--141
• Christian Rose Fresno City College 68-74--142
• Bobby Warren Chabot 75-72--147

The Women's Tennis Team Won the Northern California Team and Individual Championships

The women won this last weekend culminating with both the team and individual championships in Modesto. On May 10 they go on to the State Team Finals at Cabrillo College in Aptos.

The Women's Tennis Team Wins the 2007 State Championship!

After winning the Big 7 Conference Championship and the Northern California Championship, they cap off the season by defeating Saddleback College 5-2 on May 10th to win the State Team Finals! Coach Steve Dunmore has already been named 2007 California State Coach of the Year.

Men's Golf Team Big 7 Conference Champions

The team is ranked #1 going into the Northern California Championships. Steve Edman was named most valuable player with Nick Neal close behind. The team will be participating in the NorCal Championships on May 7th at Fort Washington Country Club (Fresno).

Women's Tennis Coach Steve Dunmore named 2007 California State Coach of the Year

The women's tennis team are the 2007 Big 7 Conference Champions & Northern California Champions. They are currently 19-2 overall and undefeated in Conference play.

Women's Softball All Stars

2007 All-Conference Team

• Pitcher of the Year - Nicole Kociemba

1st Team

• Nicole Kociemba
• Leticia Cisneros-Coyne
• Shelby Fleming
• Candice Wermes
• Sammy "Bo" Newman

2nd Team

• Carli Leary
• Lilly Nevarez
• Courtney Olow

Honorable Mention

• Ashley Edgar
• Amanda Morales

All Nor-Cal

• Leticia Cisneros-Coyne
• Sammy "Bo" Newman

ALL STATE

• Nicole Kociemba

Nominated for ALL AMERICAN:

• Candice Wermes
• Sammy "Bo" Newman
• Shelby Fleming

Men's Golf Win the 2007 Big 7 Conference Championship

The Sierra College golf team used a record-breaking performance to wrap up its second conference championship in three years on Tuesday, April 24, at Riverbend Country Club in Redding. The Wolverines finished one stroke under par as a team with a 359 to win the Big 7 Conference tournament No. 11 over Delta by two strokes. They clinched their first Big 7 title … From the Auburn Journal

Congratulations 2005 Women's Golf!

The 2005 Womens Golf team was selected as one of the Fall 2005 Scholar teams. They will be honored at the COA Convention this April in Los Angeles. 2005 Team members are: Tara Mortimeyer, Sarah Westlake, Heather Thomas, Alisha Bernal, Jennifer Maisch and Tory Lupinetti. Coach - Karen Linde.

Women's Basketball Advanced to State Championship Game!

Sierra College moved into the Championship game of the State Championship Tournament with a win over top-ranked Pasadena City College, 71-63 on Saturday, March 10. In the Championship game against Mt. San Antonio, the Wolverines fell short, 80-51. Mt. San Antonio won their 3rd championship in 4 years. Go to the COA website for the details of the games Sierra played.

Coach Brandie Murrish has been named California northern region Coach of the Year!

Wrestling Finishes 2006 Season 2nd in the State

• Finished 2nd at California State Championships, just 9 points shy of taking first place, Sierra finished with 7 All-Americans;
  • Two champions—Leland Gridley at 141and Erik Nye at 285
  • Two third place finishers—Matt Giffin at 157 and Mike Leslie at 184
  • Three 4th place finishers—Chauncey Philipps at 125, Travis Wood at 149 and Dan Barraza at 165.

Wolverine Athletic Association Hall of Fame Inductees

Here are previous inductees.

 

John Volek, Athletic Director, jvolek@sierracollege.edu; 916-660-8102