I stepped into OCC men's head volleyball coach Travis Turner's office for a short interview about the season.

I also met sophomore setter Doug Astor in there.

I caught them in a good time since they were both talking about the season and where Astor hopes to go to college next semester (USC or Loyola Marymount University).

First question was in regards to what happened against Golden West College in the state's semi-finals.

"We missed a ton of serves and they dug a bunch of balls - they just out dug us," Turner (left) said. "But we played well and ended the thing well."

Next question was about what's next for the program and he said they will be back in the gym on Monday (May 4) to practice and hopefully get the sophomores ready to play next fall for wherever they're going.

Turner said sophomore Mike Stewart visited Ohio State University this week and believes he'll sign there and sophomore Rick Schroeder is going to UC Santa Cruz.

Far as next season: "I think we're going to be really good next year - I think everyone is going to be good next year," Turner said. "With so many few opportunities in Division-I, so many kids are going to JCs. I think we're going to have 40 kids the first day."

I also asked Astor (right) about the season and the overall experience.

"Coast was just a good growing experience outside the volleyball court and inside," Astor said. "Just little things, dealing with life, dealing with people on the court, knowing how to talk to certain people on the court, how to get them to perform to their abilities."

Far as how practices went: "Travis was known for creating chaos in the gym to prepare us - that's the way the playoffs went," Astor said.

Both seemed to be a bit shocked that the season is over but finishing third in state and making the semi-finals for three straight years is nothing to be ashamed of.

Here's the link to see OCC's Riki Yano's interview after the swim meet - http://www.floswimming.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234947-california-community-college-state-championships/174239-riki-yano-orange-coast

To read my article on Yano published in this week's Coast Report, click here.

It's official - I am bad luck. I thought these shoes would really do the trick.

Tony Lee is 8-17 overall and the shoes are 3-1.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, click here to read about why I started wearing these shoes at OCC sporting events.

I might clean my shoes today - I mean it's not like I can tell the shoes to practice, lift weights and get mentally tough.

Sigh.

Here are the final results from the game.

Santa Ana College: 4 runs, 9 hits, 0 error
Orange Coast College: 2 runs, 9 hits, 1 error

Winning pitcher: Christian Meza (7-0) - 2 earned runs, 9 hits, 0 walks, 13 strikeouts
Losing pitcher: Calvin Drummond (6-3) - 4 earned runs, 8 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts

SAC's record (21-9, 10-5 in conference)
OCC's record (21-8, 12-3 in conference)

I would write a game summary too but Coast's Sport Information Director Tony Altobelli beat me to it.

Click here to read his game summary.

Stay tuned for interviews and my shout outs and thanks.

Good news: my record improved. Bad news: my shoes were at home when I covered the baseball game live on Tuesday.

Sad face.

My overall record is 8-15 but my shoes are still 3-0. I can't wait for seven more wins to get back to a .500 record. (Click here to read the genesis of my magical shoes)

The next event for my shoes and I will be the sports writing contest today at 3:30 p.m. at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) conference/convention in Sacramento.

Wish me luck.

[Photo by Tony Lee]

Your Orange Coast College Pirates are winners once again with a score of 8-3.

Win: Kyle Krogman (1-2)
Loss: Robby Ross (5-2)
Save: Brett Williams (2)

More updates will follow after I take some pictures and interview players and coaches.

See I told you that my Air Force Ones with orange shoelaces will make all the difference in the world (click on this to read "I should stop going" if you have no idea what I'm talking about).

Tony Lee is now 7-15 overall and on a three-game winning streak with his magic shoes.

And yes, since this was a dual meet, I'm giving myself two wins.

I'm not sure what game, meet or match my shoes and I will go to next. Stay tuned to see more updates.

EDIT
I forgot about the golf match I covered on Wednesday for my overall record. But I didn't have my shoes for that match so I'm still on a three-game winning streak. Yay.

Tony Lee is 7-16 overall and the shoes are still 3-0.

[Photo by Tony Lee]

First, I want to congratulate the Orange Coast College men's and women's track and field team for today's victory. I had a blast covering the home meet and look forward to covering another meet in the near future.

I want to give a shout out to the Coast Report's staff writer Farren Benjamin who competed in the women's long jump, triple jump, javelin and hammer throw. She had three personal bests today. Congratulations.

Hey, it's my blog. I can talk about one of our writers if I want to.

I also want to give a shout out to Caleb Monticalvo and Lisa Dolan for finding time to get interviewed by me. Click here to see their pictures and the interview.

Finally, I want to give a shout out to the OCC trainers for covering men's and women's swim meet, softball and tennis in addition to the track meet. You guys work hard and deserve a lot of credit.

I want to thank OCC's Sports Information Director Tony Altobelli for hanging out with me today while I was updating my blog. Incase you didn't know, Tony was the announcer for the event and, if I say so myself, did a fantastic job.

I also want to thank OCC's head track and field coach John Knox for providing me with all the stats and a place to set up my laptop.

And thank you to everyone that said, "Hi" or, "Good job" today.

Caleb Monticalvo



How high did you pole vault today?
14 feet, 6 inches, a personal record.

What was your PR before?
14 feet, 3 inches.

How long have you been pole vaulting?
It’s my fourth year.

Is this your favorite event?
Yeah, it’s my only event. They have me doing other ones to build my pole vault strength.

Do you have a pregame ritual?
No, but I pray before I vault. I try not to do whole bunch of rituals and stuff like that or a routine. I like to mix it up.

What’s your favorite type of music and artist?
Hip hop and Andre 3000.

What's next for the OCC track and field team?
I’m just ready for the Riverside Community College meet on April 3 at home. I want a lot of people to come out and give us support. RCC is ranked No. 1 in the state right now. We’re all getting pumped for that.


Lisa Dolan



What events did you compete in today and how did you do?
Pole vault and hammer throw. I won the pole vault (10 feet, 6 inches) and didn’t place in the hammer throw (Dolan got sixth throwing the hammer at 25.08 meters).

What's your favorite event?
Pole vault—this is my fifth year doing it. I did this all throughout high school.

Any comments on the big match against RCC on April 3?
I don’t really know RCC’s status on pole vault. I think they have one girl that got 11 feet but I’m not worried.

What’s your favorite type of music?
I have to say R&B and hip hop.

Name some of your favorite artists.
I like Omarion, J Holiday, Lloyd and the occasional Wheezy.

Besides track and field, what’s your favorite hobby?
I just love working out and anything beach related like surfing and tanning.

Thank you for the interviews Caleb and Lisa. Good luck in the rest of the season.

[Photos by Tony Lee]

After the last event






Nice team photo




Normal and funny pose photos













[Photos by Tony Lee]

Orange Coast College's men's and women's track and field team won its dual meet today against Fullerton College and Santiago Canyon College at home.

Men
OCC vs. Fullerton College: 113 - 41
OCC vs. Santiago Canyon College: 149 - 5

Women
OCC vs. Fullerton: 106 - 48
OCC vs. SCC: 148 - 6

Here is a list of the lady Pirates that finished first in today's meet. OCC's Andrea Guerra, Brianna Vanderwal and Danielle Morton finished first in multiple events today. Congratulations.

800 meter run: Kimone Hewitt - 2:28.26
1500 meter run: Andrea Guerra - 5:01.00
3000 meter run: Andrea Guerra - 10:58.12
400 meter hurdles: Brianna Vanderwal - 1:06.52
High jump: Brianna Vanderwal - 152 meters
Pole vault: Lisa Dolan - 10 feet, 6 inches
Long jump: Brianna Vanderwal - 4.97 meters
Triple jump: Danielle Morton - 9.46 meters
Shot put: Riki delaPuente - 10.69 meters
Discus throw: Caitlin Schott - 34.68 meters
Javelin throw: Danielle Morton - 32.44 meters

Here is a list of the Pirates that finished first in today's meet. OCC's Luis Gallardo III, Alex Whiston, Rory Rodriguez and Eric Grunbaum finished first in multiple events today. Congratulations.

400 meter dash: Trevor Carroll - 49.97 seconds
800 meter run: Luis Gallardo III - 1:59.04
3000 meter run: Russell Westphal - 9:14.55
110 meter hurdles: Donovan Toban - 16.03 seconds
400 meter hurdles: Justin Rovin - 54.71 seconds
4x100 meter relay: Alex Whiston, Elijah Landry-Zapien, Rory Rodriguez and Gerzain Pineda - 42.64 seconds
4x400 meter relay: Rory Rodriguez, Trevor Carroll, Luis Gallardo III and Alex Whiston - 3:31.09
Pole vault: Caleb Monticalvo - 14 feet, 6 inches
Shot put: Eric Grunbaum - 14.48 meters
Discus throw: Eric Grunbaum - 44.24 meters
Hammer throw: Eric Grunbaum - 42.76 meters
Javelin throw: Stephan Ruby - 52.66 meters

Event 16 – men’s 200 meter dash

Fullerton Conroy Black 22.03 seconds
OCC Elijah Landry-Zapien 22.61 seconds
Fullerton Brandon Baker 23.02 seconds

Event 26 – men’s high jump

Fullerton Kenneth McGee 1.87 meters
OCC Donovan Toban 1.82 meters
Fullerton Michael Simms 1.72 meters

Event 28 – men’s discus throw

OCC Eric Grunbaum 44.24 meters
OCC Stephan Ruby Stephan 43.55 meters
Fullerton Roger Carrillo 39.49 meters

Event 24 – men’s shot put

OCC Eric Grunbaum 14.48 meters
OCC Luis Gallardo 13.04 meters
OCC Chase Obenauer 12.69 meters

Event 33 – women’s discus throw

OCC Caitlin Schott 34.68 meters
Fullerton Malia Kaihewalu-Evans 32.32 meters
Fullerton Veronica Gonzalez 28.27 meters

Event 35 – women’s triple jump

OCC Danielle Morton 9.46 meters
OCC Melissa Mahi 9.28 meters
OCC Lidia Rivas 8.94 meters

Event 11 – women’s 800 meter run

OCC Kimone Hewitt 2:28.26
OCC Teri Mitchell 2:29.10
OCC Margaret McDuffee 2;33.49

Event 13 – women’s 400 meter hurdles

OCC Brianna Vanderwal 1:06.52
OCC Kathryn Karkut 1:08.00
Fullerton Jacqueline Di Marzio 1:08.54

Event 14 – men’s 400 meter hurdles

OCC Justin Rovin 54.71 seconds
OCC Trevor Carroll 58.50 seconds
Fullerton Carlos Cornejo 59.20 seconds

Event 26 – men’s high jump

Fullerton Kenneth McGee 1.87 meters
OCC Donovan Toban 1.82 meters
Fullerton Michael Simms 1.72 meters

Event 28 – men’s discus throw

OCC Eric Grunbaum 44.24 meters
OCC Stephan Ruby Stephan 43.55 meters
Fullerton Roger Carrillo 39.49 meters

Event 5 – women’s 110 meter hurdles

Fullerton Ashley Jsames 15.22 seconds
OCC Brianna Vanderwal 16.60 seconds
OCC Jacqueline Di Marzio 16.87 seconds

Event 6 – men’s 110 meter hurdles

OCC Donovan Toban 16.03 seconds
OCC Justin Rovin 16.42 seconds
OCC David Butler 17.72 seconds

Event 7 – women’s 400 meter dash

Fullerton Maritza Williams 59.36 seconds
OCC Kimone Hewitt 1:00.16
OCC Teri Mitchell 1:01.68

Event 8 – men’s 400 meter dash

OCC Trevor Carroll 49.97 seconds
OCC Alex Whiston 50.20 seconds
Fullerton Brandon Baker 51.91 seconds

Event 9 – women’s 100 meter dash

Fullerton Allison Woody 12.70 seconds
OCC Liana Fuentes 13.18 seconds
Fullerton Joilyn Anderson 13.26 seconds

Event 10 – men’s 100 meter dash

Fullerton Conroy Black 10.97 seconds
OCC Elijah Landry-Zapien 11.27 seconds
OCC 11.52 Gerzain Pineda 11.52 second

Event 31 – women’s long jump

OCC Brianna Vanderwal 4.97 meters
Fullerton Joilyn Anderson 4.69 meters
SCC Sara Bartlett 4.43 meters

Orange Coast College men's and women's track and field athletes are still going strong.

Event 1 - women's 4x100 meter relay

Fullerton 49.32 seconds
OCC 51.08 seconds

Event 2 - men's 4x100 meter relay

OCC 42.64 seconds
Fullerton 42.95 seconds
SCC 44.52 seconds

Event 3 – women’s 1500 meter run

OCC Andrea Guerra 5:01.00
OCC Kristen Simek 5:03.20
OCC Margaret McDuffee 5:03.22

Event 4 - Men’s 1500 meter run

Fullerton David Cummings 4:06.04
OCC Sergio Olivarrias 4:06.21
OCC Russell Westphal 4:11.09

Event 23 – women’s shot put

OCC Riki delaPuente: 10.69 meters
OCC Caitlin Schott: 9.75 meters
Fullerton Nadia Hardin: 8.94 meters

Event 27 – women’s pole vault

OCC Lisa Dolan: 10 feet, 6 inches
OCC Audrey Crouse: 10 feet
OCC Jessica Clees: 9 feet, 6 inches

Go Coast!

Orange Coast College's track and field team is off to a good start.

Men
OCC vs. Fullerton College: 16-2
OCC vs. Santiago Canyon College: 17-1

Women
OCC vs. Fullerton: 13-5
OCC vs. SCC: 17-1

In event 21, the women's hammer throw, Fullerton's Malia Kaihewalu-Evans finished first with 32.21 meters. OCC's Caitlin Schott finished second with 31.57 meters and OCC's Riki delaPuente finished third with 30.98 meters.

In event 22, the men's hammer throw, OCC's Eric Grunbaum finished first with 42.76 meters, OCC's Luis Gallardo finished second with 41.67 meters and Fullerton's Roger Carrillo finished third with 41.52 meters.

In event 29, the women's javelin throw, OCC's Danielle Morton finished first with 32.44 meters, OCC's Brianna Vanderwal finished second with 28.59 meters and SCC's Lauren Fortelny finished third with 26.67 meters.

In event 30, the men's javelin throw, OCC's Stephan Ruby finished first with his 52.66 meters, OCC's Brian Norton finished second with 49.15 meters and Fullerton College's Brent Evans finished third with 46.50 meters.

So far, my shoes prove to be good luck [http://occsports.blogspot.com/2009/03/breaking-curse-update-1.html].

Go Coast!

Orange Coast College's track and field meet against Orange Empire Conference rivals Fullerton College and Santiago Canyon College at home is in progress.

Yours truly will be reporting all the events live under this tent near the finish line.

A note: I'm wearing a white dress shirt and jeans and I'm freezing out here. If you want to watch the meet at OCC, come prepared for a chilly day.

Results of the men's and women's javelin throw and other events will be up shortly.

[Photo by Tony Lee]

So the Orange Coast College men's tennis team won one but the women's tennis team lost one.

My updated record should be 5-16 but since the lady Pirates played with only five players, I'm going to ignore that loss.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, click on http://www.coastreportonline.com/articles/2009/03/19/sports/sports0175.txt

Tony Lee is now 5-15 and 1-0 with his orange-laced Air Force Ones.

Friday, yours truly and the shoes, will be at Orange Coast College's track covering the Orange Empire Conference home meet against Fullerton College and Santiago Canyon College.

I'm telling you these shoes and laces will turn around my losing streak.



[Photo by Tony Lee]

I talked to Orange Coast College's women’s head coach Janice Maran and men’s head coach Chris Ketcham today and they both talked about the players’ health and stamina.

The lady Pirates played without the team’s No. 1 player Brittany Bass and No. 3 player Kalin Eshelman (this week's Pirate of the Week) Thursday due to injuries. Maran tentatively said both players may return next week.

Maran added this match was important for the lady Pirates because it showed the women that every point, game and match is crucial and important.

Ketcham said he was glad the men’s matches ended early because he wanted his players fresh for Friday’s home match against Mt. San Jacinto College.

He also seemed to worry about the injury-bug on the women’s team carrying over to his squad.

All the teams at OCC are in the middle of its season. I hope, knock-on-wood, all the teams will stay healthy for the rest of the year.