Coast's running back Ray Holley broke the all-time single season rushing record at OCC Saturday (Nov. 14) when he rushed for 266 yards with five touchdowns against Long Beach City College. See all the entire game summary and how Holley got the record.
Orange Coast College's cross country teams proved Friday (Oct. 30) that both men's and women's squads are the team to beat for the 2009 state championship. At the Orange Empire Conference Cross Country Tournament in Huntington Beach's Central Park, Coast finished first in the men's five-mile run and the women's 5K run in a convincing fashion. See how the runners finished.
The defending Orange Empire Conference Player of the Year, Brett Wallach, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, leads the pack key players on the 2009 state champion baseball team have moved onto different locations. See where they moved to since then.
After the Orange Coast College women's volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season, the lady Pirates have won five-straight games - the latest on Friday (Oct. 23) against Santa Ana College. See how the lady Pirates have bounced back.
Danny Orona is a 5 foot 6 inch, 160 pound driver from Los Amigos High School who starts on the men's water polo team. “Last year, he really didn't get much playing time but he kept working in practice every single day,” head coach Monty McCord said. "He makes things happen when he's in there. He's a great defensive player (and) he's willing to do a lot of the dirty work not everyone is willing to do." See how he answered the questions.
For the first time in the West-Coast Showdown history, the Pirates have won the Victory Bell three years in a row. In a dramatic 24-21 victory, Coast (3-0) defeated the Golden West College Rustlers (0-3) to even up the all-time series at 20-20-2. See the last-second dramatics of the game with pictures and quotes from players and coaches.
The women's basketball coaching staff have picked their captains for the 2009-2010 season. Rebecca Murray (left) and Melissa Mahi (right) are sophomore returners. See how they answered the questions from the hat.
Showing posts with label Track and Field. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Track and Field. Show all posts
By
Tony Lee
On
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
0
comments
Men's and women's track and field team finished second to Riverside Community College at the Orange Empire Conference Track and Field Championships over the weekend.
They were also the only two OCC athletes to finish first in any events. Obviously, these two needed to be interviewed so I got right on that.
Toban said he was just trying to get some points for the team and his goal is to make it to state. He added that it's been a great season and all the players are like a family now.
Sweet. Short. Beautiful. Mitchell also said she was trying to get the points for the team and did what she had to do.
One thing I took away from the interview was how confident she was in her abilities - something I believe great athletes have.
"I've been checking the list online to see my competition. I don't want to keep anyone out but at the same time I think it's not going to be as much of a challenge," Mitchell said. "I will have girls that'll pull me but in the end I think I'm going to come out on top."
Some say arrogance and cockiness, Mitchell and I say confidence.
"That's the one thing I've gained from coming (to OCC) is a little more confidence in myself," she said. "At first, I was like, 'Oh whatever happens, happens' but I'm kind of going into my races with, 'I can do this, I can win this, try not to worry, try not to worry about them and have fun with it.'"
But she added she's not celebrating just yet. She said she'll be excited about all her accomplishments after the season is completely over.
Focused. Confident. Determined.
I love it.
Good luck to all the track and field athletes going to the 2009 Southern California Championships at Mt. San Antonio College Saturday at 9 a.m.
Coast's Russell Westphal finished second in the men's 10,000 meter run (33:06.46) by four seconds to Mat Van Dyke of Saddleback.
OCC's Regan Grego also finished second in the 3,000 meter steeplechase (10:12.35).
Eric Grunbaum, former Pirate of the Week, won the men's shot put with a 15.37 meter launch.
In the men's javelin, Coast finished behind Saddleback's Ray Lian's 59.19 meter throw. Stephen Ruby (58.66 meters) and Brian Norton (50.36 meters) got second and third.
I then moved onto the baseball game between OCC and Fullerton College to cover the pregame ceremony of honoring the 1948-49 baseball team - the first team to win a state title for OCC - and found out the Pirates might have to finish the season without head coach John Altobelli.
The baseball team is ranked No. 1 in the state. It would be a huge blow not to have Altobelli in the dugout.
I also met with head men's tennis coach Chris Ketcham (far right, second row) on the OCC track. He said only eight teams made the regional playoffs and OCC was ranked as a solid nine. He pleaded to the playoff seating board, so to speak, why his team should be in the playoffs but it didn't work out.
He seemed bummed by the result but he said his top two singles player, Laurent Minguez (next to Ketcham) and Brad Fisher (first row, second from the left), and all three of his doubles teams moved onto the quarterfinals.
He seemed proud of his players and how making the postseason as individuals shows depth on his team.
Finally, I chatted with track and field player Danielle Morton.
She said she didn't do that well in the long jump on Friday's Orange Empire Conference Prelims (she just said long - i'm assuming it means long jump) but finished second in the javelin. By finishing second, she moves onto the state track meet.
Today is a big day for three OCC athletics programs.
The Coast track and field team has the Orange Empire Conference Prelims today at noon.
The men's and women's swimming teams are on its second day of the OEC Championships at Golden West College. The meets start from 9:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.
OCC tennis teams are also on its second day of the OEC Tournament - the men's at Fullerton College and the women's at Riverside Community College.
Good luck to all the OCC sports teams. I can't wait to write about post-season victories.
[Track and field photos by Tony Lee] [Swimming photo by Melissa Lee] [Tennis photo by Peter Bicknell]
By
Tony Lee
On
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
0
comments
Cassie Mitchell, a Kinesiology major at OCC, is ranked No. 1 in the United States for the 3000-meter steeplechase.
Mitchell was hoping to get personal records in the 1,500 and 3,000 meter run at the Coast Classic over the weekend because, "it's my last chance to do it."
She finished first in both events with a time of 4:42.50 and 10:20.98 respectively.
What is the steeplechase and what’s your best time? It’s a 3000-meter run with five barriers between them. My best time is 10:58.
How long have you been doing the steeplechase? I’m fairly new at it. I’ve only had probably a year experience because I started in my freshmen year and I’m a sophomore.
Do you like doing the steeplechase? Yeah, it makes the run more interesting because it’s kind of like a hurdle race for a long distance race.
What kind of music do you like to listen to and any favorite artists? Mostly rock. I like The Goo Goo Dolls, that’s probably my favorite, and Train.
Do you have any pregame rituals? Not really, though every time before a race, I listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I have no idea why. They have a good beat and I like that funk-rock rhythm before a race.
Talk about being ranked No. 1 in the United States. I actually had no idea until (head coach John Knox) told me. I don’t know, I feel like I could do a lot better, even though I’m apparently No. 1 right now. I don’t see it as that big of a deal. I’m thinking there are girls on the East coast who haven’t – the coaches hasn’t put in their times yet – so I’m always going to think I’m below someone.
Besides track and field, name some of your hobbies. I like to do jigsaw puzzles a lot. The 1,000 piece ones or over that. I had a 5,000 piece one that took over three months.
What was the picture of the puzzle at the end? It was a picture of a horseshoe like in Utah I think. It was so hard.
Any other hobbies? Occasionally I like to sketch. I haven’t found a lot of time to do that, but sketching and reading.
Me too Cassie. I too have other hobbies than just updating the OCC Sports blog but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Audrey Crouse [In event 41, the women's poll vault, Crouse finished tied-first with OCC's own Lisa Dolan (10-06 feet).]
What do you like the most about track and field? I like that it's both a team and an individual sport - it's just you versus the clock or you against your mark so there's no room for error but at the same time, you work as a team in practice because you push each other in practice.
What event did you do the best in and the worst in? I actually did only one because I'm getting ready for next week (for the prelims). I met my personal record for the pole vault.
What's your goals for the prelims next week? I hope to make it both in the poll vault and the 400-meter hurdles.
Do you have any superstitions or pregame rituals? Yeah...actually I try to stay away from those because it gets in your head but I eat the same thing before each race.
And what are they? Two pieces of wheat toast with jelly and two eggs. I definitely try to stay away from (superstitions) though.
What's your favorite type of music? Depends on the mood; I could go for some Jack Johnson if I'm feeling mellow, some pump up music - rap - before the race...pretty much it.
What's your favorite subject in school? Right now it's English 101. Before it was math because it wasn't my strong suit and I liked the challenge but now I think I found a nitch for creative writing.
And after track and field, what do you want to be? I want to be a rep for Volcom or Burton.
Donovan Toban [In event 12 , the men's 100 meter dash, Toban finished fifth (11.34) and in event 36, the men's long jump, he finished second with 22-11 feet.]
What's your favorite thing about track and field? Just being out here and having fun and competing. I’ve been running track all my life.
Which event did you think you competed the best in and the worst? My worst is probably my long jump and my best is the triple jump.
What are your expectations going into the Orange Empire Conference prelims? I’m just trying to do my best and get to state.
Do you have any superstitions? I jerk...the dance.
I thought you meant jerk as in... Naw man. The dance.
What's your favorite type of music and your favorite artist? Rap and Hip Hop and Lil’ Wayne.
What's your favorite subject at school? Math.
After track and field, what would you want to be? I’m a kinesiology major. I want to do sports medicine.
1) 11:19.68 - Zitalic Ley (Glendale) 2) 11:47.24 - Angelina Gonzalez (Glendale) 3) 11:50.75 - Chelsea Van Cott (Vanguard) 4) 11:54.58 - Bridgette Fernandez (Glendale) 5) 12:08.12 - Andrea Guerra - (Orange Coast)
Event 2 - Men's 3000 meter steeplechase
1) 9:38.24 - Mike Dennman (San Diego Mesa) 2) 9:45.60 - Jonathan Alpizar (Glendale) 3) 9:50.58 - Francisco Quijada (Glendale) 4) 9:58.06 - Matt Johnson (Vanguard) 5) 10:09.37 - Ragan Grego (Orange Coast)
Event 3 - Women's 4x100 meter relay 1) 48.24 - Glendale 2) 49.81 - Glendale CC 3) 51.13 - Los Angeles Valley 4) 51.16 - Long Beach 5) 51.37 - Orange Coast
Event 4 (Heat 1) - Men 4x100 meter relay 1) 42.44 - Orange Coast 2) 42.56 - San Mateo 3) 43.11 - Glendale CC 4) 43.53 - Cuyamaca
Event 35 - Women's long jump 1) 17-04.25 feet - Turquoise Williams (West Los Angeles) 2) 17-02.00 feet - Nairobi Regis (West Los Angeles) 3) 16-10.00 feet - Starasia Childs (West Los Angeles) 4) 16-08.50 feet - Britney Clark (Glendale CC) 5) 16-06.25 feet - Kristina Burns (Unattached)
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.
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.
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.
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
Tony Lee, a former Pirate athlete himself, is the sports and managing editor at Orange Coast College's student newspaper, the Coast Report, a freelance writer/photographer for the Daily Pilot and manages the OCC Sports Blog exclusively.
Men's and women's track and field team finished second to Riverside Community College at the Orange Empire Conference Track and Field Championships over the weekend.
