By
Tony Lee
On
Monday, July 13, 2009
The only rowing program in the community college ranks just got stronger with two national champions from the Newport Aquatic Center team.Alex Burjakowsky, a Northwood High School senior who rowed for NAC varsity eight, and Morgan Boman, a Corona del Mar High School senior from NAC lightweight eight, will row for Coast in 2010.“Anytime Coast can get an athlete with national championship success is beneficial for the program,” NAC Coach Nick D’Antoni said. “(It) really speaks highly of OCC’s rowing program because it attracts that caliber of athletes.”In mid June, the NAC boys’ varsity eight and lightweight eight boats finished first in the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championship at Lake Harsha in Cincinnati, Ohio.D’Antoni said these guys could’ve gone to other four-year schools with their teammates but picked Coast of its reputation.“(OCC) really helps them keep the cost of going to school down without sacrificing their rowing careers,” D’Antoni said. “They still have the opportunity to go to great 4-year Universities. That’s the history Coast has built up and people take advantage of it.”To read about the OCC men's rowing team, click here, and to read about Burjakowsky and Boman’s national championships, click here.[Photo courtesy of D’Antoni]
By
Tony Lee
On
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
So I have to confess something.
I'm a journalist first and a photographer second but this picture may prove I'm a dum-dum before those.
When I took this picture couple months ago at OCC's open gym, I had my camera on black and white setting and never changed it.
Smooth, I know.
But I'm sure I'm going to have plenty of opportunity to take pictures of her during the 2009-2010 lady Pirates' basketball season, in color.
Alyssa, my bad.
Well Orange Coast College and the world, Coast basketball (and the OCC Sports Blog) introduces freshman Alyssa Hanson.
Also, check out the fall preview article I wrote in the Coast Report for the entire women's basketball team.
So head coach Mike Thornton told me you turned down a scholarship from Chapman University to play at Coast. Talk about that.
Main reason why I did that was because I want to play basketball. Chapman's a good school, a lot of money, but I wanted to play basketball.
What made you choose Coast over other schools?
It was the basketball program and it's one of the best junior colleges around so it seemed like a great way to go. I love the coaches, the players and everything.
What are your expectations in the upcoming season?
We have a lot of good players coming in. I think the people that are coming in are going to really good (and) we're going to work hard and play very well.
What's your major going to be at OCC?
Right now it's undecided but it's between kinesiology or business.
What high school are you from?
Esperanza (in Anaheim).
[Photo by Tony Lee]
The only rowing program in the community college ranks just got stronger with two national champions from the Newport Aquatic Center team.
