Athletics

Sierra Will Host PremierWest Bank Bowl

Saturday, November 22, 2008

… “Bowl games are special,” Tisdel said. “If you get to a bowl game at the A level in community college, you’ve had one hell of a year because of the competition level that we play. Going 9-1, and our one loss by one point, is a magic year in my opinion.

“Our number one goal every year is to win a league championship and go to a bowl game, and we’ve accomplished those goals,” he continued. “I told the kids, we won the city championship, meaning we pounded American River and Sac City, we won the league championship for the second year in a row and we’re going to a bowl game for the eighth straight year. I’m very proud of our team.” … Read the article in the Auburn Journal.

Congratulations to the Women's Water Polo Team!

The women's water polo team won the Big 8 Conference title. Named to the First Team All Conference were Whitney Bell, Katie Black and Brittany Adams. The Second Team included Danielle Comforti and Rachel Holm. Coach Scott Decker was named co-coach of the year. The Big 8 All Tournament Team included Katie Black and Brittany Adams.

Baseball's Cameron Ray CCCAA Athlete of the Month for May

By the California Community Colleges Athletic Association (CCCAA), in partnership with the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA)

Ray, a sophomore starting pitcher out of Roseville High School, was a clutch performer for Sierra down the stretch and led the Wolverines to their first-ever baseball state championship. Ray was unbeaten during the postseason, posting a 6-0 record in the playoffs, including two wins at the state championship tournament.

In the state championship final starting on short rest, Ray allowed just one unearned run in 5 2/3 innings pitched to earn the win. For his efforts, Ray was named the state championships Most Valuable Player. Ray also earned All-American honors and was named Big 8 Conference Pitcher of the Year.

From Sierra to the Olympics?

Two-time state champ Nye to vie for an Olympic berth

By Scott Johnston, Special to the Journal

As far back as he can remember recent Sierra College graduate Eric Nye has had one thing on his mind — stepping onto the mat to wrestle for the red-white and blue.

And while his Olympic aspiration mirrors that of thousands of other athletes around the world, Nye has a legitimate chance to represent the United States this August in China.

Currently ranked fourth among the nation’s Roman Greco heavyweights, Nye needs only to crack the top three at this month’s Olympic Trials (June 14-15 in Las Vegas) to punch his Olympic ticket. … Read the article.

Sierra ace got simple pitch from his coach

By Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee

Rob Willson told his ace, Cameron Ray, on Monday afternoon not to think big picture. Go simple, the Sierra College coach implored his All-America hurler from Roseville High School.

Pitch by pitch, in other words.

Ray heeded the advice of his coach/psychologist. He ignored fatigue and any measure of pressure and tossed the game of his young career, leading the Wolverines to the state community college baseball championship with a 6-2 victory over Southwestern College of Chula Vista and being named the tournament MVP along the way. … Read the article.

More Sierra

Sierra no longer is the cozy little school tucked away in Placer County. It's a power in several sports with a host of home-grown talent.

The football team, under coach Jeff Tisdel, was nationally ranked again last fall. The women's basketball team under Brandie Murrish reached the state championship game in 2007. The wrestling team under coach Ken Wharry won the state title last fall. Heavyweight Erik Nye just won the University World Team Trials, and he is making a bid for the Olympic Trials. Nikka Campora this month won the state diving championship. … Read the article.

Wrestler Erik Nye's Road to the Olympics

Erik took first place in the University World Team Trials, May 23rd.

Nye, who has competed at the FILA Junior World Championships the last two years, qualified for his first University World Team by capturing the 120 kg/264.5 lbs. division. He defeated David Arendt of the U.S. Marines in two straight bouts. Nye won the first match, 3-0, 1-1, then stopped Arendt in the second match, 1-1, 1-1.

He will next compete at the Final Olympic Trials in Las Vegas. For more information, contact Coach Ken Wharry.

The Baseball Team Win the State Championships

Scores from the Championship:

• Sat, May 24: Sierra 6, Southwestern 3
• Sun, May 25: Sierra 6, Riverside 1 (Riverside 2007 champion)
• Mon, May 26: Sierra 3, Southwestern 7
  Sierra 6, Southwestern 2

With 39 victories, the 2008 Sierra College baseball team has set a new school record for wins in a season.

Photos from Super Regional Championship vs. Chabot

Photos from earlier season game

Men's Golf finishes 7th in State Championship

A J Hasegawa 73-76-149 and Austin Fink 75-76-151 played solid golf but it was a long day for the other Wolverines. “The guys hung tough and fought back but it was the first time in months that we had to count 80’s” said Coach Hovancsek. At State, everyone needs to be at top of their game and we just didn’t have it today.

"It was great year achieving our goals of repeating Conference and Nor Cal Championships. This will be a year to remember as I am very proud of the guy’s effort to work hard and improve throughout the course of the season. We will miss the leadership Steve Riley and Robbie Bendorf offered but wish them well as they move on to Holy Names University.

"We already started our quest to “3-peat” and I feel confident with our core returnees along with some top recruits, Sierra College Men’s Golf will continue its winning ways. "

Women's Softball End Their Season

The Sierra College softball ended their season on Sunday with a 5-6 loss to San Jose City College. San Jose scored 4 runs in the first inning on 2 hits and 2 base on balls and 1 Sierra error. Sierra came up in their half of the inning and scored 3 runs on 2 hits, 2 base on balls and 1 San Jose City error.

In the 5th San Jose scored 2 runs on a bases loaded double. In the 7th inning Nicole Kociemba hit a 2 run homer. The Wolverines were unable to score another run. Nicole Kociemba came took over on the mound in the 1st inning reliefing Leticia Cisneros. Nicole gave up 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Final Season Stats:

• Record: 38-16
• Nor-Cal Elite 8 participants
• # 6 in Nor-Cal
• #12 in the State

Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving Have Successful Season

Men

• 3rd place at the Big 8 Conference Championships
• 6th place at the State Swimming & Diving Championships
• New School Record in the 200 Freestyle
  • Relay made up of Sophomore Dan Dreher, and Freshmen Mark Austerman, Justin Sutter, & Spencer Shapton
• 7 Community College All-Americans

Women

• 2nd place at the Big 8 Conference Championships
• Freshmen Nikka Campora – Big 8 Female Diver of the Year
• 2nd place at the State Swimming & Diving Championships
• Women’s 4th year in a row finishing in the Top 2 in the State
• Nikka Campora – Co-State Diver of the Year
• Roland King – State Diving Coach of the Year
• Freshmen Alyssa Woodliff – 3 New school records in the 50 Backstroke, 100 Backstroke, & 100 Butterfly
• 10 Community College All-Americans

Sierra College captures the NCGA/CCCAA Men's Golf Team Championship

by three strokes over Chabot College at Brookside Country Club.

Sierra was powered by Wes Sandroni’s final-round three-under-par 69 as well as teammate A.J. Hasegawa’s one-over 73 that qualifed the team for the Community College State Championship to be played at the SCGA Golf Course in Murrieta May 12. Sierra had rounds of 379 and 371 for a combined 750.

Sandroni and Chabot’s top finisher, Kevin McClain, finished in a tie for the top spot in the individual competition at one-over-par 145. The compeititors waged a five-hole playoff that ended due to darkness with neither player able to earn the top spot. Both earned championship medals.

UC Davis Softball Signs Sierra College Standout

Nicole Kociemba signs National Letter of Intent.

The UC Davis softball program has signed Nicole Kociemba to a National Letter of Intent, announced head coach Karen Yoder. The left-handed pitcher has put together a standout two-year career at Sierra College followed by an equally successful prep career at Casa Roble High School.

Kociemba has helped lead Sierra to 79 victories over the past two seasons, including a second-place finish this season in the Big 8 Conference. She led the Big 8 as a freshman with a 0.80 ERA while posting a 22-6 record. Along the way, she was named first team All-Conference and was an All-State selection. This season, she is second in the conference with a 1.13 ERA and has won 17 games against just six losses. She also picked up her second straight first team All-Conference nod.

Sierra, which is currently 34-14, finished second in the Big 8 this season with a 17-4 record. The Wolverines, No. 6 seed in this weekend's California Community College Northern California regional, won to move to the next round. Last year, Kociemba helped lead Sierra through the regional and into the Elite-8 state tournament.

"Nicole will provide our pitching staff experience that will only make our squad stronger," said Yoder. "I am looking for her to come in and make an immediate impact."

At Casa Roble, Kociemba was a three-time Capital Athletic League most valuable player and a four-time All-League selection. As a senior, she posted a 0.41 ERA and was an All-State selection.

The Aggies are seeking their fourth straight Big West Conference series win.

Thanks for the memories

Sierra College hosts 'golden era' reunion

By: Gus Thomson, Auburn Journal Staff Writer

Rocklin's Sierra College honored its Auburn roots Sunday, welcoming former students who would have attended the school between 1936 and 1955.

Most of the 80 people who attended what the college dubbed its golden era reunion were students when it was located on what is now the Placer High School campus, was called either Placer Junior College or Placer College, and sports teams played under the Spartans moniker, not the current Wolverines.

For former students, it was a chance to catch up on old schoolmates, reminisce about old times, and in some cases, even break out an old yearbook to make some comparisons. … Read the article.

Sierra player in SI

Women's basketball player, Tamar Gruwell has been published in the 12/31-1/7 issue of Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd. You can read about this Sierra College athlete at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/scorecard/faces/2007/12/31/.

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.

Athletic Teams Awards and Accomplishments

Athletic Programs at Sierra

• Baseball 2008 STATE CHAMPIONS! Overall Record 39- 15
• Basketball, men's
• Basketball, women's 2007-08 highlights:
  • 27-7 overall, 12-2 Big 8 Conference
  • Received #3 seed in Northern Region Playoffs
  • Ranked #10 or higher in the state the entire season
  • WBCA All-American honorable mention, Tamar Gruwell
  • 3 players voted onto Big 8 All-Conference Team, Tamar Gruwell, Katie Keilig, Annelise Miller
  • 2 players on All-State Team, Tamar Gruwell & Katie Keilig
  • Finished 2nd in Big 8, "toughest conference in the North"
  • 2 players on Big 8 All-Academic Team, Tamar Gruwell & Michelle Cassilagio
  • 100% transfer of sophomores to 4-year universities
  • 4 sophomores receiving athletic scholarships
• Cross Country & Track, women's
• Football
  • Played in the Hawaiian Punch Bowl 2007
• Golf, men's
  • 2008 Northern California Champions
  • 2008 Big 8 Conference Champions
  • 2008 Finished 7th at State
• Golf, women's
  • #4 in the State 2007
  • Northern California Champions
  • Robin Fernstrom #1 Medalist
  • 2007 Big 8 Conference Co-Champions
  • Karen Linde - Conference Co-Coach of the Year
  • Overall Record: 92 - 23 - 1
• Soccer, women's
• Softball, women's
  • 2008 Record: 38-16
  • Nor-Cal Elite 8 participants
  • # 6 in Nor-Cal
  • #12 in the State
• Swimming & Diving, men's & women's
  • Men: 6th place tie in the men's State Championships
  • Men: 18 All-Conference Athletes
  • Men: 7 Community College All-Americans
  • Women: 2nd place - Big 8 Conference Championships
  • Women: 2nd place - State Swimming & Diving Championships
  • Women's Coach Rowland King named CCCAA's Coach of the year
  • Women: 10 Community College All-Americans
• Tennis, men's
• Tennis, women's
  • 2008 Big 8 Conference Champions
  • Top 8 in the state
  • 2007 State Team Champions
• Volleyball, women's
• Water Polo, women's
  • Women's - 4th in the Northern California Championships 2006
• Wrestling
  • 2007 STATE CHAMPIONS!
  • 9 of 10 wrestlers medaled
  • 6-1 in Big 8 Conference matches, 11-1 overall
  • Chauncey Phillips two-time All-American at 125 lbs
  • Travis Wood also became a two-time All-American
  • Mingo Grant All-American Honors. Also two-time Academic All-American.
  • Chris Stanana and Mike Fucci All-Americans
  • Erik Nye finished off his career at Sierra undefeated
  • The State Coach of the Year Award - Head Coach Ken Wharry; the Assistant Coach of the Year Award - Don Martinez III.

Sports Camps for Children

Many sports camps are offered through the Sierra College Community Education program. Visit their website for upcoming camps.

• Baseball camp, coed
• Basketball, boys
• Basketball, girls Beginning & Advanced
• Soccer, coed
• Softball, coed
• Volleyball, Beginning & Advanced, coed
• Wrestling, coed

Wolverine Athletic Association (WAA)

The WAA is the fundraising organization of the Sierra College Foundation for the department. The primary purpose of the WAA is to provide additional funding support for the men's and women's intercollegiate sports at Sierra College. Anyone can become a member to support Sierra College athletics. A Wolverine Hall of Fame, begun in 2005, honors former coaches, athletes and contributors.