Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 2009)
6 Clackamas Print Spot Wednesday Feb. 18, 2009 Clackamas goes above and beyond Association requirement Abbv Meet The Clackamas Print Without the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC),, the cost of running the ath letic department would be much higher. The mission of the NWAACC is to foster athletic participation in an environ ment that supports equitable opportunities for students, consistent with educational objectives of member colleges, according to NWAACC.org. The NWAACC is an organization of community colleges within Oregon and Washington. The NWAACC has an assort ment of duties, including rule enforcement and organizing the schedules. Jim Martineau, director of athletics and women’s basketball coach, firmly agrees with the importance of the NWAACC. “For our purposes, it has a huge import tance. If we did not have it, the cost of running the athletic department would be much more,” Martineau said. “It allows competition. Without it we would have to compete on the national level, and the cost would be much higher.” The NWAACC allows for competi tion without having to travel outside the Northwest. The NWAACC had standards for eligi bility in athletic programs. Students must be registered for 12 credits and maintain a 2.00 GPA. The Clackamas standards differ slightly from the 12 credit minimum. Martineau stated that Clackamas requires a 15 or 16 credit minimum. “Having a 16 credit requirement also helps athletes get done and graduated in two years,” Martineau said. Martineau said he believes the standards in place are not too difficult, and can easily be man aged. The standards are not any different from any other college or four year program and Martineau is confident most students will be more than well prepared. As far as the 2.00 GPA, Martineau claims most are well above the require ment. ' - According to NWAACC guidelines, athletes cannot play one sport for more than two years, in an attempt to inspire moving on and getting a transfer degree. Although, according to Martineau, there are some students who will play two years of one sport and stay for a third year and play another sport. The coaches in the NWAACC vote on who the top eight to. 10 teams are, and that is how ranking is determined. Women’s Basketball is currently ranked third. Men’s Basketball is at the top of their game with a number one ranking. The rankings are not as important dur ing midseason as they are at the end of the term. Midseason they do allow for comparison to be made between teams, which may not be playing against each other yet. Robert Crawford Clacks Jim Martineau talks with the women’s basketball team before takingt| court and practicing with the team earlier this week. Because there are so few community col lege wrestling teams in the NWAACC, the Clackamas wrestling team is part of the National Jumior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Josh Rhoden, wrestling coach, would much rather be a part of the NJCAA, as it allows national competition as well as recognition and exposure. Rhoden believes that being able to compete nationally is what attracts the talented wres tlers on Clackamas’ wrestling team. Rhoden stated that he would be reluctant to leave the NJCAA. “The pros outweigh the cons. People know who we are,” said Rhoden. Tyrell Fortune, a freshman wrest« ranked second in the country, saysh not be on the wrestling team if they i of the NWAACC, and only compel the Washington and Oregon region.! said being able to compete nationally more exciting. Fortune feels positive about the im nationals at the end of the month. “I feel good, ready to win it,” I “Hopefully, we can come together» and win it. I plan on coming back national title.” Wrestling domination keeps the Cougars second in natía Contributed by Chris Costigan-Galdes The Sentinal Above: Cougar Brett Sanchez-197, right, faces off against Rudy Burtchsi at the NJCAA Region 18 Tournament in North Idaho. Below: Josh Miller-177, right, shows Celic Bell the meaning of pain in his national qualifying match. Clackamas had eight wrestlers qualify for nationals this Feb. 27 and 28. Robert Crawford Cinch The 287-pound Tyrell “Tank” Fortune Jan. 47 after I against Montana’s number one ranked Robbie Shaw, F has lead the team in wins with a record of 28-2. Correction: In last week’s edition, Kayla Calloway shouli been credited with the wrestling story. The Print regrets this Contributed by Chris Costigan-Galdes The Sentinal
