Wrestling starts season with win
BY KATIE ARCHER
In the last nine consecutive years,
Clackam as Com m unity College has
beaten Sim on Fraser University. On
Saturday, Nov. 7, the Cougars defeated
Simon Fraser again but in a close 20-
17 victory.
The next day, Nov. 8, at the Mike
Clock Open at Pacific University, CCC
discovered Simon Fraser is better this
year than in the years past.
W resting head coach Josh Rhoden
said, “ They’re a better team than we
thought, w hich was nice to not feel
like we underperformed, but gave us
some things to, you know, evaluate and
coach up a little bit as we go forward.”
The M ike Clock O pen had some
big nam e schools like Oregon State
University and a top NAIA program,
Southern Oregon University.
The Cougars had five w restlers
produce top four finishes at the Mike
Clock Open.
Chris Garcia placed third in the 149
weight class.
Brandon Davidson placed second in
the 157 weight class.
Tommy Brewster placed third in the
165 weight class.
Haszell West placed fourth in the 184
weight class.
John Morin placed second in the 197
weight class.
Rhoden said w alk-on Blake McNall
wrestled fantastically over the week
end even though he didn’t place.
“ That’ s always exciting w hen you
see guys like Blake and some of those
younger guys that are really working
hard and seeing the results,” said Rho
den. “ It’s tough sometimes when you
see guys put in a ton, a ton of work and
not get the results yet. It’s encouraging
to get to see those guys do that.”
After the b ack -to -b ack s, Monday
was used as a day off for the team to get
treatment and ice baths. Injuries have
been affecting the team. Some guys
are waiting to hear back on their MRI ing and playing it smart on the short
results and another is getting an X-ray. week to get ready for the upcoming
On Saturday, the team will be in Red competition.
ding competing against some of the top
Morin said, “ I think it’s exciting we
schools in California.
get to travel as a team for the first time,
Davidson is excited to wrestle other as a new squad. I’m sure it will be a
teams but he thinks it’s more import good bonding experience, and usually
ant that the team focuses on recover we do pretty w ell.”
photo b v Merari Calderon Ruiz
Student athletes perform in class
STORY AND PHOTO BY KATIE ARCHER
This award isn’t earned on the playing fields but in
the classroom. The victory walk isn’t up a podium to
receive a medal but across a stage to receive a diploma.
Clackamas Community College has been awarded
the NWAC President’s Cup.
The NWAC’s President’s Cup is a new award that
was started three years ago to recognize student
athlete success in the classroom through GPA and
students receiving a diploma or certificate when
leaving CCC. The award is broken up between large
and small schools in the NWAC based on the number
of sports available; less than 7 or more than 8.
Last spring, 63 percent of the sophomores graduated
with a degree. Out of 170 active roster athletes, 120
had a 2.75 or higher and 70 had a 3.25 or higher.
In the past two years, the college has finished
second and fourth.
The President’s Cup was presented in the Randall
lobby to Joanne Truesdell on Nov. 10, before the home
volleyball game.
Athletic Director Jim Martineau said the lobby was
chosen because the student athletes spend tim e
doing their homework and meet with their coaches,
mentors and advisers in the lobby.
Truesdell said in an email, “ I thank the hard work
of all our instructors and coaches here at Clackamas
Com m unity College. Their dedication to student
success is how CCC fosters student personal growth
and academic excellence.”
Athlete academic adviser PJ Martineau spends
15 hours a week helping athletes stay on track for
graduation.
“ We have a great group of coaches who care about
their athletes in their sport but more importantly
in the classroom,” said PJ Martineau. “ It’s a good
team effort.”
CCC helps student athletes succeed with grade
checks, advising and college success classes along
with meeting individual academic needs of athletes.
Being a recipient o f the NWAC President’s Cup
shows, “ The things we try to do well, we actually do, ”
said Jim Martineau.
“ I’d also like to recognize and congratulate all our
student athletes,” said Truesdell.
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