Softball highlights strong achievements in school sports

By David Xaviel

Times Staff

The spring semester is coming to a close.  San Jose City College has a lot to be proud of from the athletic department in featuring playoff teams, star players, and star coaches and an emphasis on grades and coursework.  Athletics can be an important means to finishing a valuable education in an economy and workforce that remains uncertain and unpredictable.

Women’s Softball:

Led by Debbie Huntze-Rooney, the Lady Jags have won the conference title for the first time since 2011.  Star pitcher Gaby Nowak is headed to Hawaii-Pacific, while no other players have committed to other schools.

Men’s Basketball:

Led by Percy Carr, the highly respected team won the conference for the second year but lost to Fresno City College in the first round of the playoffs.   Winning the conference is a great achievement, but the team continues to progress.  Starters Akil Douglas and Lucious Brown will be leaving for other schools, with Douglas having won a full scholarship to Santa Clara University.

Women’s Basketball

Led by Terri Oberg-Hern, the team went to the playoffs with the national tournament at North Idaho College.  Most of the team will be returning.

Track and Field:

Led by Coach Dave Flynn is proud to announce the hiring of two-time Olympic Gold medal sprinter, Alvin Harrison, as assistant coach.  The track and field team is in the NorCal finals that competed over the weekend at the College of San Mateo for a chance to compete in the state finals.  The team includes stars in javelin and high jumping and multisport athlete, Clara Ratu is in the hunt for state in shot put.

Men’s Golf:

Led by Coach Don Stagnaro, the men’s gold team is in the state championships that began on Monday, May 9, in Sacramento.

Volleyball:

Led by Coach Justine Pingue, the volleyball team has been recruiting well and has an exciting young group. The next season starts on August 27 at 10 a.m. in the Cougar Classic Tournament at Alameda College.

Football:

Led by Coach Carlton Connor, Harris emphasizes his confidence in the improvement of the team’s product on the field, but maintains the importance of having players with strong GPAs (around 3.0) and taking at least nine units of classes related to transferring, a degree, or certificate.