Melissa Perea enters her fourth year at the helm of the Otero Junior College Rattler Softball team. Coach Perea, former OJC Rattler softball player, All-Region IX player, and Academic All-American, brings experience and leadership to the team both on and off the field. After her first year as head coach, Perea kept the tradition alive by posting an astounding record of 47-9, winning the Region IX Tournament for the eighth year in-a-row and earning the honor of Region IX Coach of the Year. The Lady Rattlers went on to compete in the NJCAA National Tournament for the third year in-a-row finishing among the top 16 teams in the nation.
At the completion of her second year, the Lady Rattlers had another great season finishing the year with an overall record of 43-14. Just falling short of a nine year streak, Otero placed second at the Region IX Tournament. The Lady Rattlers where ranked amongst the top 15 teams in the nation athletically and were the 17th ranked team academically posting a team GPA of 3.27.
In 2009, Coach Perea’s third year, the Rattler Softball team finished the season by reclaiming the Region IX Championship and making a return trip to the NJCAA National Tournament, in St. George, UT. For the second time in Coach Perea’s tenure the softball team competed at the NJCAA National Tournament, as well as, finishing among the top 16 teams in the nation.
In Perea’s three years at the reigns, the Lady Rattlers have had three Athletic All-Americans, seven Academic All-Americans, 24 All-Region IX Players, one Region IX Player of the Year, 21 Academic All-Region Players, and have been ranked amongst the top teams in the Nation academically and athletically. In 2007, Perea had the honor of coaching the nation’s leading homerun hitter and the Region IX Player of the Year. Perea was named Region IX Coach of the year in 2007 and 2009.
"I’m very excited for the opportunity to lead the softball program here at Otero, and grateful for the support and confidence of the administration and staff. We have a great team and I'm looking forward to continuing the success of the softball program," said Perea. "I am a product of the program, and my beliefs of strong academics are very much in line with the philosophy of OJC Athletics. Helping students achieve their goals both academically and athletically is of great interest to me."
Throughout high school Perea played for the La Junta High School Lady Tiger Softball Team where she started at first base. She helped guide the Lady Tigers to a State Runner-up title in 1998, State Championship title in 1999, and another State Runner-up title in 2000. After graduation, Perea attended Otero Junior College for two years. She played softball for the Lady Rattlers as a starting 1st baseman and in 2002 was named 1st Team All-Region. During this time the team earned their third and fourth Region IX Championships in a row, made two district playoff appearances, and was ranked among the top 20 Division I Junior Colleges in the Nation. In Perea's two years at OJC the Ratters posted an overall record of 96-17. Perea graduated from Otero Junior College Cum Laude with an Associate of Arts Degree. She was a member of Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and was also honored as an NJCAA Academic All-American. Coach Perea’s success as a softball player and scholar continued with her when she began the final stretch of her college softball career at Colorado State University-Pueblo. She was the starting 1st baseman for two years was elected team captain because of her outstanding leadership abilities. In 2005, Perea graduated from Colorado State University-Pueblo earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.
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