The Otero Junior College Lady Rattlers are set to begin their 2011-2012 season, under the direction of eight-year head coach Taylor Wagner.
“We have had a good group of girls this year. I am pleased with their work ethic so far. It is encouraging to see so many of them come in the gym throughout the day and work to get better,” said Wagner.
The Lady Rattlers basketball team returns eight players from last year’s Region IX runner up performance. They are Aubry Boehme, Smithfield, Utah; Ellie Carter, Pueblo; Nicole Hansen, Amalga, Utah; Saane Lo’manu, Taylorsville, Utah; Tonje Milde, Bergen, Norway; Rilee Rhees, Farr West, Utah; Taylor Rock, Smithfield, Utah and Alyssa Wilcoxson, Buena Vista. In addition, sophomore Ashlynn Steffensen, Rio Rancho, N.M., who sat out last season because of a knee injury, will be returning to the squad.
The team also added transfer Fernanda Mansilla from Cloud County Community College. Fernanda was the starting point guard for Cloud County which placed 8th at the National Tournament last year.
The Rattlers added six freshmen players for the upcoming season they include: Chantal Cross, Colorado Springs; Hailiegh Emerine, Spanish Fork, Utah; Kiana Fonua, Syracuse, Utah; Erin Foster, Sandy,Utah; Alex Ochoa, Fountain and Sarah Pigg, Rye.
“We lost a lot of quality players from last year’s team, but I think with the sophomores having a year behind them and the new players we brought in we can have a great season,” said Wagner.
The Lady Rattlers open the season November 1 on the road against Garden City Community College. Their home opener is November 4 and 5 in the annual Holiday Inn Classic. Both games begin at 5:00 p.m.
Taylor Wagner, seventh-year head coach of the Lady Rattler was named Region IX Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year in 2011.
Gary Addington, OJC athletic director stated that Wagner’s Coach of the Year award was much deserved and long overdue.
“Taylor did a tremendous job again this season as his team made its second appearance in the Region IX Championship game. That in itself tells a great deal about his ability to coach along with the quality of recruits he brings in each and every year. Taylor always has great kids that work hard and do the right things both on and off of the court which is a direct reflection of him,” said Addington.
2010 - 2011 Season
OJC Lady Rattlers Finish Season with Honors
The Otero Junior College Women’s Basketball Team finished their season with an impressive 25-6 record and the runner-up title to the Region IX Championship. The Region IX tournament was played March 5-9, 2011 in Casper, Wyo.
In addition to the runner-up title, the Rattlers came home with several awards and honors. Sixteen players from Region IX were named to the All-Tournament Team, including OJC players: Chelsea Rotondo, Colorado Springs; Tracy Fosterling, Rio Rancho, N.M. and Aubry Boehme, Smithfield, Utah. Tracy Fosterling and Aubry Boehme were also named to the All-Region Team.
2011 - 2012 Lady Rattler Basketball Team
Back Row Left to Right : Kiana Fonua, Syracuse, UT; Chantal Cross, Colorado Springs; Alex Ochoa, Fountain; Tonje Milde, Bergen, Norway; Rilee Rhees, Farr West, UT; Nicole Hansen, Amalga, UT.
Middle Row Left to Right : Erin Foster, Sandy, UT; Ashlynn Steffensen, Rio Rancho, NM; Haileigh Emerine, Spanish Fork, UT; Aubry Boehme, Smithfield, UT; Alyssa Wilcoxson, Buena Vista; Taylor Rock, Smithfield, UT; Ilaisaane Lo'amanu, Taylorsville, UT.
Front Row Left to Right : Sarah Pigg, Rye; Ellie Carter, Pueblo; Fernanda Mansilla, Ancud, Chile.
Returning Sophomores
Returning Sophomores to the OJC Lady Rattlers Basketball Team:
Back Row Left to Right : Ashlynn Steffensen, Rio Rancho, NM; Aubry Boehme, Smithfield, UT; Taylor Rock, Smithfield, UT; Alyssa Wilcoxson, Buena Vista, CO; Ilaisaane Lo'amanu, Taylorsville, UT.
Front Row Left to Right : Fernanda Mansilla, Ancud, Chile; Ellie Carter, Pueblo, CO; Nicole Hansen, Amalga, UT; Rilee Rhees, Farr West, UT; Tonje Milde, Bergen, Norway.
For questions contact:
Taylor Wagner
Head Coach
Phone: (719)384-6829
taylor.wagner@ojc.edu
