As the 2007-2008 year develops, as always, new challenges arise. OJC continues to be one of the leaders in women's and men's athletics in the combining of academics and athletics for student-athletes. "I am very excited about our programs at OJC. Continuing the success we have had in the athletic programs is a main priority. Our programs are built on a firm foundation which has proven successful. We have excellent coaches who are grounded in the values and ethics of what OJC stands for which is growth as a student and growth as a person first and foremost. We have proven you can win championships (thirteen South Sub-Region IX Titles in eleven years and Nine Region IX Titles in nine years) and at the same time help young people grow as people and athletes," stated Athletic Director Jeff Paolucci.
In the athletic arena, Otero Junior College had yet another great year. The Rattler Golf Team finished the regular season on top of Region IX, winning all three of the regional tournaments. The men put up some of the best numbers of the season, and scored a 300 at the Trinidad tournament on April 26th. Sophomore Mark Roush won the tournament and Marc Bensik and Tyson Colarelli finished 2nd and 3rd overall. Justin Snyder won the Otero tournament, finishing with a score of 73.
Dominque Nardini represented OJC at the Women's National Tournament in Dayton Beach, FL, May 14-17.
The 2008 Rattler baseball team will have a much different look and a new head coach. Chris Carrillo, not new to the program or OJC, will take over the reins for the 2007-08 campaign, as nine year veteran coach Gary Addington has moved to the position of Athletic Coordinator/Student Services Recruiter. Carrillo, who played for Addington on the Rattlers 2001 Regional Championship team, has been busy with recruiting and is eager to get his squad on the field this upcoming fall.
First year Head Coach Melissa Perea and her squad finished regional play with a record of 23-1 and again captured the Region IX crown for the 8th year in a row as well as Melissa being named the Region IX Coach of the Year. By winning the Region, they secured a spot in the prestigious 16 team NJCAA Division I National Tournament in Plant City, Florida on May 17-19, entering the tournament as the 5th seed with an overall record of 47-7.
The Otero Junior College Lady Rattler volleyball team finished its season in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on November 9-11 at Region IX tournament, finishing third overall. As the No. 3 seed in the tournament the Lady Rattlers went 3-2 in tournament play, with wins over McCook, Trinidad, and McCook. The Lady Rattlers fell to NJC in the championship bracket and also faced the Plainswomen in the consolation bracket to get to the finals. Eighth year Coach Dana Cordova and her Lady Rattlers finished the year at 25-18.
On the hardwood, the Lady Rattlers were hot early in the year as one of the Region IX league leaders; however the month of February was unkind to the Lady Rattlers according to 3rd year Head Coach Taylor Wagner. Going most the season without an injury caught up to them during the hardest stretch of their schedule as they suffered several injuries to some key players. Starting point guard Valma Cook went down with a knee injury that made her miss the last 10 games of the season. Post player Lacee Mapu ruptured her Achilles tendon in practice and missed the last 9 games of the season. All region players Kelsey Tague missed 3 games due to a back injury, and post player Nikki Howe missed a game due to a knee injury. The Lady Rattlers finished the season with a record of 19-11.
The men's team finished the season with a 7-23 record, under the direction of first year coach Houston Reed. Ten of the Rattler losses were by minimal margins as they challenged their opponents down to the wire. Coach Reed was pleased with how his players represented the program and institution. "The men battled in each contest, and always went a hundred percent," stated Reed, whose Rattler's took the #1 seeded team in the Region 9 tournament to overtime in their final game of the year.
Once again the teams' success in athletic competition was mirrored by an excellent year academically. All of the teams had excellent years in the classroom highlighted by women's basketball, men's and women's golf, baseball and softball, all of which were ranked nationally for the prestigious NJCAA Academic Team Of the Year award for the best team grade point average. Also, the Rattlers and Lady Rattlers had an excellent group of graduates in the spring. The athletic department had one student-athlete receive Distinguished Academic All-American Honors (3.8 to 4.0 GPA) and six Academic All-Americans (3.6 to 3.79 GPA).
"I am very pleased with the backing we have received from our community. Our corporate sponsorship program continues to grow to unprecedented levels and is providing great support for our student-athletes. We have continued to add sponsors and the response has been great. Our fan base for OJC events is tremendous and loyal. We are continuing to try to do more for the community with service by our athletes. With all these great things happening, I am once again very excited about the year ahead," stated Paolucci.
Athletics Department
