A look back at the fall and winter seasons in Clark College sports      

It’s been an exciting 2013-14 fall and winter for Clark College Athletics. So far this year, all of Clark’s athletic programs have advanced to the NWAACC playoffs–that’s seven for seven! In addition, four coaches were named Coach of the Year and several student athletes were named to All-Academic Sports teams and All-Star teams. There are so many students to be proud of and great sports moments to remember, but here is a quick recap of our mighty Penguins’ accomplishments so far.

 

Men’s & Women’s Cross Country

The Penguin cross country teams once again had solid fall season,s with both squads finishing in the top five at the NWAACC Championships, which were hosted by Clark College this year. Sophomores Julian Avalos and Jacob Mason were named to the 2013 All-Academic Sports team, which recognizes student athletes with a cumulative GPA above 3.25 and a minimum of 36 credits earned. Clark College will continue hosting the NWAACC Cross Country Championships at Lewisville Regional Park through Fall 2015.

Men’s Soccer

The men’s soccer team, led by 2013 South Region and NWAACC Coach of the Year Biniam Afenegus, put together another exceptional season, finishing with an 19-3-1 overall record. With a 13-1 mark in the South Region, the men captured their second consecutive regional title and advanced to the playoffs for the seventh straight season. The team eventually fell to Peninsula College in the NWAACC championship match, 1-0. Freshman Bernardino Ayala-Jimenez was named South Region MVP and freshmen Juan Ayala-Jimenez, Christian Desir, and Abdiel Morfin and sophomores Bryanth Garcia-Junco, Jonathan Morales, and Langdon Roscoe were named to the Southwest All-Star Team.

Women’s Soccer

The women’s soccer team fought through key injuries to finish 10-9-3 overall, with a third-place finish in the South Region. Second-year head coach Rochelle Hearns led the Penguins to consecutive NWAACC playoff appearances before falling to Whatcom on penalty kicks in the first round of the NWAACC playoffs. Coach Hearns was honored with the South Region Coach of the Year award, and sophomore Cristal Ruvalcaba and freshman Krista Campbell were named to the Southwest All-Star Team. Sophomores Emily Ainsworth, Kai Davidson and Alexandra White were named to the 2013 All-Academic Sports Team, which recognizes student athletes with a cumulative GPA above 3.25 and a minimum of 36 credits earned.

 

Volleyball

After a one-year hiatus, the women’s volleyball squad returned to the NWAACC playoffs under the direction of first-year head coach Mark Dunn. The Penguins were a force to be reckoned with down the stretch of regular-season play and beat the odds by winning three of four matches to advance to post-season play. In the first round, the Penguins were defeated in three sets by eventual NWAACC champion Blue Mountain; afterward, they defeated Shoreline in an elimination match to advance to Day Two of the tournament for the first time in four years. Sophomore middle blocker Karissa Paltridge was named First Team West Region All-Star. Sophomores Shawntel Kalliainen and Amanda Curtis were named to the 2013 All-Academic Sports Team, which recognizes student athletes with a cumulative GPA above 3.25 and a minimum of 36 credits earned.

 

Men’s Basketball

For the first time in 17 years, the Clark men’s basketball program placed at the NWAACC basketball championships, going 3-1 for a fifth-place finish. The 2013-14 edition of the Penguins gave fans a thrill as the men won the West Region crown and finished 27-2. The record-breaking performance also included a 23-game winning streak, undefeated in West Region (16-0) play, and best overall record for a season. Clark became just the fourth team in NWAACC history to go undefeated in league play. Clark held the coaches poll No. 1 ranking for the majority of the season and finished ranked No. 1 in the final coaches poll. Second-year head coach Alex Kirk was named West Region Coach of the Year, sophomore Collin Spickerman was named West Region MVP, and sophomore Sean Price was named First-Team West Region. Sophomore Max Livingston was named Second-Team West Region. Spickerman and Price were also named to the All-Defensive Team.

 

Women’s Basketball

For the first time in 14 years, the Clark women’s basketball program won the West Region title and placed at the NWAACC basketball championships for the second straight season, going 3-1 for a fifth-place finish. The team was Ranked No. 2 in final coaches poll and posted a 15-game win streak during their impressive season. Second-year head coach Al Aldridge was named West Region Coach of the Year, sophomore Brooke Bowen was named West Region MVP, and sophomores Nicolette Bond and Haley Grossman were named First-Team West Region. Freshman Shantell Jackson was named Freshman of the Year and Second-Team West Region. Freshman Taylor Howlett was named to the All-Defensive Team.

 

So far, the year has provided us with plenty of exciting sports moments and lots to cheer about. Visit Clark Athletics to find out about our spring sports, including baseball, softball, and track and field.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley