Rio sports teams had fine year

FALLM/W Cross Country

The story for the Men's and Women's cross country teams this year was the addition of first year head coach Geoff Skarr and his revival of the Rio Hondo cross country program. Skarr got to work right away implementing a vigorous workout regimen that payed dividend progressively.

Rio Hondo took the Foothill Conference Championship for the women this past fall, while the men finished second, falling just short of San Bernardino Valley College. However the men redeemed themselves at state, taking fourth, while the women finished 15th overall. Ruben Martinez finished sixth overall in the four-mile run to cap off his excellent season.

But there were plenty of other standouts including Ulises Lorenzo, Eddie Aguilar, Eli Canchola, Lupe DeAlba, Ashley Huizar and Roxanna Raigosa, all of whom will return next season, with the exception of sophomores Martinez and Lorenzo.

The experience and success this team has received this past season will no doubt go a long way come this fall. However, it appears that Skarr will not return next season to coach, leaving a gaping hole in the coaching spot. Hopefully though, Rio Hondo athletic director Rory Natividad can strike gold once again by hiring another coach of such a high caliber as coach Skarr.

Mens's Wrestling

One tradition that still lives strong in Rio Hondo Athletics is the presence of dominating wrestling team, and this past fall was no different as Rio would share a three-way-tie for the Western State Conference Champions.

Former Rio Hondo wrestling standout Mike Tellez, coached a talented group of wrestlers during the fall semester. Two of such wrestlers were ranked No. 1 in the state for the community college level. Both Ian Millan at the 149 lb. class, the most difficult class to compete in, and Sal Feliccia at HWT, who got some eye-catching victories over division I and II opponents, both were ranked No. 1 last season.

Coach Tellez also received "Coach of the Year" honors as well for his outstanding coaching and success. Fortunately Rio will lose only eight of their 25 wrestlers, Millan included, but will look to repeat their success as the dominant force they have been over the past seasons. Feliccia also returns, a sigh of relief no doubt comes from coach Tellez knowing that.

Womens Water Polo

The women's water polo team pushed through a brutal 1-25 season; however it didn't indicate how hard the team worked throughout their struggle.

The women's water polo team continued to develop from start to finish, this season was no doubt a little rocky, but next season should be different, as they continue to grow through youth, considering that they have some returners who know the system now.

Improvement is expected this coming season, especially from such a hard working group that is not afraid of a challenge, which is exactly what they will have in their difficult South Coast Conference matchups. Coach Mike Hinze says, "Success is progressive realization of a worthwhile dream or goal." The women on the team would agree with coach Hinze on that one.

Hinze is looking forward to seeing his returning players such as Denise Castillo and Kristin Rodriguez who were some of his best players.

Women's Soccer

Rio Hondo's women's soccer team is back hard at work again to try to take the title once more, or even take it further with a state championship, after a sub-par season. Rio Hondo women's soccer had an overall record of 6-15-1 and 3-8-1 in Foothill Conference play.

Though their record was unimpressive, Rio boasted some excellent talent earning several All Foothill Conference Honors. Melissa Avalos and Emily Lujan both made first team All-Conference, while Shannon Bowe and Heather Hernandez made the second team. Honorable mentions went to Amanda DiFronzo and Paulina Rodriguez. Amanda Garza also stood out with 66 saves on the season, which was fourth best in conference.

Men's Soccer

The Rio Hondo Men's Soccer team once again toppled the Foothill Conference on the way to their seventh consecutive Foothill Conference Championship and ninth title since 1997.

But the Roadrunners could not advance out of the first round of the playoffs for the second season in-a-row losing to Long Beach City College in a grueling match that came down to penalty kicks.

The Roadrunners finished with a 14-5-3 record, on a team was led by 2008 Conference M.V.P and scoring specialist, Alan Ponce. Head Coach Orlando Brenes received "Coach of the Year" honors for yet another outstanding season at Rio. Carlos Gutierrez, Anthony Salcedo, Dennis Morales and Philip Cervantes all received first team All-Conference honors as well. Gilbert Bautista, Jesus Castellon, Geovanni Serrano and Willie Lopez received second team honors.

Women's Volleyball

The women's Volley ball season was quite a long one for the Roadrunners who only won four matches throughout the entire season.

The victories came in decisive wins over L.A Trade Tech, Santa Ana, ELAC and San Bernardino.

Rio was rather youthful this season with only four returners, but should boast some lofty experience next season with the nine freshmen from this year's tested squad.

SPRING

Men's Baseball

Rio Hondo baseball began and ended their season with big thuds. Rio Hondo jumped out to a dreadful start to the 2009 season starting 0-3 and going 1-4 in their first five games, but despite their early tournament struggles, Rio battled back throughout Foothill Conference play. They soon managed to bring their record to a respectable 24-16 and 20-4 within conference, earning them Foothill Conference co-champions.

The Roadrunners record and Foothill Conference title was enough to get them into the postseason for the fifth straight year, but first round opponent Citrus College soon put a damper on Rio's successful season. Citrus crushed Rio Hondo 21-8, ending their memorable season abruptly.