THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE BEAR CUBS

Coach: Lenny Wagner (2^nd Year)

2013 Record: 6-5 overal, 2-3 Nor Cal Conference (4^th Place)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vaimaa Taito, Soph., LB (Rancho Cotate) – Returning All-Conference player anchors athletic linebacker corps. Taito was an All-Empire pick at Rancho Cotate.

Matt Hunn, Soph., DL (Rancho Cotate) – Leads a deep defensive line rotation that should be tough against the run. Hunn was an All-Empire pick at Rancho Cotate.

Bryan Stansbury, Soph., LB (Vacaville) – Joins Taito as ball-hawking defenders. Was starting quarterback and top defender at Will C. Wood high in Vacaville.

Christian McAlvain, Soph., QB (Windsor) – Ready to lead balanced offense after sitting out a year with SRJC quarterback logjam. McAlvain was All-Empire in leading Windsor to a section title.

Terrence Drew, Soph., WR (Baltimore) – An deep threat with a nose for the end zone, Drew leads a receiving group that looks to spread defenses.

GAME NOT TO MISS

Nothing like a true test in Santa Rosa’s home opener. In week two The Bear Cubs host Butte College – the defending junior college national co-champion after winning the California Community College Athletic Association title. Butte was a longtime league opponent before being moved this season in a realignment by the Northern California Football Association to match the Southern California playoff system.

ALL-TIME HIGHLIGHT

Returning to a bowl game last season – Santa Rosa’s first postseason appearance in five campaigns – was a good start for head coach Lenny Wagner and his staff. The program’s goal remains a state championship. Santa Rosa last finished on top in California in 1978 under the late legend Marv Mays.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 6 at San Joaquin Delta 1 p.m.

Sept. 13 vs. Butte 5 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Sacramento 6 p.m.

Sept. 27 vs. Laney 5 p.m.

Oct. 4 vs. Sequoias 5 p.m.

Oct. 18 at San Mateo 1 p.m.

Oct. 25 at San Francisco 1 p.m.

Nov. 1 vs. De Anza 5 p.m.

Nov. 8 vs. Foothill 5 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Diablo Valley 7 p.m.

Tasting postseason football for the first season in five campaigns, Santa Rosa Junior College is hungry to return with a stronger, deeper squad.

Bolstered by strong recruiting and focusing on staying healthy, Santa Rosa seeks a return to the ranks of Northern California’s top teams.

A defense anchored by a sturdy front and athletic linebackers should limit the high scoring offenses Santa Rosa faces.

On offense, Santa Rosa must make the most of a talented receiving corps while working in a promising group of running backs.

“This year we’re really confident,” said Vaimaa Taito, an anchor at linebacker. “We play a tough schedule. But we’re a lot more sure of ourselves.”

A source for such optimism is improved conditioning and another offseason under second-year coach Lenny Wagner.

“The emphasis this year is being a lot more prepared than any team we play,” said quarterback Christian McAlvain.

The first test comes Saturday at Delta College, in Stockton.

Winning nonleague games is key to reaching the postseason because the Nor Cal League is among the toughest in the California Community College Athletic Association. Santa Rosa won four of its six games last season in nonleague play.

Last year culminated in a bowl appearance. While the Bear Cubs lost, returning to the postseason was a good start for head coach Lenny Wagner and his staff. Expectations are higher this season.

“The outlook is good. The guys are working really hard,” Wagner said.

Battles for starting spots and moving up the depth chart have been spirited.

With only five returning starters, all on defense, Santa Rosa has many holes to fill.

Santa Rosa is strongest where there is experience. Defense helps define Santa Rosa this season more than any in recent memory.

On the defensive line, Matt Hunn, out of Rancho Cotate, and Nick Kristofors, from San Marin High, anchor a line with both size and speed.

Leading the linebackers are Taito from Rancho Cotate, who was all-conference, and Bryan Stansbury, another returning ball hawk.

“We’re solid. We have a lot of threats. We have a lot of depth as well,” Taito said. “Our goal is to limit scoring.”

Keeping the Bear Cubs close in games allows the offense to find its footing.

An improving line of blockers is a start. Depth again should help coaches find good rotations to keep players rested and ready.

With a handful of talented receivers pushing for playing time Santa Rosa figures to pass more than a year ago. The leaders are returners Terrence Drew, out of Columbia, Md. and Cameron Eisenhauer, from Piner.

Going with a faster tempo on offense, Santa Rosa wants to get the ball to playmakers early and keep defenses on their heels.

“We’ve got the offense down so we can go faster,” McAlvain said. “We can get guys open.”

Hitting opponents quickly with the run should provide solid balance on offense.

Santa Rosa has a good group of running backs who lack college experience but work hard. First-year player Logan Francavilla, from Montgomery, has been a bright spot. Desmond Nisby, from Anderson Valley, and Brandon Scarupa, out of Clarksville, Md., also will get the ball.

One result of the competition for playing time has been strong support among players. This so-called team chemistry contributes to newcomers and returners alike focusing on team success.

“It was a great recruiting year for us and the attitude is really good right now,” Wagner said.

What the Bear Cubs also want to control is limiting injuries that sideline players.

Santa Rosa suffered 16 season-ending injuries a year ago. The Bear Cubs finished the campaign with some players going on both offense and defense — far from ideal, especially in a rugged league.

So coaches put players through fewer full contact practices and tackling drills.

“We’re just trying to be smarter,” Wagner said. “Our goal is to win a state championship.”

By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Accustomed to hard work and success on the soccer field, Keenan Whyte was jolted when his hopes were dashed to play major college soccer out of Montgomery High.

Disappointment at tryouts became determination to make that journey through the Santa Rosa Junior College program.
A dream delayed is now a goal achieved as Whyte moves into the major college soccer ranks. And the SRJC All-American is helping make history, joining the rebirth of University of the Pacific men’s soccer at the NCAA Division I level.

“I’m living my dream of playing Division I soccer,” Whyte said. “And it kind of intrigued me that it’s a new program. I’m excited to be on the first team to start the program back up.”

The midfielder is counted on to help anchor the Pacific squad. Whyte was among the first players Pacific coach Ryan Jorden signed in building a team for the inaugural 2014 season.

“Keenan comes to Pacific having led his Santa Rosa JC team to back-to-back Big 8 Conference titles. He is quick and powerful with a great tactical sense coming from the center of the midfield,” Jorden said. “We are pleased to have a player of his quality that will provide good leadership to the soccer program.”

What the Tigers are getting is a skilled, steady player who finds ways to improve every season.

The two-time All-Empire pick at Montgomery High helped lead the Vikings to North Coast Section titles his junior and senior years.

Whyte followed with a pair of National Soccer Coaches Association of America Junior College Men’s Division III All-America selections. Whyte is the first SRJC player to receive the national honor twice. Last season, he also was Big 8 Conference Player of the Year.

“He just shows up and takes care of business. That’s his greatest attribute,” said SRJC coach Marty Kinahan.

Such a work ethic includes training hard and bolstering his strength and fitness.

Yet it was not enough to earn Whyte a spot at Chico State, where he had been recruited out of Montgomery.

“It kind of sucked. But in reality, it made me better,” Whyte said. “I can go out and handle anything I need to handle in life now.”

On the Santa Rosa squad, Whyte improved in all aspects of the game.

“I just kept focused on what I wanted to do. My goal was to continue playing soccer somewhere else,” Whyte said. “It’s a sport that I love.”

Strong across the field, Whyte played a key role in stabilizing Santa Rosa’s attack and energizing the Bear Cubs this past season.

A skilled scorer, Whtye anchored Santa Rosa’s attack from the midfield with ball control and sure passes, as well as strong finishes.

“He grinds,” Kinahan said. “He scored, controlled the middle, he was just super, super consistent.”

After an uneven start to the season, Santa Rosa found its stride to capture the Big 8 Conference title. Then the Bear Cubs won two contests in the California Community College Athletic Association tournament, the season ending with a quarterfinal loss and a 12-4-6 record. In the final rankings, Santa Rosa was seventh in the state and third in Northern California.

“I kind of feel like I’m the engine on the team,” Whyte said. “It’s definitely all about teamwork. Putting my teammates before myself is something I definitely learned. Being a selfish player doesn’t get you too far.”

Major colleges started showing interest in Whyte after his first All-American campaign for Santa Rosa. By the end of his second season, the top choices were the University of Massachusetts, Cal Poly, Cal State Los Angeles and Dominican, in addition to Pacific.

The amount of financial aid and a strong academic program for the history major drew Whyte to Pacific.

Doing well in the classroom makes for a strong recruit.

“Coaches are looking for a package. It’s an investment by the coach,” Kinahan said. “It’s really easy to move on when players perform in the classroom.”

On the field, Whyte is preparing to prove himself all over and gain a starting spot with the Tigers.

“Division one soccer is going to be physical. The speed of play’s going to be huge,” Whyte said. “I’m going to be fine. I’m a lot more confident on the ball now.”

During summer, Whyte trains with the Santa Rosa team and hits the weight room regularly, in addition to following Pacific’s sprinting and conditioning regimen. The first challenge in front of the Pacific coaches comes at a 10-day camp in August.

“It’s almost like a clean slate. We have to prove that we are fit,” Whyte said.

Hard work and a passion for soccer have taken Whyte to the heights of high school and junior college soccer, preparing him for the biggest jump yet.

“I’m ready, but everyday I’m trying to get better,” he said. “I’m very excited to play.”

You can reach Staff Writer Michael Coit at 521-5470 or mike.coit@pressdemocrat.com.

The only program with both men’s and women’s teams reaching the state championships podium, Santa Rosa Junior College has 13 swimmers earning All-American honors.

Those same swimmers were All-State, with another four named Big 8 All-Conference.

“Our team consistently breaks records and continues to compete at a top level against other teams in the state,” SRJC coach Jill McCormick said. “You have to still go in there and swim it.

“We had several individuals and relays rank in the top three in the nation, which was pretty awesome.”

Santa Rosa’s women finished third at the 2014 California Community College Athletic Association Swimming and Diving championships. The contest was close enough that Santa Rosa needed just a handful of better times to capture a seventh state title.

Highlights included Miranda Howell winning two state titles and taking home a third with times for each race among the top three in the nation for junior colleges this season. Home schooled in high school, Howell is from Santa Rosa. Ashley Boyle, from Analy, had a pair of national top three times.

For the men, Santa Rosa finished third at state against much deeper teams. Leading the Bear Cubs was John Bing, from Roseburg, Ore., with both a state title and a third place.

SRJC All-Americans (time ranks in top 16 of nation for junior colleges):

Women, including high school attended and events: Michelle Spratt, Rancho Cotate (500 Free, 1650 Free); Christine Lewis, El Molino (500 Free, 50 Breast, 100 Breast); Erin Sullivan, Montgomery (200 IM); Allison Straus, Cardinal Newman (50 Fly, 100 Fly); Logan Williams, Analy (3m Diving); Kristin Schmidt, Analy (3m, 1m Diving); Howell (50 Fly, 50 Back, 100 Back); Boyle (50 Back, 50 Free, 100 Free, 100 IM).

Five of the women’s relay teams set All-American times. The teams featured different combinations of the swimmers above with the addition of Megan Warren, out of El Molino.

Men, including high school attended and events:

Clark Hale, El Molino (1650 Free); Andrew Hayes, Granada, Livermore (200 IM, 100 Fly, 200 Back); Ben Crabb, Windsor (400 IM, 100 Back, 200 Back); Stephen Mackanic, Livermore (100 Back, 200 Back); Bing (50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 100 Breast, 200 Breast).

Four of the men’s relay teams set All-American times. The teams featured different combinations of the swimmers above with the additions of Morgan Baldwin, from Casa Grande, and Tom Francievich, out of Petaluma.

SRJC swimmers making Big 8 All-Conference not listed as individual All-Americans: Lauren Tokunaga, Durham; Savannah Moen, Montgomery; Bowen Brooks, Healdsburg; Baldwin.

SRJC swimmers also earned Academic All-American and/or All-Conference honors.

Women: Spratt, Schmidt, Sullivan, Straus, Moen.

Men: Crabb, Mackanic, Hale, Baldwin.

You can reach Staff Writer Michael Coit at 521-5470 or mike.coit@pressdemocrat.com.

Capping a strong Santa Rosa Junior College track season, some of the team’s top athletes earned Big 8 All-Conference honors.

Leading the group is Lea Butler. All-American in the pole vault, Butler was all-conference in the long jump, as well as the pole vault. She is out of Rancho Cotate High.

Two other SRJC women were all-conference. Allison Bricker, a Rincon Valley Christian graduate, made it in the 400 meter hurdles. Tori Dwyer, out of Sonoma Valley High, was all-conference in the steeplechase.

On the SRJC men’s side, Herbie Polk, from Maria Carrillo, was all-conference in the 400 meters. Cristian Nazarek, from Santa Rosa High, earned his honor in the 10,000 meters. Jon Ahnberg, also from Santa Rosa High, made all-conference in the steeplechase.

To earn all-conference athletes needed to finish in the top three of an event at the Big 8 championships.

By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Leading the Sonoma State baseball squad to another NCAA Division II tournament appearance were All-West Region selections George Asmus and Eric Ehlow.

Asmus made first-team honors for both the Daktronics and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-West Region Teams. Ehlow, a slugging catcher, earned an honorable mention from the writers’ association.

Asmus, from Pleasanton, finished 6-1 with a 1.25 ERA, among the nation’s stingiest marks. Among the Seawolves hits leaders, Ehlow topped Sonoma State with 31 RBIs and 64 total bases.

Ehlow, from Laguna Niguel, returns next season. Sonoma State captured the California Collegiate Athletic Association regular season title and made the postseason tournament for the sixth time in the past eight seasons.

SEAWOLVES’ SOFTBALL STARS EARN HONORS

Following a sixth straight NCAA tournament appearance, Sonoma State softball’s top players earned All-West Region selections.

Megan Konieczka, Amanda Llerena, Ancia Purdy and Hayley Condon made the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II All-West Region Team. Konieczka was a first-team pick and her three teammates made the second-team.

Konieczka, Llerena and Condon also were selected to the Daktronics Division II All-West Region Team by the region’s sports information directors.

The power-hitting Konieczka, from Lake Forest, led the CCAA with 16 home runs (a single-season Seawolves’ record) and 54 runs batted in. She was second in the CCAA with 85 hits, also a Sonoma State single season record.

Llerena, the CCAA Pitcher of the Year, led the conference with 206 strikeouts and 24 complete games, to go with a 24-12 record and 2.09 ERA.

A third time region pick, Condon, from Santa Monica, led Sonoma State with 14 doubles and a 26-game streak of reaching base safely.

Purdy, from Huntington Beach, added to her total as the program’s all-time stolen base leader. She topped the CCAA this season with 33 swipes and 6 triples.

Sonoma State finished second in the conference tournament to get back into the NCAA Division II Softball Championship Tournament.

By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The strength of Empire college baseball programs was evident with Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State placing the equivalent of a starting lineup on all-conference teams.

Santa Rosa had five players earning Big 8 Conference selection: Brett Obranovich, Anthony Bender, Chase Stafford, Matt LoCoco and Brandon Hagerla.

Making the California Collegiate Athletic Association all-conference teams were: George Asmus, Eric Ehlow, Jackson Stogner and Jourdan Weiks.

Both teams reached the postseason after strong runs in very competitive leagues.

Santa Rosa’s picks were led by starting pitcher Obranovich, from Napa High, with an 8-1 record and 1.86 earned run average going into this weekend’s playoffs. Reliever Bender, from Casa Grande High, led the conference with seven saves.

Infielder and top hitter Stafford, from Casa Grande, had a .320 batting average and led the Bear Cubs in slugging.

Outfielder LoCoco, out of Piner High, was second in hits and the team’s stolen-base leader.

Making the Big 8 second team was Hagerla. The starting pitcher was 8-2 with a 1.79 earned run average.

Sonoma State was led by CCAA first-team pick Asmus. The Seawolves ace, from Pleasanton, was 6-1 with a league-leading 1.06 earned run average.

Earning second-team honors was Ehlow. A catcher from Laguna Nigel, Ehlow hit .325 and was second on the team in RBIs, knocking in 25 runners.

Third-team honors went to Stogner and Weiks. Stogner, a second baseman from Analy High, led Sonoma State with 12 doubles and 28 runs batted in on the season. Leadoff hitter Weiks, from Olympia, Wash., led the Seawolves with 32 runs scored and 13 stolen bases.

SRJC, SSU strong on softball lists

The best Santa Rosa Junior College softball season in a decade can be measured in six players earning all-conference honors.

Another standout campaign by Sonoma State’s softball campaign helped place four Seawolves on all-conference teams.
Santa Rosa had three Big 8 Conference first-team selections. Krystina Pardoski, an outfielder from Garberville, hit .402 and knocked in 25 runners. Megan Winters, a pitcher and infielder from Analy High, led the team in innings pitched and complete games while hitting .400 for the season. Dana Thom-sen, a pitcher from Petaluma High, led the Bear Cubs with a 13-3 record.

Outfielder Chauntel Cesna, a second-team pick out of Fairfield, led Santa Rosa in runs batted in and slugging.

Earning honorable mention were infielders Alexandra Coirds, from Petaluma High, and Samantha Bartee, from Maria Carrillo.

Leading the Sonoma State selections to California Collegiate Athletic Association teams is ace Amanda Llerena. The right-hander from San Jose went 22-14 with a 2.09 earned run average, earning first team and league most valuable pitcher honors.

Also making the first team was outfielder Megan Konieczka, from Lake Forest. She led Sonoma State in hitting, including 16 home runs and 54 runs batted in on the season.

Second-team honors went to first baseman Amanda Rossetta, from San Jose, second in hits and knocking in runners. Infielder Hayley Condon, from Santa Monica, was honorable mention.

Like PDPreps on Facebook

Follow PDPreps on Twitter: @PDPreps

Finishing second in the conference tournament lifted Sonoma State back into the NCAA Division II Softball Championship Tournament that opens Thursday in Seaside.

Cal State Monterey Bay hosts the four-team regional. The other half of the West Regionals is at Dixie State, in St. George, Utah.

Sonoma State opens against California Baptist. Monterey takes on Western Oregon. The tournament runs through Saturday.

For the sixth straight year Sonoma State qualified for the national tournament. The Seawolves face a tough bracket. Monterey is ranked 3^rd and California Baptist 23^rd in the national poll.

Still the Seawolves are confident. Sonoma State has 38 wins, tied for second most in program history. And in the California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament Sonoma state won three of five against Monterey and Humboldt State, the nation’s 6^th ranked squad.