Spring Seasons Cut Short, Teams Still Shine

What could have been.

That will be a question presented for Riverside City College Athletics spring sports following another incredible start to an already historic 2019-20. The pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) hit the country hard, thus forcing the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) to indefinitely postpone spring seasons in early March. Just one week later, the seasons were officially cancelled thus cutting nearly 9,500 student-athletes season short across California community college athletics.

The women's swimming and diving program was set to run the table in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) action and make a push for a state title behind a bundle of the strongest swimmers in the state. They cleaned house in three events including the Riverside Sprint Meet, Golden West Invitational and the OEC Meet #1. In the first conference meet of the season, the Tigers tallied 873.5 points to win the meet by approximately 450 points and saw three swimmers combine for six top finishes. Freshman Nicole Tormey earned three top finishes (50 Free – 25.26, 200 Free – 2:05.49, 100 Free - 54.38), while sophomore Hannah Beth Cain followed with a pair of gold medals (200 IM – 2:24.57, 200 Back – 2:17.54). Sophomore Amelia Bennett rounded out the top finishes (200 Fly – 2:23.19).

The track & field program followed suit after holding state-pacing marks in numerous events to prove that last year's state title could have been the first in a consecutive streak of titles. Sophomore Alana Wilson was experiencing a breakout season as she held top marks in the in the 100 M (11.98) and the 200 M (24.73). She was also the third leg of the state pacing 4 x 100 M Relay team (47.30). She was joined by sophomore Selena Tucker, sophomore Annayah Pelt and freshman Hailey Hunt.

The women's throws team were dominating with a pair of freshman holding the top-two spots in the Shot Put. Freshman Ariana Fealofai held the strongest mark in the state (41' 10.75"), while dual-sport athlete Prentice Burris, who played women's basketball, earned the second-best mark in the state (41' 9.25") in her first collegiate showing.

Freshman Ethan Hemminger led the state in the 800 M (1:55.59), while sophomore Jabriel Smith was the fourth-fasted runner in the 100 M (10.68). Sophomore William Dower leaped to the top mark in the Long Jump (24' 5.5").

Women's tennis began its season on a 10-1 mark with a lethal lineup from top to bottom. Leading the charge was sophomore duo Maxelle Bernie and Torrey Mateljan. Bernie was slotted as the top singles player and hauled in six match victories, while Mateljan cleaned house as the number two leading to a 10-1 overall record. The duo teamed up for as the top doubles squad and went 8-4. Sophomore Miranda Cardenas was experiencing a strong season by going undefeated with a record of 9-0 in singles play. She teamed up with freshman Keeley Ardent in doubles and they did not drop a single match leading to a flawless 10-0 record.

The baseball team was 10 games over .500 entering into conference play and poised to reach the playoffs for the sixth-consecutive season. Sophomore right fielder and local talent Matthew Darr led the offensive charge by barreling a team-high 29 hits leading to a team-best 27 RBI, .322 batting average and six doubles. Sophomore catcher Steve Ramirez followed with a .333 batting average leading to 25 hits and 20 RBI. On the mound, sophomore right-hander Marques Johnson was 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA while posting an outstanding 11.73 strikeouts-per-nine mark. He fanned a team high 43 batters, backed by sophomore southpaw Drew D'Ambra's 36 strikeouts. D'Ambra, who was the team's number two, was 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA. Freshman southpaw Ryan Hernandez was the go-to weapon in the bullpen after posting a 1.76 ERA which acts as the second-lowest mark on the team. Freshman Josiah Torres acted as the early closer with two saves and an unscathed ERA.

Men's swimming and diving was poised for another strong season after winning conference in 2019 for the first time in 20 years. Reigning OEC Swimmer of the Year Erick Fathoni was dominating the pool by landing on the podium in all events each of the Tiger's three meets. He completed his season with three gold medals (500 Free – 4:37.10, 100 Breaststroke – 58.33, 100 Fly – 1:07.21).

Softball team beginning to heat up by winning four of its last six games. Freshman designated hitter Annabelle Salas brought the power to the offense by launching five homeruns leading to a team-high 20 RBI. She, along with freshman third baseman Jazlyn Dean, carted a team-high 469 batting average.

Men's tennis followed suit behind a new head coach and the reining OEC Player of the Year, sophomore Gleb Mityurin. The cheer & STUNT team, led by Cal Baptist commits Madison Murray and Madalynne Murray, came off an overtime victory over Division I powerhouse California Baptist University to set them up for a title run in Daytona, FL, while beach volleyball was set to host its first home match of the season. Sophomore duo Vashti Elias-Romero and Jasmine Urban were slotted as the top team. Elias-Romero was on the hunt to qualifying for her second-consecutive individual championships.

Men's golf was hitting stride after coming off a match in which each competitor landed in the 70s. Sophomore Jared Jenkins came off his strongest showing by carding a team-low 73, while sophomore duo Jordan Reynoso and Theoren Delehanty followed with 75s.