Former Falcon football player wins feature film award
09.04.09 - Former Cerritos College football player Jah'shams Abdul-Mumin, who was a member of the 1995 Falcon team, recently had his movie win the Best Feature Film Award at the Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival. The movie will now be screened at the Valley Film Festival on Saturday, October 3 at 12:45 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood...[more]

Chick-fil-A to kick off football season in fine fashion
09.03.09 - In celebration of the second-annual Chick-fil-A^® Kickoff football game, Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide will offer a free Chick-fil-A^® Chicken Sandwich to any customer wearing any sports-related apparel on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7...[more]

Russ May named new head men's basketball coach
08.26.09 - After spending the last 10 years as the head coach of the Los Alamitos High boy's basketball team, former Cerritos College men's basketball player and assistant coach Russ May has returned to the Falcon program. May replaces Jesse Teplitzky, who resigned last week after just one year as the head coach. May was a finalist for the Cerritos job last year before Teplitzky was hired. He said he was happy thinking he'd spend the rest of his career at Los Alamitos before being contacted by Cerritos after Teplitzky's resignation. But, in the same breath, he was happy to be given the chance to coach the Falcons...[more]
 

Banquet kicks off Wood Bat Series Tournament
06.25.09 - On July 2 at 6:00 p.m. at Phil Trani's Restaurant in Long Beach, the most recognized and respected community college baseball coach in history will be honored. Wally Kincaid, who coached the Cerritos College baseball team for 22 years and won six California Community College state championships, posted a 678-163 record during his career. Former Falcon baseball player Tim Olivarez, who played for Kincaid in 1976, is hosting the banquet as a lead-in to the 1st Annual Wally Kincaid 4th of July Wood Bat Series Tournament...[more]


Seattle drafts Joe Terry in 17th Round
06.10.09 - Cerritos College freshman Joe Terry (Long Beach Poly HS), who was named All-American, All-Southern California and the South Coast Conference Player of the Year, was drafted in the 17th Round (503rd overall) by the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon. Terry, who led the team with a .426 batting average, also led the squad in hits (72), runs (50), doubles (14), triples (14), home runs (4), RBI (57), total bases (126) and slugging percentage (.746)...[more]

Cerritos finishes second in state supremacy
05.26.09 - For the second year in a row, Cerritos College has finished second place in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Cup. The Falcons, who won a school-record four state championships during the 2008-09 school year, finished with 168 points, which was a half-point behind first place Mt. San Antonio College, who finished with 168.5 points. Both teams are members of the South Coast Conference and it marks the second time in the six-year history of the NATYCAA Cup that the top two teams are from the same conference...[more]

Joe Terry named to baseball All-American team
05.26.09 - Cerritos College freshman Joe Terry (Long Beach Poly HS), who helped the baseball team advance to the Southern California Regional Playoffs, was named 1st Team All-Southern California All-American as a designated hitter. Terry, who led the team with a .426 batting average, also led the squad in hits (72), runs (50), doubles (14), triples (14), home runs (4), RBI (57), total bases (126) and slugging percentage (.746)...[more]

Cerritos finishes off banner year
05.18.09 - During the 2007-08 athletic season, Cerritos College set new records for most state championships (3) and South Coast Conference championships (9) in the history of the school in one season. Now that the 2008-09 seasons have come to an end, it can be said that this season is now the best ever. The Falcons won four state championships (women's water polo, men's soccer, women's soccer, women's track and field), while 11 of the college's 19 intercollegiate teams won conference championships. The school is also in contention for the Southern California Supremacy Award, a title they won last year for the first time, while they are looking to improve on their second place finish in the state standings from last year...[more]
 

2009 STATE CHAMPIONS
WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD

Women's Track wins second straight state title
05.16.09 - On the strength of three individual state champions, the Cerritos College women's track and field team captured their second consecutive state championship, and third in the last four years, on Saturday at College of San Mateo. The Falcons, who edged Laney College, 107-101.5 in team points, also had a second place and six third place finishes. The team also scored the majority of their points in the field events, which provided the most depth of any school in the state...[more]

MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
SECOND PLACE IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tremendous second day leads to second place for men's track
05.16.09 - After a slow start on the first day of the California Community College men's track and field state championships at College of San Mateo, the Cerritos College men's track and field team picked up huge results to finish in a tie for second place. The Falcons, who finished with 58 team points, joined Moorpark College for second place, while Riverside College won the title with 68 team points. Along the way, the Falcons set a new school record, as they finished in first and second place in the decathlon, while freshman Torion Bailey (Mayfair HS) won the 800 meters...[more]

Grueling day for softball ends in elimination
05.16.09 - Looking to become the first school ever to come back after losing their first game to win the state championship, the Cerritos College softball team almost made their way to the final day. But after taxing wins over Riverside College (10-4) and Cypress College (11-10 in 11 innings), the Falcons were out of steam when they had to face Sierra College in their third game of the day at the Salinas Sports Complex on Saturday. Cerritos dropped an 8-1 decision and were eliminated from the California Community College Athletic Association state championship and concluded the season with a 41-11-1 record. Santa Ana College is the only team to ever come back to win the title after losing their first game back in 1985, but it was only a four-team tournament, as opposed to the eight-team format currently used...[more]

Softball opens state tournament against Sierra
05.11.09 - On Friday at noon, the Cerritos College softball team will begin defense of their state championship when they play Sierra College at the Salinas Sports Complex. The Falcons (39-9-1), the #2 seeded team from the South, will be facing the #3-seeded Wolverines (40-13), who defeated host Fresno City College twice on Sunday to advance to the state tournament. Cerritos is riding a 12-game post-season winning streak, which includes two-game sweeps over Ventura College at Saddleback College in the Regional Playoffs. The Falcons have also won their last 14 games this season...[more]

Sonia Gutierrez receives conference scholarship
05.09.09 - The South Coast Conference has announced that Cerritos College women’s tennis player Sonia Gutierrez and Mt. San Antonio College men’s water polo player Michael Edwards are recipients of the 2008-2009 annual Don MacKenzie Memorial Scholarship awards. These $500 awards go to the conference athletes who exhibit strong academics and high performance on the field of play. In some cases, the student-athletes chosen are ones who also have overcome obstacles and involve themselves in community service. The awards honor the memory of MacKenzie, a long-time SCC commissioner from 1979-2004...[more]
 

Jessica Barfield named state's April Female Athlete of the Month
05.08.09 - Cerritos College sophomore track and field star Jessica Barfield (Lynwood HS) was announced as the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) April Female Athlete of the Month. Barfield, who becomes the seventh Falcon athlete to earn the Female Athlete of the Month Award, is also the fourth recipient in the last eight months. Cerritos leads the state with the most athletes to win the award.

Currently competing in the Southern California Championships, Barfield earned the award based on her accomplishments in April. In saving her best for the latter part of the season, Barfield scored 58 points to help the Falcons win their fourth straight South Coast Conference championship...[more]

Samantha Vaaulu named National Catcher of the Year
05.05.09 - Cerritos College freshman catcher Samantha Vaaulu (Warren HS) has had a remarkable season in leading the Falcons to the South Coast Conference championship and the team is one step away from advancing to the state championships to defend their title. On Monday, Vaaulu was named the Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). In addition to Vaaulu, freshman pitcher Hillary Perez-Ashley (Long Beach Poly HS) and freshman second baseman Lindsey Marquez (Gahr HS) were also named 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA California JC All-Americans.

On the year, Vaaulu is one of four starters batting over .400 (.442) and broke the single-season school record for home runs with 16 and is closing in on the record for most RBI in a season. As the Falcons prepare for the Super Regional this weekend against Saddleback College, Vaaulu has 63 RBI, while the school record of 71 was set last year by Jessica Navarro, who was the NFCA Player of the Year in 2008. In addition to her prowess at the plate, Vaaulu has not made an error behind the plate all season and has thrown out 12 runners attempting to steal bases...[more]

Upset in another series pits softball against Saddleback
05.04.09 - The way the California Community College Softball Coaches Association has set it up for the playoffs, when a lower seeded team upsets a higher seeded team, the lowest remaining seed continues to face the highest remaining seeded team. As a result of #11-seeded Los Angeles Mission College upsetting #6-seeded Long Beach City College over the weekend, the #2-seeded Cerritos College softball team will now face #8-seeded Saddleback College in the Super Regional, which will be played at Nancy Kelly Field on Saturday and Sunday. Game one of the best-of-three series will be played at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, while the second game is slated for noon on Sunday with a third game to be played, if necessary...[more]

Softball wastes little time in sweeping Ventura
05.03.09 - The Cerritos College softball team wasted little time opening up a sizeable lead in their Southern California Regional Playoff game at Nancy Kelly Field on Sunday afternoon. The Falcons scored eight runs in the top of the first inning and cruised their way to a 10-0, 5-inning win over Ventura College to advance to the Super Regional. Cerritos (37-9-1), who swept the Pirates and are seeded #2 in the playoffs, will host either Grossmont College or East Los Angeles College next Saturday and Sunday at Cerritos. The Falcons are 1-1 on the year against Grossmont, while they went 4-0 against East LA, who is a member of the South Coast Conference...[more]

Baseball to travel to Mt. San Jacinto for playoffs
05.03.09 - After finishing in a three-way second place tie in the South Coast Conference, the Cerritos College baseball team was seeded 11th for the Southern California Regional Playoffs and will travel to face #7-seeded Mt. San Jacinto College in a best-of-3 series starting on Friday. The first game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, while the second game will be played at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. If a third game is necessary, it will be played 30 minutes after the conclusion of the 11:00 a.m. game...[more]

Softball earns #2 seed for playoffs
04.25.09 - Coming off a state championship last year, the Cerritos College softball team knew that they would be the biggest target a team could knock off every time they stepped onto the field. The Falcons responded each time and posted a 35-9-1 regular season record, while they went 17-1 in South Coast Conference play to win their second title in a row. The team will now being their "second season", as they open the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs on Saturday, May 2 as the #2-seeded team. Cerritos will host #15-seeded Ventura College (25-18), the second place finisher in the Western State Conference North Division in a best-of-three series. The first game will be played at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, while the second is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, with a third game at 2:00 p.m., if necessary...[more]

Student-athletes earn state awards for academics
04.07.09 - Over the last several years, the Cerritos College intercollegiate teams have done exceptionally well, winning six state championships in the last 2 1/2 years and finishing first in the Southern California Supremacy Award and second in the state last year. But while the team's are succeeding on the fields, they are also excelling in the classrooms. This year alone, two Cerritos student-athletes have received state awards, and were honored last week at the 12th Annual COA/CCCAA Convention in Ontario...[more]

Cerritos men's soccer announces the signing of eight players
03.25.09 - The Cerritos College men's soccer coaching staff has announced that seven players from their 2008 State Championship team have signed letters of intent, with three of them going to Division I programs. Heading the list of signees are All-Americans Jonathan Rivas (Santa Fe HS) and Alex Munoz (Corona Centennial HS), who have committed to UC Irvine. The two will be joining a program that was the highest-ranked Division I program in California and advanced to the Sweet 16 this past season. Defender Norm Mariscal (Corona Centennial HS), a 1st Team All-South Coast Conference selection along with Rivas and Munoz, signed with UC Riverside, also a Division 1 program...[more]

Nicholas Armstrong wins SoCal decathlon championship
03.25.09 - Cerritos College sophomore decathlete Nicholas Armstrong (Long Beach Poly HS) compiled 6479 points at the Southern California decathlon Championships on Tuesday and Wednesday at Cerritos College to win the championship. His point total is also the third-highest in school history. Sophomore teammate David Thomas (Cerritos HS) finished sixth out of the 32 entries with 5595 points. The two athletes collected 13 team points toward the Southern California Championships, which will take place at Mt. San Antonio College on May 9. They have both also advanced to the state championships, as the top six finishers qualified. Prior to that, the Falcon track team will compete in the SCC Preview Meet this Friday at Compton College at noon.

Of the 10 events in the decathlon, Armstrong won two, placed second in one and had three fourth place finishes. Armstrong won the discus with a distance of 130' 7 1/2", as well as his specialty, the high jump. In that event, he leaped 6' 7" to easily defeat his opponents. In the first event of the decathlon, Armstrong raced to a 15.46 in the 110-meter IH to come in second place, while his time of 50.88 was good for fourth place in the 400-meters. He also came in fourth place in the shot put (38' 8 1/2") and in the long jump (20' 6 3/4"), while he turned in sixth place finishes in both the javelin (153' 7") and the 100-meters, with a time of 11.66...[more]

Swimmer Natalie Peng named state's Athlete of the Month
03.09.09 - After the first three meets of the season, Cerritos College freshman swimmer Natalie Peng (Cerritos HS) has already been involved in breaking six school records. As an individual, she has obliterated the old school record in the 50-yard butterfly and in the 100-yard butterfly, which were both set by Tammy Ferris in 1982, while she has been a part of four relay teams that have set new records. As a result, Peng was named the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Female Athlete of the Month for February.

In the 50-yard butterfly, Peng has been beating the competition by at least three seconds and set the new school record of 26.61 at the Golden West Sprint Meet. She broke the 100-yard butterfly in the same meet, posting a time of 58.11, in which her closest competition was more than three seconds behind. In addition, Peng has been a part of record-breaking teams in the 200-yard freestyle (1:44.14), 400-yard freestyle (3:47.89), 200-yard medley relay (1:56.48) and 400-yard medley relay (4:17.50) races. Peng opened the season by winning the Waterman Pentathlon beating out 127 other swimmers based on cumulative time in five events (which she won two and came in second in another). ..[more]

Mercedes Taylor named 3rd Team All-State
03.05.09 - Cerritos College women's basketball player Mercedes Taylor (Gahr HS), who was named the South Coast Conference Player of the Year, was also honored by being named 3rd Team All-State. The sophomore forward appeared in 33 of the team's 34 games and was second on the team in scoring with a 12.8 average, while she led the team in rebounding with an 8.2 average. The Falcons (21-13) captured the South Coast Conference South Division championship this year before being eliminated from the Southern California Regional Playoffs in the second round...[more]

Ex-Falcon signs free agent contract with Seattle Seahawks
03.03.09 - Former Cerritos College All-American wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who spent the last eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, as signed a five-year free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Houshmandzadeh, who was an All-Pro in 2007 after leading the NFL in receptions with 112, selected the Seahawks over the Bengals and Minnesota Vikings.

According to ESPN.com, Houshmandzadeh said, "I just felt it was the best destination, it was the best team, it was the best choice for me." The five-year deal is reportedly to be worth more than $40 million with more than $15 million guaranteed...[more]

Sonia Gutierrez named Scholar-Athlete of the Year
02.26.09 - Each year the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) awards a male and female student-athlete that experiences excellence in both the classroom, as well as in their intercollegiate competition. Sonia Gutierrez, who spent two years on the Cerritos College women's tennis team (2007-08) was recently announced as the 2008 Pepsi Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The winners, along with the rest of the annual honor roll, are selected by the CCCAA Awards Committee from nominations made by community colleges throughout California. The Pepsi Scholar Athlete Award is also the highest student achievement honor awarded annually by the CCCAA...[more]

Cerritos women's basketball hosts Santa Barbara City
02.23.09 - The Cerritos College women's basketball team was seeded #16 out of 18 teams for the Southern California Regional Playoffs and will host a first round game at 7:00 p.m. against Santa Barbara City College, who was seeded #17. If the Falcons (20-12) win the game, they will travel to face top-seeded and three-time defending state champion Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday evening...[more]
 

Falcon men's basketball opens playoffs at LA Valley
02.23.09 - Although they won the South Coast Conference South Division and finished the regular season on a nine-game winning streak, the Cerritos College men's basketball team will still have to open the Southern California Regional Playoffs on the road this Wednesday. The Falcons were seeded #17 out of 20 teams and will have to travel to #16-seeded Los Angeles Valley College in a 7:00 p.m. matchup. The winner of the game will have to face top-seeded Saddleback College (25-7) on the road Saturday night...[more]

Karen Welliver now winningest coach in history
01.21.09 - With their 54-51 South Coast Conference overtime home win over El Camino College on Wednesday night, Cerritos College women's basketball coach Karen Welliver has now placed her name atop the list of most career wins in California Community College Women's Basketball history. Now in her 27th season, Welliver now has 564 career wins, pushing her past Tom Martinez, who posted 563 wins at San Mateo College. The team is now 13-11 overall this season and 1-1 in South Divisional play...[more]
 

Corina Villegas named state Athlete of the Month
01.13.09 - Cerritos College sophomore women's soccer player Corina Villegas capped off her career by being named the California Community College Athlete Association (CCCAA) December Female Athlete of the Month. Villegas, who was also named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Junior College Division III (non-scholarship) Player of the Year, helped lead the Falcons to their second straight state championship and their first unbeaten season in school history.

Villegas, the Most Valuable Player of the state tournament, scored three goals in the team's 4-2 overtime win over Santa Rosa College in the state championship game, including both goals in overtime. The win finished off an unbeaten season where the Falcons went 22-0-4 on the year and won their third straight South Coast Conference championship. After setting the school-record for most goals in a season as a freshman (32), Villegas looked more to pass this season, but still finished with 21 goals. Her 18 assists this season set a new school-record, while her 35 career assists are also a school record...[more]

Cerritos in second place after fall season
01.09.09 - On the strength of three state championships, the Cerritos College athletic program is currently in second place in the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) after the fall sports season. The Falcons, state champions in women's water polo, women's soccer and men's soccer, have 112.5 points and trail only South Coast Conference rival Mt. San Antonio College, who have compiled 117.5 points...[more]
 

Corina Villegas named National Soccer Player of the Year
12.27.08 - Corina Villegas (Perris HS), a sophomore forward on the Cerritos College women's soccer team, has had two years for the record books. Not only has Villegas been named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III (non-scholarship) All-American both years, she was also selected the Most Valuable Player of the state tournament, with the Falcons winning back-to-back championships. She capped off her career by being named the NSCAA Player of the Year, which was announced on Thursday, December 18.

She will be honored, along with sophomore teammate Monique Cisneros (Mayfair HS), a 2nd Team All-American selection, at the All-American Luncheon, which will be held in St. Louis, MO on January 17, 2009 as part of the NSCAA Convention...[more]

Champions give back during the holidays
12.23.08 - On Monday, December 22, Cerritos College women's soccer coach Ruben Gonzalez and three members of his national and state championship team joined members of Infinity Auto Insurance of Cerritos to travel down to Tijuana to bring more than 350 toys and over $2000 in donations to the Casa Hogar Santa Teresita de Jesus Orphanage for Girls. In addition to receiving gifts and money for the orphanage, the girls experienced a wonderful holiday celebration which included piñatas, food, face painting, music and a visit from Santa...[more]

Benny Artiaga named Far West Region Coach of the Year
12.16.08 - After leading his team to their second state championship in three years, Cerritos College men's soccer coach Benny Artiaga was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III (non-scholarship) Far West Region Coach of the Year. Back in 2006, when Artiaga led the Falcons to their first-ever state title, he was named both the Far West Region and National Coach of the Year. The four regional coaches of the year are eligible for national coach of the year, which will be selected on January 16, 2009...[more]

Women named national champs; men finish #2
12.16.08 - It's official! The Cerritos College women's soccer team, fresh off their second straight state championship, were named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III (non-scholarship) national champions in the latest poll that came out on Tuesday. The Falcons, who finished second in the country last year, capped off their unbeaten season (22-0-4) with a 4-2 overtime win over Santa Rosa College on December 7 at College of the Canyons...[more]

Mike Koehnlein wins 141-pound state championship
12.13.08 - Cerritos College sophomore 141-pound wrestler Mike Koehnlein (Marina HS) not only avenged a loss in the Southern California Regional Championships to Santa Ana College's Bobby Scofield, he did so on the grandest stage of the season. Koehnlein, who finished in third place in last year's state championship, posted a 9-2 win to capture the college's 46th all-time individual state championship. The Falcons, who had three wrestlers advance to the championship round, finished in fourth place as a team with 91.5 team points, trailing only Fresno City College, who won their second title in the last three years with 133 points, as well as Santa Ana (118) and Sierra College (115).

    "My approach in the match was to be aggressive, but smart," said Koehnlein, who finished the season with a 39-4 record. "Losing to him (Scofield) last week opened my eyes, but at the same time, it relieved a lot of my stress.".

In the other championship matches, freshman Caleb Gerl (Calvary Chapel HS) was defeated by Fresno City's Steven Urquizo, 5-3, while sophomore 285-pound Juan Enriquez (John Glenn HS) dropped a 9-3 decision to Matt Gibson of Sierra College. Last year, Enriquez came in third place in the state championships...[more]

 - WOMEN'S SOCCER -
BACK-TO-BACK STATE CHAMPIONS

Pair of overtime goals seals title for women
12.07.08 - Last year, the Cerritos College women's soccer team was forced to play without sophomore All-American Rebecca Juarez, who was injured in the playoffs. Despite the loss of their best player, the Falcons went on to win their first state championship in school history. On Sunday in the CCCAA State Championship game at College of the Canyons against Santa Rosa College, Cerritos had to play without all-time leading goal scorer Monique Cisneros (Mayfair HS) and her 36 goals on the year. In 2007, Cisneros went on to score the eventual game-winning goal in the team's 2-1 win over Santiago Canyon College, while Corina Villegas (Perris HS), who scored the game-winner in the semi-final, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. On Sunday, Villegas scored three goals, including two in overtime, to lead the Falcons (22-0-4) to back-to-back championships in a 4-2 overtime win. Once again, Villegas, who scored in all five of the team's playoff games and had seven post-season goals earned the MVP award. The win also extended the Falcons unbeaten streak to 39 games (34-0-5) and it marked the first time the school even finished the year unbeaten...[more]

MEN'S SOCCER - STATE CHAMPIONS

Early goal holds up as Cerritos men wins state title
12.07.08 - "Playing Mt. San Antonio as many times as we did during the season made us a better team and prepared us for this game today," said Cerritos College men's soccer coach Benny Artiaga just minutes after his team posted a 1-0 win to capture the CCCAA State Championship on Sunday at College of the Canyons. It was the second title in three years for the Falcons, who won their first state championship in 2006. "They are a class program at Mt. San Antonio and I have the greatest amount of respect for (head coach) Juan Sanchez."...[more]

Falcon women one win away from second straight state title
12.05.08 - Even without the services of record-breaking goal scorer Monique Cisneros (Mayfair HS), the Cerritos College women's soccer team seemed to turn up the heat in their CCCAA State Championship semi-final game against Modesto College Friday night at College of the Canyons. Sophomore Corina Villegas (Perris HS), who set the goal-scoring record last year, continued her post-season scoring streak, as she gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead in the first half, en route to a 2-0 win. The victory sends Cerritos (21-0-4), the top seeded team from the South, to the state championship game, where they will defend their title against Santa Rosa College at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Back on August 31, the Falcons defeated Santa Rosa, 2-0 in their only meeting of the season...[more]

Overtime win sends Falcons to championship game
12.05.08 - Cerritos College freshman forward Luis Gonzalez (Long Beach Millikan HS) scored both goals to lead the Falcon men's soccer team to a 2-1 overtime victory over Santa Rosa College in the semi-finals of the CCCAA Soccer State Championships on Friday morning at College of the Canyons. The win sends the Falcons (21-4-1) into the state championship game on Sunday at 10:00 a.m., where they will play South Coast Conference rival Mt. San Antonio College. The meeting will be the fourth this season with Cerritos winning all three of the previous contests...[more]

Cerritos College All-Conference Selections
12-04.08 - Attached is a link to the Cerritos College All-Conference selections...[more]

Cerritos football players at 4-year universities
12.01.08 - Attached is a link to former Cerritos College football players now playing at the 4-year level...[more]

Pairings & times set for state soccer championships
11.29.08 - With home wins on Saturday afternoon, both the Cerritos College men's and women's soccer teams have advanced to the CCCAA State Championships, which will be held next Friday and Sunday at College of the Canyons in Valencia. The Falcon men's team (20-4-1) defeated Pasadena City College, 5-2 on Saturday and are the #2-seeded team from Southern California, while the women's team (20-0-4), ranked #1, defeated Mt. San Antonio, 3-0 in overtime. This year marks the first time both teams have advanced in the same season...[more]

WOMEN'S WATER POLO
STATE CHAMPIONS!
South Coast Conference Champions

Falcons capture state title with win over Long Beach
11.22.08 - The Cerritos College women's water polo team finished off their magical year by defeating cross-town rival Long Beach City College, 11-6 in the state championship game on Saturday afternoon at Merced College, giving the Falcons their first championship in the program's history. Cerritos (31-3), ranked #2 in the state entering the state championship, opened by defeating American River College (8-4) and defending state champion Riverside College (12-11) on Thursday and then capped off their season with the win over the Vikings...[more]

Cerritos to face rival Long Beach City for state title
11.21.08 - The Cerritos College women's water polo team found out who they will be facing in the state championship game at Merced College at noon on Saturday - and it's no stranger. The Falcons (30-3), who defeated both American River College (8-4) and top-seeded Riverside Community College (12-11) on Thursday to win their bracket and advance to the championship game, will face cross-town rival Long Beach City College in the finals. The Vikings defeated Sierra College (8-7) on Thursday and then outlasted Santa Rosa College, 8-7 in a match that was extended to two sudden death overtimes on Friday...[more]

Falcons to play for state championship
11.20.08 - Trailing 7-2 in the second quarter of their game against Riverside Community College in their second game of the day at the state championships at Merced College on Friday, the Cerritos College women's water polo team was faced with their largest deficit of the season. Proving that they belonged, the Falcons closed their deficit to 9-7 by halftime before coming away with a thrilling 12-11 win over the defending state champions. With the win, Cerritos won their three-team bracket with a 2-0 record (they defeated American River College, 8-4 earlier in the day), which advances them to the state championship game on Saturday at noon. They will play the winner of the Long Beach City College-Santa Rosa College winner, as the winner of their game on Friday at noon will give them the win in their bracket...[more]

Women's water polo wins first game at state tournament
11.20.08 - The Cerritos College women's water polo team took the first step towards winning their first state championship, as they defeated American River College, 8-4 this morning in their first of two games on Thursday at Merced College. The Falcons, (29-3), ranked #2 in the state, were seeded #3 from the South and will now face Riverside Community College, the defending state champion and top-ranked team in the state, at 4:30 p.m. The winners of the two brackets will advance to the state championship game on Saturday at noon, while the second place team from each bracket will play for third place. Earlier in the season, Cerritos dropped a 12-11 game to Riverside in the first game of the Golden West Tournament...[more]

USA Water Polo posts story on Brenda Villa
11.19.08 - On November 12, the Cerritos College Board of Trustees recognized women's water polo assistant coach Brenda Villa for her accomplishments with the Olympic Women's Water Polo team, as they won a silver media at the Beijing Games in July. Villa, in her fourth season as an assistant coach, has now been a part of two silver and one bronze medal teams in the Olympics...[more]

Women's Soccer earns top spot; hosts San Bernardino Saturday
11.18.08 - The defending state champion Cerritos College women's soccer team earned the top seed for the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs and will open the post season hosting #16-seeded San Bernardino Valley (15-6-3) at 2:00 p.m. this Saturday. The Falcons (17-0-4), the nation's top-ranked team and three-time South Coast Conference champions, posted a 3-2 win over the Wolverines back on October 30. San Bernardino Valley won the championship of the Foothill Conference...[more]

Falcon men's soccer receives first round bye
11.18.08 - Even though the Cerritos College men's soccer team defeated South Coast Conference rival Mt. San Antonio College all three times they faced each other, the Falcons were still seeded #2 Behind the Mounties when the seedings were announced for the Southern California Regional Playoffs. With 13 teams making the playoffs, the top three seeded teams receive a bye and won't play until next Tuesday. Cerritos (18-4-1) clinched the conference championship on the last day of the regular season when they defeated Long Beach City College and Pasadena City College lost to Los Angeles Harbor College. With that loss, Mt. SAC moved into second place in the conference. The Falcons won both games this season against Mt. San Antonio and defeated the Mounties in the championship game of their own tournament at the beginning of the season...[more]

Football selected to play in Golden Empire Bowl
11.16.08 - Just one yard away from winning a share of the National Division Central Conference championship and a berth in the Southern California Regional Playoffs, the Cerritos College football team has been selected to play in the Golden Empire Bowl at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday at Bakersfield College against Palomar College. The Falcons, who lost, 35-32 to El Camino College on Saturday night, decided to go for the win at the Warrior two-yard line on the last play of the game instead of attempting a 19-yard field goal that would have sent the game into overtime. As a result of the loss, Cerritos (7-3) finished in third place in conference play, while both Mt. San Antonio College and the Warriors advanced to the playoffs...[more]

Women's water polo opens state championships on Thursday
11.16.08 - After finishing in third place at the Southern California Regional Playoffs, the Cerritos College women's water polo team will be making their first appearance at the State Championships, which will take place this Thursday through Saturday at Merced College. The team advanced to the state championships after defeating Fullerton College, 18-10 in the third place game of the regional playoffs on Saturday...[more]

Monique Cisneros named Female Athlete of the Month
11.10.08 - Cerritos College sophomore women's soccer forward Monique Cisneros (Mayfair HS) had a month to remember in October. In helping the Falcons maintain the top spot in the national rankings, Cisneros scored 15 goals and assisted on five more in the month, and helped the Falcons to an 8-0-1 record. For her efforts, Cisneros was named the CCCAA Women's Athlete of the Month for October. Included in the month was a six-goal game against College of the Desert, and a four-goal game against Los Angeles Harbor College in South Coast Conference play. Cisneros and the Falcons are currently 15-0-4 on the year and 8-0-2 in the conference and are one win away from defending their conference championship...[more]

Track coaches receive honors
11.04.08 - After winning their second state championship in the last three years, Cerritos College women's track and field coaches Michael Allen and Lloyd Higgins were rewarded by being names the California Coaches Women's Head Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year, respectively. The Falcons, who had two state champions and two finish in second place, compiled 101 team points to win the state title back in May.

Allen, who completed his eighth year as the women's head coach, also garnered the award after the Falcons won the state title in 2006. Additionally, Allen has coached 18 state champions during his tenure, while 88 individual or team records have been broken since he has taken over the program...[more]

Former softball player receives award
11.03.08 - Former Cerritos College softball player Manisha Vadgama, who graduated in 2004, recently received the Certificate of Merit Award by the Deans of Michigan State Law School. Vadgama earned the award by receiving the highest grade in her Research and Writing Class, which is reviewed very closely by law firms when hiring new partners...[more]

Cerritos football players at 4-year universities
11.03.08 - Attached is a link to former Cerritos College football players now playing at the 4-year level...[more]

Cerritos football players at 4-year universities
10.06.08 - Attached is a link to former Cerritos College football players now playing at the 4-year level...[more]

Cerritos sweeps conference awards
09.17.08 - After winning three state championships and eight South Coast Conference titles, Cerritos College swept all three awards at the conference's Athletic Director meeting at Los Angeles Trade-Tech College on Wednesday. In addition to capturing the SCC Supremacy Award for the school's collective success, the college also picked up the Men's and Women's South Coast Conference Coach of the Year honors...[more]

Cerritos football players at 4-year universities
09.13.08 - Attached is a link to former Cerritos College football players now playing at the 4-year level...[more]

Gold eludes Brenda Villa once again
08.21.08 - For Cerritos College assistant women's water polo coach Brenda Villa, her third appearance in the Olympics resulted in another medal. But, for the third time, the medal wasn't gold. Villa, who won a silver medal in 2000 and a bronze medal in 2004, followed that by winning a silver medal on Thursday morning. The American women's water polo team, ranked #1 in the world, were upset by #9-ranked Netherlands, 9-8 in the gold medal match at the Beijing Olympics at Yingdong Natatorium...[more]
 

Brenda Villa's goal sends team to gold medal match
08.19.08 - Cerritos College assistant women’s water polo coach Brenda Villa scored an amazing goal (her third of the game) with less than a minute left in the fourth period to give the United States women’s water polo team a 9-8 victor over Australia on Tuesday in the semi-finals of the Olympics at Yingdong Natatorium in China. The win by the Americans sends them to the gold medal match against the Netherlands, which will be played August 21 at 3:20 a.m. PST...[more]

Cerritos announces hiring of new men's basketball head coach
06.24.08 - For just the eighth time in school’s 51-year history and fourth time in the last 26 years, the Cerritos College men’s basketball program will be introducing a new head coach. After serving as the head coach for the past nine years, Gary Cain stepped down when he was appointed the college’s Coordinator of Judicial Affairs. Taking over a program that went 17-14 last year and advanced to the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs will be Jesse Teplitzky, who spent last year as the head coach at Santa Monica College...[more]

Jessica Navarro named state's Athlete of the Month
06.10.08 - Cerritos College sophomore softball player Jessica Navarro (South Gate), who helped lead the Falcons to their second state championship in school history, was named the California Community College Athletic Association Female Athlete of the Month for May, 2008...[more]

Cerritos finishes close second in supremacy
05.28.08 - Led by three state championships, the Cerritos College athletic program moved one step closer to winning the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrator (NATYCAA)/Pepsi Cup, as the Falcons finished second in the final state standings this season. Cerritos, winners of the state championship in women’s soccer, women’s track and field and softball, finished with 160 team points and trailed only Fresno City College, who concluded the year with 164 team points...[more]

 

2008 SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONS

1978 State Champions	2008 State Champions

Softball wins state championship
05.18.08 - It couldn't have been more fitting that the final out of the game was a fly ball to Cerritos College softball sophomore center fielder Capree Williams (Paramount HS/Bethune-Cookman University). As she waited for the remainder of her teammates to join her at the center field fence, she looked over and saw former head coach Nancy Kelly with a huge smile on her face. It was back in 1978 that Kelly led Cerritos to the state's first softball championship, which is also the only title the Falcons have won. When the rest of Williams' teammates arrived, they handed the game ball to Kelly as a team, while her eyes filled with tears. The Falcons had just culminated a season in which they defeated Mt. San Antonio College, 5-1 for their second state championship in school history at Orange Terrace Park in Riverside on Sunday...[more]

2008 WOMEN'S TRACK STATE CHAMPIONS

Cerritos track wins second state title in three years
05.17.08 - The Cerritos College women's track and field team captured their second California Community College Athletic Association state championship on Saturday afternoon by using their depth to pull away from their competition. The host Falcons, who also won the state title in 2006, finished the championships with 101 team points, which beat out second place West Los Angeles College, who finished with 92.5 team points...[more]

Cerritos softball to play for state championship
05.17.08 - With their steady offense continuing to stay hot, the Cerritos College softball team turned in a 5-2 victory over Mt. San Antonio College in the championship semi-final of the California Community College Athletic Association Softball State Championships at Orange Terrace Park in Riverside on Saturday night. The win by the Falcons (42-5) advances them to the state championship game on Sunday at noon, where they only need to win one game to secure their second state championship in school history, with the other coming in 1978...[more]

Falcons to face Mt. San Antonio in championship semi-final
05.16.08 - After recording two wins on the first day of the California Community College Athletic Association Softball Sate Championships at Orange Terrace Park in Riverside, the Cerritos College softball team will now face Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in the championship semi-final. The winner of the game will automatically advance to the state championship game, while the loser will have to win three times on Sunday to capture the state championship...[more]

Doubles team runs out of steam in the finals
05.10.08 - For the first time in school history, a Cerritos College men's doubles team reached the state championship match. The freshman doubles team of Doug Edwards (Western HS) and Jason Wall (Lakewood HS) capped off a tremendous season by reaching the finals of the California Community College Athletic Association Men's Doubles Championship, which was held at the El Dorado Tennis Center in Long Beach...[more]

Falcon swimmer finishes career with four state titles
05.03.08 - Concluding one of the most storied careers in Cerritos College men's swimming history, sophomore Nikos Kostianis (Downey HS) won his third state championship of the year and fourth in his career, as he captured the 200-yard butterfly on the final day of the California Community College Men's Swimming Championships, which took place at Saddleback College. Kostianis, who won the 100-yard backstroke and the 100-yard butterfly on the second day and set new school records in each race, finished off the trifecta by breaking another of his records in defending the 200-yard butterfly championship he won last year. Kostianis checked in with a blistering time of 1:49.62, which was not only 3.49 seconds faster than the second place finisher, it also obliterated his old record o 1:51.48 that he set in last year's state championship...[more]

Ex-Cerritos volleyball player passes away unexpectedly
04.12.08 - When she was a volleyball player for Cerritos College, Kristy Pesanti was considered the consummate teammate. Whether it was being a go-to player on the court, or a trusted friend, Kristy was someone you walked away from feeling like you were around a special person. But on the morning of April 7, 2008, that special person was taken away from us. Just 29 years old, Kristy Pesanti passed away in her sleep and left countless people wondering why...[more]

Huge turnout to see Falcons play national team
04.03.08 - With an estimated 900 people in attendance, the Cerritos College women's soccer team played host to the Mexican Under-20 National Team on Thursday afternoon to the delight of all that witnessed the game. Deemed an International Friendly, the game was a first for a community college team, with the state champion Falcons serving as the host. Although the final score was a 5-2 Mexican decision, the outcome of the game paled in comparison to the impact it had on both teams...[more]

Falcons lose beloved member of their family
04.02.08 - When going to a Cerritos College sporting event, it was obvious fans would see the familiar faces of the Falcon players and coaches. But one face that was a staple for many years was lost on March 28 when Lowell Anderson, one of the school's "Super Fans", passed away. Mr. Anderson was a Professor Emeritus of Real Estate and was employed by the district from 1962 until his retirement in October, 2003. Whether it was a baseball game or tennis match, Mr. Anderson was a devout fan of the Falcon intercollegiate athletic programs...[more]

Karen Welliver named SoCal Coach of the Year
04.02.08 - After leading her team to an undefeated South Coast Conference championship and berth into the state tournament, Cerritos College women's basketball coach Karen Welliver was named the Southern California Coach of the Year. Welliver, in her 26th season as the Falcon head coach, is one of only five California Community College women's basketball coaches to win over 500 games. She led Cerritos to a 26-9 record on the year, as the Falcons were seeded #8 in the regional playoffs and advanced to the Elite Eight before being eliminated by Foothill College in the quarterfinals...[more]

Cerritos women's soccer to play international friendly
03.13.08 - When you win a state championship and finish the season ranked #2 in the country, you get requests from a variety of teams interested a game. For the Cerritos College women's soccer team, their request came from outside the country, as the Mexican Under-20 National Team came calling, looking for a match. The Falcons have obliged, and will face them on campus on Thursday, April 3rd and 5:15 p.m. in what is being called an International Friendly Match...[more]

Jeff Smith inducted into Wrestling Hall of Fame
03.03.08 - After years of dedicated service, both as a competitive wrestler and head coach, Jeff Smith was inducted into the California High School Wrestling Hall of Fame over the weekend at the state championships in Bakersfield. Smith, who has spent the last five years as the Athletic Director at Cerritos College, spent 21 years as the Falcons head wrestling coach. For his services, Smith was inducted as both a California wrestler and head coach...[more]

Jim Zorn named Washington Redskins head coach
02.09.09 - Just two weeks ago, Jim Zorn, a member of the 1971-72 Cerritos College football teams, was named the offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins after spending the last seven years as the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks, But, on Saturday, Zorn was quickly promoted to the head coaching position, taking over for Joe Gibbs, a member of the 1959-60 Falcon football teams. This will be the first head coaching assignment for Zorn, who signed a five-year deal...[more]

Rod Barajas signed by Toronto Blue Jays
01.27.08 - After spurning their offers last season, former Cerritos College catcher Rod Barajas has agreed to a one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays for $1.2 million, with an option to be the team’s primary back-up in 2009. After the 2006 season, Barajas was a free agent with the Texas Rangers, and appeared to be headed to the Blue Jays. But, he changed his mind at the last minute and signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. After spending last year with the Phillies, he was once again a free agent, and worked out a deal with Toronto for the upcoming year...[more]

Jim Zorn named Redskins Offensive Coordinator
01.27.08 - Former Cerritos College quarterback Jim Zorn, who surpassed all expectations and went on to have a career in the National Football League, was just recently named the offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins. Zorn, who spent the last seven seasons as the quarterback coach for the Seattle Seahawks, played for the Falcons from 1971-72 as a backup quarterback. He will now work for an organization that also has two former Cerritos football players on their staff. Joe Gibbs (1959-60), who recently stepped down as the head coach and will serve in an administrative role with the organization, and Rennie Simmons (1959-60), who is the tight ends coach...[more]

Cerritos in third place after fall supremacy season
01.07.08 - The Cerritos College athletic teams that compete during the fall season comprised enough post season points to put the Falcons in third place in the state supremacy awards, according to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA), in association with the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA). Cerritos, riding the wave of the women’s soccer team’s state championship, has amassed 93.5 points and trail only Fresno City College (100 points) and South Coast Conference rival Mt. San Antonio College (99.5 points)...[more]

T.J. Houshmandzadeh named to Pro Bowl
01.07.08 - Former Cerritos College All-American wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh completed his best season of his professional career recently for the Cincinnati Bengals. After pulling in a league-leading 112 passes for a career-high 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns, Houshmandzadeh was rewarded by being named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad. This is the first time in his seven-year career that Houshmandzadeh has been selected to play in the post-season game, which will be played in Honolulu, HI on February 10. He was selected as an alternate last year...[more]

Former baseball player named hitting coach
01.07.08 - Former Cerritos College baseball player Darrell Sherman, who still holds four single-season school records, was recently named as the hitting coach for Eugene, the Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Sherman, who was selected by the Padres in the sixth round of the 1989 amateur draft, reached the major leagues in 1993 and appeared in 37 games for the Padres, hitting .222 with two RBI. After being claimed by the Colorado Rockies in 1994 and the Seattle Mariners in 1995, Sherman finished out his professional playing career in Mexico as an all-star for three different teams, playing from 2000-2002 and then again in 2006. This will be his first coaching assignment...[more]