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Women's soccer team to provide holiday cheer
12.20.11 - For the fifth year in a row, the Cerritos College women's soccer team will be making a trip to Tijuana, Mexico to bring toys and gifts to the Casa Hogar Santa Teresita de Jesus Orphanage for Girls. The annual event allows head coach Ruben Gonzalez and his wife, Senaida, to bring holiday joy to a group of girls from ages 2-15, while it introduces several of his players to a culture that has effected their lives, as well.

"We'll be going for Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), which represents the arrival in Bethlehem of Wise Men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus," said Gonzalez, who led his team to their sixth straight South Coast Conference championship and #9 national ranking. "On January 5, the kids wake up to find toys and gifts left by the Reyes Magos (Magi). Right now, we're in the process of collecting monetary donations, as well as toys and clothes for us to deliver to the orphanage."..[more]

Soccer teams end season ranked nationally
12.14.11 - Heading into the Southern California Regional Playoffs, both the Cerritos College men's and women's soccer teams were considered to be favorites to advance to the state championships. The men were seeded #2, while the women, who were ranked #1 nationally, held the top seed for the post-season. However, both teams were upset in their first game of the post-season, subsequently ending their seasons. Despite their early exit, both programs were ranked in the top 10 in the final poll of the season by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for Division III (non-scholarship) colleges...[more]

Football loses, 17-14 in SoCal Championship game
11.26.11 - Faced with third-and-18 at their own 48-yard line with less than two minutes remaining in the game, the Cerritos College football team was within striking distance of playing for their first state championship in school history. It seemed like they would be just six feet away after sophomore quarterback Brandon Denker (North Torrance HS) completed a 50-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Robert Abeyta (Servite HS). But a pass interference call against Abeyta negated the completion and the Falcons were turned away in a 17-14 loss to Mt. San Antonio College in the Southern California Championship game at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on Saturday afternoon. On the third down play, Denker was chased out of the pocket and rolled to his left, where he threw into double-coverage trying to find Abetya. All three players were fighting for position, but Abeyta was called for pushing to gain separation on the reception. An incomplete pass and a desperation pass that was intercepted, ended the hopes for Cerritos, who ends their season at 8-4, while Mt. SAC moves on to play for their third straight title. It also marks the second season in a row that the Falcons advanced to the SoCal Championship game, only to be turned away by Mt. SAC...[more]

SoCal championship football game to be streamed live
11.23.11 - Unable to attend the Cerritos College football game, as they play for the Southern California Championship at Mt. San Antonio College at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday? No need to worry, because www.socalcollegesports.com will stream the game live for free. The duo of Mike Zepeda and Jeff Stoyanoff will handle the play-by-play and color commentary, as the Falcons look to advance to the state championship game for the first time in school history. The site has developed a great relationship with Cerritos College, as the site has covered Falcon football, men's and women's soccer games, and recently were on hand for the state men's and women's water polo championships that were hosted at the Cerritos Aquatic Center...[more]

Football one win away from playing for state title
11.22.11 - Last season, the Cerritos College football team needed to win their final four National Conference games in order to earn a share of the championship and followed that with their first play-off win in school history. That sent them up against Mt. San Antonio College in the Southern California Championship game, where the Falcons were shut out for the first time in 241 games to end their bid for that ever-elusive state championship. Fast forward to the 2011 season and Cerritos started the season 0-2 and were 2-3 at the bye week. Only five straight wins would propel the team into the playoffs and another chance at the state title. The Falcons were able to win their five conference games and defeated Palomar College, 45-28 last week in the Southern California Football Association Bowl. All that meant was that Cerritos would have to face the top-seeded Mounties in the Southern California Championship game and one win away from playing for a state championship. The game is slated for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Mt. San Antonio...[more]

Second half goal enough to upset men's soccer
11.22.11 - At the start of the 2011 season, the Cerritos College men's soccer team had high hopes of doing well and making a run at their third state championship in school history. After the Falcons finished second in the South Coast Conference, and held the #3 ranking in the country, they embarked on the post-season as the #2 seeded team in the Southern California Regional Playoffs. A first round bye meant the team would have 12 days off between games, which appeared to show itself, as the Falcons were upset by #7-seeded Golden West, 1-0 on Tuesday. Cerritos wasn't shorted on chances to score, but came up short every time they pressured the Rustler (13-5-4) defense. Golden West will now advance to the third round, where they will face the winner of the game between #3-seeded Santa Barbara City College and #6-seeded Rio Hondo College...[more]

Women's soccer shocked in first round upset loss
11.19.11 - Heading into the First Round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs, the Cerritos College women's soccer team had high hopes of winning their third state championship in school history, as they were seeded #1 with a 20-1-0 record and held the nation's top ranking. However, the Falcons were victims of one of the biggest upsets in recent memory, as they were eliminated from the playoffs with a 1-0 home loss to #16-seeded Orange Coast College (14-4-4). The loss was their second in a row, and only losses of the season. A week earlier, Cerritos was shut out by San Bernardino Valley College, who upset #2-seeded Santa Barbara City College the same time the Falcons were being defeated. Prior to their back-to-back shutouts, Cerritos had averaged 4.2 goals a game and had scored as many as six goals in a game six times on the year. It was the first time in the seven-year career of head coach Ruben Gonzalez that the team had been shutout in back-to-back games and just the eighth overall...[more]

Top seed awarded to women's soccer for playoffs
11.15.11 - Although they saw their shot at a perfect season end with a 1-0 non-conference loss to San Bernardino Valley College in their final game of the regular, the Cerritos College women's soccer team was seeded #1 for the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs. The Falcons (20-1-0), who won their sixth straight South Coast Conference championship, will be hosting #16-seeded Orange Coast College (12-4-4) on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the first round. Cerritos won back-to-back state championships in 2007 and 2008, while they earned their first National Championship in 2008. At the start of the post-season, the Falcons are currently ranked #1 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for Division III (non-scholarship) schools...[more]

Cerritos men's soccer seeded #2 for playoffs
11.15.11 - If the Cerritos College men's soccer team is going to win their third state championship in school history, they've already taken one step forward, as the Falcons were seeded #2 for the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs. After finishing in second place in the South Coast Conference behind top-seeded Mt. San Antonio College, Cerritos (17-2-2) has earned a bye in the first round, which is awarded to the top two seeded teams in the playoffs. In the second round, the Falcons will host the winner of the #7-seeded Golden West College (11-5-4) game against #10-seeded San Bernardino Valley College (14-3-3), which will be played on Saturday. The second round game will take place at Cerritos on Tuesday, November 22...[more]

Football team to face Palomar in playoffs
11.13.11 - For the third time in the last four years, the Cerritos College football team will be facing Palomar College in a post-game contest. Back in 2008, the Comets handed the Falcons a 38-33 setback in the Golden Empire Bowl Game, while a 31-17 loss in the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs ended the season for Cerritos in 2009. This year, the Falcons (7-3), champions of the Northern Conference, will face Palomar (7-3) in the Southern California Football Association Bowl at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at Escondido High in a first round playoff game. Earlier in the season, the Comets handed Cerritos a 41-27 home loss in the second week of the season. Last year, the Falcons dropped a home game to Saddleback College in the regular season, but returned the favor with a playoff win on the road.

Cerritos was seeded #3 for the playoffs, while the Comets, who came in second place in the Southern Conference, was seeded #2 for the playoffs. Defending state champion Mt. San Antonio (9-1) was seeded #1 and will host #4-seeded El Camino College (8-2), who finished in a tie for second place in the National Conference...[more]
 

T.J. Houshmandzadeh signs with Oakland Raiders
11.11.11 - From 2001-08, former Cerritos College wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh was a main cog in the Cincinnati Bengals offense, especially from 2004-08, Carson Palmer found him 445 times for 5.062 yards and 36 touchdowns. But Houshmandzadeh signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after the 2008 season and stayed there for one season before playing the 2010 year with the Baltimore Ravens. But eight weeks into the season, Palmer and his coach, former Bengals wide receivers coach - and now Oakland Raiders head coach - Hue Jackson, put in a call to Houshmandzadeh to sign with the Raiders. Houshmandzadeh, who was looking for the right fit, felt that playing for his former coach and quarterback was a good idea. In his first two weeks with the Raiders, Houshmandzadeh, who entered the season with 616 career receptions for 7,126 yards and 62 touchdowns, caught one pass against Denver (for 28 yards) and one against San Diego for seven yards...[more]

Daniel Herrera named the state's Athlete of the Month
11.10.11 - Cerritos College freshman cross country runner Daniel Herrera (El Rancho HS) has competed in six invitationals this season and has won five of them. His most recent, the Southern California Championship, helped secure his selection as the October Male Athlete of the Month, which is selected by the California Community College Sports Information Directors Association (CCCSIA). Herrera is also one of the favorites to win the state championship, which will take place at Woodward Park in Fresno on November 19.

At the Southern California Championships, Herrera defeated the field in a time of 19:58.60 over the four-mile course to become the first Falcon runner to ever win the championship. Earlier in the year, Herrera also came in first place at the South Coast Conference Championships, Santa Barbara Invitational, SoCal Preview Meet and UC San Diego Invitational. The only race he didn't win was at the Commodore Invitational, which was held at Vanderbilt University, where he came in sixth place. Herrera was only bested by five Division I runners, while he defeated many others over the six-mile course...[more]

Women's water polo earns #3 seed for playoffs
11.06.11 - After winning the South Coast Conference championship for the third time in the last four seasons, the Cerritos College women's water polo team was seeded #3 for the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs, which will take place at Riverside College. The Falcons (26-3) will face #6-seeded Orange Coast College (20-8), who finished fourth in the Orange Empire Conference at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The winner of the game will square off against either #2-seeded Golden West College, or one of the at-large teams at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday...[more]

Men's water polo seeded #7 for regional playoffs
11.06.11 - From 2001-02, Cerritos College men's water polo coach Joe Abing held the same position at Ventura College. In his second year with the Pirates, he led them to the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs. If he is to lead his 2011 Falcon team to the second round of the playoffs, he's going to have to get through his former team, as the two square off on Thursday at noon in the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs, which will take place at Riverside College. The Falcons (19-13), who finished in second place in the South Coast Conference, are seeded #7 out of the 10 teams, while 10th-seeded Ventura (13-12) finished in third place in the Western State Conference during the regular season and finished in second place in the conference tournament. The winner of the game will face #2-seeded Long Beach City College at 12:45 p.m. on Friday. The Vikings defeated Cerritos in the SCC championship game...[more]

Outstanding Faculty Nominations accepted
10.27.11 - Its the time of year when students have an opportunity to nominate their favorite teachers for the annual "Outstanding Faculty" awards.

This year all nominations will be submitted online: http://www.cerritos.edu/nomination

Make sure to complete the form with all required information and include all relevant information about the faculty member you are nominating.

Nominations end November 30th so hurry and submit yours today!

Call sent out for Athletic Hall of Fame nominations
10.17.11 - After 54 years of athletic competition, Cerritos College will now begin accepting nominations for their first class to be inducted into a newly formed Hall of Fame. Enacted by college President/Superintendent Dr. Linda Lacy, the college will be creating a campus-wide Hall of Fame, with athletics to be represented in four categories: Male Athlete, Female Athlete, Coach/Administrator/Supporter and Team State Champion. There will be one inductee into each category every year, with the first Hall of Fame Ceremony to be held at the Cerritos Sheraton on Thursday, April 12.

The college is allowing anyone to nominate a potential inductee based on the criteria, while the nomination is due no later than November 30. Those interested in submitting a nomination need to save the PDF file onto their computer and then email it to Sports Information Director John Van Gaston at jvangaston@cerritos.edu or fax it to (562) 467-5009.

View the nomination form here - Nomination Form

Former basketball coach inducted into SportsWalk of Fame
10.10.11 - From 1983 until 1998, the Cerritos College men's basketball team was a perennial powerhouse, and it started at the top with head coach Jack Bogdanovich. During his time with the Falcons, Bogdanovich posted a 411-91 (.821) record, which included three State Championships, three more trips to the state tournament and 12 South Coast Conference championships. On Monday, October 10, Bogdanovich was one of six to be inducted into the San Pedro Sportswalk to the Waterfront for his contributions to the city of San Pedro and its community.

A graduate of San Pedro High School in 1959, Bogdanovich was named the San Pedro Athlete of the Year and made the All L.A. City Basketball Team his senior year. Bogdanovich, a celebrated baseball and basketball player, was also recognized as this year's Trani Award winner, which honors the recipient's contribution to local athletics. The Trani Award is named after the San Pedro family that owned Majestic Café, a prominent local restaurant in the South Bay that served as the premiere hangout for all Los Angeles area athletes. The induction ceremony was held in San Pedro's historic downtown district along Sixth Street between Palos Verdes and Centre streets...[more]

Women's Soccer joins the fight against cancer
10.04.11 - Just as they did last season, the Cerritos College women's soccer team will be donning pink warm-up jerseys during October to support Cancer Awareness Month. Falcon head coach Ruben Gonzalez has created an "I CAN" page, his personal web page on the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, which is an advocacy tool to help find the cure to fight cancer. Gonzalez lost his mother, Silvia Gonzalez, to the fight against pancreatic cancer on March 16, 2006 and he and his team are looking to raise funds in her name.

"As a team, our goal is to raise $700, but I really hope we can surpass that number," said Gonzalez, whose team is currently 8-0-0 overall and is ranked #1 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). "I want to thank Adidas and Nikys-sports, who donated the jerseys and are making donations, for their generosity. We're going to be wearing these pink warm-ups as a reminder to all that the fight against cancer is ongoing and we want to do our part."

To make a donation, please go to the following link - Click here to view the I CAN Page for Silvia Gonzalez


Volleyball team to participate in cause
09.27.11 - In the month of October, the Cerritos College volleyball team will be participating in the Side-Out Foundation's Dig Pink National Breast Cancer Awareness Rally, as well as their own "Volley for the Cure" campaign. The first game in which the Falcons will be participating will be their 6:30 p.m. South Coast Conference match against rival Long Beach City College. Cerritos is playing their home matches this season at Gahr High while the gym is under construction.

The Falcon volleyball program is supporting the cause to promote breast cancer awareness and to pay their respects to those who have lost their lives and who continue to battle breast cancer. The team will be wearing pink jerseys in matches for the whole month of October. The money that is raised through donations and t-shirt sales during the home matches in October will be donated directly to the Side-Out Foundation. In 2009 the Cerritos volleyball team raised $560.00 and their goal for 2011 is $700.00.


Football game to be broadcast online
09.13.11 - Looking for the first win of the season, the Cerritos College football team will be travelling to face rival Long Beach City College at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Veterans Stadium. Both the Falcons and Vikings have opened the season at 0-2, and a win not only gives one of the teams their first victory of the season, it will also earn them the Crosstown Cup, given to the winner each year. The game will also be broadcast online at www.socalcollegesports.com, with Mike Zepeda and Jeff Stoyanoff providing the action. Cerritos leads the overall series against the Vikings, 29-22-1, which includes a 48-28 win last season.

Men's soccer overcomes emotions in 3-0 win

The families of Carlos Ornelas and Eddie Valencia hold the framed jerseys of their sons. More Photos

08.30.11 - Led onto the field by Bryan Valencia and Kevin Ornelas, the 12-year-old brothers of former Cerritos College men's soccer players Eddie Valencia and Carlos Ornelas, who were tragically killed in an auto accident on August 13 while driving to Kansas Wesleyan University, the Falcons fought through their emotions to post a 3-0 non-conference win over Los Angeles Mission College on Tuesday. It was the season-opener for Cerritos, who hosted a pre-game ceremony for both families that included presenting both families with framed jerseys of the players, as well as flowers to the parents. Cerritos College President/Superintendent Dr. Linda Lacy and head coach Benny Artiaga both shared a few words before a moment of silence to honor the lives of the two...[more]


Falcon soccer game to be broadcast live online
08.26.11 - In addition to the ceremony and fund-raising efforts being organized for the Cerritos College men's soccer game on August 30 at 3:00 p.m. against Los Angeles Mission College, it was just confirmed that the game will stream live online at www.socalcollegesports.com. Broadcaster Mike Zepeda confirmed that the game will stream live for those who are unable to attend the game, while the pre-game ceremony and match will also be archived on their website...[more]
 

Ceremony set for pre-game soccer contest
08.25.11 -There will be many opportunities to help donate to the families of fallen Cerritos College soccer players Carlos Ornelas and Eddie Valencia, when the Falcons open their season on Tuesday, August 30 at 3:00 p.m. against Los Angeles Mission College. The pre-game ceremony will begin at 2:45 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early. The two former players were on their way to Kansas Wesleyan University after earning athletic scholarships when they were involved in a traffic accident and lost their lives on August 13. With medical bills beyond the control of the two families, the college, as well as family and friends of both players, have established opportunities to make donations to help offset their bills. Admission to the game is free...[more]

Sports memorabilia to be auctioned off as a fund-raiser
08.19.11 - When tragedy strikes, sometimes there's a ripple effect that stretches from one end of town to the other. But in the case of former Cerritos College men's soccer players Eddie Valencia and Carlos Ornelas, their untimely deaths due to a car accident while they were driving to Kansas Wesleyan University after receiving athletic scholarships, their ripple has stretched world-wide. As a result of the tragedy, the Boston Red Sox, as well as the Liverpool Futbol Club, will be sending jerseys that have been signed by a member of entire team for a silent auction to be held at the Falcons home-opener, which will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30 against Los Angeles Mission College. All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon of the Red Sox will sign a jersey, while an unnamed member of the Liverpool club will sign their jersey. The money collected on the memorabilia will be split between the two families...[more]

Donations starting to roll in for soccer families
08.18.11 - With costly medical bills that have built up due to the untimely deaths of former Cerritos College soccer players Eddie Valencia and Carlos Ornelas, local businesses have begun to step up to try and help with the families expenses. The two players were killed in a car accident on Saturday morning while they were driving to their new school, Kansas Wesleyan University, after earning athletic scholarships. The Falcon soccer program is putting a call out to all local businesses to help with contributions, while several have already stepped up.

Cerritos will open their season on August 30 against Los Angeles Mission College at 3:00 p.m. with a ceremony celebrating the two players lives. Some of the things that have been put into place include presenting a framed jersey to the families of each players, selling royal blue balloons for $5, selling t-shirts, food and beverages. In addition, the younger brothers of both players will be wearing the jersey of their brother and escorting the team onto the field in the Falcons traditional walk to the field. Bryan Valencia and Kevin Ornales, both 12 years old, will also participate in the warm-ups and sit with the team during the game. After the game, everyone that purchased a balloon, and wrote a personal message to the two players, will meet on the field and release them simultaneously...[more]

Soccer team to host 'Celebration of Life'
08.17.11 - It's always emotional at the start of any athletic season. The time spent preparing for the upcoming season, getting to know your teammates and connecting as a team are some of the things that every squad works on prior to that first contest. But on August 30, there will be a little more on the minds of the Cerritos College men's soccer team  at 3:00 p.m. when they host Los Angeles Mission College. On Saturday, August 13, two former Falcon players who spent two seasons with the team, and received scholarships to Kansas Wesleyan University, decided they were going to drive to their new school and be there in time to start their first day with their new team...[more]
 

Cerritos Soccer players perish in auto accident
08.15.11 - After finishing their two-year careers at Cerritos College, the trio of Eddie Valencia (Los Angeles Wilson HS), Carlos Ornelas (Warren HS) and Briant Reyes (Downey HS) all chose to transfer to Kansas Wesleyan University - an NAIA school - to continue their education and playing careers. But, on Saturday, August 13, the trio, who were driving together to report to the school on Monday, were involved in a traffic accident in Utah, with Valencia and Ornelas passing away, while Reyes survived. A fourth member of the team, Juan Huerta, who played for the Falcons from 2006-07, decided to fly to Kansas instead of drive with the other three...[more]

Jessica Lozano receives Nancy Kelly Scholarship
08.05.11 - Since 2003, former Cerritos College softball coach Nancy Kelly has been awarding a scholarship in her name to a sophomore softball player to help in the aid of purchasing textbooks and supplies after transferring to a four-year university. After a season where she was named the South Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and earned All-State recognition, Jessica Lozano (Banning HS) was named the recipient of this year's scholarship.

Those eligible for the scholarship must have played two seasons for the Falcon softball team and are required to submit a personal statement, as well as their transcripts and a letter of recommendation from at least one of their professors. Lozano turned in the required information and was notified by Kelly herself that she would be receiving the scholarship...[more]

Dan Clauss named college's new Athletic Director
07.25.11 - Ever since the retirement of Jeff Smith in 2008, the Cerritos College athletic department has been drawing upon the services of Dean Grosfeld and Kodee Murray to fill the role of Athletic Director. But on April 20, 2011, Dan Clauss was named the college's new Athletic Director and will begin his duties on August 15, the first day of the fall semester. No stranger to the Norwalk campus, Clauss spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons as the football team's defensive line coach and adjunct faculty member, and expressed a great deal of excitement when informed he would be returning to the college.

"I've worked at several community colleges over the years and the two years I spent at Cerritos are still easily the best I've ever experienced," said Clauss, 35. "I've spent my entire career coaching football, but I have no problem walking away from the field. Most of what I learned as a coach comes from the time I spent with (defensive coordinator) Tom Caines and I'm very happy to be back at Cerritos."..[more]

Cerritos has 78 student-athletes earn scholarships
07.21.11 - The Cerritos College athletic program has announced that 78 student-athletes have earned scholarships to continue their education at the four-year level. Click here to view the list (which will grow as more sports report their signings).

Five more ex-Falcons land new coaching jobs
06.29.11 - In the last several weeks, there have been a series of coaching changes in the college baseball ranks. First, it was the University of Tennessee naming former Cerritos College baseball player, head coach and assistant coach Dave Serrano as their new head coach. Serrano started the coaching carousel by hiring former Falcon player and assistant coaches Greg Bergeron and Bill Mosiello to his staff. Serrano, who vacated the helm at Cal State Fullerton to take the Vols job, saw the Titans turn to former Falcon player Rick Vanderhook as their new head coach, while he added former Cerritos player and assistant coach Mike Kirby to his staff...[more]
 

Dave Serrano named head baseball coach at Tennessee
06.15.11 - Former Cerritos College baseball player, assistant coach and head coach Dave Serrano has been named the head coach at the University of Tennessee, and will be introduced to the school on Thursday. Serrano, who played for the Falcons (1984-85), also served as an assistant coach (1988-90, 92-94) and head coach (1991), has spent the last four years as the head coach at Cal State Fullerton.

"After an overwhelming 24 hours of events, I have made the decision to leave a great program at Cal State Fullerton to take on the challenge of returning the University of Tennessee to a spot among the nation's elite," Serrano said on the University of Tennessee website. "While this decision was not an easy one, it makes it a little easier to say yes when you have an entire family completely in support for you. We hope to be proud and active members of the Knoxville community and will work hard to give Volunteer fans a baseball team that they can cheer on for years to come.".

Back in 1995-96, Serrano was hired as an assistant coach for the Volunteers after working on the Falcon staff for seven seasons. In his first season with Tennessee, he was part of a team that advanced to the College World Series and featured MLB players Todd Helton and R.A. Dickey. In his two years with the Vols, the team posted a 97-36 record...[more]

Brian Gaylord signs; Joe Terry drafted
06.09.11 - Former Cerritos College baseball player Brian Gaylord, who just completed his senior year at Lewis & Clark (ID) State College, has signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Royals, while another former Falcon, Joe Terry, was drafted in the 30th Round by the Cincinnati Reds. Gaylord, the son of Cerritos head coach Ken Gaylord, will report to instructional camp, while Terry will decide whether or not he will return to Cal State Fullerton for his senior year.

Gaylord, who led the Warriors with 12 home runs and 60 RBI, batted .279 on the year as the team's starting first baseman. On the year, Lewis & Clark posted a 38-17 record and advanced to the NAIA College World Series. In his junior season, Gaylord finished fourth on the team with a .357 batting average with eight home runs and 38 RBI, while the team played in the NAIA College World Series. With the Falcons, Gaylord was a 2nd Team All-South Coast Conference selection as a sophomore after he batted .325...[more]

Cerritos finishes sixth in supremacy standings

Pair of Falcon women's basketball players sign
05.19.11 - Cerritos College women's basketball players April Perry (Cabrillo HS) and Rose Boatner (Centennial HS), who were both two-time 1st Team All-South Coast Conference selections, have both signed scholarships to continue their collegiate careers at Southern University of New Orleans, and NAIA school. The duo helped the Falcons finish in a tie for second place in the SCC, as the team concluded with a 23-7 record...[more]

Men's tennis doubles fall short of their ultimate goal
05.14.11 - Looking to be the first Cerritos College men's tennis doubles team to win the California Community College Athletic Association championships, sophomores Derek Siddiqui (Los Alamitos HS) and Johnny Chai (Cerritos HS/UC Riverside) were probably expecting to play #2-seeded Alex Sarkissian and Trevor Campbell of Glendale College in the championship match at Fresno City College this weekend. The Falcon duo, seeded #1 in Southern California after their win in the Southern California Championships, were just as shocked as anyone when Cypress College's Oliver Andrzejczuk and Torsten Keil-Long posted a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 win in the other semi-final to earn the right to face the Cerritos tandem that handed Rodrigio Shaefer and Sergio Chip of College of the Desert a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 decision in their semi-final match.

The championships pitting Siddiqui and Chai against the Chargers duo would be a re-match of their meeting in the first match of the season, where the Falcon duo posted a 7-6, 6-1 win. However, in the state championship match, Andrzejczuk and Keil-Long prevented Siddiqui and Chai of becoming the first-ever state doubles champion in school history, when they posted a 6-2, 7-5 win...[more]

Cerritos baseball games to be broadcast online
05.12.11 - Unable to attend the Cerritos College baseball games this weekend? Well, with OEC-LiveSports.com, you won't have to miss a game. Calling the games this weekend will be Mike Zepeda and Jeff Stoyanoff, who have been a staple at various Orange Empire Conference baseball games this season. With this weekend's Super Regional being held at Santa Ana College, the duo will be calling the action for every game this weekend - except for Game 3, which will be played at Fullerton College on Saturday morning...[more]

Falcon swimmer receives 2nd Athlete of the Month Award
05.11.11 - For the second time in as many years, Cerritos College men's swimmer PJ Gabayeron (Cerritos HS) has been named the California Community College Male Athlete of the Month. He is the first person to receive the award twice. Gabayeron, who concluded his Falcon swimming career with five CCCAA individual state championships, posted a new state meet record in the 200-yard breaststroke in his final race. He broke a 23-year-old record by posting a time of 2:00.24, which eclipsed the old time of 2:00.57 set by Justin Nicolas of College of Marin in 1988.

During the month of April, Gabayeron won two state championships, finished fourth in another, won three South Coast Conference championships and a relay championship while setting new school records in each event. He finishes his career with four individual school records and two relay records. In addition to his state title in the 200-yard breaststroke, Gabayeron won the 100-yard breaststroke with a school-record time of 55.68, while his time of 1:51.63 in the 400-yard IM was a new school standard and earned him a fourth place finish...[more]
 

Game times set for baseball and softball Super Regional
05.09.11 - With both the Cerritos College baseball and softball teams advancing to their respective Super Regional this weekend, the game times have been finalized for both sports. The Falcon baseball team (23-14), who swept past Cuesta College in the first round, will open on Friday at 11:00 a.m. against Santa Ana College on their home field. The Dons (26-13) needed three games to eliminate San Diego Mesa College over the weekend. As for the Cerritos softball team (32-10), they will face Palomar College (26-11) at 8:00 p.m. at Mt. San Antonio College. Both the Falcons, who defeated Bakersfield College, and the Comets, who eliminated Long Beach City College, won twice on Sunday to avoid elimination...[more]

Super Regional sends Cerritos softball to Mt. SAC
05.08.11 - After defeating Bakersfield College twice to win their Southern California Regional First Round Playoff series, the Cerritos College softball team will now travel to Mt. San Antonio for the Super Regional, which starts on Friday. The Super Regional is a four-team, double elimination tournament, with the winner advancing to the State Championships. Last year, Cerritos was eliminated in the Super Regional at home, while they reached the State Tournament in 2009 and won the championship in 2008...[more]

Cerritos baseball sent to Santa Ana for Super Regional
05.07.11 - After dispatching Cuesta College in two games during their Southern California Regional Playoff First Round series, the Cerritos College baseball team will now travel to Santa Ana College for the Super Regional. The Super Regional is a four-team, double-elimination tournament, with the winner advancing to the State Championships. With several upsets during the first round - most notably #2-seeded Chaffey College being eliminated - several teams moved up in the ranking, with the #3-seeded Dons taking over hosting duties. The second game of the tournament will pit Cerritos (23-14) against Santa Ana on Friday at 4:00 p.m., with #3-seeded Orange Coast College facing #6-seeded Santa Barbara City College playing at 12:00 p.m. in the early game. The California Community College Athletic Association stipulates that game times the first day are to be played at noon and 4:00 p.m. on the first day, but the times could be adjusted if all coaches agree to change them...[more]

Doubles team overcomes injuries to win championship
05.07.11 - With one of their players forced to retire in the quarterfinals of the Southern California Regional singles tournament and another held out altogether, it would only make sense that the duo would overcome those obstacles to capture the Southern California Doubles championship for the first time in Cerritos College men's tennis history. Sophomores Derek Siddiqui (Los Alamitos HS) and Johnny Chai (Cerritos HS/UC Riverside) defeated #1-ranked Alex Sarkissian and Trevor Campbell of Glendale College in the finals, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday at College of the Desert. The pair, who were ranked #2 for the Southern California Regional Tournament, will enter the state championships next weekend at Fresno City College as the #1-ranked team from Southern California...[more]
 

Three baseball players named 1st Team All-Conference
05.05.11 - As they get set to host the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs, three members of the Cerritos College baseball team have been voted 1st Team All-South Coast Conference, while head coach Ken Gaylord was voted the conference's Coach of the Year. The Falcons, who won their first SCC title since 2008 - and 31st in school history - are hosting Cuesta College in a best of three series that starts on Friday. The Coach of the Year award is the fourth for Gaylord while at Cerritos and sixth of his coaching career...[more]

Pitcher of the Year award goes to former Falcon
05.04.11 - For the third year in a row, Hillary Perez-Ashley has been named the conference's Pitcher of the Year. In her two seasons with the Cerritos College softball team (2009-10), Perez-Ashley was named the South Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and followed that up this season by being named the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) Pitcher of the Year as a junior at West Virginia Wesleyan University. Perez-Ashley has posted a 23-1 mark while sporting an ERA of 2.39. She has worked 150.2 innings, sporting four shutouts and one combined shutout on the season. Perez-Ashley fanned 170 batters and held hitters to a .203 average, while she has appeared in 26 games, starting 24 and went the distance in 22 contests for the NCAA Tournament-bound Bobcats...[more]
 

Former Cerritos water polo players square off
05.03.11 - A pair of former Cerritos College women's water polo players squared off against each other in the Western Water Polo Association championship match last Sunday. Daisy Carrillo, who was a member of the Falcons first South Coast Conference championship in school history during the 2006 season, was competing for Loyola Marymount University, while Natalie Peng, who played on the 2008 State Championship team, was in the pool playing for UC San Diego...[more]
 

Derek Siddiqui defeated in singles finals
05.01.11 - Advancing to the championship singles match of the 111th Annual Ojai Tennis Tournament, Cerritos College sophomore Derek Siddiqui (Los Alamitos HS) was coming off a hard-fought semi-final win over #3-ranked Alex Johnson of Foothill College. He pulled out a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win, which propelled him to the championship match, where Siddiqui squared off against top-ranked Alex Sarkissian of Glendale College. Sarkissian, who posted a 6-0, 6-1 win in his semi-final match, was too much for Siddiqui, who dropped a 2-6, 5-7 loss for his first setback of the season in singles play. Siddiqui is also the first Cerritos singles player to reach the championship match...[more]
 

Baseball seeded #8 for playoffs
05.01.11 - After missing the Southern California Regional Playoffs last season, the Cerritos College baseball team will be hosting the first round of the playoffs when they begin on Friday. The Falcons (21-14), who won the South Coast Conference for the first time since 2008, are seeded #8 for the playoffs and will host #9-seeded Cuesta College in a best-of-three series. The first game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, with the second game slated for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. A third game will be played, if necessary...[more]

Cerritos swimmers break records at state
04.30.11 - In his final race as a member of the Cerritos College men's swimming team, sophomore PJ Gabayeron (Cerritos HS) not only rewrote the school record book, he set a new state record. In the championship finals of the 200-yard breaststroke at the California Community College Athletic Association Men's Swimming Championships at East Los Angeles College, Gabayeron established a new state championship record with his time of 2:00.24. He broke the old state championship record time of 2:00.57, set by Justin Nicholas of College of Marin in 1988. Gabayeron, who won the 100-yard breaststroke on Friday, finishes his Falcon career with five individual state championships, the most ever in school history. Prior to Gabayeron winning his five state titles, Nikos Kostianis won four individual state titles from 2007-08...[more]

Softball seeded #4 for playoffs
04.30.11 - After finishing in second place in the South Coast Conference, the Cerritos College softball team has been seeded #4 for the Southern California Regional Playoffs and will host #13-seeded Bakersfield College in a best-of-three series starting on Saturday. The Falcons (30-9) defeated the Renegades (26-14) in a double-header earlier in the year at Bakersfield College, which is the host site for the state championships. The first game will be played at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Nancy Kelly Field, with the series continuing at noon on Sunday and a third game at 2:00 p.m., if necessary...[more]

Jessica Lozano named SCC Pitcher of the Year
04.29.11 - Cerritos College sophomore pitcher Jessica Lozano (Banning HS) posted a 15-2 record during South Coast Conference play, and was rewarded by being voted the conference's Pitcher of the Year. It marked the third year in a row a Falcon pitcher has earned the award, with Hillary Perez-Ashley receiving the award the two previous years in a row. Lozano, who posted a 1.98 ERA in SCC play, also struck out 95 batters in 106 innings, as Cerritos finished in second place in conference play with a 19-2 record.

The Falcons (30-9), who are currently ranked #5 in Southern California and #9 in the state, open Southern California Regional Playoffs next Saturday and Sunday in a best-of-three series against an opponent to be determined...[more]

 

Baseball team clinches conference title
04.28.11 - On the strength of their 4-3 win over Mt. San Antonio College at Kincaid Field on Thursday, the Cerritos College baseball team has clinched the South Coast Conference championship. It marks the first conference title for the Falcons (21-13) since 2008 and it's their 31st conference championship in school history. Cerritos, who will be seeded no lower than eighth for winning the conference title, will find out where they will be seeded for the Southern California Regional Playoffs on Sunday. The top 14 teams get a bye and avoid having to compete the play-in game, which will consist of seeds 15-18 and takes place on Tuesday. The remaining 16 teams advance to the first round, which is a best-of-three series that will be played May 6-7. Cerritos and Mt. San Antonio will finish up the regular season with a 2:30 p.m. game tomorrow at Mt. SAC...[more]
 

Former Cerritos pitcher added to pro staff
04.16.11 - Bobby Post, who was a pitcher for the Cerritos College baseball team from 1992-93, has been named the pitching coach for the Calgary Vipers, an independent team in the North American League. He spent the last two years as the pitching coach of the Sioux City Explorers of the Independent American Association after spending three seasons as the pitching coach at Barstow College. Post is also a graduate of Gahr High School.

While a member of the Falcon baseball team, Post was a 2nd Team All-South Coast Conference pitcher as a freshman, as the team won the conference championship. He had a hand in six shutouts as a relief pitcher for Cerritos and earned a scholarship to play at the University of Nevada. In his two seasons with the Wolfpack, Post went 18-5. He then spent five years pitching professionally with the Independent Northern League with Sioux Falls and Sioux City before finishing his career in Taiwan with an overall record of 43-18.
 

Baseball coach wins 500th Cerritos game
04.13.11 - Cerritos College baseball coach Ken Gaylord, who is in his 18th season as the head coach, eclipsed the 500-win plateau when he led the Falcons to a 5-2 South Coast Conference win at Los Angeles Harbor College on Saturday, April 9, 2011. Gaylord, who started his community college coaching career at Long Beach City College, is now 501-268-4 with the Falcons and has won 637 games over his career. During his tenure with Cerritos, Gaylord has led his teams to six South Coast Conference championships and is in the hunt this season for another. With his 637 career wins, Gaylord currently ranks 15th on the all-time win list, and eight among active coaches...[more]

Former softball pitcher earns award
03.15.11 - Hillary Perez-Ashley, who was named the state's Pitcher of the Year in both of her seasons with the Cerritos College softball team, was recently named the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) Pitcher of the Week. Perez-Ashley, a junior at West Virginia Wesleyan University, went 4-0 during the week, as she allowed just six runs in 28 innings of work. She is now 8-1 on the year with a 2.39 ERA, while striking out 55 batters in 52 innings of work, and has helped the Bobcats to a 17-3 mark this season...[more]

Women's soccer coach wins CIF Championship
03.15.11 - In his six seasons as the Cerritos College women's soccer coach, Ruben Gonzalez has experienced what it's like to win a South Coast Conference championship, state championship and national championship. But one championship had eluded Gonzalez in his four years as the girl's soccer coach at Bishop Amat High School. He had yet to know the experience of winning a CIF Division III Championship. But this season, Gonzalez and his team helped him reach that level when they upset Ayala High, 1-0 to win the championship...[more]

Falcon women's basketball defeated in playoffs, 68-66
02.25.11 - If the Cerritos College women's basketball team is going to look back on their 68-66 loss to Riverside College in the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs on Friday night at Gahr High School, they need only to look at their free throw shooting. The Falcons, who entered the post-season as the #4-seeded team, were a porous 16-for-30 from the charity stripe, while their 8-of-32 three-point shooting didn't stand out as much as their free throw inaccuracy.

Cerritos (23-7), who came in a tie for second place in the competitive South Coast Conference, had one last chance to send the game into overtime, but a last-second shot by sophomore guard Montanique Washington (Long Beach Jordan HS) rimmed out and the loose ball rolled out of bounds as the clock expired...[more]
 

Women's basketball opens playoffs at home
02.21.11 - The Cerritos College women's basketball team has earned a bye in the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs and will host Riverside Community College on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Gahr High School in the second round. The Falcons (23-6), who finished in a tie for second place in the South Coast Conference, received the #4 seed for the playoffs, while the Tigers (17-12) were seeded #13 and placed fourth in the Orange Empire Conference.

Ticket prices are: $8.00 general admission and $5.00 for identified students, faculty, staff, senior citizens age 60 and over, and children less than 12 years of age...[more]

Men's soccer has 11 sign scholarships

02.18.11 - Over the last six years, the Cerritos College men's soccer team has been one of the state leaders both on the field and in sending their players to the four-year level. Since 2004, the Falcons have played in three state championship games (winning two), while they have been nationally ranked each year. In addition, they have sent 39 players to four-year schools. That number can be changed to 50, with the announcement that 11 players from the 2010 team will be moving on to the four-year level.

Two sign from women's soccer team
02.18.11 - After advancing to the state tournament for the third time in the last four years, the Cerritos College women's soccer team has announced that two of their players have received scholarships to play at the four year level. The Falcons, who captured the South Coast Conference championship this season, qualified for the state semi-finals, but were defeated by Santa Rosa Junior College, 2-1.

Sophomore defender Janeth Arroyo (Mayfair HS), who was a 2nd Team NSCAA/Performance Subaru Division III All-America selection, has signed with Cal State Northridge. As for sophomore midfielder Tatiana Cortes (La Mirada HS), who was a two-time 1st Team All-SCC selection along with Arroyo, has signed with Cal State Long Beach...[more]


Wrestling has two receive scholarships
02.18.11 - Two-time state heavyweight wrestling champion Jose Lopez (John Glenn HS), who finished his career as one of only four Cerritos College wrestlers to win two state titles, has transferred to Dickinson State (ND) University. Sophomore Tilman Tran (Loara HS), who qualified for the state championships at 141 pounds but was defeated in his first two matches, will be transferring to Embry Riddle (AZ) University...[more]

Football announces nine signings
02.17.11 - After advancing to the Southern California Championship game, winning the Southern California Bowl and winning the National Division Northern Conference championship, the Cerritos College football team has announced that nine of their players have received scholarships to four-year universities. The Falcons, who finished the season with a 9-2 record, are sending players to both the PAC-12 and Big 10, along with other conference.

Leading the list of those that have signed are OT Fou Fonoti, who has signed with Michigan State University, while DE Eli Edwards signed with Washington State University and FS Keith McGill inked with the University of Utah, who is the moving to the newly-formed PAC-12. Also signing are LB David Lopez (Portland State University), DE Jake Peppard (University of Nevada), DT Fatu Ulale (University of New Mexico), DB Tyrone Taylor (Eastern Michigan University), C Jeff Houser (Benedictine (KS) College) and LS Adam Frescas (Abilene Christian University)...[more]

Wrestler named state's Male Athlete of the Month
01.13.11 - To cap off a historic career, Cerritos College wrestler Jose Lopez (John Glenn HS), who won back-to-back state championships at 285 pounds, was named the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) December Male Athlete of the Month. Lopez, who earned a scholarship to continue wrestling at Dickinson State (ND) University, became just the fourth wrestler in school history to win consecutive state championships.

Lopez, who posted a 33-1 record this season, defeated Fresno City College's Luis Contreras, 4-0 in the state championship match. Over the course of the season, Lopez won the Southern California Championship, as well as the West Hills, Santa Ana and Modesto Tournament championships. His only setback of the season was a loss to Levi Cooper of Arizona State University at the Embry Riddle Tournament...[more]


Cerritos women's soccer team delivers smiles to orphanage

Cerritos College women's soccer team visits Tijuana orphanage. More Photos

Cerritos in third place after fall semester
01.11.11 - With seven of their nine fall sports advancing to the post-season, Cerritos College has racked up 91.5 team points and sit in third place in the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) standings. The Falcons, who saw their wrestling team finish in second place at the state championships, which earned them 19 points, trail Fresno City College (117 team points) and Mt. San Antonio College (103 points).

A college is awarded points based on its team’s final positions in post-conference competition. Each college’s top-five men’s and top-five women’s team results count toward the school’s overall point total...[more]

Football players receive national honors
01.04.11 - When a team puts together a 9-3 record on the year, wins a divisional championship and comes within one game of playing for the state championship, there are bound to be players who receive post-season recognition. For the Cerritos College football team, three players earned All-American honors by the California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA), while those three were joined by two more that were named All-California Region IV.

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