Dear Editor:
Coach Jimenez, coach James and I would first like to start off by saying thank you to everyone who helped support CNCC softball this year. We are not just talking on the field at games, we are also talking in the classroom.
This year, the softball team has nominated seven players for Academic All-America (final awards will be presented after June 15).
We also have a team nomination for Academic Team of the Year (final award after June 15). We have eight players with 4.0s and none of this would be possible without the help of the learning center and the help, support and understanding of the faculty.
I know that with all the travel athletes have to endure it is difficult for them to stay on task and sometimes frustrating to keep them up in your classes as well. But this year everyone helped and is showed. So, a huge thank you to you all.
This last weekend at the Region 18 tournament, the CNCC softball team really shined and showed they can play with the “big dogs” of the conference. We opened up against No. 4 in the nation, Salt Lake Community College. We wanted to compete and we did just that. We out-hit the Bruins eight hits to seven. We did not come away with the win, but the girls played so well and received most of their hits off SWAC Pitcher of the Year, MaCaully Flint. Being able to represent the way we did at Regional was a great accomplishment and a good way to end the year.
We had 2 All-Region athletes this year. Taylor Dumas received a Second-Team All-Region award for outfield and Sydnie Swenson a Second Team All-Region award for infield. Swenson also finished the season tied for second for the most stolen bases in the conference at 34. She was tied at 19th in the nation.
The Lady Spartans made huge strides this year. We beat the No. 6 team in the nation and conference champs, College of Southern Idaho. We took a few games from Western Nevada College and we also beat North Idaho College. We had many close, competitive games and we can only build from there.
We will have eight of nine sophomores returning to help lead us next year. We also have some very strong transfer students coming in along with a great freshman class. We are getting ready for next year and excited to see what we can do.
Again, thank you for your support this last year. It is so appreciated by the student-athletes and coaching staff. Have a wonderful summer.
Candra Robie
Assistant Softball Coach
Athletic Coordinator
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Rangely