May 21, 2002 @ 2:07 pm
Former Pierce College Raider Cordell Billups, 6-3 guard, has announced his application for the 2002 NBA draft. Billups played at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom from 1997 to 1999. At Pierce, Billups played for former Raider Coach Dan Kriley, and averaged 8.2 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game over a 40-game span of two seasons.
For more information, please contact Duncan Stevenson, director of athletics, at (253) 964-6612.
Sport(s):
May 20, 2002 @ 11:44 am
The NWAACC has announced the 2002 baseball award winners. Pierce College is represented by Scott Holstad (first base) and Jeff Vanderbilt (outfield) on the first team and Drew McGregor (centerfield), Ryan Snow (infield) and Jeff Shea (outfield) on the second team.
In addition, McGregor, Holstad and Vanderbilt were selected to play in the NWAACC All-Star game.
Sport(s):
May 20, 2002 @ 9:20 am
Coach Fia Faatoafe is understandably excited about the 2002 volleyball season.
"It's a clean house and it's gonna be tremendous," he said.
Four of the ten new players signed on for the season have played for him in high school or club settings and Summer Goff (Timberline High School, Lacey) is returning after a short hiatus.
"They know my expectations. We have another shot at bringing home the western division championship."
Two solid players from last year are returning as well. Kirstin Bautista (Curtis High School) and Lacey Gregory (Yelm) are planning to rejoin Faatoafe.
New recruits include:
Brianne Beale (Timberline High School, Lacey)
Angela Hargett (Emerald Ridge High School, Puyallup)
Christy Hurley (River Ridge High School, Lacey)
Tanya Hull (Clallam Bay High School)
Linda Marana (Washington High School, Tacoma)
Megan Pancake (Emerald Ridge High School, Puyallup)
Megan Peryra-Warren (Olympia High School)
Lehi Rowe (Stadium High School, Tacoma)
Odia Skinner (Rainier Beach High School, Seattle)
Kaylynn Whiting (Gig Harbor High School)
Also new to the team is Assistant Coach Loreli Cook. A recent graduate of Central Washington University, Cook has a degree in exercise science and will be pursuing a degree in physical therapy over the next few years.
"Volleyball has been a part of my life for nine years now. I have coached or assisted three club volleyball teams for the past five years and played on a variety of club teams as well as two years playing at Tacoma Community College. With my background in exercise science I hope to contribute to the team's overall strength and conditioning programs."
Faatoafe has been coaching Pierce College Raider volleyball since the 1999 season.
"I love the game and grew up in the sport," he said. "Where I come from you play volleyball as soon as you can jump, from kindergarten up to high school," said the son of America Samoa. Faatoafe coaches Pierce and the Hapa club team in Lacey with the same principle: It's all attitude.
"If the player wants (to learn) it all, I'll give it all to her. The best players are the ones that want to improve in all aspects of the game."
Coach Faatoafe runs a 5-1 or 6-2 offensive game depending on the number of good setters he has in a given season.
The Lacey resident has been coaching a total of nine years since finishing his Army career. He is a house manager for clients with developmental disabilities.
Sport(s):
May 19, 2002 @ 5:11 pm
The Pierce College Raider Baseball team completed the 2002 season with two tough losses at Lower Columbia Community College in Longview on Saturday. In spite of the efforts of Raider pitcher Paul Richardson, Pierce lost 2-0. In the second game, Pierce managed 12 hits, but brought in only two runs in the 4-2 loss.
Pierce finished the season at 17-22 and 11-19 in conference play. It was Raider Baseball's best season since 1992 and more than doubled last year's win record of 6. Coaches Brett Muche, Jim Sugarbaker and Chris Strain and the Raider players are to be congratulated.
Sport(s):
May 17, 2002 @ 2:04 pm
On Wednesday the Raiders finished the last home game of the year with an impressive 11-3 win over play-off bound Skagit Valley. Sophomore pitcher CJ Howard was knocked out of the game early with a one-run deficit. In stepped sophomore pitcher Brian Benner, who kept Skagit hitters scoreless and guessing with a variety of well-placed fastballs and off-speed pitches.
"Benner was absolutely dominating today, " said skipper Brett Muche. "He challenged every hitter he faced and today he was the better baseball player".
Benner improved his record to 5-4 with the victory. The Raiders were equally impressive at bat, adding 13 hits to the victory. Scott Holstad was 3-for-3; Drew McGregor 2-4; and Nate Henry hit a homerun.
"The boys just came out and played a fantastic game. It was enjoyable to coach. They did everything they have been expected to do all year and that resulted in a victory," said Much?
The Raiders have improved their league record to 11-17 and 17-20 overall. This season they have won the most games of any Raider baseball team since 1992. The last game of the year is on Saturday, May 18, at Lower Columbia Community College in Longview.
The Pierce College Raider Baseball Awards Dinner is at 7 p.m., Monday, June 3, in Dining Bay C of the Cascade Building at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Drive S.W. For more Information, call (253) 964-6614.
Sport(s):
May 13, 2002 @ 1:36 pm
Two state AAAA Final Four participants from Enumclaw High School pack star power into the seven new members of the Pierce College men’s basketball team. Six-foot-three shooting guard Craig Schweikl and 6-6 forward Phillip Bachelder signed letters of intent for Pierce College. Both were starters for Coach Bill Hawk who led Enumclaw High School to back-to-back appearances in the Washington State High School Tournament Final Four at the Tacoma Dome.
In addition, Seth Davis, a highly recruited 6-7 all-league athletic forward from Muir High School in Pasadena, Calif., announced his decision to attend Pierce. (His high school produced NBA greats Stacy Augmon and Jacque Vaughn.) Davis averaged 12.3 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game in high school.
Pierce is attracting the best local talent, too. The Raiders signed All-Area point guard Clarence "CJ" Long, Jr., to a letter of intent. Long, an AAA All-State player, attended Clover Park High School and played for Coach Mel Ninnis, a former Pierce student-athlete. Long is a strong shooter with general floor experience. He recently played in the All-State All-Star game in Key Arena.
With Demetrius Crosby (former Foss High School state champion) graduating, Pierce continued the Foss connection, signing Michael Moore, Jr., a 6-3 wing player who averaged 13.5 points per game at Foss.
Pierce also signed Junior Wise, a 6-1 guard from Bethel High School in Spanaway. Wise, who played for Coach Pat Mullen, brings a tremendous work ethic and defensive intensity, not to mention a winning tradition.
Prince Bobo, a 6-7 post player from Steilacoom High School down the hill from the Fort Steilacoom college will add some depth to the Raider Basketball front court.
Pierce will return four players including sophomore Terrance Troupe (6-7 forward), Darius Vaielua (5-11 point guard), Josh Mullins (6-1 shooting guard) and Willie Funchess (6-6 post player). Dio Cadogan will return to the team as a student-assistant to the men's basketball team as he finishes his associate degree.
The Raiders are entering year two under Head Coach Jeff N. Estis. Despite getting a late start last summer, Estis led the Raiders to seven nonconference wins (13 overall) and the 2001 NWAACC Crossover Championship.
The Raiders will announce the entire basketball schedule and additional signees at a later date.
Sport(s):
