MCC athletics get underway
Jeff Moses
As the student body of Mesa Community College spent the waning days of summer finalizing school schedules, or getting that last float down the Salt River, the Mesa Thunderbirds were busy honing their skills at strenuous pre-season training camps.The Thunderbird football program is coming off a lack luster season going 2-8 for the season. The high point of the season was a 2-point victory over the eventual Valley of the Sun Bowl champion Glendale Community College. The T-Birds are returning three sophomore leaders in wide receiver Mike Clore, defensive end Jerome Jackson, and defensive tackle TJ Masanai. The team also has a new head coach in Denver Latimore.
The men’s cross-country team finished the 2009 season ranked 4th in Region 1. Returning runner Abdikani Ismail last season’s personal best 8k time of 27:05.9 at the ACCAC meet ranked 86th for the season in a field of over 400.
The Mesa women’s cross-country team had an impressive 2009 season finishing 2nd in Region 1, and 9th in the NJCAA. They return runner Anna Bawden who’s time of 18:57 at the Mesa Thunderbird Classic 5k run ranked 31st overall for the season in a field of over 400.
The men’s soccer team is coming into 2010 hoping to build upon its 8-win season in 2009, after going 1-17-1 in 2008. The team returns last season’s second leading goal scorer, midfielder Abel Coral.
The women’s soccer team is hoping to match successes of teams past such as the 16 win 2006 Region 1 and ACCAC Championship team. The 2009 women went 4-12-2 finishing in 8th place. Returning to the team is last season’s 3rd leading scorer Anya Widmaier.
Rounding out the fall athletic season is the women’s volleyball team. The team went 2-19 in 2009.
