Trojan Shield Weekly Update: November 5, 2018

Greetings from Trojan Country!

Trojan Basketball

The fall sports season will officially come to an end this weekend as the cross country team competes at the National Meet in Kansas. The season went by so very quickly that I think it is important to look back and appreciate where we’ve been. The teams combined for 21 wins and two Region IX titles. So far, we have had 11 All-Region athletes named, ten from cross country last week and one from volleyball over the weekend, more on that later in the newsletter. I think for me the thing I am proudest of coming out of the fall season is how all of the teams have fought through adversity and come out the other side stronger. We have had a slew of injuries, and each time others have stepped up to meet the challenges. I am extremely proud of the job our coaches and athletes have done so far this year and am excited to see what’s next in the winter sports season. But first, let’s cheer the cross country team on, as they take on the best teams in the NJCAA this weekend in Kansas!

This week was also Halloween, and as you can see from the photos below, the teams had fun with it. Even a few of the coaches got into the spirit.

Coach Thomas

Lastly, I end on a slightly sad note. Our baseball assistant Thomas Simoneaux will be leaving us. He received a great job offer closer to home and has accepted it. We are excited to see him advancing his career, but we will certainly miss him. Coach Wichert is already in the process of bringing in another assistant, so things with baseball should continue moving smoothly. Good luck to Coach Simoneaux.

Last Week's Results

Volleyball –

Fell to Western Wyoming 3-0 at the Region IX Tournament

Women’s Basketball –

Defeated Clarendon College 58-50
Defeated Frank Phillips 71-53

Men’s Basketball –

Fell to New Mexico JC 77-53
Defeated New Mexico Military 86-62
Defeated University of the Southwest JV 94-70

This Week

Tuesday -

Women’s Basketball hosts Adams State JV at 5pm

Friday -

Women’s Basketball faces Western Wyoming at the Air Force Prep Tournament in Colorado Springs
Men’s Basketball hosts the 2018 TSJC Classic – Otero plays Northern New Mexico at 5pm – TSJC hosts Frank Phillips at 7pm

Saturday -

Cross Country travels to Garden City, Kansas for the National Cross Country Meet
Women’s Basketball faces Air Force Prep at the Air Force Prep Tournament in Colorado Springs
Men’s Basketball hosts the 2018 TSJC Classic – Otero plays Frank Phillips at 2pm – TSJC hosts Northern New Mexico at 4pm

Niespodzinski named All Region

The Trojan Volleyball team wrapped up their season with a loss in the first round of the Region IX Tournament in Cheyenne, Wyoming over the weekend. The Trojans fell to Western Wyoming in three sets by scores of 25-17, 25-14 and 25-21. TSJC was led in the contest by Paola Maradei Mejia and Trinity Good who had six kills apiece. Jocelyn Charlesworth and Shania DeHerrera each had 12 assists and Heloisa Niespodzinski finished with 19 digs.

Niespodzinski was named to the 2018 Region IX South All-Region Team. Here is the team:

Syenna Masaki Western Nebraska Community College
Ema Causevic Otero Junior College
Sara Antic Northeastern Junior College
Anamarija Mikovic Lamar Community College
Faith Simpson McCook Community College
Ana Costas Western Nebraska Community College
Brilane Manchego Otero Junior College
Heloisa Niespodzinski Trinidad State Junior College
Kacey Jaeger Northeastern Junior College
Kaile Tuisamatatele Western Nebraska Community College
Ashley Carson McCook Community College
Anouk Van Noord Otero Junior College
Leslie Mamai-Lagafuaina Western Nebraska Community College
Charlene Hosly Lamar Community College
Julia Gutierrez Mas Northeastern Junior College

Niespodzinski, a sophomore libero from Sao Bento Do Sul, Brazil had 545 digs this season. That is 17th best in the nation. She ranks 12th in the nation in digs per set with 5.34. Niespodzinski also had 18 service aces this year.

The Trojans finished with a record of 11-19 but showed a great deal of improvement over the past season. They were extremely competitive, pushing teams in every game they played and ranking nationally in blocks. TSJC will lose four strong leaders in Niespodzinski, Good, Maria Duran, and Jasmine Brown. They should return a solid core, including Paola Maradei Mejia who is currently ranked fourth in the nation in blocks with 140 this year. Congratulations to the Trojans for a successful season.

Basketball opens strong

The Trojan basketball teams opened on the road this weekend and each had strong showings. The women swept their games with Clarendon and Frank Phillips, topping the Bulldogs 58-50 and the Plainswomen 71-53. The men struggled on opening night with New Mexico JC, falling 77-53, but bounced back to defeat NMMI 86-62 and Southwest JV 94-70.

The Trojan teams will each open their home schedules this week. The Lady Trojans will host ASU JV at 5pm on Tuesday evening. The men will then host their annual TSJC Classic over the weekend. Joining the Trojans this weekend will be Otero, Northern New Mexico and Frank Phillips.

Cross Country hosts Tuesday Lunch

Lunch ad

Tuesday, November 6 the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams will be serving lunch in the atrium in Alamosa from 12:00-1:00. The food has been donated by SLV Health and each lunch will consist of a small salad, enchilada casserole, and chips with salsa. This lunch will cost $10.00 per person; of which all the proceeds will go toward the meals, lodging, and travel of the Cross Country and Track teams. Donations above $10.00 are welcome. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept cards so please bring cash or check. We will have food for about 50 people and will serve it until it's gone, or until 1:00. Everyone is welcome!