Football draws recruits from out of state

DANIELLE PADILLA Reporter @dcxpadilla

Players such as Jaelen Strong, Erik Kramer and Jay’Onn Myles have moved on to the National Football League from the Pierce College program. Names like these are what draw students from across the nation.

However, in recent semesters, the football team has increased its appeal and interest to out-of-state students. To date, the football team has more than 30 players on its team from outof-state schools.

“Over the past five years, 126 Pierce players have gone on to play Division I football. That’s a draw for players that have dreams and aspirations of going to the Division I level,” said James Sims, strength and conditioning coach. “A lot of them is word of mouth. There have been outof-state players for years here.”

Due to Pierce’s long list of alumni, the athletics on campus are promoted and well-known to a lot of perspective athletes looking for a school to play at the college level.

One reason is the player’s ability to focus on academics while at the school. In tandem with extracurricular sports, there is educational benefits that they have.

80 to 100 students,” Sims said. “Over a week or two, and you learn them and become a part of that family.”

Integration into the Pierce community is facilitated by the connections that come from being a part of one of largest groups on campus.

The process is made easier with the connections between out-of-state players at Pierce and perspective athletes from the same hometown.

“A lot of the players that came last year, I knew them in high school, so it wasn’t too hard of an adjustment process,” said Jayme Vicente-Colon, defensive back. “I knew a lot of them in high school because I played against them.”

Adjusting as an out-of-state athlete is easier due to ties to one’s hometown and by working closely with people who share a common background. However, being a good athlete is only a fraction of what makes outof-state students successful. Another part of being successful is using the resources offered at Pierce.

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- 5 as Blake Omartian and Roese were involved in the buildup, which helped extend the lead for the Brahmas.

Petuhov said the players are working on team bonding.

“We had a few problems in the past with working together as a team,”

Petuhov said. “Today we became a lot better together – we’ve been working on doing some family stuff. We try to hang out as a team, we get to practice earlier and just spend time together.”

Walker said that the win was the result of the team’s concentration and growth from past games.

“We played with purpose and we played with focus, which was something that we worked on,” Walker said. “Understanding what rotation we’re in – ‘How can we win play?’ ‘How can we can we get the serve back on to our side and use it as a weapon?’”

Chea said that the team learns from

Brahma of the Week

Brandon Lewis

Sport: Baseball

Position: Infielder

Class: Sophomore

High School: Bishop Alemany

5 runs including a homerun against the Bakersfield College

Scoring a homerun in the bottom of the 9th against the Renegades, but having five runs total, anything feel different?

“I’m happy for the team. It was a key play. I’m just excited for the team and how the rest of the season goes.”

What are your pregame rituals?

“I like to visualize before the game and envision myself doing well and just go off of that.”

What do you think you can improve on?

“Definetly everywhere. There is always room for improvement and if i want to get to the top I have to be better each day.”

If you weren’t playing baseball, what sport would you be playing?

“Probably football being in the defensive line.”

How do you want your teammates and coaches to remember you by?

“A good teammate that always gave his all.If they can remember me by being always respectful that would be great.”