Cuesta College Athletics begins its first competition since March 13, 2020 this week. The California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) has divided the Spring of 2021 into two distinct seasons. The first season encompasses all of the sports normally played during the Fall and is noted as Spring I, while baseball, softball, swimming and track begin competition in late April as part of Spring II. Of course, currently, no fans are permitted in the gym or on pool deck for any of the home events.
Basketball opens up the year for Cuesta with a men's and women's doubleheader in Santa Maria against Allan Hancock tonight! The women's teams shall officially play at scrimmage at 3 PM, while the tip-off at 5 PM.
The men are led by 2020 Team MVP Jacques Safra (Zurich, SUI) and also return Guard Manu Trosman (Buenos Aires, ARG) and Forwards Alex Aguirre (Madrid, ESP) and Connor Torell (SLO HS). Safra earned All Western State Conference First Team honors after leading the Cougars with 17.2 points and 2.0 steals per game. Aguirre joined Safras in the starting five and added 9.2 points and 6.1 rebounds a game, while Trosman and Torell came off the bench to contribute 5.3 and 4.5 points per game. The 2020-21 roster stacked with talent and also includes local standouts Jordan Stowers (Templeton HS), Tyson Offill (Morro Bay HS) and, Logan Knuckles (Atascadero HS).
The women return to competition for the first time since suspending their season in December 2019. Freshman McKenna Chantha (Santa Rosa) is the lone returner from last year's abbreviated season. She played in all three of the Cougars' games last season, including one start, and averaged 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Women's Water Polo opens the home season against Fresno-Pacific this Saturday (2 PM). The Cougars bring back six sophomores, two from 2018 and four from 2019. 2018 All-WSC First Team selection Kylee Wesemann (Viewmont, UT) returns with her All-WSC teammate Caitlin Luster (Fresno), while 2019 All-WSC Second Teamer Tori Blanchard and All-WSC pick Madi Hermesch (Arroyo Grande HS) join Jillian Gipson (Kingsburg HS) and Jessica Burch-Konda (Kingsburg HS) in the tank. Wesemann netted 30 goals for the Cougars in 2019 and was the team's primary sprinter, while Luster started every game adding 27 goals and 31 assists. Blanchard is a big time scorer and paced the Cougars with 67 goals last season, while Hermesch came off the bench to add instant offense with 43 goals. Gipson and Burch-Konda also combined for 50 goals for last season's playoff squad. Freshmen Meghan Abbott (Nipomo HS) and Monique Camacho (Nipomo HS) join Katelyn Fisher (Arroyo Grande HS) and twins Nia and Kaia Parker (Arroyo Grande HS) to add speed and firepower to the Cougars' lineup.
Women's Volleyball also opens its 2020-21 campaign this Saturday (5 PM) at Taft. Sophomores Nancy Andrade (King City HS) and Kristina Canales (Paso Robles HS) are back on the floor for the Cougars. Both veterans return to roam the backline. Andrade was the Cougars' Libero and picked 138 digs, while also pacing the team with 36 service aces. Canales was limited to only six matches last season, but expects more action and a healthier season. The Spikers have also brought a bounty of local talent to power their team. Freshman Middle Hitter Christelle Mouret (Morro Bay HS) and Outside Hitter Abby Luciano (Arroyo Grande HS) will be at the net powering the Cougars' offense, while Defensive Specialists Riley Thompson (SLO Classical Acad) and Ailyn Casas (Cambria: Coast Union) will be keeping the floor clean in the backrow.
