THE PIRATES - RUNNING WILD

COSTA MESA - According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2000 is the “Year of

the Dragon.” But those who followed Orange Coast College women’s

athletics in 1999-2000, might suggest it is the “Year of Zoila.”

Sophomore Zoila Gomez, a Costa Mesa High product, helped the Pirates

cross country squad win the Orange Empire, Southern California and state

championships last fall. She then earned OEC, SoCal and state individual

titles in the 3,000-, 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs in track and field

this spring.

The women’s golf team remained unbeaten against conference competition,

repeated as conference champs, and ended up third in the state

tournament. The strong play of Jennifer Tunzi, Robin Shaft and Jenna

Quaranta helped the Bucs remain unbeaten in OEC play in the team’s

two-year history.

Coach Mike Thornton’s women’s basketball team, led by a balanced

offensive attack from the entire team, reached the semifinals of the

Southern California Regionals and finished with a record of 27-6.

Softball standout Kristen Degree set a new school record with a .444

batting average. She was also an all-state and all-conference selection.

On the waterfront, crew fared well at the 2000 Champion Intercollegiate

Regatta in Worcester, Mass. The Novice Eight finished third in the grand

finale.

On the tennis court, Lot Keijzer advanced to the fourth round of the

state regionals at Mt. San Antonio College, following a solid season in

singles and doubles for Coach Janice Moran.

-- by Tony Altobelli