Category Archives: Santa Monca College
JC Football: SMC’s Rico Wright commits to Gannon University (PA)
Rico Wright / Courtesy of SMC
Santa Monica College defensive back Rico Wright has committed to Division II Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania for the upcoming 2013 season
The 5’10, 180 lbs sophomore from Mira Costa High was a two-year starter for the Corsairs, leading them to back-to-back conference titles for the first time in thirty years. Wright had 57 tackles along with four interceptions and recovering two fumbles. He was named All-Pacific Conference Second Team in 2012.
Gannon is a private catholic university with an enrollment of about 4,200 students. The Golden Knights were 3-8 and 1-6 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Other schools that showed interest were Morehouse College and Eastern Illinois.
JC Football: SMC’s Butler offered by Texas State
Dejuan Butler / Photo courtsey of SMC
The freshman for Taft High in Woodland Hills, had 35 tackles and two interception for the Corsiars last season.
This comes after Texas State had early offered SMC’s defensive back Qujuan Floyd and offensive lineman Maurquice Shakir.
JC Football: SMC’s Everton Thaxter commits to Hampton
Though he did not play a single down for the Corsairs, Santa Monica College TE Everton Thaxter has committed to Hampton University, according to offensive coordinator Tim Kaub.
The freshman suited up last season at El Camino College before transfering to SMC during the spring semester.
Thaxter had six catches for 93 yards for El Camino last season.
Hampton University is located southeast Virgina and plays in the Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Pirates were 3-7 in 2012.
JC Football: Texas State offers Santa Monica College’s Floyd and Shakir
Santa Monica College defensive back Qujuan Floyd/ Photo Courtesy of SMC Athletics
Two Santa Monica College freshman football players, defensive back Qujuan Floyd and offensive lineman Maurquice Shakir have picked up offers from Texas State for the 2014 season.
Floyd earned All-American honors after having seven interception and 49 tackles as well as being named the American Pacific Conference Defensive Player of the Year last year.
The 6’4, 285 lbs Shakir, from Palisades High, blocked for one of the most prolific offenses in school history. Running back Myles Johnson was the first person to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 13 years and quarterback Alfonso Medina threw for 2,640 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Texas State had a 4-8 record and was 2-4 in the Western Athletic Conference in 2012.
Santa Monica College won the American Pacific Conference for the second consecutive season last year and finshed 9-2.
JC Basketball: SMC’s David Nwaba signs with Cal Poly
Santa Monica College’s David Nwaba has signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Cal Poly he announced on his facebook page today.
The freshman was the Western State Conference – South Division Player of the Year after leading the conference and finishing third in the state in scoring with 20.5 points a game in his only season at SMC.
During his time at University High, Nwaba was the Western League Co-MVP and named to the All-City team in his senior season as the Wildcats advanced to four straight LA City Division II finals including winning the title in 2008.
Nwaba had gone to Hawaii Pacific after high school, but left after redshirting his freshman year.
He will transfer as a sophomore and have three years to play three seasons.
JC Football: Santa Monica College schedule released
Santa Monica College has released their upcoming 2013 football schedule. Due to being placed on probation, the Corsairs are not eligible to a postseason bowl game.
SMC was 9-2 last season and won the American Pacific Conference.
The schedule is below:
JC Football: Santa Monica College has a quarterback battle this spring
Santa Monica College football head coach Gifford Lindheim talks to this players after the first day of spring practice on Monday. / Photo: Ed Gonzalez
Coming off back-to-back conference titles for the first time in more than 30 years, the atmosphere during the first week of Santa Monica College’s spring football practice seemed electric.
“It was like our practice was turned up a notch today,” said head coach Gifford Lindheim. “For our first spring practice, I don’t think we ever had as many plays as we had today.”
Part of that reason is the implementation of a high-paced Oregon style system that new offensive coordinator Tim Kaub brings to Corsair Field after spending three seasons in the same capacity at Narbonne High, were the Gauchos won two straight LA City titles.
Even with the energy, Lindheim knows that one of his top priorities is to fill key positions in the offense that loses almost every starter at the skill positions.
First on the list is to identify a replacement of record-setting quarterback Alfonso Medina who threw for 5,345 yards and 61 touchdowns in his two years behind center.
Three players look to be in contention for the job.
