The Hartnell Governing Board took time at its Dec. 14 meeting to acknowledge and thank the Panther women’s and men’s soccer and cross country teams for achieving a level of fall sports success that is unprecedented among Northern California colleges. Cupcakes were served in their honor.
“I thought it was important for our board to recognize the amazing contributions that our student-athletes have made for our college at the statewide level,” said Board President Erica Padilla-Chavez.
The Women’s Soccer team (pictured with board and Interim Superintendent/President
Dr. Raúl Rodríguez) won the state championship on Dec. 5, the first women’s title
in Hartnell history, and they are ranked second in the nation in the United Soccer
Coaches final poll for Junior College Division III. Head Coach Ivan Guerrero and his
two assistants, Hugo Gonzalez and Miguel Gutierrez, were selected National Coaching
Staff of the Year for women’s soccer by their fellow division coaches. 
The Men’s Soccer team placed second in the state championship on Dec. 5 and is ranked third in the final division III poll. Head Coach Daniel Ortega and his three assistants, Frank Alvarado, Carlos Volpini and Ramon Hernandez, also were named National Coaching Staff of the Year for men’s soccer in their NJCC III United Soccer Coaches division.
The Women’s Cross Country team placed second in the state championship meet on Nov. 20, and the men’s team finished third, including a second-place finish by sophomore Isaac Gensel (pictured with Head Coach Chris Zepeda).
Hartnell Volleyball also made the playoffs for the ninth straight year, falling to Feather River in the opening round.
Dan Teresa, dean of athletics, said the commission for Northern California in the California Community College Athletic Association, said no school had ever done so well in multiple fall sports, a level of success made even more impressive by Hartnell’s relatively small size compared with many colleges in the state.
“We’re so proud of these coaches and these student-athletes in our department because they work together and help each other out,” he said. “Whether it’s social media or in the classroom, curriculum – they work together, and it makes it so nice to have this tight-knit group of coaches.”
Added Teresa: “It’s not about winning championships. That comes and goes. The biggest thing we do in our department, with our coaches, is make sure students get a degree and have a good experience. And then they move on. If they want to play sports afterward, great. If not, the coaches just make sure they’re finishing their academics.”