West Hills College Lemoore Wrestlers Earn Academic All-American Status | Community Spirit

The California Community College Athletic Association recognized six West Hills College Lemoore student-athletes as Academic All-Americans for the 2011-2012 academic year.

“My coaching staff and I are very proud of the student-athletes who have earned this status,” said Kent Olson, wresting coach and faculty member at West Hills College Lemoore. “It’s an amazing feeling to see them winning on the pad and in the classroom.”

Wrestlers who earned Academic All-American status and their home high schools include: Michael Andersen, Tulare Union; Alex Knight, Palm Springs; Josh Lujan, Redwood; Miguel Perez, Selma; Eric Orozco, Monache and Michael Ruiz, Porterville.

Lujan and Orozco are two-time Academic All-Americans. Lujan has the highest grade point average (3.87) of the California Community Colleges Academic All-American Wrestling team. Orozco was named the most outstanding wrestler in the state at the 2011 California Community College State Championships, which was the college’s first state championship.

West Hills College Lemoore wrestling also had the most student-athletes receive this award this year. 

Student-athletes must wrestle in the regional championships and must have completed a certain amount of units for their year. Of those units, a portion must be academic units with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.

A tutoring program was developed three years ago to help student-athletes at West Hills College Lemoore win in the classroom and in their sport, according to Olson. A study hall session, open to all student-athletes, is available three nights a week.

“The success we have seen in the classroom and the rate of our students transferring to four year colleges has been outstanding since the implementation of the tutoring program,” said Olson.

“A big part of this success goes to my long-time assistant coach Jim Macedo who developed and improves study hall each year,” added Olson.

The Golden Eagles wrestling team will start its seven season with its opening match on September 21 against Cuesta in the Golden Eagle Arena on campus.  The Golden Eagles will also host a dual meet against Lassen Community College and Sierra College on the September 28 and the Golden Eagle Tournament on September 29.  To view the 2012 schedule, visit www.westhillscollege.com/lemoore.