Keeping up with tradition of years past, Cerritos College continues to be a constant competitor in athletics.

This year, Cerritos College produced four state championships and 14 conference titles, with three more teams fighting in the state playoffs.

For the fourth consecutive season, women’s soccer head coach Ruben Gonzalez has carried his team to a state championship.

“It’s unbelievable to be able to complete four straight championships,” Gonzalez said.

Wrestling had two wrestlers that were crowned state champion in two different weight classes.

Aaron Negrete captured the 157-pound title while Oscar Martinez snagged the 197-pound championship.

For the first time in school history, women’s tennis under the tutelage of head coach Alvin Kim, won the first CCCAA Dual Team Championship in school history.

“The women’s season was probably the most difficult I’ve ever had; clashing personalities and internal issues made it difficult to keep the team together.

“However, in the end winning bonds everyone and we ended up on top,” Kim said.

Despite every sport not winning state championships, Falcon teams competed at the highest level.

For the first time in the last nine years, the Cerritos men’s soccer did not place first or second in conference.

Head coach Benny Artiaga is not used to not competing on the grandest stage but he understands his team gained experience from the season.

“For the first season ever, we did not make the playoffs. It’s always tough to defend your state title but, overall we had a good season and finished the season exteremly strong.

“We had five straight shutouts to finish the year and that gave our freshmen a good amount of experience. Next year looks extremely promising,” Artiaga said.

South Coast Conference Coach of the Year, Russ May, coached his men’s basketball team to the second round of the playoffs before being bounced by East LA.

Under first year head coach Trisha Raniewicz, the women’s basketball team made it to the playoffs only to be defeated by Irvine Valley for the second consecutive year.

National Northern League Coach of the Year, Frank Mazzotta, admitted that the team completed every goal he and the coaching staff had set with the exception of one, winning the bowl game.

The team lost in the Southern California Bowl to rival Long Beach City.

Despite the ending of the season returning running back Kishawn Holmes is proud of his teammates and the team’s future.

“The season went great; [there is] only so much you can do especially when you try to contribute to the team and be a team player. The win outcomes could have been better, but as a team player, it went great,” Holmes said.

Behind the hot bat of sophomore outfielder Mark Pena and the coaching of head coach Ken Gaylord, the Cerritos baseball team made it to the first round of the playoffs.

Cerritos, the No. 12 seed, won the first game against No. 5 Grossmont before losing both games of the doubleheader the following day.

“It was a good year, we competed. It didn’t turn out how we wanted but we put ourselves in great positions to win but that’s baseball. I’m proud of the team,” said Pena.

Handling double duty, men’s tennis head coach Kim had both of his teams in the state playoffs.

Despite not capturing the gold, similar to the women’s team, Kim was proud of his team’s season and says more is to come.

“Our men’s team was young and its response to the big moments showed. I’m hoping that watching the women’s success from the sidelines will motivate them to play angry next year,” said Kim.

Not every team could make the playoffs but every Cerritos College athletic team continues to make great strides toward progress.

Softball and Cerritos track and field are still vying for a state championship.