The Olympics had tryouts in Houston for the marathon on Saturday, Jan. 14. There were about 156 men racing on a 26.2 mile course, and only the top three qualified for the team.

Craig Curley is from Kinlichee, a Navajo reservation in northeast Arizona. He also happens to be a Pima Community College alumnus.

Curley also holds the PCC school record in the 5,000-meter run, which he completed in 14 minutes, 21.03 seconds.

Curley qualified to compete in the Houston tryouts by running in a half-marathon championship in 2010. He ran it in one hour, 4 minutes and 14 seconds.

Curley and his coach, Greg Wenneborg, who is the head coach for PCC’s cross country and track and field teams.

The two of them were fairly confident about Curley’s chances going into the race.

“He’s here to make the team,” Wenneborg said the Friday before the race.

Wenneborg felt Curley’s biggest challenge would be to hold back and not try to run and get into the lead right away.

However, they were still being realistic about Curley’s chances, as he has never run in a marathon before and that distance can present numerous problems for any runner.

“If nothing else, we’re hoping for at least a top-five or top-10 finish,” Wenneborg said.

Curley has spent the past year training for the race in Houston and fully committed himself to trying to make the 2012 U.S. Olympic marathon team.

The day before the race Curley spent his time relaxing and hanging out with the other athletes.

When it came time for the race to start that Saturday morning, only 120 runners took the line, instead of the projected 156.

Curley started out the race fairly strong, with his mile times ranging between 5:05 to 5:08.

This was the pace that both Wenneborg and Curley wanted to keep up, and Curley was in 50th place around the eight-mile mark.

Unfortunately, somewhere between the 20th and 23rd-mile marker, Curley began to struggle, as his energy steadily dissipated.

“It was an off day,” Wenneborg said.

Curley ended up finishing 84th, with a time of 2:39:53.

“Pretty shocking for him to finish as bad as he did,” Wenneborg said. “He’s handling it well.”

Only 85 of the 120 runners actually finished the race, as the distance took a toll on the athletes.

Curley ended up walking parts of the last two to three miles. Curley was also the youngest runner in the group, at 23.

Coming back home, the duo, are now thinking about their options for the future. They are going to take about a two-week break and then decide where they are going to go from there.

“It’s a humble beginning,” Wenneborg said.

Aztec Press File Photo

Don Stopa, Pima Community College assistant baseball coach and sports information director, has been named head softball coach at Louisburg College in Louisburg, N.C.

“I really enjoyed my time in Tucson and I am glad I had a chance to be a part of a great athletic department and a great institution,” Stopa said in a press release.

On Jan. 1, Stopa took over as head coach of Louisburg’s Lady Hurricanes, who were 24-20 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region X last season.

“The Hurricanes’ softball program looks to add a new chapter to an institution with a great tradition of excellence and I feel that I can lead the program to success, and even to the top of the National Junior College Athletic Association,” Stopa said.

He will replace head coach of three seasons, Monica Gordy, who accepted a position at Mars Hill College in Asheville, N.C.

Before Gordy, the Hurricanes won nine straight NJCAA Region X Titles and made three trips to the NJCAA National Tournament.

Stopa joined the PCC Department of Athletics in the summer of 2007.

In addition to coaching baseball and serving as sports information director, he was an assistant softball coach for the past year and a half, helping the Aztecs to a 51-14 record last season and ranking ninth in the NJCAA.

The Aztecs also competed in the regional championship, finishing one game short of a third trip to the National Tournament in the last eight years, which include two national titles.

With more than 12 years of coaching collegiate ball, with three years as the head softball coach at Graceland University, Stopa hopes to lead the Lady Hurricanes back to the top ranks in the NJCAA.

Stopa graduated from Graceland with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in media writing. He originally hails from White Rock, British Columbia, Canada, where he grew up and his family still resides.

The Pima Community College men’s golf team only has one player returning from last season. Currently there are nine players on the roster, with two players being ineligible due to grades.

Adam Ortiz is the only player returning to the team. Ortiz helped Pima finish 20th at nationals last year, and took 75th place individually.

Joining the team will be Ortiz’s younger brother, Steven Ortiz, who head coach Grant Waltke figures may be the team’s best player this season.

“We should be just as good, if not a little better, than last year,” Waltke said.

Waltke believes the team should manage to make nationals again this year.

A player of note is Joseph Courtney.

Courtney is from Montana and grew up on a ranch that was 60 miles from the nearest city or golf course.

All the guys get along, and have a good time while they’re playing.

“That allows them to play well,” Waltke said.

Waltke feels that all the guys drive the ball well and the facets of their games they will mostly need to work on are chipping and putting.

Chipping and putting are what nine out of 10 golfers have the most problems with, Waltke feels.

Men’s home course will once again reside in Green Valley, Ariz., the team will be playing both courses, Torres Blancas and Canoa Ranch.

However, the team will not be hosting a tournament this year.

Pima will be traveling to courses all over the Phoenix area, which can still take its toll on players, as they spend quite a bit of time traveling.

Waltke feels that it may put them at a disadvantage, as they can’t afford to spend the money to stay an extra night ahead of the tournament and pay for a practice round on the course.

Pima is the only school that doesn’t take practice rounds.

He is optimistic, though, as the guys usually play their best round of golf the first time through, as they take their time and set up their shots.

“They have an advantage. They get to sleep in their own beds at night and get up, then play a round of golf,” Waltke said about the Phoenix-area teams.

Waltke is happy with the group of guys he has and feels they should compete this year. The top teams they will face are Scottsdale Community College, Mesa Community College and South Mountain Community College.

“Looking forward to a good year; I have a great group of boys,” Waltke said.

Pima Community College women’s golf team once again will only have four players on the roster this year and only one of the players is returning.

Sophomore Alondra Olivas will be the only one to return.

New players joining Olivas this season are freshman Rachel Clark from Tucson High School,  freshman Shelby Empens from Mountain View High School and freshman Abri Romero from St. Joseph’s College Prep.

Head coach Bill Nicol is not sure of what the outcome may be this season as there is new ladies playing all through out the conference.

“We’re not going to be a weak team, will we be the best, I don’t know,” Nicol said.

According to Nicol all the coaches are talking up how good their teams are, but he won’t believe them until he sees it.

Nicol is confident in his girls as Olivas practiced over the break and made a great improvement in her game.

All the women’s long game and tee shots are looking strong this season.

Pima will have a home tournament on March 26 and 27, it will be held at Silverbell Golf Course.

Last year the ladies hosted their tournament at Randolph Golf Course, although they have switched it up their location they will be practicing at a few different golf courses around town.

They are still holding some practices at Randolph as well as Silverbell and at Fred Enke Golf Course. Nicol hopes this will help the girls game, so that they are not just use to one type of course.

Nicol is working with all of the girls on their short game and feels that their biggest challenge is Legacy Golf Course in Laveen, Ariz. as it has some really deep bunkers.

“I think it’s going to be an enjoyable time,” Nicol said.

He says that the ladies seem to be getting along real well, as two of them are familiar with each other from high school competitions.

Pima will start the season on the road in a tournament on February 15 and 16. It will be hosted by Chandler-Gilbert Community College at the Toka Sticks Golf Course in Phoenix.

Mesa Community College may be the team to beat as in the past it was either Mesa or Pima winning the conference.

Whatever the outcome, Nicol is excited for the season and curious to see the what’ll happen at the end.

“We may not win, but we’ll be in the running,” Nicol said.

Mylo Erickson/ Aztec Press

Major League baseball will have a couple of changes coming in the next couple of years. Commissioner Bud Selig has decided to add two more teams to the playoff races.

This change could happen as soon as the 2012 season.

There will be two wild card teams that make it to the postseason in each league, and they will have a one-game playoff to determine who gets to move on.

It seems a bit odd to add a one-game playoff when all the other playoff series are either best of five, or a best of seven.

Most baseball fans think this format will take away from the end-of-the-year drama, making the end  seem artificial by allowing a team that has earned a spot to get eliminated.

Selig seems to think that it will help some of baseball’s popularity. The football playoffs are all single eliminations, as is March Madness for college hoops. Both are some of the most-watched events.

I feel it cheapens the integrity of the game, as you find out the better team over a period of time and not just the best team for a day.

The worst might beat the best team on a given day. That may be the appeal and purpose for adding the extra teams — to maybe give a nobody a chance.

What if the Boston Red Sox had beat the Tampa Bay Rays in a one-game playoff last season? That would have rendered the Rays’ amazing comeback pointless.

Another scenario: What if the Atlanta Braves had eliminated the St. Louis Cardinals in a one-game playoff last year? The Cardinals would not be World Champions.

The MLB has also asked the new owners of the Houston Astros to move the team to the American League. This move is being held over until the 2013 season.

I agree with this one, as it evens out all the divisions at five teams apiece.

It will change how inter-league play is done, as there will be an odd number of teams in each league and will cause a need for regular play among the two leagues.

This brings joy to my heart since I live in a state with a National League team (Diamondbacks), but my favorite team is in the American League (Minnesota Twins).

Down the road, the heads of baseball may need to make a decision about what to do with the designated hitter rule.

In the end, the powers-that-be are trying to do what they think is best for the sport and are trying to make it more exciting for the fans.

Everyone talks about feasting over the holidays. First comes Thanksgiving, with turkey and all the trimmings. Then come the December holidays, with more calorie indulgences.

In January, we make New Year resolutions to lose the weight we have gained.

But wait a minute… we have one more gluttonous holiday: Super Bowl Sunday.

Just 35 percent of Americans watched the Super Bowl last year, but it’s a holiday nonetheless. It may not be recognized officially, but retailers market the big game to consumers.

You’ll find TVs at great prices with special financing, and Super Bowl displays at every grocery store. Food channels suggest snacks to serve during the game. Radio stations host contests and other special events.

And in truth, not everyone who watches is even a football fan. Some friends gather at Super Bowl parties to watch the crazy commercials and to pig out. Sometimes, the game seems secondary.

So why not make your Super Bowl party as accommodating as it can be for your guests, whether they like football or not?

I do this each year by setting up food bars with plenty of variety.

Try a burrito bar, nacho bar or baked potato bar. Provide the primary ingredients, say tortillas and meat. Then ask your guests to bring two or three of their favorite toppings – enough to serve eight.

This makes it easy on you for two reasons: you share the costs and please picky eaters. Some people like cheese, some don’t. Some are vegetarians, while some are carnivores.

Provide a couple of desserts and you’ll have a happy bunch of friends. Make it a bring-your-own alcohol party, and you’re set.

Pima Community College’s track and field team is looking to improve on its 2011 season, in which its women’s team finished third at regionals and finished 18th at nationals.

The men’s team finished last season by placing fourth at regionals and 21st at nationals.

“We’re in full swing,” head coach Greg Wenneborg said.

The season will kick off this year on Jan. 21, when the team will compete in the Puma Indoor Invitational in Phoenix.

The team is hoping for big things this year.

Pima will be having about 15 to 18 players returning to the team this year.

Christopher Howard being at the top as he finished sixth at the indoor national championships, in the shot put last year.

Wenneborg talked about the team having some depth in the upcoming campaign, although they still do have some holes to fill.

Pima’s weak points are, as always, the pole vault for both men and women, and women’s throws.

Wenneborg feels that Pima’s long sprinters will be some of the top competitors for him this season.

The coach has set a goal of finishing in the top 10 at nationals this year, which Pima has accomplished three times in the last five years.

“We hope to have a strong season,” Wenneborg said.

He is also hoping to maybe finish second at regionals this year, although the field will be extremely competitive, as it usually is.

Pima will have its first three invitationals on the road this season, all of them being in Phoenix.

ON DECK

Jan. 27: @ Puma Indoor Invitational multi-events, Phoenix 1:00 p.m.

Jan. 28: @ Puma Indoor Invitational, Phoenix 11:00 a.m.

Feb. 4: Aztec Invitational @ Pima, 11 a.m.

Feb. 11: @ Glendale Community College Indoor Invitational, Glendale, Ariz. 12:00 p.m.

Last season track star Mario Portillo set the tone for this season's team. Photo By ED ADAMS

The National Football League’s most prestigious event is less than two weeks away, and excitement is at a fever pitch.

Few events bring so many people together. Even non-football fans are attending Super Bowl parties for the food and to laugh at commercials that companies spend millions to be aired for less than a minute.

For us football fans, the food and commercials come second to the question that perplexes us each year, who will bring home the Vince Lombardi trophy?

Super Bowl XLVI will be a rematch of 2008’s Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. The Giants won that match up ending Patriot’s attempt at perfection.

The New York Giants (12-7) will be representing the National Football Conference. They were the NO. 4 seed and went up against the San Francisco 49ers in the conference championship. It was a close game, but the Giants were able to edge out a win in overtime.

The Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning is having a pro bowl season and leads the 8th best offense in the league.

That defense is what helped push them over the 49ers, as they only allowed one 3rd down conversion during regulation.

The number one seed New England Patriots (15-3) will be representing the American Football Conference in the Super Bowl. They went up against the Baltimore Ravens for the conference championship, and although the lead kept changing, the Patriots were able to pull through in the end.

Tom Brady leads the Patriots high potent offense, ranked No. 2 in the league.

The Patriots did struggle some against the Raven’s defense. It was the Ravens inability to capitalize off of the Patriots’ mistakes that cost them in the end.

The biggest downfall of the Patriots is their defense, ranked 31st in the league.

Some would say that the defense doesn’t matter. But the Green Bay Packers proved a few weeks ago that in order to make it to the championships, the defense must step up.

When you look at things on paper regarding the Giants and the Patriots, it’s rather close. Vegas list the Giants as two and a half point underdogs.

I think that’s exactly how it will play out in the end.

Patriots win, Tom Brady will be named Super Bowl MVP.

By ANDRIA SKANSE

Pima Community College men’s basketball team took on Chandler-Gilbert Community College on Jan. 21 but still has yet to win a game in over a month.

The Aztecs experienced a heartbreaking defeat, 106-68 against the Coyotes.

Pima’s last win was Dec. 7 against Tohono O’odham Community College winning by 24 points.

Arizona Western College proved no different as PCC lost 52-71, Jan. 18.

Pima fell short on Jan. 14 against Glendale Community College, as they were unable to get the win yet again.

GCC won the game 90-59 presenting PCC with another upset.

Pima has four returning players this season, including two guards and two forwards. Tucson natives guard Stefan Oropeza and forward Jason Timpf. Also returning from Durham, N.C. guard Kris Lee and from Phoenix forward Shabaz Lewis.

ON DECK

 Jan. 28: @ Phoenix College, Phoenix, 4:00 p.m.

Feb. 1: Central Arizona College @ Pima

Feb. 4: @ Tohono O’Odham Community College, Sells, Ariz. 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 8: @ Mesa Community College, Mesa, Ariz. 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 11: Cochise College @ Pima, 4 p.m.

Larry Gaurano/ Aztec Press

The Aztec men’s tennis team finished their season in 13th at the 2011 NJCAA National Tournament in Plano, Texas.

On Feb. 2 the team hosts Western New Mexico University at the Tucson Racquet Club.

No. 1 player, sophomore Alan Barrios will not be returning. Barrios was eliminated in his consolation bracket final by scores 7-5 and 6-4.

No. 5 freshman Jacob Nino ended up winning his consolation bracket with a score of 6-1 and 6-3.

Pima’s No. 1 doubles team pair of sophomore Andrew Barnett and freshman Timothy Holten. won two matches on the final day to claim the top of their consolation bracket against College of Dupage (Ill.) 6-4 and 7-6 and McHenry (Ill.) College 7-6 and 7-5 last season.