RANGELY, Colo. (October 20. 2021) - So much of what has happened in the last 18 months has been usual in the world of college athletics.

Schedules have been disrupted, game-day rituals have changed, and long-standing traditions have either changed or gone away completely. However, some of the most time-honored rites of passage in college sports will always be the preseason training camp - a place where the Colorado Northwestern Community College Men's Basketball program finds itself right now.

The Spartans, who went 2-20 in a hectic Spring 2021 season, are eager to continue their upward climb in recent years and have shown as much in preseason camp. CNCC is just weeks away from its season opener on November 1 against Western Wyoming.

Colorado Northwestern coach Nathan Terrin said his program is excited for the upcoming season.

"We worked a lot on meshing as a group with a lot of transfers and buying in to our program's focuses," he said. "We talked about our goals for the season and what is needed to accomplish those goals."

CNCC's adversity throughout the Spring 2021 season reflected a condition that was felt throughout college sports - a lack of practice. However, with a consistent offseason training regimen and traditional practice schedule, Terrin said his team is showing the signs of continuity.

"This year they are a lot more bought-in and focused," he said, referring to the players. "It is easier to implement some of the aspects of our game earlier than it was last year. It's a new year and a new team. We are excited about this group and we are looking to compete at a high level all year. We try to attack everyday and be 1-0 at the end of each day."

Besides the on-court training, part of meshing a junior college roster together is found in team-bonding activities. CNCC found a unique way of mixing that activity with serving the Rangely community lately, participating in several community outreach events.

All of the individual and team growth will hopefully grow into CNCC meeting a strong set of goals, according to Terrin.

"Our goal right now is to improve each day and play better basketball with eventually playing our best late in the season," he said. "Our goal is to finish top-half or better in the region, and transfer our guys to four-year programs."