RANGELY, CO - As the 2024–25 academic year comes to a close, Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) Athletics looks back with pride on a year filled with progress, perseverance, and powerful moments—on the field, in the classroom, and across campus.
From game-winning heroics to academic milestones and major facility upgrades, the Spartans made their presence felt throughout the Scenic West Athletic Conference and the Rangely community.
Competitive Highlights
CNCC teams battled through a competitive year that delivered some of the most memorable moments in recent program history:
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Baseball earned a Region 18 Tournament berth, highlighted by a walk-off grand slam from Michael Deitz on Sophomore Day and a series-opening win over nationally ranked Salt Lake earlier in the year.
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Men's Basketball completed its most successful season in program history, making a major leap forward and laying the groundwork for sustained success.
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Women's Basketball, under the leadership of head coach Stephen Carter, continued to build on a strong foundation, developing a competitive culture and young core.
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Women's Soccer reached new heights with a national ranking of #19 during the season and capped off the year by earning a Region 18 Tournament berth.
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Men's Soccer, under head coach Justin Motzkus, made important strides in year two, building a strong foundation with a growing culture and a roster expected to be highly competitive next season.
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Volleyball entered a new era under first-year head coach Casey Quiggle, showing flashes of potential and setting the stage for growth.
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Rodeo wrapped up the year with Jessy Pelloni qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo in Barrel Racing after finishing 1st in the Rocky Mountain Region.
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Cross Country officially launched this year and will begin competition in Fall 2025, led by head coach K.J. Toombs, who will oversee both the men's and women's programs.
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Men's Wrestling is also set to make its debut in Fall 2025, with Rangely native Tytus Coombs named as the program's first head coach. Preparations and recruiting are already underway for what promises to be a strong launch.
Academic Excellence
Spartan student-athletes continued to raise the bar in the classroom. As a department, CNCC Athletics posted a 2.96 overall GPA for the academic year—reflecting the dedication and discipline of student-athletes across all sports.
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The women's soccer team led the department with a stellar 3.47 team GPA, underscoring their commitment both on and off the field.
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Several student-athletes have been nominated for NJCAA All-Academic honors, with official awards expected to be announced later this summer.
Athlete Recognition and Advancement
Spartan student-athletes were recognized across multiple sports for outstanding performances throughout the 2024–25 season:
All-SWAC Selections
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Women's Soccer
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Men's Soccer
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Women's Basketball
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Men's Basketball
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Baseball
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Jake Cook – 2nd Team
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Michael Deitz – 2nd Team
In addition to conference honors, Cook and Deitz have committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at Colorado Mesa University and Metropolitan State University of Denver, respectively. A full list of student-athlete transfers and four-year commitments will be released later this summer.
Facility Enhancements & Momentum
Facility improvements this year played a key role in elevating the student-athlete and fan experience:
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A new scoreboard was installed at the Bud Striegel Family Soccer Field, creating a dynamic game day environment at one of the region's top facilities.
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A brand-new gymnasium floor was completed in Hefley Gym, enhancing the home of Spartan Volleyball and Basketball with a fresh, professional-grade surface.
A Culture of Progress
As the 2024–25 chapter closes, CNCC Athletics remains proud of the growth, character, and competitive fire shown by its student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
"We're proud of the progress made this year," said Athletic Director Zach Stevenson. "Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff have worked hard to build something special here. From the classroom to the playing field, we're raising the standard. And we're just getting started."
