Glendora, CA (Men’s and Women’s Water Polo) – Two Citrus College athletes were honored yesterday being named honorable mention honorees for the COA Student Athlete of the Month for the month of October. Citrus College was one of 2 schools to have a male and female honoree. Out of 100 schools in the COA, only 7 males and 7 females are chosen for the honor each month.
Heather Curtis, a sophomore goalie for the Lady Owl’s water polo squad had a record breaking month in October. On October 25th Curtis set a new record for saves in a game by stopping 21 shots. In the same game Curtis also obliterated the single-season saves record surpassing Jennifer Thomas who held the previous record of 253.
By the end of October Curtis sat at 307 saves on the season with the WSC Championships still to go. Along with the records of saves in a game and season, Curtis also broke the record for most assists in a season. The previous record of 49 assists was broken on October 27th when Curtis got her 50th and 51st assists of the season.
At the end of October Curtis was 1st in saves in the state and 7th in the state in assists. Her nearest competition in the state saves category sat 36 saves back. In the month of October Curtis, tallied totals of 213 saves, 36 assists, and 12 steals. Curtis ended up breaking the state record of saves in November.
Connor Ruggio, a freshman for the men’s water polo squad, remained a steady influence for the Fighting Owl’s who had a rather rocky season. Ruggio led all Owls in the month of October scoring 48 goals, grabbing 32 steals, and dishing out 11 assists. During that span he led his team to a 9-7 record, including a 9-4 run since October 6th.
In the state statistical leaders, Ruggio ranked 7th in scoring. At the end of October, Ruggio had compiled some impressive numbers including leading the team in scoring (78) and steals (45), while being second on the team in assists (45).
The honor is awarded monthly by the Community College League of California Commission on Athletics (COA) in association with the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA). Both the men’s and women’s water polo seasons ended earlier this month, with a run in the Western State Conference Championship tournaments.