Jennifer Russell and Steven Gonzalez Named COC Student-Athletes of the Week

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons student-athletes Jennifer Russell (women's tennis) and Steven Gonzalez (baseball) have been named the COC Athletic Department's Women's & Men's Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running March 7-12.

Russell and Gonzalez are the fourth set of honorees of the spring 2022 semester.

Jennifer Russell/Women's Tennis

Russell has been an instrumental part of COC's success this season. The sophomore, who played during the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020, has come back strong after the layoff while primarily playing in the No. 3 singles position. In the Cougars' 5-4 conference victory over Ventura College on March 8, Russell teamed with fellow sophomore Lauren Hannah for an 8-2 doubles victory. Russell, who attended Hart High School, later earned a straight sets victory (6-2, 6-2) to help Canyons pick up a ninth straight victory.

The win was the ninth straight for Russell, dating back to Feb. 1. She also sported a 10-1 singles record as a freshman in 2020.

Steven Gonzalez/Baseball
Gonzalez was a stand-out in the Cougars' three-game conference-opening series vs. L.A. Valley College. The Valencia High School graduate was a combined 6-for-12 in the series, with two walks, five runs and six RBIs.

The biggest highlight game in the series opener when Gonzalez went 3-for-5, slammed a pair of home runs and drove in four runs to help Canyons get the 10-3 victory. 

In the finale, Gonzalez finished 2-for-4 with a walk, double, two runs and a pair of RBI as Canyons emerged a 9-3 winner. Gonzalez is currently hitting .318 on the year and ranks third on the club with three home runs.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.