Leading Off for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015

MJC’S COTA NAMED FOOTBALL ALL-AMERICAN

Anthony Cota, the Modesto Junior College running back who rewrote the school record book, has been named to the Community College All-American team, a virtual first-team, all-state team. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Cota, a graduate of Sierra High, rushed for 1,315 yards and 16 touchdowns (4th in the state). His 131.5-yard average per game was second in the state, and he finished his MJC career with a record 2,457 yards and 30 touchdowns. Making the Region I (All-NorCal) first team along with Cota was Modesto’s versatile sophomore receiver Embry Allen Jr. The Weston Ranch High grad, who stepped in one game at quarterback, averaged more than 21 yards per reception.

MJC’S ARISTA TABBED SOCCER ALL-AMERICAN

Modesto Junior College’s Yaritza Arista, the Big 8 Conference women’s soccer MVP, has been selected to the NSCAA Junior College Division III All-America second team. Arista, a freshman from Livingston, led the Big 8 with 15 goals, 11 assists and 41 points as the Pirates (20-2-2) marched to their first conference title and a berth in the NorCal semifinals. Teammates Marissa Rouse and Jaimee Rocha, two sophomore All-Big 8 midfielders, are expected to sign letters-of-intent Friday to attend Division I Tennessee Tech.

This story was originally published January 7, 2015 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Leading Off for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015."