NOTE: In a continuing series based on an idea by Padadena City College Sports Information Director Robert Lewis, we will be taking a look at a different Cerritos College student-athlete during this time when all sports have been cancelled.

Midway through the 2020 season, Cerritos College sophomore pitcher Skyler Swearingen (Mayfair HS) and the rest of the team saw the year abruptly come to an end, as well as all other CCCAA athletics sports early in March. The world health crisis over the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected every level of sports competition and Swearingen is one of thousands of collegiate student-athletes coping with the shutdown.

Through 17 games, Swearingen had appeared in 16 games with 13 starts. She had a 4-6 record with a 3.71 earned run average and four complete games. Over the course of her 68 innings pitched, Swearingen had struck out 47 batters, which included 14 in her last 16 innings pitched. Quick to the plate with her approach, Swearingen only allowed five of the 12 baserunners to steal on her. As a freshman, Swearingen went 10-12 in the circle with two saves, four complete games and a 4.21 earned run average. She started 23 games and posted wins in her final three starts, which included a playoff victory over Mt. San Antonio College.

"I would love to have Sky stay another year," stated head coach Kodee Murray. "She is a team player and would be a great leader next year. The problem (I jokingly say) is that she is a very good student and has done everything she needs to do academically to move on, and so that is the plan. I think Sky will be a great addition where ever she lands. I think, at the end of the day, Sky learned to trust and to compete. She was the work horse this year and was a good leader on and off the field."

The following in a Q&A with Swearingen:

Q: The team was have an up and down season, but you were starting to pitch better as the season progressed. How did you initially handle the news of the shutdown and was it a shock to you and your teammates?
Skyler: Well, I had begun to see the NCAA athletes post on social media that their season was done so I knew that it was only a matter of time before we got the message. Even though my teammates and I knew, it was still shocking because we weren't even halfway through yet. We had just begun to really mesh well and figure out what we had to do to make it to playoffs. It was definitely heartbreaking for me because even before my freshman season was over last year, I couldn't wait to be a sophomore because of all the experience and lessons I learned. 

Q: What has been the biggest thing you've missed as a college student-athlete since the season was shut down?
Skyler: The biggest thing I miss as a college student-athlete is getting to be on the field and seeing my teammates everyday. I even miss going to class! I'm not exactly a big fan of online classes.... lol. I could mention every little thing I miss about Cerritos and just softball in general of how much I miss it, but then I could be typing forever. The one thing I miss the most is the motivation it gave me everyday. Sometimes being overfilled with homework, fatigue, and stress can lead to more problems as you go along with your day. However, on my bad days I knew that I just had to wait until I got to the field because once I walked through those gates it was all lifted off of me. I've been on teams where I feel more pressure just walking in and being there but it's not like that at Cerritos for me at all.

Q: Are you pleased that the California Community Colleges and NCAA are handing back the year of eligibility to spring sports participants?
Skyler: Well, I think it's great the NCAA gave back their year of eligibility to their athletes although, it isn't quite as easy with the CCCAA because we are all athletes that were given two years. Most of all the sophomores are hopefully getting our AA after this semester so most of us knew that the smarter decision was to just go on after this.

Q: What have you done to stay in shape and pass the time to replace the lost practices/games?
Skyler: I have been working out everyday and running every other day. Sadly, I haven't gotten around to pitch yet but I have already been in contact with my pitching coach on what we're going to do once this quarantine is over.

Q: What have you been able to do that you wouldn't have been able to do since the shut down, or what have you done to pass some of the down time?
Skyler: Well, I actually spent the two weeks off being sick with the flu...it took me a while to get over but I'm finally better. I got around to deep cleaning my room, working out more, and reading more. I try to keep my mind busy with all the stress going on in the world.

Q: What has been the best part of attending/playing at Cerritos? Do you feel you've grown as a player from high school?
Skyler: The best part about is Cerritos.... everything. But mostly, Coach (Kodee) Murray. I've never experienced a coach like her before and I can easily say playing softball for twelve years that she is the best coach I've ever had. She cares so much for the team and each one of the girls. I love that I can talk to her about anything. After a bad game I would call her the next morning and she would literally answer, "Come on up, Sky." And I could tell her my true honest feelings about every little thing, not even just about softball, and she would give the greatest advice. She didn't just disregard my opinion. She would understand, even if she had to ask questions. She also always knew what to do in situations and even though she wasn't a pitching coach I felt like I always had two! She always made sure I wasn't doing too much and got on me if I didn't do my ground balls. She's one great role model and I'm going to miss talking to her everyday. I have for sure grown so much since high school. In fact, I feel like a completely different person. I feel like I actually learned how to pitch and understood how to handle the hard batters and the disappointment of a home run. I know that I feel like I stand a little taller on the mound at Cerritos than I did in high school.