What are the keys to a successful season?
SR: The season is long, but overall, health along with consistency will be very important. In addition, we also have to have positive team chemistry throughout the year. We want our athletes to be at their very best at the end of the year at the state championships.
Who were the key losses through matriculation last season?
SR: It’s always bittersweet after the end of the state championships. However, we are always excited to see all our student-athletes continue the next chapter of their educational and athletic careers. Some of the players who have moved on are:
* State Champions Madison Rauch (Pole Vault)
* Kaela Estrada (Javelin)
* Bryce Kueker (Steeplechase)
* Jeramiah Havens (Decathalon)
* Cesar Salazar (Shot Put)
* Jake Beckwith (800m)
* All Americans Mohussin Abakar (10000m)
* Moray Steward (100m)
* Jasper Kadlec (Javelin)
* David Millan (Steeplechase)
* Zak Beckwith (Steeplechase)
* Maximilian Pinto 5th Place 110H
Tell me about this year's recruiting class, and who you expect to contribute immediately:
We are excited about this year’s class, as we have assembled a strong and impressive group of men and women.
Women
* Ashley Nash - long jump and sprints/relays (Morse HS) has displayed great leadership and was selected as one of our team captains by her peers
* Kaylee Tan (Del Norte HS) pole vault and sprints/relays had great early season results at the Pole Vault Summit
* Trinity Walger (Escondido HS) sprints/relays
* Alexis Noble (Clairmont HS) distance, 2023 3C2A Cross Country State Champion
Men
* Jaden Dasher (Oceanside HS) 400m hurdles/relays - opened up in a fine 55.9 first-ever 400m hurdles
* Balamber Izsold (San Marcos HS) 110 hurdles and high jump
* Marcel Acosta (El Camino HS) 400m/ 200m/relays
* Ian Rosen (Grossmont HS) 1500m/ 800m 2023 CIF State Qualifier in the 800m
* Lucas Scott (Mission Hills HS) javelin/ long jump
* Chris Jackson (Madison HS) sprints/ long jump/ relays completed his football eligibility at SD Mesa and is putting all of his efforts into track and field.
What are the goals for the season?
SR: Our program always focuses on what’s important, and that is to provide our sophomores the ability to transfer to a four-year university. We want to continue our high transfer rate, and this will always be the core of our program. The second part of our goal and mantra is for all athletes to perform their best at the state championships, and improve from the results last season.
Any player (s), you expect to make a big jump from his/ her performance last season?
Women
* Kais Kimuli - team captain, has developed well in all of her throwing events and is motivated to improve from her 2nd-place finish last year at the state meet
* Kyana Cook and team captain Sophie Moser Smith have put in the work to improve on their 4th and 5th place finish in the steeplechase at last year's state championship.
* Sidney Garcia is ready to improve on her 4th place finish in the 800m at last year's state championship and contribute in the 4x400m relay and the 1500m.
* Shayla Harris - team captain redshirted last year and is healthy and will contribute to the sprints and relays.
Men
* Lamar Smith - team captain, competed for Team USA at the 2023 U20 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico and U23 NACAC Championships in Costa Rica. Lamar is looking to improve on his 200m 3rd Place and 100m 5th Place finish in the 2023 State Championships and be an impact player on both relays.
* Luke Yruretagoyena - team captain is fit has developed well and is looking to make an impact in the 400m/ 200m and 4x400m relay.
* Kyle Wood - team captain redshirted last year and is motivated to defend his 2022 State Championship in the javelin and is going to make an impact in the jumps and 4x100m relay.
* Tytan Taylor - Has developed well and looking to improve in the High Jump and Long Jump.
* Jyden Schmid - distance, Redshirted last year and is coming off winning the 2023 3C2A State Cross Country Championships.
* Victor Rosas - distance and Team Captain, Redshirted last year and is coming off a 3rd Place finish at the 2023 3C2A State Cross Country Championships.
* Jude Giolitto - distance and Team Captain, much improved, fit, and was a state qualifier in the 1500m at the state championships last year.
* Allen Malo - has developed well during cross country and is looking to improve in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m.
* Joseph DePascale - All-American in Cross Country and is going to improve in the 1500m and 5000m and make an impact in the steeplechase.
* Joseph Forte - redshirted last year, is healthy and fit and looking to make an impact in the 110m Hurdles and High Jump.