The San Diego Mesa college men’s cross country team returns with high expectations in 2023. Despite losing nine key players, head coach Sean Ricketts is ready for the team to once again make a run for the state title. 

The Olympians were :20 seconds short of securing an unprecedented third straight state title. SD Mesa College finished with a time of 1:42.38, Mt. San Antonio College tallied 1:42.18.  In addition to the runner-up finish, the Olympians also secured their fourth consecutive conference championship. 

The coaching staff has done a great job recruiting and replenishing the team. It will be difficult to replace the following players, who not only provided the top times in the state, but were also role models off of the field. They led through their actions, and most importantly, stayed focused on continuing their academic and athletic career at four-year schools. 

David Millan:
Transferred to Adams State  (Team Captain, 4th Place in State Last Year, Member of 2021 State Championship Squad)

Juan Rosales:
Transferred to Adams State  (Team Captain, 8th Place in state last year, member of 2021 State Championship Squad)

Bryce Kueker:
Transferred to Cal Poly SLO (Leadership, Team Mindset, 12th Place in State Last Year, Back to Back Steeplechase State Champion and School Record Holder in the Steeplechase

Devin Provence:
Transferred to Grand Canyon University (leadership, Team Mindset, Member of State Runner Up's in 2022 and of the 2021 State Championship Team)

Jesus Villarreal:
Transferred to Chico State (leadership, Team Mindset, Member of State Runner Up's in 2022 and of the 2021 State Championship Team)

Zak Beckwith:
Transferred to Adams State (leadership, Team Mindset, 3rd Place Finisher in State in the Steeplechase 2023)

Jake Beckwith:
Transferred to Adams State (leadership, Team Mindset, 800m State Champion 2023)

Alan Jimenez:
Finishing Academics at Mesa this year before transferring (leadership, team mindset, Member of State Runner Up's in 2022)

Joey Acosta:
Transferred to Stanislaus State (work ethic, team mindset)

The key returning players for the Olympians who are expected to lead and contribute immediately are: 

Victor Rosas:
4th Place in SoCal Regionals 2022, Redshirted Track Season 

Jude Giolitto:
Set the 2 Mile Time Trial Record at the end of this summer, State Qualifier in the 1500m 

Jyden Schmid:
Member of the State Runner Up's in 2022, Redshirted Track Season

Joseph Depascale:
All Conference 2022, 15:07 5K PR in Track

Allen Malo:
Redshirted XC 2022, 1:55 800m and 3:58 1500m Pr's in Track

The beginning of the season is always exciting. There are new faces and athletes that are ready to make an impression and start making their own mark. 

Ian Rosen Grossmont HS:
All State XC CIF State Div. 2 2021, Member of Grossmont HS's Back-to-Back CIF XC Championship Team, State Qualifier in the 2023 800m 1:54.26, Versatile distance runner that knows what is like to be a part of a championship team

Josh Edwards Grossmont
Member of Grossmont HS's Back-to-Back CIF XC Championship Team and State Qualifying Team's,  knows what is like to be a part of a championship team

Alexandre Leroy:
Westview HS and UCSD - 24:52 8K PR 

Ronald Way:
La Jolla HS and SDSU. Has developed well over the summer

With a mix of veteran leadership and hungry freshmen, this year's cross country season should be exciting. The team has already created their own identity and built a great aerobic foundation during the offseason. The key to success will be for each athlete to trust the process and focus on the job at hand. If this is accomplished, Mesa will once again threaten for the state trophy.