For the seventh consecutive year, San Diego Mesa College has secured the Chet DeVore Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top college in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC).

The trophy is named in honor of Chester “Chet” DeVore, the founding Commissioner of the PCAC from 1982 - 1998.  A decorated Marine officer in World War II, DeVore was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was also the founding president of Southwestern College, where he oversaw the construction and development of its Chula Vista campus. 

This year, the Mesa College Olympians finished the 2024–2025 season with a total of 20.17 points, ahead of MiraCosta College with 8.05 points and Grossmont College with 7.94 points.

Points are calculated by dividing the total points earned by the number of sanctioned sports programs a college offers. For example, a college earning 114 points across 14 varsity sports would have an average of 8.14 points. Additional points are awarded for individual state performances in sports like swimming and diving, golf, cross country, track and field, and tennis. 

“I am so proud of our student-athletes, coaches, support staff, and all of our campus supporters for keeping the Chet DeVore Trophy on Mt. Olympus,” said Ryan Shumaker, Dean and Athletic Director at Mesa College. “What makes this even more rewarding is that our student-athletes’ success in their sport is matched and often exceeded by their accomplishments in the classroom and beyond as they transfer to four-year institutions and enter the workforce. The Mesa College Olympians continue to represent our college well, and I couldn’t be more honored to be part of this program.”

This season, the Olympians were conference champions in men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, and beach volleyball.

In post-conference team competition, the men’s and women’s cross country and beach volleyball teams claimed state titles for Mesa College. Men’s track and field finished second in the state, while the women’s placed third. Men’s volleyball was state runner-up, and the football team finished third in the state after falling to Riverside City College in the semifinal match.

In individual state competition, the Mesa College Olympians dominated the track and field championships, winning seven of the eight events they contested.

Ian Rosen claimed the 800-meter state title with a time of 1:51.97 and also placed fourth at the state cross country meet last fall.

The men’s 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams made history by winning state titles for the first time in school history.

Ronald Way took first place in the 10,000 meters with a time of 31:30.82 and added a third-place finish in the 5,000 meters. Lucas Scott captured the javelin title with an impressive throw of 206 feet, 1 inch.

Jaden Dasher brought home the 400-meter hurdles crown with a time of 52.52.

In women’s events, Joel Tonne won the 800 meters with a time of 2:17.17, placed third in the 1,500 meters at 4:47.04, and contributed to the 4x400 relay team’s fourth-place finish.

In beach volleyball, Myah Gomez and Jaiden Mojica, two of the best to ever wear a Mesa beach volleyball uniform, finished third in the state after falling to the eventual champions from Santa Monica College, Anna Legaspi and Nicole Lankin.