With the track season right around the corner and the annual Blue vs White Intrasquad event now concluded, the San Diego Mesa College track and field program is once again preparing to compete for a state title.
Under the watch of head coach Sean Ricketts, Olympian track and field has become synonymous with success, and each year the program carries a target on its back because of it. Last season, the women’s team placed third at the state meet, while the men’s team finished second.
This year’s focus centers on health, consistency, and team connection. Ricketts encourages his athletes to be intentional in everything they do.
Last year included one state individual champion, 14 All Americans on the women’s side, 14 All Americans on the men’s side, and six state individual champions. Even more important, Mesa continues to emphasize academic success and athlete development, with 15 student athletes transferring to four year universities to continue their athletic and academic careers.
As a new year approaches, the transition is bittersweet. While the coaching staff is excited to see former athletes thrive in new environments, several key contributors from last season have moved on. These individuals will be difficult to replace, not only because of their competitive success, but also due to their leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to supporting their teammates.
Departing athletes include:
Ashley Nash (Sprints) Cal State Fullerton
Alexis Noble (Distance) Cal Baptist
Joelle Tonne (Distance) UNC Greensboro
Kaylee Tan (Pole Vault) UC Irvine
Amorianna Leviett (Sprints) CSU Dominguez Hills
Kate Touchet (Distance) Cal Poly Humboldt
Shayla Harris (Sprints) Cal Poly SLO (Academics)
Jaden Dasher (Hurdles) Long Beach State
Joseph Forte (Multis) CSU San Marcos
Ian Rosen (Distance) Chico State
Lucas Scott (Javelin) Cal Poly SLO
Kodjo JB Kouwonou (Hurdles) UC Davis
Erik Lerner (Sprints) Chico State
Ronald Way (Distance) Montreat University
Nathen Murrell (Distance) Cal Poly Humboldt
Ke Sean Goodson (Jumps) Cal State San Marcos
The new season also brings excitement with the arrival of an outstanding recruiting class. Ricketts says, “This is by far the most talented recruiting class in our program’s history. These athletes will be immediate contributors.”
Key newcomers include:
Helena Baez (Our Lady of Peace HS) 400m 57.17, second place at the 2024 CIF Division 2 Championships
Channel Wells (El Camino HS) Pole Vault and Hurdles, 11 feet 3 inches, fifth place at the 2025 CIF Division 1 Championships
Jada Potenciano (Rancho Bernardo HS) Pole Vault 12 feet 1 inch, sixth place at the 2024 CIF Division 1 Championships
Kassie Lofgran (El Capitan HS) Sprints, 100m 12.29, sixth place at the 2025 CIF Division 2 Championships
Mallory Wotursky Sprints, 200m 25.93, eleventh place at the 2025 CIF Division 2 Championships
Kayden Coker (Clairemont HS) Distance, 1600m 5:17.05, 800m 2:24.82
Natalie Allen (Valley Center HS) Team Captain, Distance, 2025 redshirt, third place at the 2025 3C2A Cross Country State Championships
State returners include Team Captain Jazzlyn Islas, second place in the 800m; Team Captain Abrielle Hagans, tenth place in Long Jump; Team Captain Emily Pesch, fifth in High Jump and eighth in the Heptathlon; Suhey Arce, eighth place in the 10000m; and Bianca Calafato, member of the fourth place 4x400 relay team at the 2025 3C2A State Championships.
On the men’s side, the program welcomes an equally impressive recruiting class:
Sterling Bryant (Ramona HS) 110 hurdles 13.72, 300 hurdles 38.61, third place at the 2025 CIF State Championships
Jayden Bailey (Mission Bay HS) 300 hurdles 37.39, 110 hurdles 14.22, CIF Section Champion and State Qualifier
Elliott Getz (Mission Bay HS) 100m 10.62, 200m 21.32, CIF Section Champion and State Qualifier
Diego Pereyra (Clairemont HS) 400m 48.34, 2025 CIF Division 3 Champion
Daimaggio Wyatt (Central Union HS) 400m 48.74, fourth place at the 2025 CIF Division 1 Championships
DaShaud Adair (Steele Canyon HS) Shot Put 51 feet 3 inches, second place at CIF Section Championships and State Qualifier
Juleus Lewis (Corona Del Sol HS, Arizona) Long Jump 23 feet 9.75 inches, fifth place at AIA State Championships
Logan Graziano (Leigh HS) Discus 162 feet 8 inches
Ethan Garcia (Lincoln HS) High Jump 6 feet 6 inches, second place at CIF Division 2 Championships
Harrison Caulfield (Mt Carmel HS) 400m 48.62, second place at CIF Division 2 Championships
Jayden Anderson (Clovis East HS) 300 hurdles 38.74, 110 hurdles 14.73
Jayden Borillo (Rancho Bernardo HS) Discus 148 feet, fourth place at CIF Division 1 Championships
John Walker (Snake River HS, Idaho) Long Jump 23 feet 4 inches, Triple Jump 43 feet 11.25 inches
Owen Kane (Bishop Kelly HS, Idaho) Triple Jump 45 feet 4.25 inches, 2025 Idaho State Champion
Wolfe Altamirano (Rancho Bernardo HS) 110 hurdles 14.68, 300 hurdles 39.19, second place at CIF Division 1 Championships
Aden Kaimer (Del Norte HS) 600m 1:21.83, breaking the Blue and White meet record previously held by two time state champion Ian Rosen
Men’s state returners include Team Captain Ryan Mann, member of state championship 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams and fifth in the 200m and seventh in the 100m; Team Captain Manny Cerda, ninth in Javelin; Team Captain Austin Snook, member of the state championship 4x100 relay; Luciano Roberts, sixth in the 1500m and eighth in the 5000m; Shamarion Unden, member of the state championship 4x400 relay; Jake Nickley, tenth in Javelin; Nakai Hayes, Long Jump State Qualifier; and Evan Munoz, 110 Hurdles State Qualifier.
The season is long, and daily practices are carefully monitored to make sure the athletes are properly prepared. Track and field is a science, with every detail focused on continuous improvement.
Ricketts shared, “We have one of our most talented women’s squads, composed of athletes who will perform well at championship meets across multiple event areas. On the men’s side, the squad is just as strong, with depth, especially in sprints and jumps. Our athletes must stay intentional, healthy, and consistent as we begin the season.”
When asked about team identity, Ricketts emphasized that every athlete plays an essential role. Throughout the fall and winter, the coaching staff reminds that each person is here for a reason, and everyone is equally important. Every athlete has a daily responsibility to contribute their piece to the overall success of the program.
While titles and awards remain goals, Ricketts stresses that success is defined by more than trophies.
“We measure success through high GPAs, completing associate degrees, transferring to four year universities, and, of course, bringing home championships and individual state titles.”