The San Diego Mesa College men’s track and field team is once again preparing for the state championships after coming painfully close to a title last season.
In 2025, the Olympians narrowly missed the top spot, finishing just five points behind Riverside City College, 98 to 93. Mt. San Antonio College finished third with 88.5 points.
Following the team’s final meeting earlier this morning, head coach Sean Ricketts said the focus heading into the championships is simple: stay connected as a team and compete at the highest level. Because of the multi day format, Mesa’s athletes will travel north in separate groups. Some athletes competing tomorrow are already on the road, if not already in town, while another group will depart tomorrow ahead of Saturday’s events.
California community college track and field remains one of the toughest levels of competition in the country, and Mesa’s coaching staff is hopeful both the men’s and women’s programs can secure podium finishes and improve upon last year’s results.
Mesa enters the state meet with momentum and a target on its back after a dominant showing at last week’s 3C2A Southern California Championships, where several Olympians either captured event titles or earned podium finishes.
Ryan Mann will look to continue his breakout season in both the 100m and 200m. Mann clocked an impressive 10.36 in the 100m at the Southern California Championships to claim first place. He also finished second in the 200m with a time of 21.25, trailing only Marquez Guzman of Mt. SAC.
Jayden Bailey will represent Mesa in the 110m hurdles after winning the SoCals in 14.37. His performance makes him one of the top athletes to watch entering the state championships.
In the 1500m, Luciano Roberts enters as one of the favorites after capturing the Southern California championship with a winning time of 4:00.24.
Shamarion Unden also heads into the state meet with strong momentum after placing second in the 400m at the SoCals with a time of 47.89. He finished just behind Orlando Collins of RCC, who won the event in 47.53.
Mesa’s men’s 4x100m relay squad, consisting of Ryan Mann, Elliot Getz, Austin Snook, Matt Robertson, and Daimaggio Wyatt, will also be in contention for a state title. The group claimed first place at the SoCal Championships with a winning time of 40.66.
Mesa’s 4x400m relay team, featuring Shamarion Unden, Harry Caufield, Jaylon Graves, Ryan Mann, Daimaggio Wyatt, Divad Diaz, and Nolan Jones, also turned in a strong performance at the SoCal Championships, placing third behind RCC and Mt. SAC.
In the field events, Manny Cerda turned in an outstanding performance in the javelin, recording a throw of 54.48 meters to place second at the SoCal Championships. Jake Nickley also competed in the men’s 800g javelin and finished fifth overall with a throw of 49.32 meters.
With another opportunity at a state title within reach, the Olympians head into the weekend determined to finish what they started.