by Sadie Shields

Loud music, a roaring crowd and a wandering Santa Claus filled Lumberjack Arena as the Toys for Tots Ugly Christmas Sweater event began at the Lumberjack’s basketball games on Saturday, Dec. 6.

After both teams decisively beat Stanislaus State on their conference opener on Thursday, the Cal Poly Humboldt’s Women’s Basketball Team cruised past UC Merced on Saturday,  winning 94–55. They dominated the match through balanced scoring and relentless defensive pressure, pulling away early and not allowing the Bobcats to regain momentum. The Jacks controlled the tempo with aggressive ball pressure, converting turnovers into fast-break points and consistently stretching the floor with perimeter shooting. 

Forward Kyori Lloyd paced Humboldt with 17 points, while guards Riley Sanz and Shade Satica contributed 15 and 11 points respectively. Satica also had a game-high eight steals, anchoring the team’s defensive effort. Center Jordyn Smith provided a strong two-way performance, impacting the game with scoring, rebounding and rim protection. Despite 15 points from Merced’s Paloma Ramirez and 13 points from Nicole Lukito, the Bobcats struggled with turnovers and offensive consistency, as Humboldt’s sustained pressure dictated the flow of the game from start to finish.
Meanwhile for Men’s Basketball, UC Merced gained a decisive lead in the second half to secure a 74–64 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt, relying on transition offense, interior scoring and timely defensive stops to maintain control after halftime.

Cal Poly Humboldt found offensive rhythm at times through lineup changes that created more spacing and shooting on the floor. Guard Michael Sarden thought the new lineups led to a more dynamic game even if the outcome wasn’t desirable.

“Yeah, [Coach Broome] tried a couple different lineups that we played with in practice, but just hasn’t been revealed in the game yet,” Sarden said. “We had some good chemistry with a couple other guys. We’re able to play well off each other, get the plan kicked out, get some good threes. We had a lot of scores, a lot of shooters on the floor, at the same time.” 

Humboldt showed improvement in transition and defensive stretches, though consistency remained an issue. Despite the loss, guard Drew Ardouin thought some aspects of the team’s game improved. 

“I think we did better in transition compared to other games,” Ardouin said. “We had some stretches of good defense, [and] had some good runs.”

Ball movement in the second half helped create easier scoring chances and temporarily shifted momentum, yet the Bobcats kept scoring as they broke through defenses and dominated the paint. The Jacks could improve by strengthening their defense at the net and taking more shots from spots where they feel more comfortable in.

“In the second half, when we were moving the ball as a team, letting the ball touch both sides of the court and sharing it with each other, we were able to create easy opportunities for each other and knock down shots,” Ardouin said. “I think the energy and the whole gym just completely shifted after that.” 

Sarden, who entered in the second half, said the game reinforced the importance of staying ready off the bench.

“I think this game taught me to be ready for any moment,” Sarden said. “I didn’t play in the first half and I got in the second half, I had to automatically just get to it and be able to provide positive minutes for my team.” 

Despite late pushes from the Jacks, UC Merced’s control of the court and execution throughout the game sealed the victory. The Jacks will continue CCAA play against Cal State San Marcos on Dec. 19, with women’s basketball having nonconference games against Western Oregon and Saint Martin’s before then.

Sadie is a junior communications major, journalism minor at Cal Poly Humboldt who has an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and wildlife journalism, and a slight interest in breaking news. She can be reached at sls331@humboldt.edu.

by Aidan Shelton

After a standout regular season where the Lumberjacks broke the school record in consecutive shutouts, women’s soccer continued their season in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships Soccer Tournament. Going into the tournament ranked fifth, the Jacks had to play against number four ranked Cal State San Bernardino in the first round for the chance to play reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champions Cal Poly Pomona in the semifinals. 

When the first round match was surprisingly postponed from Sunday, Nov. 9 to Monday, Nov. 10 due to an early sunset, the Jacks played San Bernardino to double overtime and despite a combined 39 shots, the score remained 0-0 after a 110 minute game. Going to penalty kicks (PK), the Jacks came out on top winning the PK shootout 4-2. 

“We were all very tired from playing two overtimes and it was super hot during our game,” defender Josie Wolitzky said. “I went in a little exhausted, but we all kind of knew that it was just something that we had to get done to keep going on and we spent a lot of time practicing PK’s too, so I think that helped people just be prepared for what was happening. But it’s something that we all really wanted and I think something that we deserved after that game.”

Heading into the semifinal against Cal Poly Pomona, the top seed and defending NCAA champion, the Jacks got a bit of a motivation boost when freshman midfielder Karsyn Ross was selected for the All-CCAA Second Team. In addition, Forward Heidie Munoz, defenders Josie Wolitzky and Kyla Okamoto and goalkeeper Carson Thomsom-Terrel earned All-CCAA Honorable Mentions. Going into an uphill battle against the tournament favorites, it was key that the Jacks focused on playing their own game instead of planning their game based on Pomona. Considering their previous match was a 2-2 tie where Pomona only scored off of penalty kicks, coming out on top wasn’t out of the picture for the Jacks.

“We all know how good of a team we are and how good we can be,” Wolitzky said. “We talked about it like, ‘yes we know Pomona is a good team,’ but there’s no reason to fear them.”

On Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m., the Jacks competed against their Cal Poly rival for a spot in the championship match. After a scoreless first half, Humboldt’s Nicole Beauchemin was able to score over a five-woman wall off of a brilliant free kick 36 minutes into the second half, recording her first goal of her collegiate career. Pomona was unable to respond with a goal of their own and when the whistle blew, the Jacks punched their ticket to the championships for the first time in women’s soccer program history against Chico State, Humboldt’s historic rival. The Jacks fought the Chico Wildcats to a 3-3 in the last game of the regular season and were eager for the chance for a rematch.

“There was a lot going on — the crowd’s very loud, the lights are shining, everyone’s yelling at you what to do,” Beauchemin said. “But me and my teammate Blue were on the ball, and she gave me the confidence to just shoot it, and so I did.”

The whistle was blown to start the final match of the tournament on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. and within 90 minutes a champion was crowned. The first half concluded as a hard fought stalemate — despite 16 combined shots, the scoreboard remained empty. However, 74 minutes into the game, the momentum began to shift in the Jacks’ favor. Senior Alexis Blue was able to capitalize off of an opportunity from Munoz and put the ball in the back of the net. With only 15 minutes left in the match, Chico failed to get a goal of their own and the final whistle declared Humboldt champions. Overcoming the obstacles facing them, Head Coach Grant Landy was exceedingly impressed with his team but wants to remain focused on what lies ahead. The Jacks will continue their postseason journey at the NCAA D2 Women’s Soccer Championship, rematching Cal Poly Pomona in the first round on Friday, Nov. 21 at 3:00 P.M.

“We’re off to the national tournament for the first time in I think over 20 years, and so we’re gonna put our best foot forward in this environment,” Landy said. “We’ll worry about the future after this weekend.”

This season’s women’s soccer team fully embodied the classic saying, “offense wins games, defense wins championships.” Their defensive line was able to stonewall any attempts to score on the Jacks and when their offense got a goal in, Humboldt’s defense was able to shut down any attempts to equalize the score and retain the lead. Not only did the Jacks make history by winning the CCAA tournament for the first time, they did it in style. In a dominant fashion, they didn’t allow any opposing team to score a single goal on them throughout the entire tournament. 

Aidan Shelton is a journalism major with a minor in environmental ethics and the Sports Editor of the Lumberjack. A writer, sprinter and Arcata local, he understands what gives Humboldt its identity and wants to see it flourish. He hopes to encapsulate the uniqueness and diversity of Humboldt sports in his work. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors, going to the gym and travelling. For any sports inquiries contact azs10@humboldt.edu.

by Luke Shanafelt

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Women’s Volleyball celebrated their Senior Night on Saturday, Nov. 15, honoring their lone senior Sophia Spoja before the team pulled out a dramatic five-set win over the Cal State East Bay Peregrines. The Jacks opened strong in the first set with aggressive attacking and scrappy defense, controlling momentum from the start. Humboldt took the opening set 25–17.

The second set told a different story. East Bay made key adjustments and began to dominate with smart pin attacks and deep-corner tips that targeted the Jacks’ back row. The Peregrines also strung together multiple three-point serving runs. Humboldt found brief relief from a few late East Bay passing errors, but the Jacks dropped the set 25–16. The third set continued East Bay’s surge — the Peregrines dismantled Humboldt’s small block and repeatedly scored off in-system swings. The Jacks were only able to manage 10 points as East Bay cruised to a 25–10 win and a 2–1 lead. 

Facing the final home match of the season, Humboldt’s bench brought the passion and energy. Practice player Breadan Ferrone fired up the team and coach Spoja added an emotional push of her own before the fourth set. The motivation and encouragement was effective. Outside hitter Graysen Trupp sparked the comeback, hammering three early kills to shift momentum. The Jacks fed her repeatedly, and she delivered. Humboldt evened the match with a 25–21 victory in the fourth, bringing the game into the tiebreaker set. The decisive fifth set was a nail-biter. Humboldt opened with a steady lead before East Bay fought back to tie it at 6–6. The Peregrines eventually pulled ahead 10–8, but the Jacks responded with a sideout and traded points down the stretch. 

The gym grew louder with every rally. On match point for Humboldt, East Bay challenged a ball called in. Both teams huddled while the referee reviewed the play. The call stood, tying the score 14–14 and setting up a win-by-two finish.Humboldt earned a sideout on a high-ball kill, but a missed serve brought it back to 15–15. The Jacks finally closed it out on a touched ball that sailed out of bounds, where they won 17–15 and set off an eruption from the Humboldt bench.

by Dylan Jewett

On a bright and sunny day, Cal Poly Humboldt triathletes lined up early in the morning to race against the top teams in triathlon. Cal Poly Humboldt’s Triathlon Team finished up their competition season for the year after competing in the West Regional Championships in Fort Worth, Texas on Oct. 26 and in the USA Triathlon National Championships in Tempe, Arizona on Nov. 8. At West Regionals, the team placed third overall in Division 2, with triathletes Averill Payne and Poppy Edge individually placing 8th and 9th. 

The triathlon team’s performance at West Regionals was enough to earn them a spot on the podium for the first time in the program’s history. Triathlon Head Coach Kinsey Mattison said that as long as the team grows, trains and maintains focus, things will just keep getting better. 

“We continue to take steps up and are headed in the direction that we want, which is eventually being on the national podium,” Mattison said. “So, this was a big step in that direction.”

According to Averill Payne, a sophomore on the triathlon team, regionals are more difficult for the athletes than Nationals due to the stress of qualifying for races. 

“There’s such high stakes, and we haven’t raced against the people at that race before,” Payne said.

After a two-week break between races, the team packed their bags and headed to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in their final race where the team came in fifth place overall.  Triathletes Payne and Edge also received All-American honors after the race for their performance. 

“Seeing them move up so much from where they were last year is very encouraging,” Mattison said. “This group will just keep getting better and better.”

After falling short in past races, Edge made it a personal goal to reach the top 20 at Nationals. This time, she accomplished her goal and came in 19th overall. With this achievement pushing her forward, she sees bigger things happening for the future.

“If I set my mind to something, I can do it,” Edge said. “It’s really motivating me; like next year, I want to just do that much better.”

With the season now at an end, the spring semester allows time to train the triathletes, maintain the team’s strong momentum and preserve the close-knit team culture. The team wants to keep the positive environment and push each other to perform at their best for the next competition season. 

“I think we work really well together,” Payne said. “At least this season, we’ve been able to push each other so hard, which has been a lot of motivation. We’re such a close team, we just enjoy each other’s company.”

by Carmen Ruiz Fernandez

he Cal Poly Humboldt Women and Men’s Soccer Team gathered in the middle of the college creek field on Oct. 19 before their matches to celebrate the Senior Day. Seniors were honored with flowers, photo frames capturing their journey as soccer players, speeches from the coaching staff highlighting their accomplishments and the support of their families, who stood with them on the field through tears of pride.

For Head Men’s Soccer Coach Fred Jungeman, Senior Day is a special time to reflect on how far the graduating seniors have come as well as their accomplishments on the team. At the ceremony, the women’s team honored eight graduating seniors: Frida Duran Arellano, Annie Hoffman, Josie Wolitzky, Carson Thomson-Terrel, Alexis Blue, Morgan Young, Payton Heaney and Camryn Patten. The men’s team only celebrated one: Paris Ruiz. This Senior Day was held earlier than usual, since both teams still have a couple more home games left, and Jungeman said that’s when the real emotions will come out.

“It’s a little bit hard to put into words, because it isn’t the last time,” Jungeman said. “I think the real emotions will come out in the actual last game for us. Today is just an opportunity for us to reflect on who they are, and an opportunity for us to celebrate the seniors.”

Both the men and women’s teams played against the California State San Bernardino Coyotes. The women’s team played first, kicking off at 11:30 a.m.. Both teams scored a goal during the first 10 minutes of the first half, but the Coyotes scored two more goals at the beginning of the second half. Humboldt’s Alia Prentiss was able to score a second goal at the 75th minute of the game, but came up short once the whistle was blown after 90 minutes. Josie Walets, senior center defender on the women’s soccer team, described this game as a tough one. She mentions there were a lot of emotions in it as well, since it was their senior game, and the first time they had a goal scored against them this season.

“I think our team still battled the whole way through,” Walets said. “We still got two goals, and I think we performed well, even though it was a little more tough.”

The men’s team started playing at around 2:30 p.m.. The Jacks also lost against the Coyotes, finishing with a score of 1-2. San Bernardino had a decisive advantage in the first half, scoring back to back goals in the minutes 20 and 23. The match reached a stalemate in the second half — however, the Jacks were able to put something together on the offensive side and defender Robert Somerville was able to put the ball in the back of the net in the 71st minute.

Senior midfielder Paris Ruiz of the men’s soccer team noticed how his team was a bit unconcentrated in the first half of the game, reflecting on why they had some previous rough games before this one. However, he recognized his team’s effort in the second half, as they finally were able to represent the team.

“We started off a little slow,” Ruiz said. “Before the game, we talked about needing to bring more. We’ve had a couple rough games in the coming up to this game. So, we started off saying, we need to put in more effort, more everything, to try to succeed. I think that in the second half, we actually built up and exceeded that.”

Carmen is a freshman journalism major whose passion is to write stories for newspapers. She is a writer and photographer, and likes to read and take walks through the forest in her free time. She can be reached at cr433@humboldt.edu

by Aidan Shelton

Cal Poly Humboldt is set to send debate team students to a tournament for the first time since 2019, continuing a long and proud tradition of Humboldt debate. Two students, junior Sylvia Seay and sophomore Oz Kimble, will travel to Denver, Colorado, to compete in a debate tournament at Metro State University. Despite many on campus not being aware that a debate team existed, Humboldt debating has a roughly 100-year history according to Aaron Donaldson, advisor to the debate team.

“When I came here, not a lot of folks knew much about the team, but we have Lumberjack articles going back to the 1930s, the 1940s,” Aaron Donaldson, advisor to the debate team, said. “We have articles in local paper[s] going back to the 1920s.”

Donaldson actually remembers Humboldt as a strong debate team in his college days. The stances that they took could be argued as anti-capitalist or pro-legalization arguments. Like most other forms of competition, debate has many categories.

“There’s several different kinds of debate: there’s 2v2 debate and 1v1 debate,” Donaldson said. “We do something called world’s debate or British Parliamentary debate. You go to a tournament, you get assigned a side first… and once you get that side, then they announce the topic, you have 25 minutes without the Internet to prep your arguments. At the end of the debate, the judge will rank the teams in the room [first, second, third and fourth].” 

Growing up with congenital issues, Donaldson always wanted to represent his school in a competition, but his body’s physical problems limited him. He discovered debate as a senior in high school and it gave him a space to nurture his competitive side, be a part of a team and continue to learn. As he’s grown as a debater, he’s learned that one of the most important aspects of the craft is being able to admit you were wrong and change your stance when presented with enough evidence. He’s incredibly happy for the opportunity to send students to a competition and the chance for growth it provides.

“I’m excited to hear a different set of people debate who come from different backgrounds, and see if that changes the way they argue in the issues that frame their argumentation, and to hear from many different judges,” Seay said. 

As the debate team’s oldest member, Seay brings a lot of experience to the table and was a shoo-in to be selected to travel and compete. She was always interested in politics and did debate in middle school. Seay got back into it when she was recruited from a public speaking class. Kimble, on the other hand, could be described as more of a wildcard. With a background in Esports and comment section arguments, he brings a fresh perspective to the table with a unique ability to argue for stances he doesn’t necessarily agree with.

“I have spent far too much time online playing devil’s advocate just for fun to get reactions and stuff like that for me to have too much of an issue doing it in front of people,” Kimble said. “I’ve been [debating] pointless arguments since middle school. So, now that I have a point, it’s even easier.”

A debate that is often brought up is the legitimacy of non-physical competitions like debate, chess, or Esports as sports. The definition of what makes a sport is growing and evolving — at the end of the day, many would argue that it isn’t the physicality that makes the sport, it’s the spirit of competition. Sportsmanship is defined by how you interact with your opponent, not physical capability. Even still, debate will physically take energy.

“I would say that debate is deeply physical, that it is very exhausting, that most people cannot muster the attention to listen to a single debate all the way through let alone to participate in one,” Donaldson said. “It is competitive, the questions of how you use time are everything in debate. Each person has seven minutes to speak, and the amount of time that you spend on any particular argument can ultimately determine how competitive you are.”

Debate is a great example of a sport that exists outside the traditional guidelines of athletics. It proves that not all sports are physical or require a ball.  Even though debate may not be a sport in the traditional sense, it shares many of the core beliefs, such as waking up every morning and committing to put in the work to pursue perfection, even when the body and mind are exhausted. The drive to compete and perform at the highest level is what makes something a sport. Putting everything on the line in a competition against the best, coming up short and still committing to stay on the path is what makes an athlete.

Aidan Shelton is a journalism major with a minor in environmental ethics and the Sports Editor of the Lumberjack. A writer, sprinter and Arcata local, he understands what gives Humboldt its identity and wants to see it flourish. He hopes to encapsulate the uniqueness and diversity of Humboldt sports in his work. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors, going to the gym and travelling. For any sports inquiries contact azs10@humboldt.edu.

By Aidan Shelton

Cal Poly Humboldt Women’s Soccer team got a boost of encouragement after ranking sixth in the conference preseason poll. They’ve put up a steady performance over the past three years, consistently qualifying for the CCAA tournament, tying Cal State Monterey Bay for fifth place last season. 

Cal Poly Pomona led the list with nine first place votes, followed by Cal State East Bay, Cal State LA, Stanislaus State and San Marcos, the latter of which edged out Humboldt by just one vote. Along with the preseason poll, two Humboldt forwards made the CCAA preseason watchlist — Heidie Munoz and Frida Duran Arellano. Munoz had a breakout freshman season last fall, winning CCAA Freshman of the Year.

“Honestly, I was pretty shocked,” Munoz said. “Obviously, like my hard work off the field and on the field was being recognized and was paying off, so I was pretty excited and happy about it.”

Senior Duran Arellano was equally surprised. While she had a stand out performance that got her an All-Conference recognition last fall, she was kneed in the back during a game in November and has been recovering from the injury since. Despite the hardships of dealing with such a serious injury — getting X-Rays, MRIs and going to physical therapy — Duran Arellano has been committed to having a healthy mindset about the situation. The hardest part is not having a timeline of when she can get back to playing.

“It’s been a journey,” Duran Arellano said. “It’s just been hard, but I’m positive — I’m keeping my faith up that I’m gonna be better and I’m gonna be strong enough to get back on the field as soon as my body allows me to.”

Both Munoz and Duran Arellano expressed the importance of team culture in soccer where team chemistry is crucial. They value putting others first and fostering a team culture of selflessness as the key to success.

“The wins we win as a team and the losses, it’s nobody’s fault,” Munoz said. “We lose, we lose as a team. There’s one mistake, it’s everyone’s mistake. Like, we don’t blame one person, we all take accountability because we are a team. That’s how it should be.”

Women’s Soccer started the year strong with three exhibition wins and closed this week out with a 0-1 loss against Dominican University and a 0-0 draw against Hawaii Pacific. Despite the scoreless game, the Jacks dominated possession and were able to get off 27 shots throughout the game, ten of which were on target for goal. They were able to keep the ball on Hawaii’s half for much of the game and limited them to four shots.

Aidan Shelton is a journalism major with a minor in environmental ethics and the sports editor of The Lumberjack. A writer, sprinter and Arcata local, he understands what gives Humboldt its identity and wants to see it flourish. He hopes to encapsulate the uniqueness and diversity of Humboldt sports in his work. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors, going to the gym and travelling. For any sports inquiries, contact azs10@humboldt.edu.

Humboldt Lumberjacks sports teams will be facing new and old rivals this upcoming sports season.

By Sadie Shields

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Lumberjacks will be facing new teams and saying goodbye to old rivals after last spring season. With the addition of University of California Merced this year and Fresno Pacific University entering the California Collegiate Athletic Associations (CCAA), new rivalries are bound to bloom.

The Lumberjacks will play UC Merced in this fall season. We still have to wait to see what Fresno Pacific University and the Sunbirds have for us until next year. According to the University of California Merced’s official website, the Lumberjacks will be facing nine of the 12 teams their university has to offer. 

“This has been a goal for our program since its inception,” UC Merced Executive Director of Recreation and Athletic David Dunham said to sources last year. “We look forward to new rivalries to be formed within the CCAA and competing in one of the top Division II conferences in the nation.”

While it’s great to welcome two new divisions, we also have to say goodbye to one of our former rivals, the Sonoma State University Seawolves. Sonoma State discontinued its athletics program at the end of June 2025, which it has had since 1998.

“I don’t know how long it will take for a sports program to come back, or frankly, if intercollegiate NCAA sports will ever come back,” Sonoma State Interim President Dr. Emily Carter said. “They may, they may not. I, as Interim President, will probably not make that decision.”

According to CCAA’s Official Website, Fresno Pacific University will be coming to the CCAA league in fall 2026.

“Fresno Pacific University checks all of the boxes and is a wonderful fit with the other universities that constitute the CCAA,” CCAA Board Chair and California State University Dominguez Hills President Dr. Thomas A. Parham said. 

Fresno Pacific will also be the only private university in the CCAA and the first non-public, non-state member institution in the conference since Grand Canyon university which left the league in 2004.

While the CCAA prepares to welcome Fresno Pacific, they also may have to prepare to lose another program. This year San Francisco State University got rid of Men’s Baseball, Men’s Soccer and Women’s Track and Field except for distance, according to the Golden Gate Express Newspaper. 

San Francisco State is now at the minimum number of teams required to have an athletic program, so the next step would be cutting it in its entirety if funding isn’t met.

According to the newspaper, “The athletics department has proposed an increase to the existing Instructionally Related Activities-Atheltics fee, which would total $100 starting this fall semester and have a $25 increase implemented each year for the next three years.”   

With the increase in funding, they are hoping to hold onto the sports they still have. Cal Poly Humboldt can expect to see a significant change in the teams they compete against over the next few years. 

Track and field athletes celebrate their bittersweet end at Humboldt

By Ariana Wilson

Applause and excitement echo throughout the Redwood Bowl as racers take their mark. The packed stands anxiously wait for the gun to sound. Long, drawn out seconds stretch over the oval and… they’re off. Teammates and friends let out frenzied cheers as they watch their seniors race on their home track for the last time. These athletes have put their heart and soles into every meet and each practice, showing up on the top of the California Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA) leaderboard and breaking long-established school records year after year.

Ryan Castro is a team captain and four year member of the Humboldt track and field team, but he didn’t need four years to make an impression on Humboldt. In 2024, he broke the 42-year standing school record in the 100 meter sprint with a time of 10.54 seconds. 

Starting as a walk-on during COVID-19, his track career hasn’t always been a straight shot to the finish line. 

“I had to earn everything from the ground up, and there were a lot of moments where it would’ve been easier to give up,” Castro said. “But I had coaches and friends that believed in me and helped me push through the injuries, the setbacks and the mental battles. That record represented a standard that stood for over four decades, and being the one to raise the bar to our new standard as a team meant a lot to me.”

Castro’s character speaks to the influence of this program, the athletes, trainers and coaches that influence student athletes every season. 

“Humboldt has given me so many opportunities, not just to grow as an athlete, but as a person. Being part of this program has shaped me in ways I’ll carry forever,” Castro said. “To know I’ve played a small part in the program’s history and culture is something I’ll always be proud of. I’m thankful I got to wear this jersey and be part of something bigger than myself.”

Senior transfer Cristian Megas has left his mark on the Humboldt top ten list in both the 100 and 200 meter sprints. 

“One of the most valuable lessons is patience. In track, you train so long to be good for such a short period of time,” Megas said. “To enjoy what you do, it makes everything better from training to mental health.”

In 2024, Castro and Megas were joined by Joey Bowser and Harry Singh, where the four secured a spot as the second fastest in Humboldt history in the 400-meter relay with a time of 41.11 seconds.

Senior Gracie Kasberger of Prineville, Oregon, was a part of the post-COVID rebuild in 2020. 

“There are some amazing athletes and coaches on this team, and I hope I am remembered as one of them. I am honored to have contributed to Humboldt Athletics,” Kasberger said. “This place has been home to me for 6 years, and many of the people in the athletics department contributed to making it a home for me.”

Kasberger was the conference champion in the heptathlon in 2022, a discipline which features 7 different sports, and hit the national provisional mark for the heptathlon in 2024. 

“I have overcome numerous injuries and setbacks in my career as a heptathlete, and I have never given up,” Kasberger said. “I have been a conference champion and runner-up for my event every year I have competed at the CCAA conference championships. Hard work does pay off.”

Senior Joy Hano hails from Southern California and brought the heat with impressive accolades in her five years at Cal Poly Humboldt. Hano claimed her victory as the CCAA Champion in the 100 hurdles and broke a 33-year-old school record in 2023 with a personal best of 13.96 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles breaking the former school record of 14.06 seconds. In 2024, Hano beat her own school record with a time of 13.93 seconds.

“My motivation has always been rooted in the question of possibility,” Hano said. “Every time I accomplished something I once thought was out of reach, it pushed me to ask, ‘if I can do that, what else might be possible?’”

Hano’s performances cemented her name in history, along with several of her teammates. They encouraged each other and used one another as motivation to keep striving higher and running faster. 

“I want to be remembered as someone who didn’t let adversity steal their joy. More than anything, I hope people remember that I gave it my all. I hope my time here showed others that it’s possible to take the sport seriously without losing yourself in it,” Hano said. “That you can chase big goals and still find happiness along the way. Trying your best, finding joy in the process, and showing that personal growth can be its own victory — that’s the legacy I hope I leave behind.”

A common sentiment from these seniors is ‘comparison is the thief of joy.’ Their legacies as change makers will continue to live on after their departure and they will hold a special place in Humboldt history as record breakers, character builders and the example for future generations of Lumberjacks.

“This past year, things shifted. That emotional growth, being able to race without fear, to enjoy the process, and to end my final season on a note of genuine happiness, that’s what I consider my greatest achievement,” Hano said. “Because medals fade, records get broken, but the feeling of reclaiming something you thought you lost? That stays with you.”

Ariana Wilson is a junior majoring in journalism and minoring in scientific diving. She intends to merge her passion for the environment and conservation with her love of journalism as a science writer in the future. This semester’s goal: write one story per section.

By Kimberly Alexsandra Madrigal

Dressed to the nines, ready to wine, dine and spend some dimes in the name of student athletics; it was the 39th annual Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics Auction and the venue was packed to the brim. On April 5th, dozens of athletes greeted and welcomed donors as they made their way into the Sapphire Palace at Blue Lake Casino. 

Alex Cappa, HSU football alum and NFL Superbowl champion, and Robin Meiggs, one of Cal Poly Humboldt’s most decorated coaches and National Rowing Hall of Fame recipient, were among some of the special guests honored at the event.

From wine-bottle bundles, to San Francisco Giants seats behind home plate, to a battery-powered kids’ Ford Raptor and autographed Alex Cappa NFL jerseys, there was something for everyone at the live and silent auctions. Proceeds from this event fully fund student athlete scholarships and assist in the overall success of the athletic program. 

Mark and Teisha Gwerder, second time attendees, describe themselves as distant supporters of CPH athletics. 

“We love the way the community is involved with the athletics program and the school,” Gwerder said. “Very community based and that’s appealing to us.” 

Olivia Huynh, a second-year psychology student and coxswain on Cal Poly Humboldt’s women’s rowing team, shared how important it is as a student athlete to have the community back you up. 

“It’s really important — I think Humboldt is a really small community, so having as many donors to support us is really helpful,” Huynh said. “There’s a lot of student athletes at Humboldt, which makes up a huge part of the student population, because there are not that many of us. So having many opportunities to have scholarships and improve our equipment as a smaller school brings a lot more people to the program.”

Kimberly Alexsandra Madrigal is a 3rd year journalism student from Fresno, CA. She enjoys hot girl walks, traveling, shopping, live music, casual insta’s and being a living legend.