The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) is proud to announce its Athletes of the Month for October 2024, recognizing outstanding performers across seven sports. These student-athletes delivered clutch performances, posted dominant statistical months, and helped elevate their programs during a pivotal stretch in the fall season.

Men’s Water Polo – Kyle Fox (San Diego Mesa College)

Mesa’s offensive catalyst, Fox poured in 42 goals across 15 games, adding 3 assists, 10 steals, 15 exclusions drawn, and 3 blocks. His consistent scoring touch helped pace the Olympians through key conference matchups and solidify their postseason push.

Women’s Water Polo – Samantha Alfaro (San Diego Miramar College)

Alfaro continued her standout sophomore campaign with 34 goals in 13 games, along with 10 assists, 19 steals, and 19 exclusions drawn. Her balanced two-way play led the Jets during one of the strongest months in program history.

Men’s Soccer – Diego Esquivel (Cuyamaca College)

Esquivel was one of the most dangerous attacking players in California during October. He recorded 8 goals and 3 assists in 9 matches for a total of 19 points, including three game-winning goals that kept the Coyotes in contention for the conference title.

Women’s Soccer – Naomi Allen (Palomar College)

Allen was Palomar’s go-to scoring option, tallying 6 goals and 3 assists in 8 games for 15 points. Her playmaking and timely finishing—including a key game-winner—powered the Comets through a strong month of conference action.

Women’s Volleyball – Rachel Ashburn (Grossmont College)

Ashburn was dominant at the net, finishing October with 48 kills, a .365 hitting percentage, 8 digs, and 42 blocks (17 solo). Her presence in the middle anchored a tough Grossmont defense and provided an efficient scoring option across multiple conference sweeps.

Men’s Cross Country – Jordan Myers (San Diego Mesa College)

Myers delivered two of the strongest races of his career, placing 9th at the Manny Bautista Open (20:58.3) and finishing 3rd overall at the PCAC/IEAC Championships, earning PCAC Runner-Up honors with a time of 21:45.0.

Women’s Cross Country – Natalie Allen (San Diego Mesa College)

Allen continued her breakout season with a 4th-place finish at the Manny Bautista Open (18:43.9), followed by a runner-up finish at the PCAC Championships (19:29.0). Her consistency placed her among the top runners in Southern California.

The PCAC congratulates all October honorees for their exceptional performances and their continued commitment to athletic and academic excellence.

SAN DIEGO — The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference will send four teams to the 2024 3C2A Women’s Volleyball SoCal Regional, highlighted by No. 1 seed San Diego Mesa College, which enters the postseason as the top overall seed. The regional bracket features four PCAC programs, including two hosting first-round matches.

Most first-round contests are slated for Tuesday, November 25, while one PCAC matchup, MiraCosta College vs. Mt. San Jacinto College, will be played earlier on Saturday, November 22. Winners advance to the second round at the site of the higher seed.

San Diego Mesa College – No. 1 Seed

Opponent: Winner of No. 16 San Bernardino Valley College / No. 17 College of the Canyons
Match Date: Tuesday, November 25

PCAC champion San Diego Mesa College earned the No. 1 overall seed after a dominant regular season, setting up the Olympians for a deep postseason run. Mesa will open play at home, awaiting the winner of the 16/17 matchup. With one of the region’s most efficient offenses and a veteran defensive core, the Olympians enter the postseason as the team to beat.

San Diego Miramar College – No. 8 Seed

Opponent: No. 9 College of the Desert
Match Date: Tuesday, November 25

San Diego Miramar College secured a top-eight seed and home-court advantage for the first round. The Jets will host No. 9 College of the Desert in a tightly matched 8–9 pairing. Miramar’s balanced attack and strong back-row play helped lift the program to one of its most successful regular seasons in recent years.

Palomar College – No. 11 Seed

Opponent: at No. 6 Moorpark College
Match Date: Tuesday, November 25

Palomar College will make its postseason trip to No. 6 Moorpark College in a competitive 11–6 first-round contest. The Comets put together a consistent season that secured them a top-12 seed and a chance to advance on the road against one of the bracket’s higher-ranked teams.

MiraCosta College – No. 15 Seed

Opponent: No. 18 Mt. San Jacinto College
Match Date: Saturday, November 22

MiraCosta College will open the postseason at home, hosting No. 18 Mt. San Jacinto College on Saturday, November 22. The Spartans earned the No. 15 seed after finishing the season strong and now look to defend home court in one of the week’s earlier playoff matchups.

Looking Ahead

The PCAC’s four postseason qualifiers showcase the conference’s depth in women’s volleyball, with Mesa leading the way as the region’s top seed and two additional programs earning home matches. First-round winners advance to the second round, played at the home site of the higher seed later that week.

SAN DIEGO — The 3C2A Men’s and Women’s Soccer SoCal Regionals kick off on Tuesday, November 19, and the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference will once again be strongly represented. Across both brackets, eight PCAC programs earned postseason bids, including two conference champions who will open the playoffs at home.

Winners on Tuesday advance to the second round on Saturday, November 22, hosted by the higher seed.

MEN’S SOCCER

Cuyamaca Earns No. 3 Seed, Begins Title Defense

Defending 3C2A State Champion and 2024 PCAC champion Cuyamaca College secured the No. 3 seed, setting the Coyotes up for another deep postseason run. Cuyamaca will host the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 14 Fullerton College and fellow PCAC member No. 19 San Diego City College.

City returns to the postseason following a strong finish to conference play and could set up an all-PCAC showdown in the second round.

MiraCosta to Host as No. 13 Seed

No. 13 MiraCosta College will host No. 18 Golden West College in Tuesday’s opening round. The Spartans’ balanced attack and improved backline form down the stretch earned them a home fixture to open postseason action.

Palomar Travels for No. 18 vs. No. 15 Clash

No. 18 Palomar College will begin its postseason journey on the road, traveling to face No. 15 Cypress College. The Comets posted several key results late in the season to earn their bid and now look to advance in one of the bracket’s most competitive first-round pairings.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

MiraCosta Opens at Home as No. 10 Seed

No. 10 MiraCosta College secured a home playoff match and will host No. 23 LA Pierce College. The Spartans put together one of their strongest PCAC campaigns in recent years and enter the postseason with momentum.

Southwestern Earns No. 11 Seed After Winning PCAC Title

PCAC champion Southwestern College will also host a first-round contest as the No. 11 seed, welcoming No. 22 Ventura College to Chula Vista. The Jaguars’ consistent defensive play and timely scoring propelled them to the conference crown and a top-12 regional seed.

Miramar Draws Road Test at Bakersfield

No. 18 San Diego Miramar College will travel to face No. 15 Bakersfield College. The Jets’ postseason berth extends another strong showing for a program that continues to rise within the conference and region.

Palomar to Face Pasadena City in Road Matchup

No. 20 Palomar College hits the road in its first-round contest, taking on No. 13 Pasadena City College. The Comets’ resilient regular season earned them a place in the field and a chance to advance against a higher-seeded opponent.

What’s Next

All first-round matches will be contested on Tuesday, November 19 at host campus sites across Southern California. Winners advance to the second round on Saturday, November 22, with matchups played at the home field of the higher seed.

The PCAC’s eight qualifying programs look to continue the conference’s tradition of postseason success as the 3C2A playoffs begin.

SAN DIEGO — The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference will have strong representation in both the men’s and women’s brackets as the 3C2A Water Polo SoCal Regionals get underway this Thursday at Southwestern College. Conference champion San Diego Mesa College secured the No. 4 seed on the men’s side, while three PCAC programs earned bids to the women’s championship field.

Men’s SoCal Regional

No. 4 San Diego Mesa College — PCAC Champion

Mesa enters the postseason as one of the top-four seeds in Southern California after capturing the PCAC men’s title behind one of the conference’s stingiest defenses. The Olympians advance directly into Thursday’s quarterfinal round, where they will face the winner of an opening-round matchup.

Mesa seeks its deepest postseason run in recent years and enters Southwestern with momentum from a strong finish to the regular season.

Women’s SoCal Regional

Three PCAC-aligned programs earned spots in the 12-team bracket, showcasing the depth of the conference this season.

PCAC Women’s Qualifiers

• No. 10 Crafton Hills College – Conference Champion
  
  

• No. 11 Palomar College – Conference Runner-Up
  
  

• No. 12 San Diego Miramar College
  
  

All three programs will open play in Thursday’s preliminary round at Southwestern. Winners advance to Friday’s quarterfinals, where the region’s top seeds await.

Crafton Hills leads the group after claiming the conference title, while Palomar and Miramar secured back-to-back seeds following strong late-season surges.

Regionals Begin Thursday at Southwestern

This year marks one of the conference’s deepest postseason showings in recent memory, with four total PCAC programs earning entry into the SoCal field across both brackets. Action begins Thursday morning with preliminaries, followed by quarterfinal play later in the day.

Brackets, game times, and streaming/coverage information will be provided as they are finalized.

The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) is proud to recognize the top student-athletes for September 2024, honoring exceptional performances across six sports. From record-setting goals to dominant defensive efforts and standout tournament victories, these athletes displayed the excellence and dedication that define PCAC competition.

Women’s Soccer – Jaedyn Thibedau (San Diego Miramar College)

Thibedau has been a force for the Jets, scoring four goals and three assists in just five games. She leads the entire conference in both categories with 15 goals and six assists overall, setting the pace for one of Miramar’s strongest offensive stretches in recent years.

Men’s Soccer – Jakub Kozlowski (Palomar College)

Kozlowski powered Palomar’s attack with 10 goals in nine games, including two game-winning scores and a hat trick performance that highlighted his scoring touch. His ability to find the back of the net in clutch moments has been crucial to the Comets’ early-season momentum.

Women’s Cross Country – Jazzlyn Islas (San Diego Mesa College)

Islas continues Mesa’s tradition of distance dominance, finishing 2nd at the Pink in the Park Invite (18:25) — the No. 9 all-time performance on the Toro Park course. She also placed 20th at the Mike Johnson XC Classic against a strong field, showcasing consistency and elite pace through the season’s opening meets.

Men’s Cross Country – Ivan Guzman (Cuyamaca College)

Guzman started his season undefeated, capturing titles at both the Cuyamaca Kick-off and the Golden West Invitational. His early-season victories solidify his status as one of the region’s top runners heading into championship competition.

Women’s Water Polo – McKynley McCulloch (Palomar College)

McCulloch was unstoppable in the pool, totaling 42 goals, 23 assists, 34 steals, and 30 exclusions drawn — while committing just six turnovers in 13 games. She added three blocks for good measure, proving to be one of the most complete two-way players in the state.

Men’s Water Polo – Sebastian Cadena (Southwestern College)

Cadena, the conference’s reigning top scorer, continued to dominate offensively with 36 goals and four assists in 11 games. As the leading scorer once again for Southwestern, Cadena’s precision shooting and attacking instincts have kept the Jaguars among the PCAC’s most dangerous teams.

Women’s Volleyball – Madelyn Wutzke (San Diego Miramar College)

The 6-foot freshman outside hitter burst onto the scene for Miramar, earning the first 3C2A State Player of the Week award of the season. She leads the conference with 4.01 kills per set and 201 total kills, ranking 11th in the state. Wutzke helped Miramar climb to a No. 13 state ranking and No. 8 in Southern California, fueling a seven-match win streak and a 2-0 start in PCAC play. In her first two conference matches, she tallied 27 kills with a .360 hitting percentage in sweeps over Southwestern and San Diego City.

These athletes have set the tone for the 2024–25 season, combining individual excellence with leadership and competitive spirit. The PCAC congratulates each of them for their outstanding achievements in September.

With one week remaining in non-conference play, the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) is proving to be one of the deepest and most competitive leagues in California. Four teams are currently ranked in the state’s Top 25, while a fifth earned a “Best of the Rest” mention.

Mesa Leads the Way

San Diego Mesa College headlines the group at No. 4 in the state and No. 1 in the South Region. The Olympians are off to a 7-1 start, including a perfect 4-0 record at home. Led by standout outside hitter Mia Lundberg (94 kills, 3.48 per set) and middle blocker Isabella Barrios (.455 hitting percentage, 38 total blocks), Mesa has shown balance across the board. Setter Ruby Ennis has been steady with 241 assists (8.93 per set), while the team’s 85 service aces showcase their aggressive approach behind the line.

Palomar and MiraCosta Neck-and-Neck

Palomar College comes in at No. 19 in the state poll and No. 10 in the South. The Comets are 6-2 overall, anchored by the offensive power of Reese Maffit (82 kills, .239 hitting) and Emma Bambe (68 kills, 2.43 per set). Setter Caden Pinto has been one of the conference’s most efficient playmakers with 253 assists (9.04 per set).

Just behind is MiraCosta College, ranked No. 20 in the state and No. 11 in the South. The Spartans are 4-1 thanks to strong performances from Willow Snow (54 kills, 2.35 per set) and middle hitter Feagaiga Naotala (.341 hitting percentage, 53 kills). Setter Millie Miller has distributed the ball effectively, averaging 7.13 assists per set.

Miramar on the Rise

San Diego Miramar College is ranked No. 22 in the state and No. 12 in the South, sporting a 5-4 record under first-year head coach Brooke Callahan, who previously coached at Grossmont. Outside hitter Madelyn Wutzke has been a force with 113 kills (3.90 per set, .289 hitting percentage), while Gabriella Gutierrez (84 kills, 2.90 per set) provides a second reliable option. Libero Lucia Wu anchors the back row with 118 digs.

Grossmont Rounds Out the Group

Grossmont College holds a South Region ranking at No. 16, earning the conference’s fifth recognition. The Griffins are 1-5 overall but have been competitive in nearly every match. Andrea Torres (58 kills, 2.90 per set) and Rachel Ashburn (47 kills, .267 hitting percentage) lead the attack, while setter Norma Ramirez has tallied 219 assists (9.52 per set).

The PCAC enters its final week of non-conference play with momentum and expectations running high. With five teams already receiving statewide recognition, the conference season promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

San Diego Mesa College has claimed the 2024-25 Chet DeVore Trophy, awarded annually to the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference's top overall athletics program. The Olympians finished with a commanding 20.18 points, nearly doubling the score of second-place MiraCosta College (8.05) and well ahead of third-place Grossmont College (7.95).

Mesa’s excellence spanned every season. They swept both men’s and women’s cross country in the fall, captured conference titles in men’s and women’s track and field in the spring, and delivered on the court and in the sand—winning the 3C2A Women’s Beach Volleyball State Championship and finishing as state runners-up in Men’s Volleyball. With top finishes and postseason points in sports like swimming, volleyball, and track, the Olympians proved to be the most well-rounded and dominant program in the PCAC.

Several other programs made headlines this year as well:

• Palomar College softball advanced to the 3C2A State Championship game, finishing as state runners-up after a strong postseason run.

• Cuyamaca College men’s soccer won the 2024 3C2A State Championship, completing a remarkable postseason journey as the No. 10 seed.

• Grossmont College swim made history at the 3C2A Swim Championships, breaking multiple school records and turning in some of the strongest individual and relay performances in program history. The Griffins’ success in the pool helped power them to a top-three finish in the DeVore Trophy standings.

The Chet DeVore Trophy, named in honor of longtime Southwestern College administrator and PCAC founding commissioner Chet DeVore, is awarded annually to the institution with the best overall athletic performance based on team standings across all PCAC-sponsored sports.

2024-25 Final Chet DeVore Trophy Standings:

1. San Diego Mesa College – 20.18

2. MiraCosta College – 8.05

3. Grossmont College – 7.95

4. Palomar College – 6.30

5. Cuyamaca College – 4.77

6. San Diego City College – 4.09

7. San Diego Miramar College – 3.88

8. Southwestern College – 2.03

9. Imperial Valley College – 0.50

Congratulations to all PCAC member institutions for an exciting and successful 2024-25 season.