By: Delanie Gearing, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

POMONA, Calif. - The fall of 2024 was a monumental season for Cal Poly Pomona athletics, marked by multiple championships, historic achievements, program milestones, and record-breaking performances across multiple sports. 

Throughout the fall, the Broncos demonstrated their dominance, with all five fall teams—women's soccer, men's soccer, volleyball, women's cross country, and men's cross country—being nationally ranked in the same week for the first time in program history. This unprecedented accomplishment underscored the department's widespread strength across multiple disciplines. 

Across the three win-loss-tie sports - men's soccer, women's soccer, and volleyball - the Broncos went an incredible 60-7-9 (.849), shattering the previous best combined winning percentage of .729 set last fall. Those same three teams each claimed the CCAA regular season title with first place finishes in the conference standings, the first time all three have done so in the same season. The trio spent 28 combined weeks nationally ranked in the Top 25, and 20 combined weeks ranked in the Top 10, while going undefeated with a 24-0-4 record in home matches during the regular season.

The department's success wasn't limited to team achievements. A total of 15 athletes were named CCAA Athlete of the Week during the fall season, further highlighting the individual excellence across the sports. Additionally, Cal Poly Pomona athletics reached another historic milestone, surpassing 7,000 total wins across all sports since the department's founding in 1947, a testament to the consistent success of its student-athletes, coaches, and staff.

As a whole, the 2024 fall season marked a banner year for Bronco athletics, with historic team rankings, individual accolades, and significant program milestones that will be remembered for years to come.

  Women's Soccer  
NCAA DII National Champions
NCAA West Region Champions
CCAA Tournament Champions
CCAA Regular Season Champions
22-1-2 Overall Record

The women's soccer team made history by capturing their first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship, capping off a record-breaking season. The Broncos finished with an outstanding 22-1-2 record, posting a .907 winning percentage, the best in program history. Their 22 wins and 10 home victories both set new program records, while their eight road wins tied the team's best-ever performance away from home. The team also set a new benchmark with seven postseason victories, including winning the CCAA Tournament, NCAA West Regional, and National Championship in neutral venues.

A standout player for the Broncos was Tara Oper, who broke the program's long-standing single-season assist record with 12, surpassing the previous mark of nine set by Ruth Van't Land in 1999. Oper's stellar play on the national stage earned her the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award, as well as United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year honors and being named First Team All-American. Goalkeeper Bella Hara also etched her name in the record books, setting the program's records for both shutouts (14) and wins (22) in a single season, cementing her status as one of the most dominant goalkeepers in school history. Vanessa Cruz was also honored with multiple accolades, being named CCAA Player of the Year, Forward of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Cruz was also honored as a First Team All-American for her exceptional performance on the field. 

As a team, the Broncos broke several season records, including most goals, assists, points, and shots, showcasing their offensive firepower. The team's success was further reflected in individual honors, with Vanessa Cruz and Oper earning spots on the CCA All-West Region First Team, and Liberty Ortiz earning a place on the Second Team. Coach Jay Mason, who guided the team to the national title, was named CCAA Coach of the Year and United Soccer Coaches West Region Coach of the Year.

Off the field, the Broncos excelled academically, with Alexis Macias, Georgia Rink, Anna Schellpeper, Lavinia Vaipulu, Hara, and Oper all named to the CSC Academic All-District team. Marisa Salazar was awarded the CCAA Elite 13 for her excellence academically and athletically. 

  Men's Soccer  
CCAA Regular Season Champions
13-2-7 Overall Record

The men's soccer team had a highly successful 2024 season, finishing with an impressive 13-2-7 record and a .750 winning percentage. Their home dominance was especially notable, with a .900 win percentage and not losing a match at Kellogg Stadium. Under the leadership of Head Coach Matt O'Sullivan, who became the program's all-time winningest coach with 64 victories in just five seasons, the Broncos clinched the CCAA regular season title. Their 19-match unbeaten streak was a testament to their consistency and strong team performance throughout the year. Despite their impressive run, they were eliminated in the second round of the NCAA tournament by Midwestern State.

A highlight of the season was the Broncos' strong balance of team success and exceptional individual performances. Coach O'Sullivan was named CCAA Coach of the Year for the first time after leading the team to the conference title. On the field, Max Laguna and Fin Jackson were named to the All-CCAA First Team, while Jasper Winslow, Mads Frederiksen, and Woody Angell earned spots on the All-CCAA Second Team. 

In addition to conference honors, the Broncos received significant recognition in the regional and national arenas. Laguna, Jackson, and Winslow earned spots on the CCA All-West Region First Team, while Sam Lena and Garciduenas were named to the Second Team. Laguna and Jackson were also named Second Team All-Americans, further solidifying their roles as some of the top players in the country.

Off the field, the Broncos also excelled academically. Five players—Woody Angell, Luke Garciduenas, Fin Jackson, Sam Lena, and Jasper Winslow—were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. Jackson and Winslow earned Scholar All-America First Team honors, while Lena was selected to the Second Team, demonstrating the team's dedication to excellence in both academics and athletics. Additionally, Frederiksen received the CCAA Elite 13 Award, recognizing his outstanding achievements on the field and in the classroom.

  Volleyball  
CCAA Regular Season Champions
25-4 Overall Record

Volleyball had arguably its best seasons in program history, finishing with a 25-4 record and an .862 winning percentage, the second-highest in school history. The Broncos' 17 CCAA wins set a new program record, and their success was propelled by strong performances across the roster. The team won their first outright CCAA regular season championship, with Head Coach Traci Dahl being named CCAA Coach of the Year honors for the first time in her career. Dahl also reached a milestone, securing her 100th career win as head coach of the Broncos on the final match of the regular season. Under her leadership, the team was ranked number one in the region and hosted the NCAA West Regional Tournament.

Individually, several Broncos had standout seasons. Samantha Campion was named CCAA Player of the Year and CCA West Region Player of the Year, while also becoming the 10th player in program history to reach 1,000 digs. She was also named AVCA Second Team All-American and earned a spot on the CCA All-West Region First Team, along with teammates Caitie Mueller and Sarah Ybarra. Mueller, who reached the 3,000-assist milestone, and Ybarra, who was named National Player of the Week in early-September, were both named to the All-CCAA First Team and earned AVCA Second Team All-American honors. 

Avery Percival joined an elite group of Broncos by becoming the ninth player to record 1,000 digs, while Charlotte Koerber was named CCAA Newcomer of the Year. In addition to the individual honors, the team saw a strong academic performance, with Campion, Mueller, Helen McMullin, and Percival all named to the CSC Academic All-District Team, highlighting the Broncos' success both on the court and in the classroom.

The team broke the program record for the highest national ranking in program history, reaching as high as No. 3 in the AVCA Top 25 Poll. They were nationally ranked for the entirety of the 2024 season, including eight straight weeks in the Top 10. 

The Broncos' remarkable 2024 campaign concluded with a No. 9 national ranking, a 25-4 overall record, and several individual and team accolades that culminated in one of the most memorable seasons in program history. 

  Women's Cross Country  

The women's cross country team had a competitive season, highlighted by standout performances and multiple program milestones. Vivian Martinez led the way for the Broncos, running the third-fastest 5K time in school history with a 17:24 at the Old Glory Gallop. Her impressive performance at the CCAA Championships earned her a spot on the All-CCAA team, along with teammates Jade Kingston and Paige Moore, who also garnered All-CCAA honors.

In addition, several Broncos made their mark in the program's history books. Martinez, Kingston, Moore, Galilea Jimenez, Chloe Alchin, and Miranda Palacios all entered the record books, with each securing spots among the 50 fastest times in Broncos' history for a conference race. This collective effort helped the team to an overall third-place finish at the CCAA Championship.

At the NCAA West Regionals, the Broncos finished 11th in the 6K race, which marked the 29th consecutive year the team finished Top 15 at regionals in program history.

  Men's Cross Country  

Men's cross country had a strong and successful 2024 season, finishing second at the CCAA Championships with impressive performances throughout the lineup. Leandro Candray, Juan Ramos, Tom McDonnell, and Evan Franco all earned All-CCAA honors for their outstanding efforts in the championship race. At the CCAA Championship, Candray and Ramos etched their names in the program's history, with Candray running the 21st fastest 8K time and Ramos the 22nd fastest, cementing their status as two of the top runners in Broncos history.

The team continued to perform well at the NCAA West Regional, where they finished 4th in the 10K race and later received an at-large bid to compete at nationals. Candray had another strong showing, running the 27th fastest time in program history at the regional meet. His efforts, along with those of McDonnell, earned both athletes All-West Region honors.

The Broncos capped off their season at the NCAA Division II National Championship, where they finished 21st out of 34 teams with an average time of 31:38 in the 10K race. This marked the team's highest national finish since 2019, showcasing the growth and strength of the program.