LEAP Squad Track Club will send 15 athletes into CIF-Southern Section postseason competition this year, with qualifiers spread across Divisions 1, 2, and 3 in the jumps, hurdles, sprints, and high jump.

The group includes first-time CIF qualifiers, returning athletes, and several multi-event competitors who have continued building momentum throughout the season.

Division 1

Division 1 features one of LEAP Squad’s strongest groups this season, led by Aliso Niguel senior Dane Malloy, who qualified in both the long jump and triple jump. Malloy has been one of the top horizontal jumpers in the section throughout the year and enters postseason competition with strong momentum.

ML King’s Shamar Graham also advanced in the triple jump, while Woodbridge’s Godden Forde qualified in both the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. Aiylyn Forde added another qualifier for the girls side in the triple jump.

In the high jump, Los Alamitos sophomore London Jones cleared 5-0 to qualify for CIF competition, while Huntington Beach senior Sierra Benedict matched the same mark to advance as well.

Division 2

Division 2 will feature another talented group of jumpers.

Foothill-Santa Ana’s Mateo Afable and Santa Margarita’s Aiden Nicholson both qualified in the triple jump, while Fullerton Union’s Sungjoo Bae advanced in both the long jump and triple jump.

The division continues to showcase athletes who have steadily improved throughout the season and are beginning to put everything together at the right time.

Division 3

Division 3 includes the largest group of LEAP Squad qualifiers, with athletes spread across multiple events.

Corona del Mar’s Colton Eggleston qualified in both the 200 meters and long jump. Palos Verdes athlete Andrew Peterson advanced in the long jump and triple jump, while Crean Lutheran’s Reese Hogan qualified in three events: high jump, long jump, and triple jump.

Mission Viejo freshman Ava Palmer qualified in both the 100-meter hurdles and long jump, while La Mirada’s Nicole Ojeisekhoba advanced in the high jump and long jump.

A Program Built on Development

For many athletes, qualifying for CIF represents years of work finally beginning to show up on the bigger stage. Some are entering the postseason for the first time, while others are returning with more experience and higher expectations.

One of the biggest strengths of this year’s LEAP Squad group has been versatility. Several athletes qualified in multiple events, showing growth not only physically, but mentally as competitors.

While the jumps remain a major strength within the program, the development across hurdles, sprints, and high jump reflects the overall progression taking place throughout the team environment.

Coach Briggs said he is proud of the work the athletes have continued to put in throughout the season.

“They work extremely hard, and I’m super excited to be a part of their journey,” Briggs said. “For many of these athletes, this is the result of years of consistency, patience, and believing in the process. Qualifying for CIF is never guaranteed, so seeing this many athletes continue advancing is something special.”

As postseason competition begins, the focus now shifts toward execution, advancing through rounds, and competing with confidence when the pressure rises.

For some athletes, the goal is to move on to the next round. For others, it’s about gaining experience and continuing to build.

Either way, the opportunity was earned.

And for many of these athletes, this is only the beginning.