LEAP Squad Athletes Shine at CIF Finals as the Mission Continues

The stage gets smaller.

The pressure gets bigger.

And once again, LEAP Squad athletes showed they belong.

At the CIF Southern Section Division Finals, LEAP Squad athletes stepped into one of the biggest high school track and field moments of the season and delivered strong performances across multiple divisions and events.

Some athletes won championships.

Some advanced to the next round.

Some fought their way into position as alternates.

But across the board, the message was clear.

LEAP Squad athletes were prepared.

Leading the way was Dane Malloy, who did exactly what he was projected to do. Dane captured both the Division 1 boys triple jump and long jump titles, winning the triple jump with a mark of 49-00.75 and the long jump with a jump of 23-07.25.

Both marks also extended his school records, adding another major moment to an already historic senior season.

“Dane has been preparing for this moment all year,” Coach Briggs said. “When you watch him compete, you are not just seeing talent. You are seeing years of structure, discipline, technical development, and belief. He showed up like a champion because he prepared like one.”

For Dane, the double victory was more than just another successful meet. It was a reminder of what happens when an athlete trusts the process and competes with confidence when the lights are brightest.

In the Division 3 boys long jump, Colton Eggelston continued the momentum for LEAP Squad with a strong performance of his own. Colton finished 3rd overall with a mark of 22-10.25, earning his spot in the next round.

In a competitive field, Colton delivered when it mattered most.

“Colton stepped up in a big moment,” Coach Briggs said. “That is what you want to see at this stage of the season. It is not just about being talented. It is about being able to compete when the pressure is real.”

On the girls side, Reese Hogan had a strong day in the Division 3 high jump. Reese cleared 5-04 to finish 3rd overall and advance to Masters. She also took strong attempts at 5-06, barely missing what would have been a new personal best.

Even without the PR, the performance was enough to keep her season alive.

“Reese competed with confidence,” Coach Briggs said. “She was right there at 5-06, and that tells us she is ready for another big jump. The most important thing is that she advanced, and now she gets another opportunity.”

One of the most exciting performances of the day came from freshman hurdler Ava Palmer.

Ava finished 3rd overall in the Division 3 girls 100-meter hurdles with a personal best of 14.92. As only a freshman, she showed tremendous poise and competitiveness on one of the biggest stages of the season.

Her performance also places her among the top freshmen in California, currently ranked #3 in the state among freshmen in the 100-meter hurdles.

“For Ava to run a personal best at CIF Finals as a freshman says a lot about who she is becoming,” Coach Briggs said. “She is young, but she is already learning how to compete with maturity. That is a big deal.”

LEAP Squad also had strong efforts in the triple jump from Aiden Nicholson and Shamar Graham.

Aiden Nicholson finished 5th in the Division 2 boys triple jump with a mark of 43-02.75 and is currently positioned as a first alternate. While it was not the automatic qualifying spot he was chasing, Aiden stayed competitive and gave himself a chance to remain in the mix.

Shamar Graham competed in the Division 1 boys triple jump, finishing 9th overall with a mark of 41-06. Competing in Division 1 is never easy, and Shamar earned his place among some of the top jumpers in the Southern Section.

Every athlete had a different path.

Every athlete had a different challenge.

But each one represented the LEAP Squad standard.

This is what the program is built on.

Preparation.

Structure.

Confidence.

Development.

And the ability to compete when it matters most.

“Our athletes are learning that big moments do not have to scare you,” Coach Briggs said. “Big moments reveal your preparation. I am proud of how they competed, but I am even more proud of how they are growing as athletes and people.”

As the postseason continues, LEAP Squad athletes now turn their attention to the next round.

The mission is not finished.

The standard remains the same.

Show up prepared.

Compete with confidence.

And keep proving that you belong.

The mission continues.