Leap Squad Athletes Make Their Dreams Come True: A Shift in the College Track and Field Journey

- Santa Ana, CA

 In recent years, the traditional path for athletes has been clear: compete in high school, get recruited, and then attend college to pursue your athletic dreams. But what happens when you don’t land your dream school? Do you just settle for what’s available or is there another way? Coach Keinan Briggs, founder of Leap Squad, is not a fan of just settling. He believes there are always alternative routes to success and achieving your dreams.

A New Approach: Competing Unattached

In 2019, Dominique Ruotolo, a Swiss-born triple jumper ranked #1 in the nation, was facing a huge obstacle. She had a dream of competing at the highest level, but no citizenship to make her eligible to compete for a U.S. college. Instead of giving up, Dominique took a gap year and competed as an unattached athlete with Leap Squad. During that year, she worked relentlessly to hit the “A” standard, which ultimately opened the door for her to compete at the college level. After considering various options, she chose to attend USC, her dream school, and made that dream a reality.

Fast forward to 2023, and another Leap Squad athlete, Andrew Robinson, found himself in a similar position. UCLA was his dream school, but during his senior year, the university wiped its entire coaching staff. Andrew was left without a roster spot, despite holding other scholarship offers that were time-sensitive. Not one to give up, Andrew decided to compete unattached with Leap Squad in 2023 to show his ability to UCLA and other D1 schools, all while being a student at Cal State Fullerton, another excellent D1 program. By competing unattached, Andrew kept his dreams alive and showcased his talent to the world.

Another inspiring story comes from Roxy Meyer. After graduating in 2022, Roxy was faced with the prospect of competing at the Junior College level. But instead of settling, she, too, decided to continue as an unattached athlete with Leap Squad. By doing so, she positioned herself for the opportunity to compete at the school of her dreams. Despite drastic rule changes by the NCAA during her transition, both Andrew and Roxy felt that Leap Squad was the best resource to support their goals and keep them on track for their aspirations.

A New Path Forward for Athletes

This shift in mindset is more than just a one-time occurrence—it’s setting a precedent for how athletes can continue to pursue their dreams, regardless of the setbacks or changes they may face. By choosing to remain focused and determined, athletes like Andrew, Roxy, and their teammate Kemonie Briggs—an 8.22m world-class long jumper—are setting an example of perseverance and passion.

This weekend, Andrew, Roxy, and Kemonie will open up their outdoor season at the Kamaka Open, held at Mt. SAC. They are all excited and confident that their hard work during the offseason will help them stay on pace with their goals. For both Andrew and Roxy, this meet marks their first college competition.

“I’m very excited to jump this weekend, I’ve been working on a few things,” said Andrew.

“I’ve already jumped a new PR in the winter season, so breaking 40 feet would be a nice goal to accomplish in my first college meet,” added Roxy.

The Coach's Role: A Responsibility to Their Athletes

Coach Keinan Briggs, who has been working with these athletes every step of the way, feels the weight of responsibility to make sure these athletes not only improve but also enjoy the journey they’ve chosen. His dedication to his athletes and the Leap Squad program is unwavering.

“There is a huge amount of pressure on me as a coach to make sure these kids improve and enjoy this decision they have made for themselves. They have trusted me to develop them, and I am 100% certain my program will get them there,” said Coach Briggs.

Looking Ahead

As the outdoor season kicks off, these athletes are ready to show that there is no one “right” way to achieve your dreams, there are many paths. Through hard work, perseverance, and belief in their abilities, Andrew, Roxy, and Kemonie are proof that it’s possible to carve out your own path, no matter the challenges you face.