Long Beach State University Athletics
Get To Know Our Newcomers
1/23/2019 9:22:00 AM | Indoor Track, Track and Field
Learn more about these exciting additions to the Beach.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – With the indoor track and field season starting on January 25, take a moment to get to know some of our outstanding newcomers competing this season at Jack Rose Track!
Derreck Affor, Decathlon, Beaumont, Calif. (San Bernardino Valley CC)
Derrek Affor comes to the Beach from San Bernardino Valley, where he placed sixth in the state championship as a sophomore with a score of 5,826 points. He also won the 110m hurdles at the Pacific Coast Championships with a personal-best time of 14.78.
On Affor:
"Derreck is a blossoming decathlete, but a proven contributor already in the hurdles and the high jump. He's probably one of the most untapped talents we have in our program, so we're looking for him to help us in a lot of areas. Derreck's demeanor also is the kind that can be the glue for a program, so he also contributes as a role model."
Femi Ajose, Sprints, Los Angeles, Calif. (San Leandro HS)
Ajose finished in the Top 10 in two events at the CIF State Championships as a senior, running a 21.87 in the 200m and a 10.76 in the 100m at that event.
On Ajose:
"Femi brings us some needed depth in the short sprint focus that we've been looking to add to our sprints group for both the relays and in the 100 and 200. Down the road, we're looking to see him challenge to be one of the top sprinters in the conference, and we're excited to see how he can develop this year.
Ricky Cardenas, Distances, Riverside, Calif. (Riverside CC)
Cardenas is a junior college transfer with a career best of four-minutes flat in the 1500m, and had a successful season for the Beach in cross country, running in all five meets and consistently finishing in the top five.
On Cardenas:
"Ricky was one of the top junior college runners at Riverside City last year, and had a strong season for us this fall on the cross country team. I think he'll be more at home on the track through, he's a little more speed oriented and we're excited to see what he can do in the middle distances and hopefully be a conference scorer.
Dakari Douglas, Hurdles, Los Angeles, Calif. (Sacramento State)
Dakari Douglas comes to the Beach as a Division I transfer out of Sacramento State, where he competed in indoor track but not outdoor for the Hornets, recording a 60m hurdles best of 8.53.
On Douglas:
"Darkari is a promising hurdler for this program. He's capable of being a front-runner in the conference during his first year, and in the long-term, we expect him to be a regional qualifier and leads us to success out on the track.
Gavin Korby, Distances, Temecula, Calif. (Great Oak HS)
Gavin Korby was a part of Long Beach State's strong freshman class in cross country, competing in all five events in the fall for Long Beach State.
On Korby:
"Gavin was an integral part of leading his high school program to multiple state championships in cross country, and he's already begun to foster and change the culture for the distance group here at Long Beach State. He has a bright future on the track, and we anticipate him to do well in both the 1500 and 5K distances.
Christian Mueller, Pole Vault, Castlerock, Colo. (Mt. SAC CC)
Christian Mueller won the junior college state championship in the pole vault last season as a sophomore, clearing 16-06.75, helping Mt. SAC to the team championship in 2018.
On Mueller:
"Christian is an incredible athlete and is passionate about pole vaulting. He brings great ability and attitude to an event that has been one of our strongest in years past and will continue to see that tradition carried forward with vaulters like him.
Raymon Ornelas, Distances, Corona, Calif. (Roosevelt HS)
Raymon Ornelas also competed in cross country as a freshman, and was routinely one of the top finishers on the squad. Ornelas had a Top 15 finish at the Highlander Invitational, and was the third finisher for the Beach at the Big West Conference Championship.
On Ornelas:
"Raymon was one of the top 3200m runners in California over the last couple of years, and we believe his best events are in front of him as we think he'll be even better at the 5K and maybe even the 10K down the road. He's already been a great contributor for our cross country team, and is continuing to get better."
Gabe Simpson, Distances, Riverside, Calif. (Riverside City CC)
Gabe Simpson is a junior college transfer out of Riverside City College, where he won the 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 state championships with a time of 9:12.38, winning the event by over ten seconds.
On Simpson:
"Gabe has the ability to be a conference champion in an event where he haven't had someone run at that level in a long time. In an event where we haven't scored recently, Gabe is someone who can compete for a podium spot right away, and potentially be a regional qualifier."
Tyler Spencer, Distances, Corona, Calif. (Roosevelt HS)
The reigning Big West Freshman of the Year in Cross Country in his first season, Spencer will now make his track and field debut for the Beach this spring.
On Spencer:
"He got off to a great start here at the Beach, leading our Men's Cross Country team to continual improvement. As a High Schooler, he finished third in the state cross country championships, and also holds really strong PRs in both the in the 1600m and 3200m runs which and is someone who will be a great distance runner on the track as well. We really haven't tapped into what his best events might be as a long-distance runner but we think he has a really bright future."
Leslie Diaz, Distances, Long Beach, Calif. (Poly HS)
Diaz comes to the Beach from just down the road at Long Beach Poly High School, where she won state championships in cross country as well as on the track in the 1600m and 3200m.
On Diaz:
"She's a local kid, and part of our recruiting philosophy has been keeping the best runners from Long Beach in Long Beach. She was the top runner in the Moore League in multiple events, and was our most consistent finisher this fall in cross country. We're excited to see how that translates into track as she'll be a true long-distance runner."
Anitha Graves, Distances, Roseville, Calif. (Woodcreek HS)
A middle distance runner in high school, Graves was a two-time state qualifier in the 800m run and also had a personal best of 57:78 in the 400m in high school.
On Graves:
"She was a qualifier in the 800m, and finished in the Top 10 in the 4x400m relay in high school. She gives us a boost in the middle distances for us which is another area that we've been looking to strengthen. She has the leg speed to run the 400m as well so we'll see how she develops through her career."
LeNaya Griffin, Sprints, San Jose, Calif. (Mt. SAC CC)
LeNaya was a two-event champion at the 2018 junior college state championships for Mt. SAC, playing a part in the winning 4x400m relay team while also winning the 400m itself with a time of 55.74.
On Griffin:
"LeNaya's has the speed an ability to challenge for a conference championship in the 400m right away for us. She had multiple options of where to compete after her time at Mt. SAC, and chose us because she is really looking to challenge herself to be the best and to be on a relay team that can reach the NCAAs. She's going to be a great asset to us and can help us continue to elevate that group."
Bronsyn Ledgard, Middle Distances, Seal Beach, Calif. (Los Alamitos HS)
Eased into her Long Beach State career by running in two meets during the 2018 Cross Country season, highlighted by a 29th place finish at the Titan Invitational
On Ledgard:
"Bronsyn is another local product coming off of a senior season in high school where she was injured and didn't get to compete at the level that she wanted to, so we think her potential is much higher than what her high school marks show. We're hopeful that she can help us both in cross country and in track and field.
Sofia Ramos, Distances, Oxnard, Calif. (Ventura HS)
Another freshman distance runner who competed in Cross Country during the fall, Ramos ran in five of the six meets for the Beach in 2018, routinely finishing in the scoring positions as a freshman. Coming out of the gate strong, she was the No. 2 finisher for the Beach in her first meet and was the top finisher for LBSU at the NCAA West Regional in Sacramento.
On Ramos:
"She's one of the top distance recruits that we've had come here the last few years, and was one of the first to commit to the Beach from this class of recruits. We see her being a staple for the women's group; she's a versatile distance runner that could compete for a conference championship in a number of different events."
Kaylee Shoemaker, Heptathlon/Jumps, Corning, Calif. (Butte CC)
Shoemaker is a junior college transfer from Butte CC where she competed in multiple events including the Heptathlon. At the 2018 state championships, Shoemaker finished in the Top 10 in three different and varied events, the 100 hurdles, the high jump and the javelin.
On Shoemaker:
"Kaylee is a multi-faceted athlete who has tenacity and brings the ability to contribute in many areas. We originally recruited her as a high jumper, but also has some tremendous javelin marks and we believe that she can climb up in some of the other events and do exciting things in the heptathlon."
Tyler Simpson, Middle Distances, Cerritos, Calif. (Cerritos CC)
Another junior college transfer, Tyler Simpson was also a state champion in the 800, running a 2:11.26 to win the event at the 2018 CCCAA championship.
On Simpson:
"Tyler's a big part of the strong group that we're bringing in for the middle distances. She'll come in and can be a contender for the conference championship right away, even though she's pretty raw at that distance. She exclusively ran sprints in high school and only has recently transitioned into longer distances, but has shown that she has a ton of upside in the 800."
Derreck Affor, Decathlon, Beaumont, Calif. (San Bernardino Valley CC)
Derrek Affor comes to the Beach from San Bernardino Valley, where he placed sixth in the state championship as a sophomore with a score of 5,826 points. He also won the 110m hurdles at the Pacific Coast Championships with a personal-best time of 14.78.
On Affor:
"Derreck is a blossoming decathlete, but a proven contributor already in the hurdles and the high jump. He's probably one of the most untapped talents we have in our program, so we're looking for him to help us in a lot of areas. Derreck's demeanor also is the kind that can be the glue for a program, so he also contributes as a role model."
Femi Ajose, Sprints, Los Angeles, Calif. (San Leandro HS)
Ajose finished in the Top 10 in two events at the CIF State Championships as a senior, running a 21.87 in the 200m and a 10.76 in the 100m at that event.
On Ajose:
"Femi brings us some needed depth in the short sprint focus that we've been looking to add to our sprints group for both the relays and in the 100 and 200. Down the road, we're looking to see him challenge to be one of the top sprinters in the conference, and we're excited to see how he can develop this year.
Ricky Cardenas, Distances, Riverside, Calif. (Riverside CC)
Cardenas is a junior college transfer with a career best of four-minutes flat in the 1500m, and had a successful season for the Beach in cross country, running in all five meets and consistently finishing in the top five.
On Cardenas:
"Ricky was one of the top junior college runners at Riverside City last year, and had a strong season for us this fall on the cross country team. I think he'll be more at home on the track through, he's a little more speed oriented and we're excited to see what he can do in the middle distances and hopefully be a conference scorer.
Dakari Douglas, Hurdles, Los Angeles, Calif. (Sacramento State)
Dakari Douglas comes to the Beach as a Division I transfer out of Sacramento State, where he competed in indoor track but not outdoor for the Hornets, recording a 60m hurdles best of 8.53.
On Douglas:
"Darkari is a promising hurdler for this program. He's capable of being a front-runner in the conference during his first year, and in the long-term, we expect him to be a regional qualifier and leads us to success out on the track.
Gavin Korby, Distances, Temecula, Calif. (Great Oak HS)
Gavin Korby was a part of Long Beach State's strong freshman class in cross country, competing in all five events in the fall for Long Beach State.
On Korby:
"Gavin was an integral part of leading his high school program to multiple state championships in cross country, and he's already begun to foster and change the culture for the distance group here at Long Beach State. He has a bright future on the track, and we anticipate him to do well in both the 1500 and 5K distances.
Christian Mueller, Pole Vault, Castlerock, Colo. (Mt. SAC CC)
Christian Mueller won the junior college state championship in the pole vault last season as a sophomore, clearing 16-06.75, helping Mt. SAC to the team championship in 2018.
On Mueller:
"Christian is an incredible athlete and is passionate about pole vaulting. He brings great ability and attitude to an event that has been one of our strongest in years past and will continue to see that tradition carried forward with vaulters like him.
Raymon Ornelas, Distances, Corona, Calif. (Roosevelt HS)
Raymon Ornelas also competed in cross country as a freshman, and was routinely one of the top finishers on the squad. Ornelas had a Top 15 finish at the Highlander Invitational, and was the third finisher for the Beach at the Big West Conference Championship.
On Ornelas:
"Raymon was one of the top 3200m runners in California over the last couple of years, and we believe his best events are in front of him as we think he'll be even better at the 5K and maybe even the 10K down the road. He's already been a great contributor for our cross country team, and is continuing to get better."
Gabe Simpson, Distances, Riverside, Calif. (Riverside City CC)
Gabe Simpson is a junior college transfer out of Riverside City College, where he won the 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 state championships with a time of 9:12.38, winning the event by over ten seconds.
On Simpson:
"Gabe has the ability to be a conference champion in an event where he haven't had someone run at that level in a long time. In an event where we haven't scored recently, Gabe is someone who can compete for a podium spot right away, and potentially be a regional qualifier."
Tyler Spencer, Distances, Corona, Calif. (Roosevelt HS)
The reigning Big West Freshman of the Year in Cross Country in his first season, Spencer will now make his track and field debut for the Beach this spring.
On Spencer:
"He got off to a great start here at the Beach, leading our Men's Cross Country team to continual improvement. As a High Schooler, he finished third in the state cross country championships, and also holds really strong PRs in both the in the 1600m and 3200m runs which and is someone who will be a great distance runner on the track as well. We really haven't tapped into what his best events might be as a long-distance runner but we think he has a really bright future."
Leslie Diaz, Distances, Long Beach, Calif. (Poly HS)
Diaz comes to the Beach from just down the road at Long Beach Poly High School, where she won state championships in cross country as well as on the track in the 1600m and 3200m.
On Diaz:
"She's a local kid, and part of our recruiting philosophy has been keeping the best runners from Long Beach in Long Beach. She was the top runner in the Moore League in multiple events, and was our most consistent finisher this fall in cross country. We're excited to see how that translates into track as she'll be a true long-distance runner."
Anitha Graves, Distances, Roseville, Calif. (Woodcreek HS)
A middle distance runner in high school, Graves was a two-time state qualifier in the 800m run and also had a personal best of 57:78 in the 400m in high school.
On Graves:
"She was a qualifier in the 800m, and finished in the Top 10 in the 4x400m relay in high school. She gives us a boost in the middle distances for us which is another area that we've been looking to strengthen. She has the leg speed to run the 400m as well so we'll see how she develops through her career."
LeNaya Griffin, Sprints, San Jose, Calif. (Mt. SAC CC)
LeNaya was a two-event champion at the 2018 junior college state championships for Mt. SAC, playing a part in the winning 4x400m relay team while also winning the 400m itself with a time of 55.74.
On Griffin:
"LeNaya's has the speed an ability to challenge for a conference championship in the 400m right away for us. She had multiple options of where to compete after her time at Mt. SAC, and chose us because she is really looking to challenge herself to be the best and to be on a relay team that can reach the NCAAs. She's going to be a great asset to us and can help us continue to elevate that group."
Bronsyn Ledgard, Middle Distances, Seal Beach, Calif. (Los Alamitos HS)
Eased into her Long Beach State career by running in two meets during the 2018 Cross Country season, highlighted by a 29th place finish at the Titan Invitational
On Ledgard:
"Bronsyn is another local product coming off of a senior season in high school where she was injured and didn't get to compete at the level that she wanted to, so we think her potential is much higher than what her high school marks show. We're hopeful that she can help us both in cross country and in track and field.
Sofia Ramos, Distances, Oxnard, Calif. (Ventura HS)
Another freshman distance runner who competed in Cross Country during the fall, Ramos ran in five of the six meets for the Beach in 2018, routinely finishing in the scoring positions as a freshman. Coming out of the gate strong, she was the No. 2 finisher for the Beach in her first meet and was the top finisher for LBSU at the NCAA West Regional in Sacramento.
On Ramos:
"She's one of the top distance recruits that we've had come here the last few years, and was one of the first to commit to the Beach from this class of recruits. We see her being a staple for the women's group; she's a versatile distance runner that could compete for a conference championship in a number of different events."
Kaylee Shoemaker, Heptathlon/Jumps, Corning, Calif. (Butte CC)
Shoemaker is a junior college transfer from Butte CC where she competed in multiple events including the Heptathlon. At the 2018 state championships, Shoemaker finished in the Top 10 in three different and varied events, the 100 hurdles, the high jump and the javelin.
On Shoemaker:
"Kaylee is a multi-faceted athlete who has tenacity and brings the ability to contribute in many areas. We originally recruited her as a high jumper, but also has some tremendous javelin marks and we believe that she can climb up in some of the other events and do exciting things in the heptathlon."
Tyler Simpson, Middle Distances, Cerritos, Calif. (Cerritos CC)
Another junior college transfer, Tyler Simpson was also a state champion in the 800, running a 2:11.26 to win the event at the 2018 CCCAA championship.
On Simpson:
"Tyler's a big part of the strong group that we're bringing in for the middle distances. She'll come in and can be a contender for the conference championship right away, even though she's pretty raw at that distance. She exclusively ran sprints in high school and only has recently transitioned into longer distances, but has shown that she has a ton of upside in the 800."
Players Mentioned
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Sprints/Hurdles
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Distance
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Distance
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Jumps
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Distance
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