Historic Campaigns and Record-Breaking Performances Mark Memorable Year for Owls

Citrus College Athletics enjoyed another memorable year in 2025-26, highlighted by conference championships, postseason appearances, historic milestones, and record-breaking performances. Across the board, Citrus College student-athletes continued to excel both individually and collectively, producing one of the most successful years in recent memory. 

Football

Citrus Football finished the 2025 season with a 6-5 overall record and earned the rights to host the Golden State Bowl, presented by Raising Cane's. The Owls opened the year with a 33-20 victory over Chaffey College and later defeated Mt. San Antonio College, 48-43, for the program's first win over the Mounties in more than 30 years. 

Following victories over Santa Ana College, Santa Barbara City College and Allan Hancock College, Citrus closed the regular season at 6-4 and ranked No. 20 in the final CCCFCA Coaches Poll. The Owls hosted Pasadena City College in the Golden State Bowl, falling 35-30 to finish the year. 

Fourteen players earned All-National Division Northern League honors, while five Owls received CCCFCA All-America recognition. Freshman wide receiver Cameron Bateman set single-season program records with 68 receptions, 1,051 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while freshman quarterback Brian Salazar Jr. established school records with 237 completions, 3,210 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes. 

Men's Soccer

The Owls finished the season 1-19-1 overall, opening the year with a hard-fought draw against eventual 3C2A SoCal Regional Finalist Oxnard College and earning a conference victory over College of the Canyons. 

Despite the challenges of the season, Citrus saw three players earn All-Western State Conference South honors and gained valuable experience for the future. 

2025 also marked the end of an era as longtime head coach Fred Bruce-Oliver announced his retirement after 28 seasons. His tenure was highlighted by the program's historic 2017 season, which produced Citrus' first conference championship and first postseason appearance. The Owls enter 2026 under the leadership of Tim Tracey, Steve Jimenez and longtime assistant Jason Schmelzeisen. 

Women's Soccer

Women's Soccer enjoyed one of the finest seasons in program history, highlighted by a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Western State Conference South rival Santa Monica College in the opening round of the 3C2A Southern California Regional playoffs. The win, which came on Santa Monica's home field, marked the program's first-ever postseason victory. The Owls advanced to the second round before falling to Long Beach City College, finishing a historic campaign that also featured notable wins over College of the Canyons and Bakersfield College. Nine players earned All-Western State Conference South honors.

Men's Water Polo

Men's Water Polo finished 6-17 overall and nearly upset Santa Monica College in the opening round of the Western State Conference Championship Tournament, falling 13-12 in a thrilling contest. 

Four players earned All-Western State Conference honors, including sophomores Trace Faskell and Liam Ross, who ranked among the conference leaders in several statistical categories. 

Women's Volleyball

Women's Volleyball enjoyed a breakthrough season, finishing 15-13 overall and earning the program's first postseason appearance in 13 years. The Owls recorded their highest win total since 2017 and returned to the 3C2A Southern California Regional playoffs. 

Four players earned All-Western State Conference South honors, led by freshman outside hitter Sophia Martinez. Martinez paced the conference with 357 kills and averaged 3.64 kills per set while also recording 390 digs, 34 service aces and 48 assists. 

Cross Country

The Citrus Cross Country teams competed in eight meets throughout the season, including the Western State Conference Championships and the 3C2A Southern California Championships. 

Multiple runners recorded personal-best performances throughout the year, highlighted by sophomore David Evangelista earning All-Western State Conference honors. Freshman Juan Esteva posted a personal-best time in the season finale at the Southern California Championships. 

Women's Golf

Women's Golf competed in eight tournaments during the season, led by All-Conference selection, Bianca Tan, who finished ninth overall in conference standings. 

The program also excelled in the classroom, earning Citrus College Scholar Team of the Year honors for its academic achievements during the 2025-26 academic year. 

Men's Basketball

Men's Basketball continued its dominance, posting a 30-2 record and capturing its fourth consecutive Western State Conference South championship. The Owls advanced to the 3C2A State Championship Final Four for the second straight season and recorded their highest win total in 18 years. 

Citrus narrowly missed a berth in the state championship game, falling 73-71 to San Francisco City College after a potential game-winning three-pointer hit the back rim in the closing seconds. 

The Owls led the state in scoring (102.5 points per game), assists (22.2), field-goal percentage (51.5 percent) and forced turnovers (22.0), setting program records in assists, field-goal percentage and forced turnovers. 

Leo Ricketts was named CCCMBCA All-State South Player of the Year, Western State Conference South Most Outstanding Player and Citrus College Male Athlete of the Year, while Amiri Meadows earned WSC-South Defensive Player of the Year honors. Rockwell Reynolds received First Team All-Conference recognition, and head coach Brett Lauer was named Western State Conference South Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive season and earned his first CCCMBCA South Coach of the Year.

Women's Basketball

Women's Basketball finished 11-17 overall and 8-6 in conference play while earning notable victories over Fullerton College, Antelope Valley College and West Los Angeles College. 

The Owls ranked fifth in the state in free-throw percentage and 12th in three-pointers made per game, averaging more than 63 points per contest for the third consecutive season. 

Jhavmine Ave, Maileeh Suasti and Brianna Gomez were named All-Western State Conference South selections. 

Softball

Softball enjoyed its most successful season in more than a decade, finishing 28-15 overall and earning a fourth consecutive postseason appearance. The Owls captured their first 3C2A Southern California Regional victory since 2015, giving fourth-year head coach Jessica Brown her first postseason win. 

Citrus ranked among the state's leaders in nearly every offensive category, finishing second in hits, fourth in runs and steals, sixth in RBIs and extra-base hits, and seventh in batting average. 

Nine players earned All-Western State Conference South honors. Jaelynn Eaves received 3CFCA All-Region recognition, while Alivia Martinez earned 3CFCA All-State honors in addition to NFCA All-America, Gold Glove and Golden Shoe honors. Martinez was also named Citrus College Female Athlete of the Year. 

Baseball

Under first-year head coach Andy Smith, Baseball produced its finest season in nearly two decades, finishing 33-13 overall. The Owls recorded their highest win total since 2009 and reached the 30-win mark for the first time since 2003. 

After hosting and winning the 3C2A Southern California Regional, Citrus advanced to the Super Regional round before falling to eventual state champion Santa Ana College. The season featured victories over several top-ranked programs, including Ohlone, Cypress, Modesto, Mt. SAC, and Glendale. 

The Owls ranked among the state's leaders in hits, home runs, extra-base hits, runs scored, batting average and slugging percentage. Nine players earned All-Western State Conference honors. 

Sophomore first baseman Cam Casado was named Western State Conference South Position Player of the Year, earned CCCBCA All-Region honors, and was selected Citrus College Athlete of the Year. Sophomore two-way standout Garrett Patterson added All-Conference, Gold Glove and CCCBCA All-Region recognition. 

Men's Golf

Men's Golf finished fourth in the Western State Conference and posted a 36-34 overall record while competing in nine conference tournaments. 

Sophomore Andrew Gahshan earned All-Western State Conference honors after finishing ninth individually and qualifying for the 3C2A State Championships. He placed 36th overall in the 3C2A State Championships at SilverRock Resort to conclude an outstanding sophomore campaign. 

Strong performances throughout the season were also turned in by Will Middleton, Javier Alvarado, Cameron Vollaro, TJ Holstrom, and Angel Caro. Vollaro was named Citrus College Scholar Athlete of the Year. 

Swimming

The Citrus swim teams competed in four meets during the spring season and continued to show improvement throughout the year. 

Sophomores Ethan Gregory and Trace Faskell consistently posted personal-best times leading into the Western State Conference Championships, while freshmen Morrison Villa and Jason Nonis recorded season-best performances in the backstroke and breaststroke events. Freshman Mackenzie Aguilar also achieved personal best marks in the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly at the conference championships at LA Valley College.

As another successful year comes to a close, Citrus College Athletics continued to showcase its commitment to excellence both in competition and in the classroom, producing outstanding student-athletes and creating memorable moments that will help shape the Owls' tradition and success for years to come.