Below are some of the Nighthawks who went on to compete at the college level in Track & Field. We are excited to recognize them and highlight their accomplishments as Nighthawks and beyond!
Class of 2024
Ella Echsner
Ella graduated in 2024 after competing as a Nighthawk from 2020-2024 in distance and hurdles. During her time as a Nighthawk Ella was apart of the 2023 Nike Outdoor Champion team in the 4x800, the inaugural California State Champions 4x800 and school record in the 4x400. After graduating she continued her track career at the division 1 level competing on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s distance team and majoring in Business Administration, class of 2028. Ella’s advice to future Nighthawks: Confidence is key! Believe in yourself and your abilities.
Carsen McKinney
Carsen graduated in 2024 after competing as a thrower from 2022-2024. As a Nighthawk, some of Carsen’s accolades include qualifying for CIF Finals Discus in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She finished 2nd All League Discus 2023, 1st All League Discus 2024 and 3rd Place Discus at D1 CIF 2024. Her personal records are: Shot Put- 33'8.5 and Discus 121'0. She finished 6th in School History for Discus, 7th in school history for Shot Put. After graduating she continued on to compete at Point Loma Nazarene University class of 2028 with a major in Political Science.
Jake Warren
Jake graduated in 2024 after competing as a Nighthawk sprinter from 2022-2024. Jake ran the 100, 200 and was a member of the 4x100 meter relay. His senior year he was recognized with the Sprints Captain Award. After graduating he went on to compete at Grinnell College for track as well as football, class of 2028 with a double major in Economics and Statistics.
Abbi Lorett
Abbi graduated in 2024 after competing as a Nighthawk jumper and sprinter from 2020-2024. Abbi finished long jump: 6th all time and triple jump: 8th all time. In 2022 she received the Coaches Award and in 2024 the Captain’s Award. After graduating he went on to compete at Occidental College for track. Her advice to current and future nighthawks is “Never count yourself out! If you put in the work the rest will follow. You never know what kind of day you or your competition will have so step onto the track, runway, etc. with an open mind and with determination. One bad meet, or even a rough season doesn’t define your career!”
Class of 2023
Hannah Riggins
Hannah graduated in 2023 after competing as a distance runner from 2019-2023. During her career as a Nighthawk Hannah finished as the School Record Holder in 3 mile, 5k, 400 M, 800 M, 1600 M, 3200 M, 4x800 M Relay, DMR; She is the San Diego Section All-Time Record Holder in 800 and 1600; CIF SDS XC D1 Champ (2022); CIF State 4x800 Champ (2023); Nike Nationals 4x800 Champ (2023); She qualified and participated at Brooks PR Nationals in the 800 and was named Del Norte Athlete of the Year (2023). Hannah went on to compete as a distance runner at Princeton University, majoring in Public and International Affairs with a Minor in Environmental Studies, Class of 2027. While at Princeton, Hannah set the 4x800 Ivy League Record and School Record (Indoors) and DMR School Record Holder (Indoors) and most recently set the 800 meter school record in 2:02.22. She is Princeton #2 in the Mile Indoors, #3 1000M and is a USTFCCA All-Academic Athlete
Danny Tragarz
Danny graduated in 2023 after competing as a hurdler, sprinter and jumper from 2021-2023. During his career as a Nighthawk, Danny finished as the School Record in the 300 hurdles (38.28) and the first ever boy in school history to qualify for State Finals and medal at state (5th place 2023) Danny won the 2023 Iron Man Award (Nighthawk Award), MVP and was the Del Norte Nighthawk Ambassador recipient (2023). Danny went on to compete as a hurdler and sprinter at The University of Colorado Boulder, majoring in Environmental Engineering, Class of 2028. While at Boulder, Danny qualified for the 2024 NCAA regionals in the 400 hurdles (51.87) and 4x400 relay. He is top 10 CU all-time in the 4x400 (3:06.91) and indoor 400 (47.36). He also received The Scholar Athlete of the Year award (2024).
Lauren Medley
Lauren graduated in 2023 after competing as a hurdler from 2020-2024. During her career as a Nighthawk Lauren set school records in the 100 hurdles (15.28) and the 4x400 () she finished 2nd all time in the 300 hurdles by less than a tenth of a second (44.18) and has a 100m pr of 12.87. While at Del Norte, Lauren was Palomar League First Team 3 years in a row, received the Golden Girl Award and Outstanding Track Award. Lauren went on to compete as a hurdler at The University of California Davis, majoring in Animal Science (Pre-Vet), Class of 2028. While at Davis, Lauren has competed in the 400 (58.5) the 400 hurdles (63.76) and the 4x400 (3:45.82). Lauren’s advice to current + future Nighthawks: “Take full advantage of all the resources at your disposal! You never know when a small thing you do or a person you introduce yourself to will open up opportunities you never would have thought were possible. And always remember to be kind to your mind and body!”
Class of 2019
Zane Golpariani
Zane graduated in 2019 after competing as a distance runner from 2016-2019. During his career as a Nighthawk, Zane was named 2019 Track and Field MVP, Del Norte Scholar Athlete of the Year 2018-2019, and Cross Country MVP in 2018. Zane went on to compete as a distance runner at The University of California Santa Barbara, (Fall 2019-Spring 2023) and finishing his time at The University of Southern California (Fall 2023-2024) majoring in Chemistry, Class of 2023. While at UCSB, Zane was Team Big West Conference Champion in Cross Country in 2021. At USC he was the first ever recorded USC athlete to win the USC vs UCLA dual meet 3000m steeplechase, #5 all time at USC in the 3000m steeplechase with 9:03.82, school record holder in the indoor 5000m at USC with 14:37.86. PRs: Mile 4:10.98, 1500m 3:53.71, 3000m steeplechase 9:01.82, 5000m 14:37.86. Currently Zane is competing semi-pro for Performance Elite Running, coached by Daniel Ozan
Class of 2016
Ruby Mandell
Ruby competed as a Nighthawk from 2012-2016 as a sprinter, hurdler and sometimes even a long jumper! During her time as a Nighthawk she qualified for CIF all 4 years. She was the league champion in both relays and both hurdles in 2015 and 2016, in 2016 she was named Avocado East Track Athlete of the Year. Ruby was awarded MVP in 2015 and Golden Girl (The Nighthawk Award) in 2015 and 2016. During her time as a Nighthawk, she held the school record in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 4×100, 4×200, 4×400 and shuttle hurdle relay. She still holds the 300 hurdles record today. She went on to continue her track career as a 400 hurdler at the division 1 level at the University of California Santa Barbara (Class of 2020) with a major in Art. She left UCSB 7th all time in the 400 hurdles after making a conference appearance each season (besides 2020 when the season was canceled) Ruby is so grateful for the strength and confidence that track has given her and now coaches hurdles at Del Norte, inspiring the next generation of successful Nighthawks!
Cameron Tomlinson
Cameron graduated in 2016 after competing on the distance team from 2012-2016. He finished his career as a nighthawk with a school record in the 1600 at a time of 4:18.09. Cameron went on to compete at Chico State University and major in Business.
Class of 2015
Evan Jameson
Evan graduated in 2015 as a distance runner. During his time as a Nighthawk his list of achievements include, Valley League 3200 Champ & CIF SDS Div 2 3200 2nd place (2104) Avocado East League 3200 Champ, CIF SDS Div 2 3200 Champ, CIF State 14th place finish & Outstanding Track Athlete Award (2015). Evan holds the 3200 School record: 9:11.26. He was part of CIF SDS Div 2 Champ team 2013, 2014 & 2015. Graduated with PRs of 800: 2:07.41 1600: 4:34.54 3200: 9:11.26 5k: 15:33. He went on to compete at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Class of 2020) with a major in computer science. At Slo he was 2018 Big West Conference 10000m 2nd place, and graduated with PRs of 1500: 3:58.26 3000: 8:34.41 5000: 14:42.42 10000m: 33:58 8k: 24:11 10k: 30:10 My two pieces of advice to kids on the team now is to put in the work and do stupid stuff with your friends. You’re in a once in a lifetime window where your responsibilities are minimal (even though they may feel that they aren’t) and you can push the limits of your physical abilities. Just go full send and see how high, far, or fast you can make your PRs before time is up. Next, you never know where life may take you or your squad so make some great memories with them while you still can. But don’t do anything that might get you suspended from competing for a week or two 😉. Keep in mind you’re always representing your team / program / school wherever you are.
Class of 2014
Tyler Nelson
Tyler graduated in 2014 as a hurdler, sprinter, jumper and thrower. During his time as a Nighthawk Tyler held the school record in the 300 hurdles, the 4x400 and discus. He still holds the records in the 110 hurdles, long and triple jump. He won the Iron Man award (the nighthawk award) in 2014. He went on to compete at Texas Tech as a decathlete then transferred to The University of California Santa Barbara after his freshman year (class of 2019) with a major in Environmental Studies. At UCSB he was the Big West Decathlon Conference Champion in 2016 and 2019, he went on to qualify for nationals in the decathlon and was ranked 17th in the nation in 2019.
If you are an Alumni that would like to be included, follow this link to fill out the form! Send us a message on our instagram so we can be sure to update this page accordingly