Our Athletics Program Thrives on Student Success
A message from Dean of Athletics Dan Teresa
Panther Athletics is enjoying unprecedented success, and we’re looking forward to more – both in competition and in the classroom. 
During 2021-22, we celebrated our first-ever women’s California Community Colleges Athletic Association state championship, won by Women’s Soccer under the guidance of 11-year Coach Ivan Guerrero, with Men’s Soccer right behind in second place, coached by Daniel Ortega, in his 16th year. Cross Country and track and field teams led by Coach Chris Zepeda, in his 17th year, again made their mark, with second in state for Women’s Cross Country, third in state for Men’s Cross Country – their best all-time – and fourth in state for Women’s Track and Field, which also won its third consecutive Northern California Championship. Women’s Volleyball, led by 14th year Coach Jamie Pedroza, advanced to the playoffs for the ninth straight time.
In its first full season, our Swim and Dive team produced an individual state champion, Kanyada Doughty, who won gold in the 100-yard Butterfly and silver in the 200 Butterfly. Individual cross country and track athletes also continued to excel, with Isaac Gensel placing second in state in cross country and Sofia Camacho taking first in the 800-meter dash, joined by Isabella Reimann, who was second in the hammer throw. Gensel also placed second in state in the 1,500 meters and third in the 5,000m.
The dedicated Panther coaching staff remains the core of our success. We have veteran head coaches like Andy Vasher, who has led Men’s Basketball since 2005; and Matt Collins, who took over Football in 2007; recent additions like Joel McKown, who relaunched Swim & Dive in 2020, and Women’s Natalie Marlowe in Women’s Basketball, who joined us in 2019; and new head coaches Kyle Czaplak in Baseball and Casey Watt in Softball, who started in 2021.
Hartnell Athletics also continues its tradition of academic excellence. In 2021-22, we transferred 100% of our student-athletes, and 50% of our sophomores received scholarships. We had an 83% retention rate, and 115 of our student-athletes were on the honor roll.
The ability of Hartnell student-athletes to graduate, transfer to a university and continue competing if they choose is a huge source of pride for me as dean of athletics. Without the teamwork of families, teachers, counselors, athletic trainers, academic support staff and generous community supporters, this all-around success would not be possible. Our students get the support they need to graduate, continue their education and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Daniel Teresa, Director of Athletics