2025 Reflections from George Kleeman Grantees

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Event: Long Jump 

7x All American at Long Beach State

8th Pl. 2024 Olympic Trials Long Jump

Coaches & Trains in San Mateo

“My favorite moment was jumping a season-best 8.03m at U.S. Nationals and earning a 4th place finish. This was my 7th national championship and my highest career finish. It was bittersweet finishing one place off the podium, but I left Eugene with my head high knowing a U.S. title is inches away. This season tested my belief and patience, but I learned to always stay the course and trust my training. What’s next? More running. Speed is the emphasis this upcoming season, and at this point in my career the goal is to win against the best and make a U.S. Team.”

Event: Discus 

Resides and trains in: Redding, CA 

College: University of Texas

World Athletics Championships 2023

6th Place 2024 Olympic Trials Discus

 “2025 was a new frontier for me. After coming off of my first season coaching at the collegiate level, I had a slow start to my own competitions. By the end of the year I was showing great consistency and confidence in my throws, winning my first two continental world tour meets ever! While I didn’t have the PR I felt I was ready for, I rewrote my own history books with 7 new marks for my all time top 10.” 

Event: 1500m

Resides & trains in: 

San Francisco, CA

College: Penn / Stanford

  “My favorite memory was the USA Championships because it’s a meet that brings together so many of the friends I’ve made in the sport over the years. On top of that, I got to cheer on a training partner as they won their first U.S. title which was such an incredibly exciting moment. My biggest takeaway is to have fun with the process. Getting to run around with some of my best friends is something truly special. Looking ahead, my goal is to keep hunting down bigger and better goals while embracing the process and dedication it takes to get there.” 

Event: Men's Pole Vault

From: Mountain View, CA

College: University of Washington

Resides & Trains in: Seattle

Ranked: 8th (US), 28th (World)

"My favorite memory from this year was competing in the Continental Tour Gold meet in Beijing because I got to experience China!

My biggest takeaway from the 2025 season is to enjoy every moment as you never know when it could be your last.

Looking ahead, my goals are to make the U. S. Olympic team and pole vault 6 meters. I also want to win a U.S. Championship."

Event: Hammer 

From: Los Altos, CA 

College: UCLA

2024 Olympic Trials qualifier

“My favorite memory from the 2025 season was competing at the Portland Track Festival with a friend of mine, and throwing my personal best of 72.97 because it qualified me for the USA Championship. One takeaway I’ll carry forward is that hard work and determination will always pay off, even if it takes longer than I wish for it to. Looking ahead, my goal is to push the boundaries of what I am physically capable of and throw a new personal best during the 2026 season. I’m focusing on working with the best coach and group a post-collegiate athlete could ask for to get there.”

Event: 400m HH, 800m 

From: St. Augustine, FL 

College: Fresno Pacific University

Winner of 2 DII National Championships: 400h, 4x1

“Winning D2 Nationals in both the 400 hurdles and the 4x1 relay was the highlight of my year. The season before, I had missed the 400 hurdle final by one spot and it tore me apart. This year I promised myself not only would I make the final, but I’d win and I did. Becoming a national champion was a dream come true. My biggest lesson was that God’s timing is never wrong. In 2026, I want to qualify for the USATF Championships and get on the podium, focusing on my mindset and my conversations with God to prepare me for the opportunities ahead.”

Events: 200m/400m

From: Folsom, CA 

College: Fresno State

 2024 Olympic Trials 

semi finalist in the 400 

“My favorite memory was achieving a new personal record in the 100m. I hadn’t competed in that event for years, so opening the outdoor season with such a strong result was really encouraging. One lesson I’ll carry forward is that growth often requires stepping outside of my comfort zone. Looking ahead, my goal is to consistently perform at a higher standard, and I’m focusing on sharpening the small details in training to get there.”

Events: 3000m / 5000m

From: Carmichael, CA 

College: University of Portland

2025: 25th fastest US time in Men's 5000 m

“My favorite memory was finishing 6th place at NCAA Nationals because it was my best finish ever and my last race as a Portland Pilot. Almost all of my friends, family, and teammates were there, which made it extra special the perfect ending to my time as a Pilot. The lesson I’m taking with me is that even when life throws everything it has at me, I can overcome any challenge with my friends by my side. Looking ahead, my goal is to win USA XC Champs and have a great rookie track season, focusing on running more miles, lifting heavier, and dialing in my nutrition with my new team.”