By Karen Pearlman
Opening day photos from Padres social media
March 28, 2025 (San Diego) -- Sunshine-filled Petco Park was sold out for Opening Day of the San Diego Padres 2025 season on Thursday afternoon, where fans were treated to a 7-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
If Game One of 2025 was any indication, the Padres look to be ready for a stellar season following one of their best ever in 2024.
In front of a Petco Park-record 45,568 fans, the Padres rallied in the seventh inning to overcome a 4-3 deficit, scoring four runs to take the lead over the Braves.
The rally was sparked by a game-tying home run by pinch hitter Gavin Sheets in his first at-bat as a Padre.
Sheets, an off-season addition from the White Sox, joined the Padres in February of this year and was a standout during Spring Training, hitting six home runs in Cactus League play.
His homer tied the game at 4-4 and was followed by three more Padres runs in the seventh inning, including an RBI double by Manny Machado. The Padres also executed a double steal during the rally, with Machado stealing third as Xander Bogaerts stole second.
Jackson Merrill, who had a sacrifice fly that made the score 7-4, had four RBI in the game. He also had a two-run single in the first inning and an RBI groundout in the third inning.
“We have our superstars here,” Sheets said after the game. “I knew that I wasn’t coming in to be a superstar. I was coming in to add depth and lengthen the lineup out as long as possible, come off the bench if needed, just do whatever.”
Padres starter Michael King only lasted 2 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while walking four batters. The Padres bullpen came through, with left-hander Wandy Peralta securing the victory, and right-hander Robert Suarez getting the save with a scoreless ninth inning.
In a media session at Petco Park before the game, Padres manager Mike Shildt called Opening Day “always an exciting day… Opening Day has its own life.”
Last year’s Padres team blended experienced leadership with emerging talent for a definite competitive edge while also laying a 
strong foundation for future success.
The 2024 Padres won 93 games, the second-highest amount in the team’s 57-year history. The Padres clinched a National League Wild Card spot in September with a 4-2 win over arch-rival Los Angeles – a battle highlighted by a game-ending triple play.
The 2024 San Diego Padres achieved significant milestones, leading to a postseason appearance that brought San Diego County to a fever pitch. The team finished at 93-69, their best record since 98-64 in 1998.
In the 2024 postseason, the Padres swept the Braves in a best-of-three Wild Card series, but fell to the Dodgers in five games in the Division Series.
Shildt, 56, was rewarded after the Padres’ 2024 season with a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the Padres through 2027.
Shildt previously managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 2018-21. He was fired after the 2021 season and then coached the Padres in 2022 and 2023 before being named the team’s manager.
The team will continue the home series against the Braves with games on Friday, March 28, Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30.
The Padres have more than a dozen promotional giveaways this season including Monday, March 31 against the Cleveland Guardians when the first 40,000 fans can get Merrill bobbleheads. That game starts at 6:40 p.m.
While parking is always tricky downtown, fans can easily get to the game and be dropped off right next to Petco Park on the San Diego Trolley. Check out https://www.sdmts.com/getting-around/petco-park for information and travel tips about public transportation.
The San Diego State University women's team earns the 14 seed and will face third-seeded LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday. The men take on the Tar Heels in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday night's NCAA First Four match.
Source: goaztecs.com
March 18, 2025 (San Diego) - The San Diego State University men’s and women’s basketball teams have both earned spots in the NCAA Tournament and will face tough opponents in their respective regions.
The last time both the Aztecs' women's and men's teams competed in the NCAA Tournament was in 2012. That year, the women's team dominated by winning both the regular season and conference tournament titles, securing a No. 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, the men's team earned a No. 6 seed, marking one of their six consecutive tournament appearances from 2010 to 2015.
The San Diego State women’s basketball team was awarded the 14 seed in the Spokane Regional 1 and will play at third-seeded LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 22, the NCAA announced on Sunday night.
The winner will face the winner of sixth-seeded Florida State and 11th-seeded George Mason on Monday.
The Aztecs (25-9) won the Mountain West tournament as the No. 4 seed, beating fifth-seeded New Mexico, top-seeded UNLV and then the No. 2 Wyoming in the championship game in triple overtime. SDSU has won its last eight games.
This is San Diego State’s 10th NCAA appearance overall and first since 2012, when it fell to fifth-seeded LSU as the No. 12 seed in Baton Rouge by a score of 64-56.
The Aztecs’ 25 wins are their most since the 2012-13 season (27) and their 15 wins away from home is a program record.
The Tigers are 28-5 on the season and went 12-4 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). LSU lost to second-seeded Texas, 56-49, in the SEC Tournament Semifinal on March 8.
This is the second meeting between SDSU and LSU, and first since the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
Times and TV details will be posted to GoAztecs.com later tonight.
The San Diego State men’s basketball team will play North Carolina on Tuesday in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament, the NCAA announced Sunday. Both the Aztecs (21-9) and the Tar Heels (22-13) earned an 11-seed in the South Region, with the winner facing No. 6 Ole Miss (22-11) on Friday.
The San Diego State-North Carolina Tuesday game is set for a 9:10 p.m. ET (6:10 p.m. PT) tip and will air on truTV, and on the radio on San Diego Sports 760.
This is SDSU’s fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, sixth in eight seasons under head coach Brian Dutcher (San Diego State was 30-2 in 2019-20 but the NCAA Tournament was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic), 17th at the Division I level and 20th overall.
The Aztecs are the 11-seed for the fourth time in program history and will play in the South Region for the third time.
SDSU earned an at-large bid, one of our teams from the Mountain West to make this year’s tournament. UNC also earned an at-large bid as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
San Diego State and North Carolina have met twice before with the Tar Heels winning both matchups, a 103-92 win at San Diego Sports Arena on Dec. 29, 1988 and a 99-63 victory in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Nov. 24, 1990.
San Diego State had four players in double figures and held New Mexico, which is scoring 83 points a game, to 65 in a 73-65 win.
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
March 5, 2025 (San Diego) - The San Diego State men’s basketball team had four players in double figures, including a career-high matching 10 points from forward Miles Heide, and defeated New Mexico, the team at the top of the Mountain West standings, 73-65 at Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena on Tuesday night.
Joining Hiede, who also had seven boards, two assists, a steal and a block, were Nick Boyd (17 points, seven rebounds, and a team-high six assists), Miles Byrd (13 points, a team-high nine boards, three assists, three steals and a block), and Jared Coleman-Jones (12 points, three rebounds, three blocks and two assists).
Boyd became just athe third Aztec since the 2013-14 season to record at least 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the same game, joining Malachi Flynn (twice in the 2019-20 season) and Winston Shepard (Feb. 21, 2016 at San Jose State).
For the game San Diego State limited New Mexico (22-5, 14-3 MW) to 34.4 percent shooting from the floor. It is the second lowest field goal percentage shooting night of the season for the Lobos. The only worse shooting game they have endured was a 33.3 percent effort in a loss at Wyoming on January 7.
San Diego State (19-7, 12-5 MW), in its two games against New Mexico, has not allowed the Lobos to total more than Tuesday night’s 65 points. In its game earlier this year, a loss at The Pit on January 11, the Aztecs limited UNM to 62 points. In each of those contests, SDSU held New Mexico to 18 points below its season average.
The Aztecs led for 35:41, with New Mexico’s only lead, three points, coming 11:55 to play in the opening half. That lead was short lived after Heide and Pharaoh Compton, who finished the night with eight points, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals, scored on back-to-back possessions. Heide’s was a putback on an offensive board and Compton scored on a monster dunk with 10:36 on the clock.
San Diego State had its biggest lead of the half, nine points at 28-19 with 5:49 to play. But New Mexico closed the half with a 10-5 surge and the teams went to the break with SDSU up 33-29.
The Aztecs built their first double digit advantage on a Byrd dunk. BJ Davis stole the ball and fed Byrd who slammed it home for a 42-32 lead at the 16:14 mark, but New Mexico never went away. The Lobos kept the game to single digits most of the season half, with SDSU able to move to a double-digit lead again on a pair of Byrd free throws with 7:17 left on the clock. After a pair of successful Boyd shots from the charity stripe, San Diego State had the biggest lead of the game, 61-49 with 6:38 to go.
Three times in the final 3:09 San Diego State led by 10 points before finishing off New Mexico 73-65.
The San Diego State swim and dive program was recognized by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) as a Scholar All-America Team, the organization announced Monday.
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
February 11, 2025 (San Diego) - The San Diego State swim and dive program was recognized by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) as a Scholar All-America Team, the organization announced Monday from its office in Richmond, Virginia.
The Aztecs' 28 student-athletes posted a combined 3.64 GPA last fall, earning CSCAA Scholar All-America Team distinction for the 18th consecutive semester.
In all, the San Diego State swim and dive team has garnered CSCAA Scholar All-America Team accolades in 24 of the last 25 semesters since the start of the 2012-13 academic year.
CSCAA executive director Samantha Barany highlighted San Diego State’s achievement noting, “Coach Mike Shrader, (his) staff, and the entire team have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to success both academically and athletically, setting a standard of excellence we can all be proud of.”
To be eligible for consideration, teams must have maintained an aggregate 3.0 grade point average for the 2024 fall semester. The CSCAA honored 781 squads (both men and women) from 459 different institutions, representing 19,426 individuals.
Of the selected teams, an impressive 654 squads achieved a GPA of 3.30 or above, earning eligibility for the Intercollegiate Coach Association Coalition All-Sport Academic Standings.
Founded in 1922, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) is the nation's first organization of college coaches. The mission of the CSCAA is to advance the sport of swimming and diving with coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development.
San Diego State returns to the competition pool for the Mountain West Championships, set for Feb. 19-22 in Houston, Texas. The Aztecs are aiming for their fourth straight conference championship and sixth in the last seven years.
Source: AAUW
February 9, 2025 (La Mesa/El Cajon) - March 8, 2025, is the La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of the American Association of University Women's monthly meeting featuring Hannah Plackowski (left), Account Executive from the San Diego Padres and Sarah Cloutier, Executive Assistant to the CEO of the New York Liberty discussing empowering women in sports.
From the Bay Area, Hannah Plackowski grew up playing competitive soccer. She closed out her soccer-playing years at Cañada Community College before transferring to the University of California, Santa Barbara, to pursue a degree in Economics. During her time there, she was involved in the Sports Management Program. That experience inspired her to seek a job in sports after graduation.
In June 2021 she began her career with the San Diego Padres. She started as a Representative in Inside Sales and, after five months, was promoted to the Membership Development team as an Account Executive. During her first year, she sold about $1,000,000 in season tickets and was part of the first-ever Padres sales team to sell out all the club’s season tickets and launch a season ticket waitlist. In recognition of her efforts, she was named the department’s Rookie of the Year.
At the end of the 2022 season, Hannah made a lateral move to the Group Tickets & Hospitality team. During her first year, the department finished #1 in Major League Baseball, selling more group and hospitality tickets than every other team.
Sarah Cloutier (right) is currently the Executive Assistant to the CEO for the 2024 WNBA Champions, New York Liberty. Her responsibilities include managing the schedule and communications of the CEO, processing expenses for Liberty, logistical operations, and many other jobs she can get her hands on. Sarah started this role upon graduating with her Master’s in Sports Business from NYU in May 2024. While in graduate school, Sarah interned for the Brooklyn Nets in Public Relations and was the Director of Basketball Operations for the 2024 NCAA Division III Champions, NYU Women’s Basketball. During her undergraduate career, she played NCAA Division II basketball for Daemen University, majoring in Business Administration, also specializing in Sports Management, and minoring in Human Resources. Originally from San Diego, California, Sarah aspires to continue her career working in women’s basketball and further advancing the sport to new levels.
Regular monthly La Mesa-El Cajon Branch meetings are open to the public and are held in King Hall at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Blvd. in La Mesa. Check the branch website for further details. AAUW La Mesa-El Cajon (CA) Branch
La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) has been engaged in “equity for all” efforts since the 1950’s and is one of the largest branches in the state. AAUW empowers women and girls by advocating for more women in leadership positions, closing the gender pay gap and preventing sexual harassment and discrimination. We support girls entering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers. We use research, education, and advocacy at the national, state, and branch levels to accomplish these goals. For more information about this organization, go to www.lamesaelcajon-ca.aauw.net. New members are always welcome and do not need to be invited to attend a meeting.
East County News Service
February 6, 2025 (Lakeside) -- The Barona Oaks Raceway, LLC is inviting review and public comments on a preliminary grant application to the state of California's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division. The park is requesting funds for ground operations and maintenance and infrastructure development at the Barona MX Motocross Facility at 1800 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040 (www.barona-mx.com).
The grant application will be available online Tuesday March 4, 2025 at OHMVR Division. Public review and comment period is March 4, 2025 to May 5, 2025. Comments on the application must be submitted by 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Monday May 5, 2025 to the applicant at baronaoakssportscenter@gmail.com and the OHMVR Division at OHV.Grants@parks.ca.gov.
The OHMVR grants and cooperative agreements program supports well-managed off-highway vehicle recreation in California by providing financial assistance to cities, counties, districts, federal agencies (including the BLM), state agencies, educational institutions, federally recognized Native American tribes, and non-profit entities. Information on the grant program is available at Welcome to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division’s Grant Programs.
Public comment meeting will be at the park Saturday Feb 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and a Stakeholders meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be at the park’s Main Track Firepit area.
Tickets on sale now at https://www.gofan.co/event/2594824?schoolId=CA22796
By Ben Perez
December 23, 2024 (La Mesa) --Always saying he was honored to be from East County, "Billy from La Mesa" is how Bill Walton wanted people to know him and greet him.
So it's only fitting that his high school alma mater in La Mesa is honoring him with a special event in January.
At nearly seven feet tall, with an almost literally larger-than-life persona and an endearing, charismatic personality-- a basketball star at Helix High School, the University of California at Los Angeles and professionally -- a beloved, knowledgeable sports announcer and broadcaster, music aficionado, father, husband and friend, passed away in May of 2024.
To pay honor to his memory, Helix has organized a tribute basketball game for fans of Walton. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m., January 3, 2025, during the Highlanders game against University City High School.
The event offers the community, friends and basketball fans an opportunity to honor Walton's enduring impact on the sport and his deep ties to San Diego County.
Walton was a 1970 graduate of Helix, a standout player who led the Highlanders to two CIF championships. His leadership and exceptional high school performances on the court paved the way for a legendary career at UCLA and in the NBA. Walton passed away on May 27, 2024, at the age of 71, after a battle with cancer.
The tribute game will feature special ceremonies to celebrate Walton's legacy and his contributions to the sport.
Walton was one of the most celebrated basketball players in history, known for his exceptional skills and versatility.
Oncourt, he was known for his exceptional passing, defense and rebounding skills and played with incredible passion and intensity.
Off the court, he had a nearly perfect memory and was a passionate advocate for health, wellness and community causes.
Photo, right: Bill, the late Ernie Erwin and Kristine Alessio. Photo courtesy Karen PearlmanWalton was also passionate about social justice and environmental causes. He appeared at several East County Magazine events.
Unconventional and a free thinker, he also had deep devotion to The Grateful Dead, reportedly attending his first Dead concert at age 15, in 1967.
Walton is estimated to have attended more than 850 Dead shows and became close friends with Jerry Garcia and other members of the eclectic band.
He likened basketball to Grateful Dead, saying that both were about improvisation, teamwork and creating something magical in the moment.
He once said, "The Grateful Dead are the soundtrack to my life. They help me navigate the highways and byways, the ups and downs, and the ever-changing currents of life."
Walton was born Nov. 5, 1952 in La Mesa.
He led Helix to two San Diego CIF championships and established himself as a dominant force.
At UCLA, playing for famed coach John Wooden, Walton led UCLA to two NCAA Championships (1972 and 1973), and was part of UCLA's 88-game winning streak.
Walton was a three-time NCAA Player of the Year (1972-74). One of his most remarkable performances came in the 1973 NCAA championship game, when he scored 44 points -' making 21 of 22 shots.
Walton was the No. 1 overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1974 NBA Draft. He played for thw Trail Blazers from 1974-79), then was a member of the San Diego Clippers/Los Angeles Clippers (1979-85) before finishing his NBA playing career with the Boston Celtics (1985-87).
With Portland, Walton led the team to their first and only NBA Championship in 1977. He was named NBA Finals MVP in 1977 and was the NBA MVP in 1978
With the Celtics, Walton played a vital role as a "sixth man" during the Celtics' 1986 championship run. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 1986.
Walton was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1993 and in 1996 was honored as l one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
He later became a popular broadcaster, known for a unique commentary style and love for the game.
In the months following his passing, other tribute events have been held to honor his legacy:
Before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 6, 2024 between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks, the Celtics honored Walton, a key player in their 1986 championship team.
The team held a moment of silence, and players wore black shooting shirts with "Walton" emblazoned on them and a tie-dye background, reflecting his love for his favorite band, The Grateful Dead. Members of Walton's family were in attendance during a heartfelt tribute.
At UCLA, where Walton had a storied college career leading the Bruins to multiple NCAA championships, the Bruins have announced plans to honor him during a men's basketball home game against Ohio State on Feb. 23, 2025.
Fans attending the UCLA game will receive commemorative posters and tie-dyed T-shirts, celebrating Walton's contributions to UCLA.
His legacy also lives on at the Bill Walton Gymnasium, located within the Brady Family Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County. The 10,000-square-foot facility is part of the larger 26,000-square-foot clubhouse situated at 7600 Junior High Drive, near Helix High.
The gymnasium was officially dedicated on October 4, 2018, marking the first time a gym bore Walton's name.
During the ceremony, Walton expressed his deep connection to the community
"My life has always been about the dream of being part of something special," he said. "Nothing has been more special than to see this dream come true."
Photo left courtesy Karen PearlmanThe establishment of the Brady Family Clubhouse, including the Bill Walton Gymnasium, was made possible through significant community support. Philanthropists Ron and Mary Alice Brady contributed $3 million towards the nearly $10 million project, which also included an endowment to fund the clubhouse's operations.
The City of La Mesa facilitated the development by offering the land on a 50-year lease at a nominal rate, emphasizing the community's commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment for local youth.
Walton was involved in the fundraising efforts for the gym, his dedication to the project underscoring his commitment to give back to the community that played a pivotal role in his early life and career.
For more information on the special Walton/Helix basketvall game and events set at Helix in January, check gofan.co or contact helixalumnihoops@gmail.com.
Source: SDSU
NCAA Photos/MW
November 30, 2024 (San Diego) --The fifth-seeded San Diego State volleyball team saw its run at the 2024 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Championship come to a disappointing conclusion Friday after dropping a hard-fought 3-1 decision to top-seeded Colorado State in a semifinal showdown at Cox Pavilion.
With the loss, the Aztecs drop to 20-10 on the year and will await their postseason fate when NCAA Tournament bids are announced on Sunday, Dec. 1. Conversely, the Rams move to 19-10 overall and will play second-seeded San José State in the championship final on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Friday’s defeat marked the just the sixth time this season the Scarlet and Black lost when leading in kills (20-6). Despite maintaining a slim 55-53 advantage in that category and a slight edge in team blocks (8.0 to 7.0), the Aztecs were plagued by 10 aces and nine service errors en route to the loss.
After posting a .389 efficiency to capture the first set, San Diego State hit just .186 over the final three frames, as CSU employed timely runs to escape on each occasion.
Individually, the Aztecs were led by Jasmine Davis’ team-high 16 kills and 13 digs, which accounted for her ninth double-double of the season. The SDSU graduate transfer hit .424 for the day, committing just two errors on 33 attempts while adding two aces and three blocks, including one solo stop.
In addition, Taylor Underwood finished with 10 put-aways, while Natalie Hughes floored eight shots to go with a trio of block assists. Elsewhere, Shea Rubright posted a .545 efficiency, knocking down six kills without an error in 11 attempts, while Kat Cooper (5 kills) tied for match-high honors with five block assists.
The Aztec cause was also supplemented by the setting duo of Sarena Gonzalez (24 assists, 9 digs) and Andrea Campos (22 assists, 5 digs), while Talea Mitchell knocked down five kills off the bench.
SDSU led throughout the first set, grabbing a 9-2 lead it would not relinquish. Rubright smashed two kills and served up an ace in that opening run, while Hughes and Cooper joined forces on a block after Davis provided a solo rejection.
CSU trimmed the deficit to three on two occasions, including a 15-12 spread following a Malaya Jones kill. However, Underwood sparked a key 5-2 surge with a pair of put-aways to give the Aztecs a commanding 20-14 advantage. Moments later, Hughes combined with Rubright on a block and subsequently launched a late kill to help close out the frame.
A highly competitive second stanza witnessed 13 ties and five lead changes, as the Scarlet and Black rallied from a 20-17 deficit to inch in front 23-22 thanks to a Gonzalez service ace and an attack error sandwich around a kill by the Rams’ Kennedy Stanford. However, the Aztecs self-destructed down the stretch with consecutive errant swings on two open looks, while Jones followed with a service ace to abruptly clinch the set for CSU.
The teams traded punches in the third frame, where neither side led by more than three points. Clinging precariously to an 18-17 advantage following back-to-back kills by Cooper and Mitchell, SDSU was unable to cushion its lead, as the Rams scored four straight points to vault in front for good. Once again, the Aztecs committed a pair of untimely attack errors, interspersed with a Jones kill and service ace.
Suddenly trailing 21-18, SDSU attempted a late rally, as Underwood supplied a pair of kills, while Rubright followed with a put-away of her own. However, two additional errant attacks spelled doom for the Scarlet and Black.
Looking to extend the match, the Aztecs built a series of four-point leads in the fourth set, including a 16-12 spread following a CSU attack error. However, a quick 8-4 run put the Rams on top 20-19 shortly thereafter. Karina Leber stole the spotlight in that span with a kill and a pair of assisted blocks, joining forces with Stanford and Maria Brun on those rejections.
The two sides exchanged points on the next four serves before a Brun kill and an ill-timed SDSU attack error nudged CSU in front to stay at 23-21. Two late put-aways by Davis and Cara Braun proved futile for the Scarlet and Black, as Jones and Naeemah Weathers provided the two clinching kills for the Rams.
Colorado State was paced by Jones’ match-high 17 kills, while Leber launched 11 non-returnables to go with five block assists. Additionally, setter Emery Herman completed a double-double with 44 assists and 15 digs to lead all players.
By Mike Allen
Photo: Winners of 10K race: 1) Celina Lepe-Corvera 2) Mina Shull 3) Johanna Flipsen. All photos by Mike Allen
January 13, 2025 (Santee) -- Under sun drenched skies, some of the best race walkers in the world shattered several records as they traversed the Santee Trolley Square course on Jan. 12.
The USA Track & Field National event featured competition in 35 kilometers, 20K, 10K, 5K, and 3K for both men and women.
The overall 35K winner, Perseus Karlstrom of Torshalla, Sweden crossed the finish line in 2:27:19, nearly 17 minutes faster than the previous course record. Karlstrom, 34, is the winner of multiple medals in both the World Track & Field Championships and other major races. A three-time Olympic athlete, he is gearing up for the 2026 Los Angeles Olympic Games. He took $8,000 for his first-place finish.
He was followed by Mexico’s Ever Jair Palma Oliveres, 32, and Nick Christie, 33 from El Cajon, who finished at 2:45:31. Christie holds the U.S. record for the event and took $4,000 for his third-place finish.
Photo, right: women’s Winner of 35K race: Valeria Ortuna Martinez of Mexico City, MEXICO. Her time of 2:51:33 was nearly 6 minutes faster than previous record.
The women’s 35K winner was Valeria Ortuna Martinez, 26, of Mexico City, who finished in 2:51:33, breaking the course record by nearly six minutes. She was followed by Nadia Gonzalez, 27, of Toluca, Mexico, and Olivia Lundman, 22, of Vancouver, Canada.
The USA Championship women’s winner was Katie Burnett,36, of Bellevue, WA.
Santee City Manager Marlene Best said the city was honored to host both the US Championships and International Race Walk Invitationals 15 of the past 17 years. “We love being the race walk capital of the United States!”
Photo, left: the winner of the men's 35K championship Perseus Karlstrom of Sweden shattered the previous record for this event by nearly 17 mins at 2:27:19. Seen here after collapsing at the finish line. Karlstom is a professional athlete who has competed at three Olympic Games, three World Championships, and is gearing up for the 2026 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Photo, right: El Cajon’s Nick Christie, the best American race walker, finished third in the 35K race. First was Perseus Karlstom of Sweden and second was Ever Jair Palma Olivares of Mexico.
By Mike Allen
Photo: Winners of 10K race: 1) Celina Lepe-Corvera 2) Mina Shull 3) Johanna Flipsen. All photos by Mike Allen
January 13, 2025 (Santee) -- Under sun drenched skies, some of the best race walkers in the world shattered several records as they traversed the Santee Trolley Square course on Jan. 12.
The USA Track & Field National event featured competition in 35 kilometers, 20K, 10K, 5K, and 3K for both men and women.
The overall 35K winner, Perseus Karlstrom of Torshalla, Sweden crossed the finish line in 2:27:19, nearly 17 minutes faster than the previous course record. Karlstrom, 34, is the winner of multiple medals in both the World Track & Field Championships and other major races. A three-time Olympic athlete, he is gearing up for the 2026 Los Angeles Olympic Games. He took $8,000 for his first-place finish.
He was followed by Mexico’s Ever Jair Palma Oliveres, 32, and Nick Christie, 33 from El Cajon, who finished at 2:45:31. Christie holds the U.S. record for the event and took $4,000 for his third-place finish.
Photo, right: women’s Winner of 35K race: Valeria Ortuna Martinez of Mexico City, MEXICO. Her time of 2:51:33 was nearly 6 minutes faster than previous record.
The women’s 35K winner was Valeria Ortuna Martinez, 26, of Mexico City, who finished in 2:51:33, breaking the course record by nearly six minutes. She was followed by Nadia Gonzalez, 27, of Toluca, Mexico, and Olivia Lundman, 22, of Vancouver, Canada.
The USA Championship women’s winner was Katie Burnett,36, of Bellevue, WA.
Santee City Manager Marlene Best said the city was honored to host both the US Championships and International Race Walk Invitationals 15 of the past 17 years. “We love being the race walk capital of the United States!”
Photo, left: the winner of the men's 35K championship Perseus Karlstrom of Sweden shattered the previous record for this event by nearly 17 mins at 2:27:19. Seen here after collapsing at the finish line. Karlstom is a professional athlete who has competed at three Olympic Games, three World Championships, and is gearing up for the 2026 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Photo, right: El Cajon’s Nick Christie, the best American race walker, finished third in the 35K race. First was Perseus Karlstom of Sweden and second was Ever Jair Palma Olivares of Mexico.