Westmont Magazine Warriors Smash, Swing, Kick, Crush, Bolt to Greater Heights

For nine consecutive years, the Warriors earned the Golden State Athletic Conference All-Sports Award, which recognizes the school with the best regular-season results during the year. Westmont teams aspire to achieve a decade of greatness on the way to NCAA II.

Baseball

The baseball team starred in the most memorable athletics story of 2022, reaching the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) World Series in Lewiston, Idaho, for the first time in the program’s history. After losing on opening day to Lewis-Clark State, the Warriors won a record 17 straight games and set another record with 45 total victories.

On the final day of the regular season, Westmont defeated Vanguard 10-7 in a 13-inning thriller in Costa Mesa, thereby claiming a share of their first Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Championship since 2016. With their impressive regular season, Westmont earned the right to host an NAIA Opening Round on Russ Carr Field for the third time in four years.

After watching University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) and Georgia Gwinnett clinch World Series trips in 2019 and 2021, Westmont outscored opponents 27-3 in their first three games. When they faced Antelope Valley on May 18, the Warriors put eight runs on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning on the way to their biggest win ever. Gabe Arteaga struck out the last batter, and the Warriors dogpiled on their home field to celebrate their first World Series trip in the club’s history.

While Westmont fell to Lewis-Clark State and Webber International at the World Series, the team earned respect for their storied run. Josh Rego ’22, who collected six hits, including a double and a home run, in two games at the NAIA World Series, was named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted All-GSAC catcher Simon Reid ’23 in the 10th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft. He hit .378 with 12 home runs during the season, and he signed with the Dodgers and began playing Minor League
Baseball for his and his family’s favorite team.

After 13 years as head baseball coach, Rob Ruiz enjoyed his best season ever before stepping down to serve as Westmont’s new athletics director.

Golf

The golf team’s third season ended on a high note. For the first time, Westmont hosted the GSAC Tournament at La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc. The women’s team took fourth out of eight teams, while the men took sixth. Individually, however, the Warriors added to their honors.

Junior Kat Bevill made the Women’s All-GSAC team with first-year student Andy Knight on the men’s All-GSAC team. Knight was also named GSAC Co-Freshman of the Year. Bevill finished the competition in 15th place with a score of 257. Knight also came in 15th with a score of 236.

“I think I was more excited than they were,” said Head Coach Josh Ault. “I’m so proud of them; it’s so well deserved. Both of those players are leaders. Andy is a first-year student with great leadership qualities. He has done a lot for us, and it’s nice to see him recognized in the GSAC. He has room for growth, but overall, he had a strong season of seconds and thirds, which is awesome for a first-year student.

“Kat has been steady. I challenged her to try and get better from the start of a tournament to the end, and she did get better. I think that’s why she’s an all-conference player. She has steadily improved this year.”

Both Bevill and Knight were the first All-GSAC Golfers in Westmont’s history.

Swimming

The swimming team also made history in 2022, with the Warriors earning their first NAIA All-Americans. In early March, Head Coach Jill Jones Lin took six swimmers to compete at the NAIA National Championships for the first time, and all six earned NAIA All-American status. Westmont finished in ninth place overall.

“It’s unbelievable to finish ninth with just six swimmers,” Jones Lin said. “It was impressive to see their grit and determination to get on the podium and to score points. We went into this meet without expectations, partially because we never see these teams and don’t know anything about their swimmers and their depth. It’s super fun to be surprised by what we can do.”

Westmont’s first All-Americans were Morgan Bienias, Ella Chaisson, Olivia Garrison, Bridget Hoth, Rian Lewandowski, and Ellie Muench. Bienias and Garrison both earned the honor in the 1650 freestyle and Hoth, Lewandowski and Muench in the 200 and 400 medley relay.

Chaisson put together the most decorated resume at the event, earning All-American honors in the 200 breaststroke, 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay.

Tennis

The men’s and women’s tennis teams continued to make strides in 2022, with a handful of members receiving honors. Most notably, first-year coach Cade Pierson earned recognition as the GSAC Coach of the Year for Women’s Tennis after playing for the Warriors for the previous five seasons.

Individually, senior Rachal Jackson and first-year student Francesca Aguirre were named to the All-GSAC team. Jackson led the Warriors all season on court one while posting a 5-3 record in GSAC play alongside Christine Hemry in doubles.

First-year student Aguirre thrived alongside Emily Peterson in doubles, where the two posted a record of 7-2 in GSAC play. Individually, Aguirre went undefeated in nine singles matches against GSAC opponents.

On the men’s side, Logan Thompson and Ethan Ha represented the Warriors on the All-GSAC team. Thompson and Ha both held down courts one and two for the Warriors all season, and the men shined most notably in doubles. Their doubles win against Hope International in the GSAC Quarterfinals helped lead the club to the GSAC Semifinals for the second consecutive season.

Track and Field

The track and field team continued their impressive run at the end of the semester after athletes earned several NAIA All-American awards at the NAIA Indoor National Championships in March. When the scene shifted to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for the Outdoor National Championships in May, the Warriors made more history.

Sophomore Zola Sokhela headlined for the Warriors once again, coming into the event as the reigning National Champion in both the men’s 800- and 1500-meter run. This season, Sokhela finished third in the 1500, which took place less than two hours before the final race of his season, the 800.

An exhausted Sokhela mustered just enough energy in the end to defend his national title in the 800-meter run by posting a time of 1:51.04.

Westmont’s 4x800 relay team joined Sokhela on the NAIA All-American team. Andres Leon, Adam King, Jack Vanden Heuvel and Jason Peterson posted a time of 7:36.20 in the finals of the event, putting them in fifth place out of eight teams.