Women’s volleyball at Mesa College is on a spike. In the spring, the Olympians won the state beach volleyball title after winning the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title for a fourth straight year.
Psychology major Emerald Moreno is inspired by a passion for understanding and interpreting others, along with a deep faith that psychology is her calling. She plans to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, minor in Spanish, and continue exploring a future in law.
After a major surgery and months of recovery, Tracey Kushner faced a decision that would reshape her future. In 2024, she returned to San Diego Mesa College determined to finish the degree she had started years earlier.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — San Diego Mesa College proudly celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 29, 2026, honoring 1,958 graduates who earned more than 2,017 academic degrees and 414 certificates. A total of 727 graduates participated in the ceremony, joined by family, friends, faculty, staff, and community supporters.
May 17, 2018
Each year at the STAR (STudent Athlete Recognition) Awards Ceremony, a special award is reserved for a student-athlete who embodies the Olympian experience by demonstrating scholastic and athletic excellence, leadership, community involvement, inspiration, and team spirit. Samantha Schmidt, a sophomore and swimmer at Mesa College, was awarded the 2018 Super Star Award for her dedication to - and passion for - her academics and sports lifestyle.
Schmidt has had many accomplishments during her seasons with the Mesa swim team and her participation on the 2017 state team. She’s broken Mesa College’s all-time records in the 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay, and 800 Freestyle Relay; she holds multiple metals for 1st and 2nd place and is recognized as an All-American Athlete. Lastly, and also a major athletic achievement, she won the Waterman Pentathlon - beating out 68 other competitors.
In addition to being an athletic super star, she is a super star in the classroom and the community. While maintaining an impressive 4.0 grade point average through the Fall 2017 season, she has also spent her time volunteering through the YMCA Raintree Ranch Camp, and participating in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Pacific South Coast Walk for MS as a Team Leader where she raised $4,170 in donations. Her team received the Gold Level Top Fundraising Team award for their commitment and enthusiastic support of the cause.
“Samantha is of the best athletes we have ever had,” stated Head Coach of Women’s
Swimming and Diving Jim Fegan. 
“Sam is a true competitor who loves to race. Her versatility has helped the team remain
undefeated in two dual meet seasons and achieve our highest finishes at the State
meet. She has worked hard both in and out of the pool and deserves all the accolades.
I’m extremely proud of her efforts and know there is more success ahead.”
When she isn’t qualifying for CCCAA State Championships or volunteering to organize pit stops at the 3 Day Walk for MS, she’s teaching community youth swim lessons at the YMCA. She’s very passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and helping others to do the same – she is currently working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology as a Pre-Physical Therapy major.
For more information on the Mesa Swim and Diving Team, visit the Athletics page. If you’d like to learn more about kinesiology educational opportunities, please visit the Exercise Science Program page.
Tags: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, All-American Athlete, Swimming & Dive, YMCA, Swimming, Physical Therapy, Waterman Pentathlon, Athletics, CCCAA State Championships
Jennifer Nichols Kearns
Director of Communications
[email protected]
(619) 388-2759
Women’s volleyball at Mesa College is on a spike. In the spring, the Olympians won the state beach volleyball title after winning the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title for a fourth straight year.
The San Diego Mesa College Athletic Program has cemented its place as one of the nation’s premier two-year college athletic programs, finishing second in the 2024–2025 Ron Case Cup standings. The award, one of the highest honors in two-year college athletics, recognizes excellence in championship competition across all sports.
San Diego –On Monday, July 22 to Thursday, July 25, 2024, the San Diego Mesa College Softball program and Nike’s US Sports Camp program will host a half day and day camp for local girls, ages 6-14, at all levels of experience with Softball. Campers will learn the skills required to successfully play at a competitive level and maximize their potential as players.
