Citrus College Athletics Fall Recap
With more than half of its 16 athletics programs competing in the fall season, Citrus College Athletics had a strong start to the 2023-24 season. The Fighting Owls saw one 3C2A State Championship, two All-State performances, a bowl game victory, multiple records broken, and some of their best seasons by the teams this fall.
Cross Country
For the second-straight year, Citrus Cross Country saw one of its runners qualify for the 3C2A State Championship. Ryleigh Larue capped off a stellar sophomore campaign with an All-State performance, taking 27th overall at the 3C2A Championship.
Football
Citrus Football moved up a league and even while facing tougher competition, didn't back down and finished the year with an 8-3 overall record and a second-straight bowl game victory. Coach Brandon Hayashi – in his third year at the helm – became the fastest coach in program history to reach 25 career wins and 14 Owls picked up All-National-Central League honors following the conclusion of the season. Chandler Carthan finished the year with two new program records, including most tackles in a single season with 131 and highest punts per game average in a single season with 38.8 yards per game.
Women's Golf
Citrus Women's Golf saw Isabelle Olivas-Lowell become the first Owl in program history to win the 3C2A Individual Championship after leading the Western State Conference all year. She also won the WSC Individual Championship and was named the WSC Women's Golfer of the Year after finishing the year with a 74.17 average score – two strokes less than the next golfer's average.
Men's Soccer
Citrus Men's Soccer had its best season in seven years, finishing with a 9-9-3 overall mark. Six Owls picked up All-Western State Conference honors after the Owls took fourth in the conference. Alan Lira set a new program record with seven assists in a single season.
Women's Soccer
Citrus Women's Soccer finished third in the Western State Conference-South standings and boasted a 10-5-5 overall record. The Owls scored in all but four games, finishing the year with 50 goals to average 2.5 goals per game, and seven Owls picked up All-WSC honors after the season was done. Assistant Coach Steve Jimenez was also honored at this year's Citrus College Saluting Our Veterans Event
Volleyball
Citrus Volleyball took fourth in the Western State Conference-South standings and finished with a 10-18 overall record, including winning its last five matches. The Owls capped the year with a big win over LA Mission and saw four Owls earn All-WSC honors for their performance on the year.
Men's Water Polo
Citrus Men's Water Polo finished the year with a 14-11 record and a third-place showing at the Western State Conference Championship Tournament. Following the year, first-year head coach Gavin Nolan was named the WSC Co-Coach of the Year and seven Owls picked up all-conference honors. Riley Bagley also earned All-American honors after leading the team with 89 goals on the year.
Women's Water Polo
Citrus Women's Water Polo also took third in the Western State Conference Championship Tournament and qualified for the SoCal Regional – which it also hosted. The Owls won their first-round game but ultimately ended their season with a 15-16 record. Seven Owls picked up All-WSC honors after the season, while Delaney Latham and Andrea Hayler also grabbed All-American honors.