You Won't Believe How Cal Poly Pomona’s Sydney Nelson Shocked Everyone with Her All-American Win!

Sydney Nelson is making waves in NCAA Division II basketball as one of the standout players in the nation. The junior from Cal Poly Pomona was recently named a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) First Team All-American, an honor that highlights her exceptional performance throughout the season.

Nelson’s accolades don't stop there. She was named the NCAA West Regional MVP, secured a spot on the D2CCA All-West Region First Team, earned recognition on the All-CCAA First Team, and was selected for the CCAA All-Tournament Team. Her academic excellence was also recognized, as she was named a CSC Academic All-District. Throughout the season, she was honored twice as the CCAA Player of the Week.

As an offensive powerhouse, Nelson averaged an impressive 18.7 points per game, shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 76.0 percent from the free-throw line across 30 starts. She concluded the season with 562 points and has amassed a total of 1,532 points in her career, placing her ninth on the all-time scoring list at Cal Poly Pomona.

The season kicked off with a bang for Nelson, as she scored 30 points in the opener against Point Loma on November 14, becoming the 29th player in program history to surpass the 1,000 career points milestone. Her remarkable scoring continued with a 31-point game against San Francisco State on January 2, and a pivotal 29-point, 15-rebound double-double against Central Washington on March 16 that led the Broncos to their first NCAA West Region title since 2014.

In total, Nelson recorded 16 games with 20 or more points, including five games where she topped 25 points. Notably, she scored 27 points in the CCAA Tournament championship game against Cal State L.A. Her contributions extended beyond scoring; she averaged 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, helping lead Cal Poly Pomona to its first CCAA regular season title since 2014. The Broncos finished the season with 29 wins, their best performance since 1990.

A standout at Roosevelt High, Nelson was a three-time all-Big VIII first team selection from 2021 to 2023, averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds during her senior year. She was named the CCAA’s freshman of the year in 2024 and earned first-team honors last year, maintaining an impressive average of 16.8 points for her collegiate career.

Notably, Nelson is the first Cal Poly Pomona player since Jada Blackwell in 2015 to be named to the All-America First Team and the 35th in the program’s history to receive this prestigious recognition.

Rising Stars in Other Sports

A spotlight on other exceptional athletes reveals that UC Riverside senior Raykiyat Olukoju is also on the rise. The North High graduate was named the Big West women’s track athlete of the week after achieving impressive feats at the UCR Spring Classic on March 21. She won the 100 meters in 11.70 seconds and the 200 meters in 23.39 seconds. Olukoju also played a key role in setting a program record in the 400 relay, clocking in at 44.95 seconds, positioning her 17th nationally in the 200-meter event.

The California Baptist University women’s water polo team is also making headlines. They recently defeated No. 19 Pacific with a score of 13-11, thanks to a five-goal performance from sophomore transfer Emmie Ramirez. This victory marks CBU’s fourth win this season against ranked teams and their first over Pacific since 2014, breaking a 13-match losing streak against the Tigers.

In golf, Cal State San Bernardino junior Kamron Hopson delivered an exceptional performance, carding a final round of 8-under-par 66 to secure victory at the Coyote Classic at Oak Valley Golf Club on March 24. The Coyotes dominated the competition, winning the event by 19 strokes, with junior Marco Lin placing fourth and sophomore Tyler Price finishing fifth.

Other notable achievements include Pomona-Pitzer finishing eighth overall at the NCAA Division III swim and dive championships, with junior Nina Abellea earning All-American honors in the 100 free with a time of 50.04. Additionally, freshman Micah Watson set a new meet record in the 3,000 steeplechase at the Arnie Robinson Invitational, crossing the finish line in 9:35.25.

With the season progressing, these athletes are not only showcasing their skills but also representing their institutions with pride and determination. Their achievements contribute to a rich tapestry of collegiate sports that continues to inspire and engage fans across the nation.