“From Hesperia to the Big Leagues” Hesperia Unified graduates make their mark in college and professional sports, carrying High Desert pride nationwide.
Hesperia, California (Our Hesperia) – Hesperia’s homegrown athletes are proving once again that dedication, discipline, and the right foundation can take you anywhere. The Hesperia Unified School District (HUSD) announced that several recent graduates are excelling at the collegiate and even professional levels, showcasing what hometown spirit and hard work can achieve. From basketball courts to football fields and wrestling mats, these young men and women are putting the High Desert on the national map.
Highlights from the HUSD Athlete Alumni Update
Basketball Brotherhood at CSU Stanislaus
Former Hesperia High Scorpion Antony Newman-Gomez (Class of ’24) and Oak Hills Bulldog Mark Jones III (Class of ’25) have reunited on the California State Stanislaus Warriors basketball team. A shared foundation in HUSD athletics now fuels their rising college careers. Fans can catch the duo playing against Cal State L.A. this Thursday, January 8, live on FloCollege.
Volleyball Standout Shakes Up the Big Sky
Oak Hills alumna Keonahi’ilani “Keona” Solaita, HUSD’s 2024–25 Athlete of the Year, is dominating in her freshman season at Cal State Sacramento. Named Big Sky Freshman of the Year, Keona led the Hornets through an electrifying postseason run featured on ESPN+. Her success stands as a proud example of how Hesperia’s young women are excelling on national stages.
Bulldogs Battle in National Bowl Game
Two Oak Hills alumni, Paki Finau (Washington Huskies) and Daylon Metoyer (Boise State Broncos), clashed on opposite sides during the nationally televised “Bucked Up LA Bowl” at SoFi Stadium. Finau’s Huskies took home the win, but both athletes brought Hesperia pride to the big screen before millions of viewers on ABC.
Wrestling Champions at Victor Valley College
The Victor Valley College Rams, led heavily by HUSD alumni, secured their third straight SEWCA Conference Championship. Star wrestlers Paulo Valdez (HHS) and Rocky Humphrey Jr. (SHS) are among 12 Hesperia graduates powering the Rams’ remarkable run, proudly continuing the district’s local sports legacy.
HUSD Lady Bulldogs Take Over Collegiate Soccer
Two Oak Hills soccer standouts continue to blaze trails: Sydney Middaugh heads to the SEC to join the South Carolina Gamecocks after success at St. Mary’s, while Kolo Suliafu signed her first professional contract with the Kansas City Current following a stellar season earning Big Ten Defender of the Year at the University of Washington.
Community Pride, Personal Dedication, and Academic Excellence
District leaders say these achievements reflect more than athletic talent — they demonstrate the character, humility, and perseverance instilled in Hesperia’s schools. HUSD’s Assistant Superintendent Isaac Newman-Gomez praised the alumni, noting their accomplishments “embody the High Desert spirit of discipline, faith, and forward vision.”
From local fields to national arenas, the message is clear: the foundation built in Hesperia continues to prepare its students for success, wherever their talents take them.
