POMONA, Calif. – The Cal Poly Pomona Department of Intercollegiate Athletics celebrated its student-athletes at the annual Night of Excellence awards presentation Tuesday night in the Bronco Student Center in recognition of accomplishments by the Broncos during the 2023-24 academic year. For the third consecutive year, Ryan Fields and Ayana Fields were awarded male and female Student-Athlete of the Year.
 
As a department, CPP currently has an overall record of 105-58-8, good for a .637 department winning percentage. That is the third-best year for the university in the past two decades. This also includes a .642 winning percentage in CCAA games, and a .673 winning percentage at home. The Broncos have now had a department winning percentage above .500 for the past 15 consecutive years.
 
This year, CPP had 41 CCAA Athletes of the Week across all sports, setting the CCAA record for most in an academic year. The next closest school in the conference this year was Cal State LA, with only 19. Since 2022, CPP has earned 110 CCAA Athlete of the Week awards. The next closest school in that stretch is Chico State, with 58. In the history of the conference, no athlete from any sport has more Athlete of the Week awards than Ryan Fields, who has done so 15 times in his career. His sister, Ayana Fields, has the second-most in conference history with 9.
 
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Student-Athlete of the Year
This award, in which individuals are nominated from each of the head coaches, then voted on by department administrators and staff, represents the highest athletic acclaim a student-athlete at Cal Poly Pomona can earn. While CPP produces countless All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American performers every year, just two individuals can say they were selected as CPP's Athlete of the Year.
 
Ryan Fields – Men's Track & Field
Fields is the two-time reigning CPP Male Athlete of the Year, and he currently ranks 5th in the nation in both the 110M high hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles. He is member of the men's 4x400 relay team that broke the 52-year-old school record at Bryan Clay. He has been named the CCAA track athlete of the week 15 times in his career at Cal Poly Pomona.
 
Ayana Fields – Women's Track & Field
Fields is also the reigning two-time CPP Female Athlete of the Year. Currently she ranks 6th in country in the 200 meters and 17th in the 400 meters. She also runs the anchor leg for the 4 x 100-meter relay and the 4 x 400-meter relay, both rank in the Top 15 in the country. She broke the record in the indoor 60 meter with a time of 7.46. She has been named CCAA track athlete of the week 9 times.
Freshman of the Year
This is the third year the department has honored one male and one female as Freshman of the Year. Individuals are nominated by their head coach, then voted on by the athletics department administrators and staff members.
 
Julian Angulo – Baseball
Angulo has started in 22 of the 30 games he has appeared in, has 19 hits, 2 home runs, 4 doubles, 3 stolen bases, and hit a home run in just his third college at-bat. In Fall of 2023 he had a perfect 4.0 in mechanical engineering.
 
Sydney Nelson – Women's Basketball
One of two players to start in all 30 games, led the team in scoring (453 points) and rebounding (195 rebounds). Scored double digits in 26 of her first 30 collegiate games, All-CCAA second team and CCAA Freshman of the Year.

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Newcomer of the Year
Just like the Freshman of the Year award, this is the third year the department has honored one male and one female as Newcomer of the Year. Individuals are nominated by their head coach, then voted on by the athletics department administrators and staff members. This award is given to the student-athlete deemed to have made the most impact on their team after transferring from another institution.
 
Marcus Jorgensen – Men's Soccer
Jorgensen started in 12 of the 14 games he appeared in. Played 1,101 minutes, had 10 shots, 5 on goal, and scored 2 goals with 1 assist. As a defender he contributed to four shutouts for the Broncos.
 
Isabelle Carreon – Women's Track & Field
Carreon broke the school pole vault record in both indoor and outdoor track and field. She was an Indoor All-West region honoree, 2X CCAA Athlete of the week and is the CCAA leader in the pole vault.  
Iron Bronco
The inaugural year of this award, the Iron Bronco will be given to one male and one female student-athlete that showcased sheer dedication, strength, and unwavering perseverance in the pursuit of excellence in health and fitness. These athletes were consistent and serious about their training all year and were leaders in the weight room - either by setting an example, or by encouraging their teammates to reach their limits. The recipient of this award exemplifies the spirit of the Iron Bronco, harnessing the power of discipline to build not only physical strength, but also a resilient mind and spirit.
 
Johnny Pappas – Baseball
"He is a vocal leader in the weight room amongst his team and has a great attitude. He pushes himself and does extra work in order to get better. He is one of the most technically sound lifters on campus. Nothing is done sloppy. He doesn't take reps off." – Mike Senyo
 
Tara Oper – Women's Soccer
"She is one of the strongest girls on the team. She is second in weight for cleans on the team and can do pullups without a band. She pushes herself to lift more and has great technique. She also leads by example and helps her teammates throughout the training sessions. She is a mentor to the younger players on the team." – Mike Senyo