"As we close out another academic year, I'm incredibly proud of what our Aggies have accomplished. Throughout the spring, our student-athletes, coaches and staff continued to demonstrate what makes UC Davis special — competing at a championship level, serving our community, excelling in the classroom and creating memorable moments that embody the very best of Aggie Pride.
As commencement approaches, I want to offer a special congratulations to our graduating seniors. Their impact on UC Davis Athletics extends far beyond wins and losses. They have represented our university with character, resilience and leadership, and they leave our department stronger because of their contributions. We are grateful for all they have given to UC Davis and look forward to celebrating their achievements and following their success in the years ahead.
The momentum across our department is the result of countless people working together in pursuit of something bigger than themselves. Our student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, donors and fans have all played a role in the successes highlighted throughout this year's High Fives. While there is much to celebrate from the past year, there is even greater excitement for what lies ahead. As we prepare for a new academic year and our transition into the Mountain West Conference, we remain committed to building on this foundation and creating new opportunities for Aggies to achieve, compete and thrive." — Rocko DeLuca, Director of Athletics
STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT – Kylee Davis Claims Big West Long Jump Title
Junior Kylee Davis delivered one of the top seasons in recent UC Davis track and field history, capturing a Big West individual championship, setting a personal best, and moving into second place on the program's all-time outdoor long jump list.
Davis's postseason run reached its peak on Friday, May 15, at the Big West Track and Field Championships in Long Beach, Calif. Competing against a talented field, the junior recorded a personal-best mark of 6.26m to win the long jump title and claim the conference crown.
The championship performance elevated Davis to No. 2 in the UC Davis women's outdoor record book while also securing her place in the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds. Her mark ranked among the top regional qualifiers, earning a trip to Fayetteville, Ark., where she competed against some of the nation's best long jumpers on May 28.
"I am happy for Kylee to find her rhythm on the runway and finally win the Big West title," said head track and field coach Ngoni Makusha. "She is peaking at the right time, ahead of the NCAA West Regional preliminary round in Arkansas. I am excited to see how she performs."
Davis concluded her season at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds with a mark of 6.11m, finishing 29th overall and capping a year that saw her become a conference champion and one of the top long jumpers in program history.
"In all my years in collegiate track and field, I spent so much time chasing marks that I forgot to appreciate how far I've already come," Davis said. "This season for me was about learning how to stand still long enough to appreciate where I was. That is something I will take into next season and for the rest of my life."
STAFF SPOTLIGHT – Ryan Sahadeo Elevates Aggie Broadcasting
Joining the UC Davis athletic department in 2023, Director and Producer of Broadcasting Ryan Sahadeo has helped elevate the Aggie brand on television, bringing more than 100 home events each season into the living rooms of thousands of fans.
A lifelong sports fan and Davis native, Sahadeo began his broadcasting career in the cricket world, assisting both Major League and Minor League Cricket teams across Northern California.
"We have our local team here, the Davis Cricket Club," Sahadeo said. "It's part of multiple leagues around the region. There's also the minor league circuit that started with three teams in the Bay Area and Northern California, so I was helping assist all of them with their needs, including video coverage."
As both producer and director of Aggie broadcasting, Sahadeo handles a wide range of responsibilities, from transporting and setting up the broadcasting truck to troubleshooting technical issues, coordinating production workflows, and building the on-screen graphics featured during live broadcasts.
"On game day, I'm usually the first one in, about five to six hours before the actual start time," Sahadeo said. "Then we do the game, and afterward we spend another hour or so breaking down and packing everything up."
The behind-the-scenes workload and attention to detail required to produce live events have made Sahadeo a key part of UC Davis' growing broadcasting operation. According to Assistant A.D. for Broadcasting Isidro Cabrera, Sahadeo's collaborative approach and commitment to continuous improvement have had a major impact across the department.
"Ryan is the epitome of a team player," said Cabrera. "He is always looking for ways to improve what we do and is always willing to help other units. He enjoys working with our student staff and always ensures we have fun while still working hard."
Beyond the broadcasts themselves, Sahadeo takes pride in helping students gain hands-on experience in live sports production. For him, one of the most fulfilling parts of the role is seeing former student broadcasters go on to successful professional careers.
"At a school like Davis that doesn't have a broadcasting program, it's remarkable how many students have gone on to fulfilling careers in this business," Sahadeo said. "We've had former students work at ESPN, the San Francisco Giants, the University of Washington, and many other organizations."
As UC Davis prepares for its transition to the Mountain West, Sahadeo sees an opportunity for Aggie broadcasting to continue growing alongside the department's rising national profile. With increased visibility and heightened production demands on the horizon, he believes the standard for broadcasts must continue to evolve as well.
"We're thrilled about it," Sahadeo said. "It's going to be a challenge with more production coming our way, but we're always up for it. As the school continues to elevate, we feel it's important that we step up our game as well."
DONOR IMPACT – Give Day 2026 Sets New Department Record
Give Day 2026 set a new standard for UC Davis, and it's hard to fully capture just how meaningful this moment was for our department. Aggies came together in a way that reflects everything we believe in—community, opportunity and a shared investment in our student-athletes.
The numbers speak for themselves: $652,122 raised from 1,817 donors, the most successful Give Day in our history. But what stands out even more is the participation behind it. Our student-athletes showed up, our programs rallied, and our supporters leaned in—unlocking every challenge and fueling a level of energy that carried across every team.
We are incredibly grateful to our donors. Their support goes beyond recognition—it's an investment in the daily experience of our student-athletes. This year, 22 challenge gift donors committed a combined $195,000, helping inspire participation and unlock additional support across our programs. From scholarships and travel to nutrition, equipment and overall program development, these gifts directly impact what it means to be an Aggie.
There's real momentum building within UC Davis Athletics, and Give Day is a clear reflection of that. To everyone who contributed, supported and helped bring this to life—thank you. This is what it looks like when an entire community shows up.
IN THE COMMUNITY – Swim Ags Initiative Expands Water Safety Access
For UC Davis women's water polo student-athletes Lillie Vehling and Sadie Henry, the pool has always served as a second home. On April 19, however, the duo stepped onto the pool deck with a different purpose: launching the debut event for SWAG (Swim Ags), a community initiative they founded to help close a critical gap in aquatic education.
Vehling and Henry created SWAG after recognizing a simple but important reality. While many communities offer swim instruction for children, few provide accessible and welcoming opportunities specifically designed for adults. At a university that brings together people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, the pair understood that many adults never had equal access to swim lessons growing up and often feel intimidated seeking out beginner instruction later in life.
As aquatic student-athletes, they saw an opportunity to use their experience to create a supportive, community-centered environment focused on water safety and confidence building.
"Many adults have never had access to swim instruction in an environment created specifically for them," Vehling explained. "Being able to provide a welcoming, judgment-free space not only to build water safety skills, but also to build community, is what makes SWAG so meaningful to us."
The first session welcomed participants with a wide range of comfort levels, from individuals submerging their faces for the first time to others refining stroke technique. Vehling and Henry structured the clinic around small instructor-to-participant groups, allowing instructors to provide individualized attention and tailor lessons to each participant's needs.
As the session progressed, confidence quickly replaced hesitation. Participants celebrated milestones both big and small, including several learning to float independently for the first time.
"What stood out most was how quickly that confidence can grow when people feel truly supported," Vehling said.
For Henry and Vehling, watching that transformation firsthand reinforced the purpose behind the initiative and deepened their commitment to serving the Davis community through the sport that has shaped so much of their lives.
"As athletes who spend so much of our lives in the water, it has been rewarding to share that experience in a way that feels approachable and encouraging for others," Henry added. "We hope SWAG continues to grow into a program that helps adults build both water safety skills and confidence at their own pace."
With additional clinics already planned, the duo hopes to continue expanding SWAG into a sustainable community program that increases access to adult swim education and water safety resources while creating a model that other universities and communities can replicate.
AGGIES IN COMPETITION – Softball Closes Big West Era with Historic Season
UC Davis softball delivered one of the most successful seasons in program history this spring, capping the year with the program's first-ever Big West Championship victory after recording a school-record 17 conference wins during the regular season.
The Aggies established themselves as one of the conference's top teams throughout the year, winning four Big West series and earning the No. 4 seed in the conference championships.
UC Davis built momentum late in the season with a historic road sweep at Long Beach State before closing the regular season with one of the year's signature moments. Facing nationally ranked Cal State Fullerton, the Aggies rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure a walk-off comeback victory and extend their conference winning streak to five games.
That momentum carried into the Big West Championships, where UC Davis opened postseason play with a win over Long Beach State, securing the program's first conference championship tournament victory.
Although the Aggies ultimately fell short of a championship title, the season featured several milestone accomplishments. Four Aggies earned All-Big West honors, while Sydney Polli and Gia Felice each tied a program record with five-hit performances during the season.
As UC Davis closes its final chapter in the Big West, the Aggies leave behind a season filled with historic accomplishments and momentum heading into the program's next era in the Mountain West.
