SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior thrower Juliana Cerezo-Rangel will compete for the Sonoma State Seawolves next year. A two-sport letter winner at St. Francis, she will continue her career collegiately after first picking up the sport just two years ago.

“To be able to excel in a sport, make it to college and have the opportunity to compete in college is a really good opportunity to have it,” said Cerezo-Rangel, who will major in sociology at the school located in Rohnert Park, Calif., located just 88 miles from Sacramento. “I am really glad to have it.”

Cerezo-Rangel played on the basketball team as a junior during the 2014-15 season, playing 21 games and scoring a career-high 11 points against Indio. But she decided to give track and field a try last spring, trading her basketball for new implements.

“Basketball was a lot of fun for me,” said Cerezo-Rangel. “I had a great opportunity to play one of my favorite sports and I made really good friends along the way. It came to a point where it was something I was losing a connection to it and I found track and field. I am an athletic person and wanted to keep doing anything I can to be involved in athletics at St. Francis. When I found track and field, it was like home again. I found myself in it and it was the best choice I could have made.”

Throws coach John Carrothers helped the newcomer learn the techniques necessary to throw the shot put and the discus for the Troubadours.

“Juliana will be an excellent addition to Sonoma State,” said Carrothers. “She is always willing to work hard.  With additional exposure at the collegiate level, her star will shine brightly.  

She threw the shot and discus 27 and 55 feet, respectively, in her first meet in the spring of 2015. By season’s end, she was heaving the shot over 31 feet and the discus 93 feet.

“He taught me techniques that really advanced my throw,” said Cerezo-Rangel of her event coach. “I came in knowing nothing. Coach Carrothers really eased me into the sport and I thank him so much for teaching me the techniques and helping me become a better athlete.”

As a senior, Cerezo-Rangel scored at the Delta League Championships in both events, posting season-best marks of 31-9 in the shot put and 103-4 in the discus.

“I prefer the discus,” said Cerezo-Rangel. “But, they are both fun. I get to throw and use all of my energy. I have to build it up. You can’t just go in a throw. There is more to it – training, getting your techniques right and building your muscles so you can throw this object as far as you can.”

She will major in sociology after graduating from St. Francis on Wednesday.