Mitchell ready to jump into Sac State
Pioneer student will compete in the track and field program at Sacramento State
Although all the high schools in Woodland have not been able to participate in school sports for almost a year now due to the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic, that hasn’t stopped a few Pioneer athletes from committing the next few years of their life to play sports at the D1 level.
After three athletes already committed earlier this year to play baseball and softball, Mason Mitchell has added his name to that list by signing his letter of intent to play track and field for Sacramento State University.
Mitchell will be joining fellow Patriot, friend, and baseball teammate Hunter Timothy at Sacramento. He remains focused and is looking forward to arriving on campus and getting to work despite things not going totally to plan.
“Nothing went as expected this year,” Mitchell said. “The plan was to play baseball in college, but here I am, committed for track. I am just happy to be where I am and have this opportunity, and hopefully, it goes well when I get there.”
Mitchell first caught the Sacramento State coaching staff’s attention during a sophomore year track meet in Davis. The
all- around athlete juggled baseball and track duties during the spring sports season but still managed to make the honorable mention list in baseball while making it to the 2019 CIF state championships meet in the long jump. He also earned all- league honors his junior year with the basketball team.
Mitchell, who has been competing in track since the seventh grade, excelled in both the high and long jump for the Patriots, and while he did other running events, he will focus exclusively on jumping for the Hornets.
With no other offers and talks slowing to a halt with other schools, Mitchell chose to join the Hornets, which just happened to be his father and aunt’s Alma Matter. In the early ’ 80s, his father, Alan, also did track and played football. His aunt was also on the track team.
“It was the best option and I see myself being successful there,” Mitchell said. “It was exciting more than anything. It was a relief to finally have somewhat of a plan and something to look forward to.”
With seemingly no senior track season in sight, Mitchell is happy to have an opportunity not afforded to many other athletes who haven’t been able to compete.
“It’s nice that I don’t have to stress about how well I do or how I showcase myself in the next year,” Mitchell said. “I have a plan that is set and my place to go already.”
His private jumping coach Ike Okoroike thinks his overall athleticism will translate at the next level.
“I think he’ll do really well given the circumstances that he played baseball and track during the same season,” Okoroike said. “Not many athletes do that. Being able to focus just on track will be great. They have a great program. Just being able to dial in and focus on track, I think he’ll have a really good career.”
Mitchell has been able to stay in good shape despite the lack of games or competition. He would be right in the middle of a league title push with the Patriot basketball team.
He is confident the long layoff won’t affect him as he feels he’ll easily shake off any rust when he gets back to full- on training and then competing.
“I’m thrilled Mason is going to Sac State and playing a sport,” his father said. “I think it’s a good school, and he is going to be around his parents who get to watch him compete. That’s important. We are happy for the opportunity and glad it was afforded to him. Stingers up!”