Tyler Woodworth, the Kingsmen’s leading receiver, rockets off the line against Chapman on Oct. 17. The junior standout is following in the footsteps of his father, Brian, who earned All-American Honorable Mention honors in the early 2000s. Tyler, pictured above with his brothers Josh and Trevor and his parents, Robyn and Brian, is one of several current student-athletes who proudly carry on a family legacy every time they compete in purple and gold. Action photo: Kendal Lanz
|
|
|
Family connections are prominent across Cal Lu sports teams |
By Kyle Jorrey At Cal Lutheran, athletics is a family business.
Across the sports landscape, the university boasts a rich tradition of generational ties, with brothers, sisters, cousins and children of past greats currently competing.
Take, for example, Tyler Woodworth, the star wide receiver for the SCIAC title-game-bound Kingsmen football team. Tyler is following in the footsteps of his father, Brian Woodworth ’03, who excelled at receiver and special teams for Cal Lutheran in the early 2000s, racking up 108 catches and averaging an impressive 40.44 yards per punt over just two seasons (2000-2001).
Brian, a father of four sons, described watching Tyler suit up for his alma mater as the joy of a lifetime. That Tyler is playing the same position makes it even more special.
“I get so excited seeing him out there. It’s hard to explain,” Brian said. “It brings life back to you … and memories. You always want your kids to do better than you did. In Tyler’s case, I want him to move past me. I want the attention to be on him.”
The senior Woodworth needn’t fret: Tyler’s incredible play this season has generated plenty of attention. The 6-foot-3 junior transfer from Ventura College has snapped up nearly every ball thrown in his direction, leading the Kingsmen in catches (39), receiving yards (608) and receiving touchdowns (3). “If the game is on the line … I want the ball,” Tyler said. |
|
|
| TeNorris Merkel Junior | Football
Many players have driven the Kingsmen’s turnaround, but no one has set the aggressive tone quite like “Merk.” The chiseled 6-foot-4, 200-pound wide receiver is a defender’s nightmare: play him tight, and he’ll burn you deep; try a two-deep zone, and you risk getting stiff-armed into the band section. With Merkel and fellow junior college transfer Tyler Woodworth, sophomore QB Joe Farley is dealing with a wealth of options. The dynamic receiving pair has combined for over 65 catches, six touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards. “They’re big, they’re fast, they can do it all,” Farley said. Merkel, a native of Burlington, Kentucky, put his athleticism on full display homecoming week with a spectacular 100-yard kick return for a touchdown against Chapman. The Kingsmen will need that intensity and more when they face the Panthers again on Saturday for the SCIAC title.
|
|
|
| Kaylee Clayton Sophomore | Women’s Volleyball
With no player standing over six feet, head coach Kellee Roesel knew the 2025 Regals had only three options: play smarter, be faster ― or knock the snot out of the ball. Enter Kaylee Clayton. The Bay Area native finished the season leading the team with 236 kills, holding a narrow edge over fellow sophomore star Kennedy Smith (207). Clayton contributed a team-best 12 kills and three aces in last Saturday’s dominant 3-0 win over Occidental and delivered a match-high 20 kills in this week’s heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Redlands in the first round of the SCIAC Tournament. After winning just 22 matches over the previous two years, Cal Lutheran finished the season with 18 in the win column, including Roesel’s 400th victory as coach. The team will return a roster chock-full of talent in 2026, including Clayton, Smith and juniors Tarin Rueckert and Keegan Corley.
|
|
|
| Kelsey Slaugh Senior | Women’s Soccer
The Regals are SCIAC Tournament champions for the first time in 14 years, due in part to the play of Slaugh, who has cemented herself among Cal Lutheran’s goal-keeping greats. The Mesa, Arizona, native anchored a defense that surrendered just 10 goals the entire regular season, recording seven shutouts to bring her career total to 15. Injuries have kept Slaugh, expected to split time with sophomore Kira Kasarda, squarely entrenched in net. Slaugh’s responded with a career-high 59 saves. “Kelsey has been unstoppable,” said senior defender Tessa French, an All-SCIAC First Team selection. “She’s always there when we need her and has made some insane saves.” The Regals toppled rival Pomona-Pitzer 2-1 in last week’s SCIAC Tourney finals ― a feat they did not even accomplish in 2023’s national title-winning season ― and will now play McMurry (Texas) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.
|
|
|
| Levi Cook Junior | Men’s Water Polo
Hold up; let him Cook. Such has been the mantra for the 12-11 Kingsmen. A graduate of Newbury Park High School, Cook, who hasn’t missed a match in two seasons, is on pace to lead Cal Lutheran in both goals (41) and assists (50), an impressive feat. “His maturity, vision and confidence have grown exponentially since last season and it’s coming into fruition during his play,” head coach Tim Settem said. “It’s fun to watch ... he’s bought into his role on the team and that allows to him lead, be creative and decisive.” Cook’s 12 assists versus La Verne on Oct. 18 shattered the old program record of eight. With another year of eligibility left, the exercise science major will be among the conference’s top returners in 2026. “I’m truly proud of this group and what they have done this season,” Settem said.
|
|
|
In just two years, Summer Gelman has raced into the Cal Lutheran record books, solidifying her place among the university’s elite and revitalizing the Regal’s distance running aura. “You could argue that she’s already in the top four women," head coach Brett Halvaks said. The two-time First-Team All-SCIAC selection in cross country will compete this weekend with seven teammates for a shot at becoming an All-American, Gelman’s loftiest goal.
|
Summer Gelman’s two years at Cal Lutheran have gone by in a flash. Her opponents are glad they did.
A transfer from Cuesta College in spring 2024, the Agoura Hills native hit the dirt running and never looked back. After leading the women’s cross country team to its best SCIAC Championships finish in over a decade, the sports communication major has a real shot at qualifying as an All-American this weekend and earning a spot in the NCAA DIII Championships. Not since Regal distance-running legend Melissa Skiba in 2012 has Cal Lu sent a representative to the country's top meet.
“Regardless of how she finishes, this season has been an incredible success,” head coach Brett Halvaks said. “She’s one of the most competitive athletes I’ve ever coached.”
Here are some questions to get to know the fleetest Regal afoot: |
|
|
Butch Eskridge ’77 is greeted by fellow Hall of Famers at the outset of last month's induction ceremony inside Soiland Multipurpose Arena. Eskridge, a native of Dallas, came to Cal Lutheran after impressing legendary football coach Bob Shoup during a chance encounter in 1972 while Eskridge was working for his father, equipment manager for the Dallas Cowboys. Photo: Pablo Sandoval |
One final trip down memory lane: Five individuals, one team, enter Hall of Fame |
Revamped and relocated, new-look induction ceremony a hit with fans |
By Kyle Jorrey
His eyes welling with pride, Butch Eskridge raised his arm and pointed into the sea of people inside Soiland Multipurpose Arena. “I’m so proud to be up here, but I’ve got to say, the people at that table, they are my legacy,” said Eskridge, a 1977 graduate and member of Cal Lutheran’s Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Thirteen family members ― including Eskridge’s four children and seven grandchildren ― made the 1,500-mile trek from Texas to Thousand Oaks to attend the Oct. 17 induction ceremony.
“God’s plans, sometimes, you don’t know,” Eskridge, 71, said in a Southern drawl. “I have the privilege of looking back 50 years and seeing how God’s plan has worked out. He let me play high school basketball and football together, and then I get to do it in college. I get to go to a wonderful college with some of the greatest people and play with some of the greatest teammates a man could ask for.” “When I told (my family) ‘Dad got into the Hall of Fame,’ the first thing they said: ‘When are we going?’” Eskridge’s acceptance speech was one of several highlights from a memorable event, a revamped ceremony that was moved at the last minute from the Lundring Events Center to the larger arena to accommodate a capacity crowd. |
Attendees of the inaugural Wine & Beer Walk in April fill the plaza between William Rolland Stadium and Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center. So successful was the event, the athletics department has decided to host another. |
Wine & Beer Walk returns in spring |
Purple and gold fans asked to save the date for April 24 fundraiser |
So popular was the university's inaugural Wine & Beer Walk Fundraiser last spring, Athletic Director Howard Davis made the call to "run it back."
The second annual outdoor shindig featuring fine food and spirits is scheduled for Friday, April 24, at University Plaza. Guests will be able to sample dozens of wineries and breweries while listening to live music.
Every dollar raised by the event will go toward the Victory Club, which covers expenses related to postseason play as well as efforts to enhance the student-athlete experience (e.g. updating banners in the baseball stadium, throwing a welcome-back barbecue). |
|
|
Drew Nees has been all over the field for the title-contending Kingsmen. The sophomore linebacker from Portland, Oregon, leads the team in sacks (8.5) and is second only to senior stud Logan Bowers in tackles (60 to 59). Nees’ play has helped Cal Lutheran significantly tighten its defense, which is allowing 22 points a game compared to 26 in 2024. Head coach Anthony Lugo praised his seniors for getting younger players like Nees to buy in. “They’ve got everybody believing in themselves and what we’re trying to do here, and we’re seeing the results on the field,” Lugo said.
|
|
Delivering the winning goal in Cal Lutheran’s come-from-behind victory over No. 1-seeded Pomona-Pitzer in the SCIAC Tournament finals, Hana Sawan etched herself into Regal lore. The junior midfielder from Beaverton, Oregon, started all 20 games this season, registering five assists and three goals, none more important than her floating free kick from midfield that slipped through the goalie's gloves and defeated the Sagehens 2-1 last Saturday. While the Regals were tournament-bound regardless, head coach Frank Marino underscored the importance of the victory. “This group of seniors has accomplished just about everything,” he said. “That was the final box to check.”
|
|
|
If there’s a ball Keegan Corley can’t get to, we haven’t seen it yet. The junior libero finished the regular season as the conference’s leader in digs per set (5.86), good enough for 10th in the nation. With 527 digs — including 34 in a single match against La Verne — she now holds the second all-time spot in Regal single-season history (and has over 1,000 digs in her career). Corley, a psychology major and team captain, also delivered 27 aces, fourth most on the team. This week, the Corona native was named SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Year and joined sophomore Kaylee Clayton as First Team All-SCIAC.
|
|
First-year Alexis Gonzalez is a key reason the Women's cross country team’s future is so bright. The Lakeridge High School (Lake Oswego, Oregon) graduate consistently finished second all season behind superstar Summer Gelman. Gonzalez, a biochemistry major, delivered arguably her best performance Oct. 18 at UC Riverside’s Highlander Invitational 6,000 Meter Open Race, finishing 13th overall in a time of 24:32.10. Bolstered by Gonzalez, sophomore Ellie Sinclair and first-year Sophie Wight, the Regals are well-positioned to improve on their sixth-place SCIAC Championships finish next year.
|
|
|
Our rundown of the can’t-miss Kingsmen and Regals action |
|
|
Women’s Soccer vs. McMurry (TX) |
Backdrop: So much for a rebuilding year. Despite fielding one of their younger rosters in recent memory, head coach Frank Marino and the Regals are right back in familiar territory: the NCAA Tournament. Their first test is McMurry (Texas) a team they've never faced in program history. Two years removed from winning a national title, no one is overlooking the Regals this time around. Eight different players have at least three goals, but head coach Frank Marino said the offense still hasn’t reached its potential. “We’ve created a lot of chances, we’re just not finishing as much as we probably should,” he said. Young, hungry and fearless with nothing to lose, the Regals could prove a very tough out. Photo: Pablo Sandoval
|
|
Backdrop: Fuel up the purple and gold caravan and hit the 405: the Kingsmen are playing for a SCIAC Championship. Cal Lutheran (6-3) travels to Orange on Saturday to face Chapman (7-2) for a shot at their first title in 13 years. Players will need to shake off a disappointing defeat to Pomona-Pitzer last weekend that nearly cost them a shot at the title. Priority No. 1: Slowing the Panther ground game, which churned up 194 rush yards in a 35-25 defeat earlier in the season. All eyes will be on sophomore QB Joe Farley, who has exceeded all expectations. Farley leads the conference in passing yards (1,654) but has as many interceptions (8) as touchdowns. Photo: Tajuan Netterville
|
|
|
Men’s Water Polo at Redlands |
Backdrop: A win over Redlands will get the Kingsmen (12-11) into the SCIAC Tournament play-in game next Tuesday. Cal Lutheran, winners of three out of their last four, would love to lock down their first winning season under second-year head coach Tim Settem. Players to watch include Merrick Giles, a sophomore from Ventura. The political science major has scored at least three goals in his last eight matches. “With the exception of a few disappointing losses, we’ve really competed at a very high level, with some great competition,” Settem said. “It’s crazy how our season can come down to this final game, but we truly are the masters of our own fate.” Photo: Pablo Sandoval
|
| Check out the full schedule for all upcoming games! |
|
|
The official Cal Lutheran Sports and Regal volleyball accounts celebrate an incredible milestone for longtime women’s volleyball head coach Kellee Roesel: 400 career wins. Roesel, now in her 20th season, reached the mark in a 3-0 victory over Redlands on Oct. 4. She is the winningest volleyball coach in university history. “I’m living this year with a grateful heart for (assistant coach) Kevin Judd, for sure, who’s crazy enough to stick with me,” Roesel said. |
|
|
Nowadays, former Cal Lutheran distance runner Shawn Jackson, shown at right competing in the steeplechase in 2013, is taking on the greatest challenge of all, being a dad. He's pictured at left with wife, Liz; 2-year-old Maggie and newborn Rosalie. Jackson teaches math and coaches cross country and track at nearby Nordhoff High School in Ojai. “The small-town community keeps me here and helps me feel the impact of my teaching and coaching,” he said. Photos: Courtesy of Shawn Jackson
|
Like many Kingsmen before him, Shawn Jackson has decided to use his talents to raise up the next generation.
Jackson is a math teacher and the track and cross country coach at Nordhoff High School in Ojai. He has helped carry on the program’s proud tradition of distance running, a legacy established by former coach Ken Reeves, who led the team to multiple state titles in the 1990s. The 34-year-old was first introduced to Nordhoff at a campus job fair while he was still a student at Cal Lutheran.
“The small-town community keeps me here and helps me feel the impact of my teaching and coaching,” Jackson said. “We get kids who strictly run, others who are studs in other sports and some kids who have never even done a sport before. Blending them into a family of runners is the best.” At Cal Lutheran, Jackson, a four-time scholar-athlete, excelled in the steeplechase and 5,000-meter.
“My teammates, especially the distance boys, were my best friends and the people I still get together with whenever we can,” he said. “My best memories center around Sunday long runs with the boys, refueling in the caf afterward, and team dinners we cooked together or enjoyed out at Buca Di Beppo. We had so many traditions that made long runs and team bonding great.” While Jackson loves being a teacher and coach, his most cherished role is being a father. He and his wife, Liz, just welcomed their second daughter, Rosalie.
“The last two years of being a father have been the most fulfilling time of my life,” he said. “I love seeing the little differences in my two girls, and I’m loving seeing Maggie — my 2-year-old— grow into a great big sister. … I am lucky to have Liz, who is a great wife and mother.”
A resident of Oak View, Jackson remains in regular contact with several of his former teammates, including current track and field and cross country head coach Brett Halvaks ’11, TC ’12. Since 2011, the pair have competed in a fantasy football league that now includes fellow alumni Dan Tustin’16, MBA ’18, and David Avila ’16 in which the last-place team is required to run a 5K in “jorts” (jeans/shorts). “Dan Tustin is our record holder with a 16:49,” he said.
Still a passionate Kingsman, Jackson advocated for the return of the “Loop Da Lu,” a run held during homecoming, as well as for the creation of a track on campus, which has been a hot topic since his coaching days at the university. “I would love to attend a home meet in the future,” he said. |
|
|
© 2025 California Lutheran University |
|
|
|
