By Mark Lindahl
(All photos courtesy of LBSU athletics)
Women’s Basketball
Jada Smith, Freshman, forward, Cary N.C.
Coming from Cary, North Carolina, Jada Smith will bring much-needed size and toughness to the women’s basketball team while also providing a versatile skill-set. Smith already knows how to win, going undefeated in conference play before winning the regular-season championship in her senior season of high school.
Danelle Arigbabu, Freshman, Center, Frankfurt Germany
For a team that’s in need of a strong paint presence to complement their active perimeter defense, Danelle Arigbabu brings great size to contest shots and corral rebounds. Arigbabu is one of two international players on the team this season, coming from Frankfurt, Germany where she won the German Championship in 2014 in Berlin at the U17 Junior Nationals.
Men’s Basketball
Chance Hunter, sophomore transfer, guard, Cerritos College
With key departures in the guard rotation, Chance Hunter will step in looking to contribute immediately after one successful season at Cerritos College. While at Cerritos, Hunter made first team for the All-South Coast Conference while averaging over 13 points and seven rebounds a game, and has been working on his game this summer in the Drew League with Baxter’s Legacy.
Colin Slater, Redshirt Junior, transferred from Tulane, Point guard.
Colin Slater is coming into the season already knowing the playbook but has yet to step on the court in black and yellow due to transfer rules. Coming over from Tulane, Slater played 60 games with 10 starts, and will provide strong leadership in practice and games with his work ethic and team-first style at the point guard position. Slater was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team twice while at Tulane.
Women’s Volleyball
Jade Waskom, Freshman, Bend Oregon, position L
Jade Waskom comes from a long line of winning, having dominated her league at Summit High School in Bend, Oregon. Waskom is the career leader for most digs and aces at Summit High School, and also brings great leadership after being a team captain there for three years.
Tia Chavira, freshman, Aquinas HS San Bernardino, position S
Tia Chavira is already an accomplished player in her volleyball career coming to Long Beach State, winning a gold medal at the U16 American Junior Nationals, while also lettering and earning All-league selections all four years in high school.
Women’s Soccer
Amanda Meichtry, Freshman, defense, Vista Murrieta HS
Amanda Meichtry is starting her career at Long Beach State after earning first-team All-Southwestern League, All-State and All-CIF honors in high school while also being named the Southwestern League’s Defensive MVP as a junior. Meichtry served as a team captain her senior year, winning the 2018-19 CLASS award and was a member of the All-Scholastic team.
Marta Alemany Sanchez, Goalkeeper, transferred from Monroe College, grew up in Palafrugell, Spain.
Marta Alemany Sanchez is coming to Long Beach State with lots of experience protecting the goal, having won the NJCAA Division I championship at Monroe College while also earning All-American honors in the 2018 season. Alemany Sacnhez has a deep soccer background, playing internationally for Spain and Catalonia National Youth programs, the FC Barcelona academy and Spain at the U17 Women’s World Cup.
Track & Field
Marcos Gonzalez, Moreno Valley CA, transfer junior Riverside Community College, javelin.
Marcos Gonzalez is bringing elite talent to an already prominent track and field program here at the Beach after being ranked No. 1 in the javelin at Riverside Community College in the CCCCAA last year. Gonzalez is the defending junior college state javelin champion with a career-best of 61.46 meters set last season in the state championship and is looking to make even more noise on the national stage.
Kash Powell is another new addition who happens to be an international student, coming all the way to Long Beach State from Australia. Powell is already an accomplished runner in the 800 meters with experience running international and collegiate distances.
Jaelyn Predium, Freshman, Long Beach Poly, Sprinter/Relays
Jaelyn Predium is a home-grown student-athlete, coming from Long Beach Poly High School, who will look to contribute early on for the sprinter’s group. Predium holds personal records of 12.13 in the 100 meters and 25.35 in the 200 meters.
Alec Jones, transfer junior from Riverside Community College and junior college state champ for the hammer throw.
Alec Jones is coming to Long Beach State from Riverside Community College with plenty of hype. Jones was ranked the top junior college thrower in both the hammer and the discus last season in California, which includes finishing as the state champion in the hammer throw and the runner up in the discus at the CCCCAA state meet last season.
