SDSU adapted athletes celebrate historic wins at 2025 USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships

When the final shot put landed at Hayward Field, San Diego State University’s adapted athletes had more than one reason to celebrate.

Following a historic showing at the 2025 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships in Eugene, Oregon, SDSU’s Adapted Athletics team — a program of Associated Students — returned with 10 medals, three personal bests, and three athletes named to the USATF Para Tier & Talent Protection Program, formerly known as Team USA’s Paralympic National Team.

“I told them if they did well, we’d go to BJ’s and get the Pizookie,” said AJ Munoz-Bond, SDSU’s director of Adapted Athletics. “Not just the regular one but the super Pizookie that’s off-menu. We ended up getting two of those giant ones to celebrate. Everyone had a good time.”

The oversized dessert marked the close of a truly groundbreaking weekend. For the first time in history, Olympians and Paralympians competed side by side, sharing the spotlight at the legendary Hayward Field, one of the most iconic venues in U.S. track and field.

“The atmosphere at Hayward Field was incredible,” Munoz-Bond said. “I think for a lot of our athletes, that was the biggest crowd they’ve ever competed in front of. And seeing them up on the jumbotron, on Peacock, on NBC — there were a lot of tears, a lot of running around. It meant everything.”

Among the standout performances:

Alicia Guerrero set a new American record in the F64 shot put division and now ranks No. 2 in the world for shot put and No. 3 in discus.

“The moment Alicia hit her mark and broke the record and new personal record, she ran to her coach, Jasmine Burrell, and the embrace was something I will never forget,” Munoz-Bond said.

Max Rohn, a veteran and elite community athlete, qualified for Worlds.

Chloe Chavez, an incoming first-year student, also earned a Team USA roster spot.

Each of the three — all below-the-knee amputees and elite throwers — will represent the U.S. this fall at the Para Athletics World Championships in New Delhi, India.

“It was the dream scenario,” Munoz-Bond said. “You hope for one athlete to make the team. We got three. And to have that moment together, and then go out and just celebrate like a family, that’s what it’s all about.”

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“Everyone’s so dedicated to their craft — coaches, athletes, staff,” Munoz-Bond added. “And when it pays off like this, we want to recognize that. We want to celebrate as humans. That’s part of what makes this team special.”

This is the first time in SDSU’s history the program has sent a student-athlete to the World Championships.

With just weeks until they depart for India, training has already resumed under Jasmine Burrell, who had their post-Nationals plan ready to go before the meet even began.

But for a few sweet hours in Eugene, the team hit pause. Medals matter. But so does the Pizookie.