Woodbridge star runner Sierra Shaver continuing career at Cal State Monterey Bay

Sierra Shaver from Woodbridge has made her college decision. (Photo courtesy Shaver family)

Standout Woodbridge High distance runner Sierra Shaver is headed to Cal State Monterey Bay to continue her cross country, track and field and academic career.

She signed her national letter of intent with NCAA Division 2 CSUMB last month after being offered by several schools.

Shaver was looking forward to a signing day at Woodbridge High. But it wasn’t possible due to on-campus schooling being canceled for the rest of the year in the Irvine Unified School District due to the coronavirus.

But the senior, who was also part of several clubs and the Woodbridge choir for four years, said she is excited to continue her studies and running at Monterey Bay.

The campus and program were the perfect fit for Shaver. She is not only focused on continuing to run, but is excited about pursuing studies in either business or the ocean science programs going forward.

“I really enjoyed the Monterey Bay area and campus and it was so much fun meeting the girls that were already part of the team,” she said. “It was a really team forward feel. I am also excited that there are some very good runners coming into the program and I can’t wait to be a part of building with them.”

Shaver, who was a four-year varsity runner at Woodbridge, had a breakout season last fall with the Warriors.

She ended up the 21st fastest runner in school history in three miles at Woodbridge, running 18:02.7 at a Pacific Coast League meet on Oct. 10, 2019 at Mason Regional Park.

And Shaver finished sixth at league finals and earned first-team all-PCL after running 18:04.8 on Nov. 7, 2019 at Mason Park. 

In all, she ran all of her eight races in her senior year under 19 minutes and was part of a squad that made it to the CIF-SS Finals in Riverside.

Shaver was off to a solid start in the track season, setting personal bests in two straight meets in 1,600 and 3,200-meter races before the season was halted.

But she is still working out every day and reaching out to friends and teammates as much as she can.

“It is hard, and frustrating at times, but we all need to be safe and take care of each other,” Shaver said. “I hope that I can run in the fall in college, but I also hope that all of the Woodbridge teams can compete. I have so many friends there that I will always root for.”