EHS Track and Cross Country

Eureka High Athletes to Pursue Track & Cross Country Dreams at Cal Poly Humboldt
Posted on 05/16/2023

May 12, 2023 - Eureka, CA -  Eureka High School (EHS) track and cross country stars, Daniel Shaver and Charlotte Leonard will continue their athletic pursuits into college and right here in Humboldt. 

The two EHS seniors have signed letters of intent from Cal Poly Humboldt’s head men's/women's cross country coach & assistant track/field coach Jamey Harris, to participate on the Cal Poly Humboldt track & field and cross country teams for the 2023-2024 school year. 


The signing took place Wednesday afternoon on May 3, 2023 in the EHS main foyer and the athletes were accompanied at the signing ceremony by EHS track & field and cross country coach Scott Pesch, the EHS Athletic Department, family, and friends.


Coach Pesch says, “They are what a coach would call perfect student athletes. These two, they are the ones that are responsible for the culture of our distance running program. From running on the beach to around town, they are always leading the way.  They have great work ethic and they have been Captains now since sophomore year, and that’s remarkable. The coaches and the whole school are proud of them. We’re going to miss them but I know they will have great success at Cal Poly.”


Daniel Shaver officially started his track and cross country career at Eureka High his freshman year but says he’s loved running since childhood. Shaver’s main events for track are the 1600 and 3200, with personal records of 4:34 and 10:01. His personal record in 5k for cross country is 16:57 and personal record in the 3 mile is 15:59. 


He says, “My track experience at EHS has definitely helped pave the way for this opportunity at Cal Poly Humboldt. I feel I’m ready to be a freshman again. I’ve met the team already, I like the team culture, and I think it’s going to be a great experience.”


Charlotte Leonard’s main events for cross country are the 5k with a personal record of 20:21, and the 3 mile at 19:47. Her track events are the 1600 with a personal record of 5:48, and the 3200 at 12:15. 



Leonard says, “My experience with my coaches and my team has been really  awesome. They have all been supportive of me, and we support each other to be the best runners and people we can be. I’m excited to see what I can do in college; keep running and keep doing well.”


Both students are also successful in academics and involved in other school activities. Shaver has a passion for math and wants to study environmental engineering at Cal Poly Humboldt. Leonard is in the EHS orchestra, jazz band, symphonic band  and several clubs. She plans to study psychology at Cal Poly Humboldt. Congratulations to Daniel Shaver and Charlotte Leonard.


See the video recap here: