Kristi Gannon is one of the most-decorated field hockey players to come out of San Diego County.

A standout at San Pasqual High School, she was a two-time All-American at Michigan, Big Ten Athlete of the Year in 2003, a Team USA member, who played in the Pan American Games, the World Cup and in Olympic qualifiers.

Now Kristi Gannon Fisher after marrying former Wolverines football player Jim Fisher, she was named head field hockey coach at Michigan last week.  She replaces Marcia Pankratz, who ran the Michigan program for 25 years, winning an NCAA championship in 2001 with Gannon a pivotal player.

Several years ago, Kristi and Jim Fisher moved back to San Diego. Kristi coached field hockey coach at Valley Center High School and Jim was named football coach at Fallbrook.

But before Jim could coach a game at Fallbrook, however, Kristi was offered the job as assistant field hockey coach at Michigan. So the family moved back to Michigan, where Kristi served as Pankratz’s assistant before being named to replace her.

“I’m thrilled Kristi will take the reins of our field hockey program following her tremendous contributions both as an assistant coach and as a former All-American,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “She is passionate about this university and its field hockey program and someone who is truly admired by her former teammates and fellow alums.”

Playing alongside her All-American sister, Kelli, Kristi Gannon Fisher ranks in the top 10 in every major field hockey category at Michigan. She finished her career with 37 goals, 26 assists and 100 points.

Women’s basketball

Breya Cunningham (La Jolla Country Day) has transferred from Arizona to Texas, where she will have two years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-4 center averaged 11.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game at Arizona.

Football

Quarterback Julian Sayin (Carlsbad) was impressive in Ohio State’s spring game, completing 17 of 24 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown.

A transfer from Alabama, Sayin is in line to start for the Buckeyes.

Baseball

Bryce Grudzielanek (Torrey Pines) is hitting .302 with eight homers and 38 RBIs for USC. Kevin Takeuchi (Rancho Bernardo) is hitting .241 with a homer and 19 RBIs.

• Frankie Carney (St. Augustine ) is hitting .409 with 17 RBIs at UC Irvine, while James Castagnola (Cathedral Catholic) is hitting .288 with three homers and 16 RBIs.

• Jackson Waller (Mission Hills) is hitting .287 with five homers and a team-high 40 RBIs for Nevada. Nate Snakenborg (San Marcos) is the Wolf Pack’s backup catcher and is hitting .321.

• Kein Vu (Point Loma) is hitting .350 with nine homers and 25 RBIs at Arizona State. He also has eight doubles and 12 steals.

• Aidan Risse (La Jolla Country Day) spent five years at Bard College, throwing 192 innings with a 12-17 record before transferring to the University of San Francisco. He’s 4-2 this season with a 4.23 ERA in 11 starts for the Dons.

Softball

Indiana Langford (Poway) is the leadoff hitter for a Michigan team that is 32-18. She leads the team with a .407 average. In 49 games, the second baseman has scored 44 runs and has 14 steals.

• Samantha Gutierrez (Mater Dei Catholic) is playing her senior season at Oregon State after transferring from Eastern New Mexico. She is hitting .296 with three homers and 14 RBIs for the Beavers.

• Sophia Ramuno (Helix) is 9-5 with a 2.23 ERA in 27 appearances at Washington. She has pitched 100 innings with 130 strikeouts and 20 walks.

• Paige Dimler (Rancho Buena Vista) is hitting .443 with a pair of homers and 22 RBIs at Arizona. Kaiah Altmeyer (Patrick Henry) is hitting .361 with four homers, 47 RBIs and leads the Wildcats with 16 doubles.

• Nataly Lozano (Otay Ranch) is hitting .392 with six homers and 40 RBIs at Cal State Fullerton. A freshman, she has struck out just 15 times in 159 plate appearances. Leanna Garcia (Mission Hills) is 15-5 with a save with a 3.61 ERA.

Beach volleyball

Delaney Karl (Torrey Pines) is 19-4 for No. 5-ranked USC. Maya Gessner (La Jolla) is 13-7 after transferring from Cal.

•  Chloe Hooker (Francis Parker) is 24-9 with No. 4 Loyola Marymount.

• Playing mostly at the No. 1 position, Malia Gementera (Eastlake) is 33-4 for No. 10 Long Beach State. Megan Widener (San Marcos) is 29-6 and Julia Westay (Classical Academy) is 22-15.

Men’s volleyball

•  Max McCullough (San Marcos) has 139 kills for The Master’s College, which is 23-0 and headed to the NAIA national championships. Isaac Laing (Helix) has 75 sets for Master’s, which has wins over Stanford, Menlo and Concordia-Irvine.

• Kasey Clouet (San Marcos) has 75 kills for Concordia-Irvine.

John Maffei’s Alumni Report appears during the college season. Readers are encouraged to send items on local athletes to john.maffei@sduniontribune.com.

Originally Published: April 30, 2025 at 11:57 AM PDT