Winning once is hard, sustaining excellence is even harder, and yet that’s exactly what St. Mary’s has done.
Year after year, the Rams continue to produce championship teams, elite athletes and college-bound talent at a rate few schools in California can match.
During the school’s 150th year, that tradition showed no signs of slowing down.
A look back at the 2025-26 school year helps explain why St. Mary’s remains one of the premier athletic program not only in San Joaquin County, but across Northern California and the state.
“This year has been nothing short of extraordinary, marked by excellence on the field, court, pool, ice, sand, track and in the classroom,” St. Mary’s athletic director Adam Litcher said. “During our unbelievable 150th year, St. Mary’s athletics continued to build on a tradition of excellence that few programs can match.
“Over the past eight years (since 2017), St. Mary’s has ranked among the top five schools in the Section in championships won, capturing 26 Section Championships across nine different sports. During that span, we have also earned a NorCal Championship, a football State Championship, and an Individual Diving State Championship. I feel absolutely blessed to lead this athletic department. Our success begins and ends with our incredible coaches, whose commitment, passion, and dedication to our student-athletes are truly remarkable. I also want to thank our Chaplain, Father Mathew Isaac, for conducting our athletic Masses and serving as a constant source of spiritual growth and guidance within St. Mary’s athletics.”
Athletic Highlights
Academic Excellence & Scholarships
St. Mary’s student-athletes posted a 3.42 cumulative GPA, with 27 seniors earning collegiate scholarships across 16 sports and 13 states. Including 10 junior college signees, 37 graduates will compete in college athletics, representing 20% of the Class of 2026.
Total Sac-Joaquin Section Championships Since 2017-18
This article originally appeared on The Record: How St. Mary’s remains a California high school sports powerhouse
Reporting by Dylan Ackermann, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan Ackermann, The Stockton Record | USA TODAY Network
