Aggies Capture National Collegiate Club Championships in Taekwondo and Gymnastics

UC Davis Taekwondo Club Shines at Collegiate Nationals

The UC Davis Taekwondo (TKD) Club delivered an outstanding performance at the NCTA National Collegiate Championships, earning multiple medals and national titles against top universities across the country. The competition took place April 23–26, 2026 at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Leading the way was Shawn Seo, whose dominant season and national championship performance highlighted the club’s success.

Seo, a neurobiology, physiology, and behavior (NPB) major from Irvine, CA, captured gold in individual black belt poomsae after advancing through a highly competitive field of 72 athletes, including Team USA members. He placed first in the preliminaries in Flight C, first in the semifinals in Flight B, and first in the finals, securing the title with a win over a Rutgers University competitor. In addition to his individual success, Seo partnered with Samantha Valdez, an NPB major from Albany, CA, to win gold in pairs black belt poomsae, outperforming 38 competing pairs across all rounds. Both Seo and Valdez have competed with the club for two years, joining in 2024. Shawn's exceptional consistency throughout the year also earned him the honor of male poomsae athlete of the year.

The club’s success extended beyond Seo and Valdez. Jonathan Chang, a graduate student from Irvine, and Empire Hall each earned gold in their colored belts sparring divisions. Chang is a four-year member of the club, while Hall was in his first year with the club. Other medalists were Chloe Sagan, Lily Zheng, Victoria Loya, and Harper Moreno, claiming silver, and Trisha Luu adding a bronze in their respective divisions to round out a strong team showing.

The team’s achievements were the result of a structured, year-long development process. Beginning in the fall, the club focused on building foundational skills and encouraging new members to compete. Training intensified in the winter with strategic, competition-focused preparation and culminated in spring with individualized game plans leading into nationals. Throughout the season, athletes gained experience at events such as the UC Berkeley and UC Davis Fall Opens and the PACWest North Regionals.

Beyond competition, team members also contributed to the club’s growth. Jonathan Chang played a key role in mentoring and coaching newer athletes, while Empire Hall gained competitive experience through multiple tournaments. Although Samantha Valdez had limited competition during the year due to scheduling conflicts, she returned at nationals to help secure a gold medal performance.

Competing against elite programs including UCLA, UC Berkeley, Rutgers, Duke, NYU, MIT, and others, UC Davis demonstrated both depth and excellence. With multiple national champions and podium finishes, the team capped off a remarkable season and solidified its position as a strong contender on the national stage.

Club Gymnastics Crowned National Champion

UC Davis Club Gymnastics is celebrating a national championship following an outstanding performance at the 2026 National Collegiate Club Gymnastics Championships from April 8–12, 2026. 

Ashley Carroll, a biomedical engineering graduate from Carlsbad, CA, earned the women's national title on men's intermediate rings, capping off a remarkable four-year career with the club. Since joining in 2022, Carroll has been a dedicated athlete known for her perseverance, constant improvement, and support of her teammates.

The Aggies built momentum throughout the season, hosting two home meets and competing at UC San Diego before traveling to Birmingham, Alabama for nationals. The 12-member team saw strong participation across all events. Charlotte Marsh and Faith Magalong placed fifth in T&T synchronized trampoline. Thomas Allen placed 3rd in women's silver vault and also earned a judges' award for silver floor. Blythe Friedlander made it to the level nine women's beam finals. Members continued to push one another to grow, setting the stage for a successful championship run.

Competing against approximately 1,600 athletes from around 150 teams—including programs from UCLA, Penn State, Ohio State, and MIT—Carroll rose to the occasion on the national stage.

After placing in the top two during preliminary competition to qualify for finals, she delivered when it mattered most. Carroll completed a clean and confident rings routine in the finals, securing a first-place finish ahead of her closest competitor, Izzy Field from Washington University in St. Louis. 

Her championship performance highlights not only her individual excellence but also the strength and camaraderie of the UC Davis Club Gymnastics program.

UC Davis gymnast Ashley Carroll and Washington University gymnast Izzy Field.

About UC Davis Sport Clubs

Campus Recreation's Sport Clubs program promotes student participation in a wide range of intercollegiate athletic competitions. Each sport club is managed and run by the participants. Sport club participants not only enjoy the rewards of athletic competition, but they also gain skills in collaboration, leadership, problem-solving, and financial management.

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