By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. March 16, 2026)
EL DORADO HILLS, CALIFORNIA.
A former standout from Oak Ridge High School is now rewriting the record books for the California Golden Bears.
Ali Sahaida, a senior pole vaulter competing for University of California, Berkeley, delivered one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2026, culminating in a First-Team All-American honor after placing fifth at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Sahaida cleared a school-record height of 4.56 meters (14 feet, 11½ inches) at the national meet, marking the highest indoor finish ever by a Cal women’s pole vaulter.
“It was the best field ever assembled at the indoor championships, so we are thrilled with her performance,” a California athletics statement said following the competition. “Ali continues to raise the bar for our program.”
A Historic Senior Season
The El Dorado Hills native entered the postseason after a dominant indoor campaign. During the regular season, Sahaida won four consecutive meets and remained undefeated heading into championship competition.
Among her standout performances:
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Spokane Sports Showcase (Jan. 16-17): First place, clearing 4.17m.
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational (Jan. 23-24): First place, 4.29m, rising to No. 2 in program history.
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New Mexico Collegiate Classic (Feb. 6-7): First place, 4.49m, setting a program and facility record.
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Battle Born Classic (Feb. 13-14): First place, 4.35m.
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ACC Indoor Championships (Feb. 26-28): Third place, 4.45m, earning All-ACC First Team honors.
Her fifth-place finish at nationals secured the USTFCCCA First-Team All-American distinction, placing her among the top collegiate pole vaulters in the country.
Sahaida now holds the indoor pole vault record at Cal with her 4.56-meter clearance and ranks tied for No. 2 in outdoor program history with a mark of 4.30 meters.
Excellence in the Classroom
Sahaida’s achievements extend beyond the runway.
She has been named a two-time USTFCCCA All-Academic selection and has earned spots on both the ACC and Pac-12 Academic Honor Rolls during her collegiate career.
Balancing elite athletics with academics, Sahaida has consistently been recognized as one of the conference’s top scholar-athletes.
From Oak Ridge to the National Stage
Before her collegiate success, Sahaida built an impressive résumé at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills.
At the CIF State Track and Field Championships in 2022, she placed third in the pole vault, one of the highest finishes by a Sierra Foothill League athlete that season.
Her senior year also included:
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Sac-Joaquin Section champion (2022)
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Two-time Sierra Foothill League champion (2021, 2022)
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Oak Ridge school record holder, clearing 13 feet, 9 inches
Earlier in high school, Sahaida was also a member of the Oak Ridge girls’ soccer team before focusing fully on track and field.
Looking Ahead
With her indoor season complete, Sahaida now shifts her focus to the outdoor campaign, where she already ranks among the top performers in program history.
For El Dorado County track fans, her rise from a local high school record-holder to an NCAA All-American represents a rare hometown success story on the national stage.
