California Baptist University enrolled more than 12,000 students in fall 2025, with more than 500 of them competing as athletes, according to CBU athletics. For many of these students, athletics became more than a sport. It shaped their college experience and influenced who they became during their time at the university.
Graduation marked a new chapter, opening doors to opportunities and goals beyond the sports they had played for years. As student-athletes prepared to graduate this semester, they carried with them memories of the foundations they built as Lancers.
The faith component at CBU set the university apart from many collegiate athletic programs. Ryne Palmer, criminal justice graduate student on the baseball team, said CBU challenged him spiritually and drew him closer to God during his time with the team.
“My freshman year, I only played two innings. I was very focused on baseball and frustrated and I ended up being able to give devotionals to the team. [Leading to] having a lot of spiritual conversations with an older guy, which in the sports world, you don’t see a lot of younger guys that don’t play that are able to have that kind of conversation with older teammates,” Palmer said.
During these experiences, Palmer noticed God working in his life when baseball did not go as planned. He said he learned to trust God and believe in a plan that unfolds in unexpected ways. CBU’s culture allowed Palmer to grow in his faith while continuing to play the sport he loved.
Kaelyn Ortega, senior business administration major on the stunt team, also experienced growth on and off the mat. During her freshman year, Ortega suffered an injury that became one of the most impactful learning seasons of her college experience.
“Getting hurt felt like a setback, but I also gained a lot more confidence in myself when I did come back, and the comeback was way better. Off the mat, I was supporting others by being there for them and working on myself mentally as well,” Ortega said. “Both on and off the mat, that was what really helped me just stay positive and be mentally better every single year.”
Through challenges like these, CBU became a defining season in the lives of its student-athletes and left a lasting impact on their futures. For Palmer, the phrase “Live your purpose,” rooted in CBU’s mission, became something he planned to carry into the next chapter of his life.
“I know I want to do something meaningful. Sounds cliché, but I think just having a purpose and having meaning in life,” Palmer said.
For Ortega, the final semester brought mixed emotions. While she felt sad about leaving CBU, she also looked forward to new opportunities after graduation.
“I’ve been cheering basically my whole life, so it’ll be fun to do something different. I’m very excited to see where my future takes me,” Ortega said.
As these student-athletes prepared to move forward, they carried more than memories of competition. They carried lessons and faith shaped by their time as Lancers. The foundations built at CBU will continue to guide them in the years ahead. For these soon-to-be alumni, the phrase “Once a Lancer, always a Lancer” reflected the journeys of both Palmer and Ortega.
