And Just Like That…It’s Track Season!
Hello Bronco families and fans,
We officially began our 2026 Track and Field Season last Saturday February 7th. We are SO excited to be back and welcome so many new faces to our team. One of those new faces being our new Head Coach, Coach Mandell. “I am looking forward to continuing to meet you all (athletes and parents). It is going to be a fantastic season, I can’t wait for it to get started!”
Our mandatory Track & Field team specific parent meeting will take place Tuesday 2/24 in the LPR on Campus at 6:30pm. This is in addition to our Athletic Director, Tracy Stowe’s required parent meeting you were all required to attend! If you attended Coach Mandell’s first parent meeting on January 27th, you do not need to attend the meeting on the 24th but are welcome to. There will be a few additional updates and bits of information added!
If you are still competing in a CIF winter sport at Rancho Bernardo, do not worry. You are welcome to come out to track practice once that CIF sport has completed, check in with our coaching staff at the start of your first day to be sure you are cleared. You can also email Coach Mandell at CoachRubyMandell@gmail.com ahead of time! Returners in a winter sport, also communicate with your event coach so they can plan accordingly!
Practice over February Break is MANDATORY!
February Break Practice Schedule -
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday: 3-5pm
Wednesday: 2-4pm
Friday: depending on how our girls soccer team does in the first round of playoffs (Wednesday 2/18) they may or may not have a home game on Friday 2/20. If they DO have a home game, our practice will be 2-4pm OR if they DO NOT have a home game, we will practice from 3-5pm. We will keep you posted on the website home page, instagram @BroncosTF and remind athletes at practice on Thursday!
BE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOR REAL-TIME UPDATES @BRONCOSTF
Parents! Take a look at the Parent’s Corner to keep up to date
Photo by Gino Gerardi
Key Dates/Information -
Blue/White Tryout Meet
Saturday February 21st at 9am at the track
Team Roster Finalized
Monday February 23rd
We will post what athletes have made the team and in what events they have been selected to compete in.
Team Expectation Agreement Due
Monday February 23rd at practice
Athletes who have not turned in their Team Expectations Agreement to Coach Mandell by this date they will not be allowed to compete in our first meet on Thursday February 26th against Steele Canyon. They will however be required to help out at the meet as we are hosting. Athletes will not be eligible for any subsequent meets until they turn in the form.
Mandatory Track & Field Team Parent Meeting
Tuesday February 24th at 6:30pm in the LPR
Don Jones Bronco Invite
Saturday March 14th
We will be hosting schools from across San Diego, with over 800 athletes that will be competing at our facility. Don Jones Bronco Invite meet is our main fundraising event. This meet helps fund all of the replacement equipment, additional coaches stipends and other items that we need to be a successful program. We hope to be very successful this year.
All athletes on our team are required to be present, whether competing, working or both in some cases. Per our team rules agreement, “Failure to be present at Bronco may result in the loss of varsity letter eligibility and removal from the team.”
Coach Mandell will go over everything in detail at our parent meeting on Februay 24th, but wanted you all to have the high level information ASAP. Your athlete will not be eligible to compete until a parent/guardian attends one of Coach Mandell’s Track & Field Parent Meeting (on January 27th or coming up on February 24th). They will also not be able to practice if they do not have their Paperwork to Play in with the Athletic Department and are cleared!
If your athlete is competing in an RBHS Winter Sport (Rugby, Wrestling, Soccer, Basketball, etc) they should finish out their winter sport and come out to track practice as soon as their winter sport's season ends. Athletes will not be penalized for coming out after their RBHS winter sport ends. Give us a heads up by sending and email or stopping by practice (Mon-Fri 4-6pm) to let Coach Mandell know!
DON JONES BRONCO INVITE:
SATURDAY MARCH 14th 2026
All athletes on our team are required to be present, whether competing, working or both in some cases. Per our team rules agreement, “Failure to be present at Bronco may result in the loss of varsity letter eligibility and removal from the team.”
House Keeping
Practice is Mandatory Everyday Mon-Fri unless noted specifically by your coach.
Unexcused absences will result in athletes being held out of competition.
Examples of excused absences (all must be communicated in advanced to Head Coach and Events Coach)
Family emergency, serious illness (requiring you to miss school),
Required doctors appointments with a doctors note. Please try scheduling these outside of practice time unless absolutely avoidable and let us know as far in advanced as possible! Wednesdays and Fridays are the best days to leave early or come late from a required appointment if they have to conflict!
Examples of unexcused absences
anything not communicated to coaches ahead of time
Personal 1:1 lessons or appointments (music, tutoring, private coaching). Anything YOU schedule personally, should not be scheduled during practice.
Communicating absences should be done AHEAD of time wherever possible in person from the athlete to their coach and Head Coach, through stack team app (coming soon) or by email to our Head Coach. Do not DM the team instagram, or send a friend as a messenger.
February Break Practice Schedule -
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday: 3-5pm
Wednesday: 2-4pm
Friday: depending on how our girls soccer team does in the first round of playoffs (Wednesday 2/18) they may or may not have a home game on Friday 2/20. If they DO have a home game, our practice will be 2-4pm if they DO NOT have a home game, we will practice from 3-5pm. We will keep you posted on the website home page, instagram @BroncosTF and remind athletes at practice on Thursday!
Our Blue/White Try out meet is Saturday February 21st! More info here.
Our team store is coming soon! Keep a look out.
Spikes/Competition Shoes
Athletes who already have spikes are expected to bring them to practice EVERYDAY!
If it is your first season with us, please do not purchase competition shoes (spikes) until one of our coaches has told you with confidence what to get. We are evaluating new athletes to identify which events they will compete in and don’t want them to waste money getting the wrong spikes.
Continue bringing water bottles, layers and RUNNING SHOES to practice. Those running in Converse, Vans, Air Forces, etc. will end up with injuries as these are not designed for running. If obtaining proper gear like running shoes is a financial burden on your family, please reach out to Coach Mandell by email for support.
Donate your used spikes to a Bronco in need!
If your athlete has spikes from a past season that are in decent condition and still fit, they can use them again. If they are getting new spikes and don’t need their old ones, feel free to bring them to practice and we can share them with another Bronco in need! Once your athlete gets their new spikes, have them show their coach before wearing them at practice. We can help navigate each athletes needs.