Sade Falese: A Comprehensive Overview of Her Track and Field Career and Achievements

Sade Falese has emerged as a notable track and field athlete at Cornell University, specializing in sprints and long jump. Her career, marked by consistent improvement and leadership, reflects a blend of technical skill and competitive dedication. This report synthesizes her achievements, event progression, and personal background, drawing from collegiate records, competition results, and biographical details.

Collegiate Career at Cornell University

Sade Falese joined Cornell University’s women’s track and field team as a freshman in the 2023–24 academic year. Competing primarily in sprints and long jump, she quickly established herself as a versatile athlete. During her freshman season, she set a personal best in the 60-meter dash at the Greg Pages Relays & Multi with a time of 8.07 seconds(source)(source). Her long jump performances stood out, particularly a 5.50-meter leap (18 feet, 0.5 inches) at the Wesley A. Brown Invitational, which secured her fifth place(source)(source). She also claimed first place in the long jump at the Ithaca College vs. Cornell & Cortland meet with a mark of 5.50 meters(source).

By her sophomore season (2024–25), Falese transitioned to a focus on jumps, as reflected in her updated roster designation(source). She continued to refine her technique, achieving a long jump personal best of 5.60 meters (18 feet, 4.5 inches) at the Greg Page Relays & Multi in December 2024(source). This marked a 10-centimeter improvement from her freshman year and positioned her among Cornell’s top performers in the event. Her sprinting capabilities remained strong, with a 60-meter dash time of 8.02 seconds at the Kane Invite in February 2025(source).

High School Achievements and Pre-Collegiate Career

Prior to Cornell, Falese attended Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, California, where she excelled as a multisport athlete and leader. She served as track team captain for two years, guiding her team to back-to-back Prep League Championships(source). In 2022, she was named the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) All-Area Track & Field Long Jumper of the Year after dominating local competitions(source). Her high school career included qualifications for the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) Finals in both 2022 and 2023, where she competed against top-tier California athletes(source)(source).

Falese also set Mayfield Senior School’s long jump record, though the exact mark remains unspecified in available records(source). Beyond track, she contributed to her school’s soccer team and held leadership roles as Activities Director on the student council and President of the Athletic Leadership Council(source). These roles underscored her commitment to teamwork and community engagement.

Event Specialization and Technical Progression

Sprints

Falese’s sprinting repertoire includes the 60-meter, 200-meter, and 300-meter dashes. Her 60-meter time improved from 8.07 seconds in December 2023 to 8.02 seconds by February 2025, demonstrating incremental gains(source)(source). In the 200-meter, she clocked a personal best of 26.50 seconds at the PSU Sykes & Sabock Challenge in February 2025, a significant drop from her 27.03-second performance earlier that season(source).

Long Jump

Falese’s long jump progression highlights her technical development:

• 2023–24 (Freshman):

  • 5.48 meters (17 feet, 11.75 inches) at the Greg Pages Relays & Multi(source).

  • 5.50 meters (18 feet, 0.5 inches) at the Wesley A. Brown Invitational(source)(source).

• 2024–25 (Sophomore):

  • 5.60 meters (18 feet, 4.5 inches) at the Greg Page Relays & Multi(source).

  • Consistent marks above 5.46 meters (17 feet, 11 inches) in early 2025 meets(source).

Her ability to maintain jumps beyond 5.40 meters across competitions suggests reliability under pressure.

Leadership and Academic Background

Falese’s leadership extends beyond athletics. At Cornell, she balances rigorous training with academics as a student in the College of Arts and Sciences(source). Her high school involvement in student governance and athletics leadership illustrates a holistic approach to personal development. These experiences likely contribute to her competitive poise and ability to inspire teammates.

Personal Life and Influences

Sade Pelita Falese was born to Philip Falese and Irma Triwardani and grew up in Pasadena, California (source). She has one sister, Lola (source). Her family support and multicultural background (reflected in her parents’ names) may influence her disciplined yet adaptable approach to athletics.

Sade Falese represents a blend of technical proficiency, leadership, and academic dedication. Her progression from a high school standout to a collegiate competitor underscores her potential for further achievements in track and field. Coaches and recruiters highlighted her versatility in sprints and jumps, as well as her capacity to perform in high-stakes environments (source)(source). As she continues her career at Cornell, Falese’s focus on refining her long jump technique and sprint times could position her for conference and national recognition. Future tracking of her performance in Ivy League competitions will be essential to assessing her trajectory.