Angie Mesa-Espinosa: Rising Sprint Star

Angie Mesa-Espinosa (@angie.m.espinosa) represents the quintessential student-athlete journey from high school record-breaker to Division I competitor. This Cuban-Mexican-American sprinter has built a remarkable athletic career spanning multiple NCAA programs while maintaining strong academic priorities. Her story illuminates the intersection of heritage, family support, and athletic excellence that defines modern collegiate track and field.

From Cuban inspiration to Syracuse records

Mesa-Espinosa’s athletic journey began during a pivotal 2013 family trip to Cuba when she was around 10 years old. Her father, a New York State Trooper who had just graduated from the academy, challenged her to a race during their visit. This moment sparked her passion for running, though she didn’t begin competing seriously until 8th grade when a coach recognized her natural sprinting ability. Raised in Syracuse, New York, she attended Westhill High School, where she would eventually rewrite the record books.

Academic excellence drives college choice

Mesa-Espinosa’s academic priorities shaped her collegiate decisions from the outset. “I chose [Binghamton] for academics,” she said in a WSYR-TV interview, demonstrating that her educational pursuits remained paramount alongside her athletic aspirations. This academic focus earned her a full athletic scholarship to Binghamton University, an easy choice for the university given her athletic abilities and academic merit.

High school dominance sets the stage

At Westhill High School, Mesa-Espinosa emerged as one of New York’s premier sprinters during her five-year varsity career. Her senior year in 2022 proved to be  her breakthrough season, as she broke the Section III record in the 300-meter dash twice and also claimed the Section III record in the 55-meter dash. These achievements, combined with multiple school records at Westhill, established her as one of the top sprint prospects in the region.

Her high school success extended beyond individual events. She advanced to New York State championships in three different events and contributed to a winning 4×200 relay team, showcasing her versatility and team-first mentality that would serve her well at the collegiate level.

Binghamton University career progression

Mesa-Espinosa’s transition to NCAA Division I competition at Binghamton University demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest collegiate level. During her freshman season (2022-23), she competed in 11 meets and earned a third-place finish in the 200-meter dash at the Cornell Upstate Challenge. This early success proved that she could certainly hang in the big leagues.

Her sophomore campaign (2023-24) showed continued development, competing in 12 meets while expanding her event repertoire. She placed fifth in the 100-meter dash and became a key contributor to Binghamton’s 4×100 relay team, which finished second at the Bucknell Team Challenge with a time of 46.48 seconds. This relay performance, alongside teammates Gabby Hyatt, Sophia Morone, and Tatum Norris, highlighted her value as both an individual competitor and team contributor.

Event specializations and competitive range

Mesa-Espinosa has established herself as a versatile sprinter with expertise across multiple events. Her primary specializations include the 60-meter dash (indoor), 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 300-meter dash, and 400-meter dash, along with relay events. This range allows her to contribute to team scoring across various meets and seasons.

Transfer to University of San Francisco

Angie transferred to the University of San Francisco for the 2024-25 academic year, where she continues her athletic career as a junior. At USF, she joins a track and field program competing in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) under head coach Jordan Carpenter. This transition represents a significant geographic and conference change, moving from the America East Conference to the competitive West Coast athletic landscape.

The USF program benefits from her two years of Division I experience and proven ability to contribute immediately in sprint events and relays. Her arrival coincides with the program’s efforts to rebuild under relatively new coaching staff, positioning her as a key veteran presence.

Notable achievements and performance timeline

Mesa-Espinosa’s career achievements span multiple levels of competition:

High School Highlights:

• Section III record holder in 300-meter dash (broken twice)
• Section III record holder in 55-meter dash
• Multiple Westhill High School records
• New York State championship qualifier in three events
• 4×200 relay state champion

Collegiate Achievements:

• Full athletic scholarship recipient
• Two-year Division I competitor
• Cornell Upstate Challenge 200m third place (2023)
• Bucknell Team Challenge 4×100m relay second place (2024)
• Consistent 11-12 meet participation per season

Team leadership and contributions

Throughout her career, Mesa-Espinosa has demonstrated strong team-first mentality. Her relay contributions have been particularly notable, consistently placing in scoring positions while helping teammates achieve their best performances. Her experience as a two-year Division I competitor provides valuable leadership for younger athletes on her current team.

Her work ethic and competitive consistency exemplify the qualities coaches value in building successful programs. This reliability has made her a cornerstone of sprint and relay units at both institutions.

As Mesa-Espinosa enters her junior season, she brings valuable experience and proven performance to her new program. The combination of her sprint abilities, relay expertise, and veteran leadership positions her as a key contributor for the remainder of her collegiate career.

Angie’s journey from a chance race in Cuba to NCAA Division I competition exemplifies the American dream through athletics. Her story combines cultural heritage, family support, academic excellence, and athletic achievement in a narrative that resonates beyond track and field. As she continues her collegiate career, she represents the next generation of student-athletes who prioritize both educational and athletic excellence while honoring their cultural roots.

Her impact extends beyond personal achievements, serving as a role model for young athletes from diverse backgrounds who seek to balance academic pursuits with athletic ambitions. With her proven track record, strong work ethic, and commitment to excellence, Mesa-Espinosa is positioned to achieve even greater success in her remaining collegiate seasons and beyond.

Vamos Angie!