Mission Bay Track and Field

Coach Daniel “Danny” Perez, entering his 20th year of coaching in 2026, has established himself as one of San Diego’s most successful and forward-thinking high school track and field coaches. Now in his 12th year at Mission Bay High School and 11th year as Head Coach, Perez has guided the Buccaneers to historic success while championing para-athletics inclusion at the CIF and USATF levels.

Coaching Career

• Patrick Henry High School (2007–2014): Jumps Coach; produced three CIF State Meet qualifiers, multiple league champions, and 2009 San Diego Section Heptathlon Record Holder Emily Osga.

• Mission Bay High School (2015–Present): Jumps Coach (2015–2016), Head Coach (2016–present).

• Pacific Beach Middle School (2024–Present): Head Coach, developing future high school athletes.

• Meet Director Roles: Co-Meet Director, Elmer Runge Invite (2011–2014); Meet Director, Jim Cerveny Invite (2017–present).

Achievements & Honors

• CIF Championships (4):

  • 2025 Division 3 Champions

  • 2024 Division 3 Champions & Open Division Runner-Up

  • 2023 Division 3 Champions

  • 2022 Division 3 Champions

• League Titles (3):

  • 2024 Eastern League Boys Champions

  • 2018 City League Boys Champions

  • 2017 City League Boys Champions

• Coaching Awards:

  • 2022 CIF San Diego Boys Track Coach of the Year

  • 2025 CIF San Diego Boys Track Coach of the Year

  • 2024 USATF National Officials Committee Outstanding Service Award

  • 2025 CIF State “Team of the Month” (June)

• Dual Meet Record (2016–2025):

  • Boys: 51 wins, 13 losses (80% win rate; 21 straight wins from 2016–2018)

  • Girls: 36 wins, 27 losses (57% win rate; longest streak: 4)

  • Combined Total: 87 wins, 40 losses (69% win percentage)

Athlete Development

• State Meet Qualifiers: 25 athletes

• CIF State Medalists: 9 medals

• All American Members

• 2022 Brandon Cheeks II Long Jump, 2022 Brandon Cheeks II Triple Jump ,2023 Chris Adamson 100m AMB, 2024 Chris Adamson 100m AMB, 2025 Chris Adamson 100m Nike Outdoor National Champion 

• 2024 US Paralympics All High School team Chris Adamson

• All-CIF Selections: 7 members (2022–2025)

• League Champions: 60 total (41 Eastern League, 19 City League)

• Athletes of the Year Honors (6):

  • 2024 Justin Reichenberg – Track Athlete of the Year

  • 2024 Brandon Cheeks II – Field Athlete of the Year

  • 2023 Justin Reichenberg – Field Athlete of the Year

  • 2022 Brandon Cheeks II – Field Athlete of the Year

  • 2018 Nick Archer – Field Athlete of the Year

  • 2017 Xavier Brandon – Field Athlete of the Year

Perez’s athletes have consistently excelled at the highest levels:

• Chris Adamson – 5-time State Meet medalist (sprints & throws, 2023–2025)

• Brandon Cheeks II – 3-time State Meet medalist (jumps, 2022–2024)

• Justin Reichenberg – State Finalist & multi-time Athlete of the Year (2023–2024)

• Jayden Bailey – 2025 State Finalist, 300m Hurdles

School Records

• Mission Bay High School – 19 Records (2023–2025)

• Patrick Henry High School – 3 Records (2006–2009)

  • Includes 2009 CIF San Diego Section Heptathlon Record (Emily Osga, 4279 points).

Roles in Track & Field Beyond Coaching

• USATF Master-Level Certified Official (Horizontal Jumps) – Since 2010

• USATF Certified Coach Level 1 – Since 2012

• USATF San Diego-Imperial Para-Athletics Chairman – Since 2022

• USATF Delegate to National Meeting – 2023 (Orlando), 2024

Perez is a recognized advocate for para-athletes and unified sports, integrating athletes of all abilities into CIF competition under adapted rules.

Athletic Background

A former Patrick Henry athlete, Perez:

• Holds the school javelin record (143’5”).

• Ranks 2nd all-time in the Decathlon.

• Competed at Mesa College in the decathlon, shot put, and discus.

Lifetime Bests:
100m – 10.70 | 200m – 23.01 | 400m – 51.01 | Mile – 4:34.5 | LJ – 21’10 | TJ – 44’5 | SP – 40’2 | Discus – 130’2 | Javelin – 143’7

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Personal Life

Away from the track, Perez enjoys life with his wife Desiree and their five children—Isabella (15), Alex-Zander (14), Max (10), Xavier (7), and Leo (4). A passionate collector of Funko Pops and Pokémon cards, he is also a foodie who loves traveling and exploring new restaurants with his family.