A half-dozen Coronado High School athletes are among the top lacrosse players in the country after making the USA Lacrosse list of All-Americans.
On July 7, the organization published its boys‘ and girls‘ All-American honorees, listing six athletes from Coronado: Leo Salata was named to the boys’ team; girls’ team honorees included Maria Anaya, Lilah Cade, Breck Dunn, Sydney Dunn and Madie Collins.
“To have five All-Americans from one community is pretty amazing, especially a community as small as Coronado,” said David Kieffer, assistant coach of the Coronado High School girls’ lacrosse team. “I’m very proud that we had a boys All-American as well.”
According to USA Lacrosse’s website, the organization honors players with distinct awards for accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and in their community.
Salata is the only High School boys’ All-American from Coronado High School among more than 600 honorees this year.
“More than being a great player he has been outstanding in the community,” said Reis Stanley, defensive coach with CHS boys lacrosse.
‘Deserving player’
USA Lacrosse’s High School Awards handbook defines All-Americans as the best players from their area exhibiting superior skills and techniques, possessing exceptional game sense and knowledge, and embodying good sportsmanship.
Salata, enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy, could not be reached for comment due to his participation in Plebe Summer.
Salata is a two-time All-CIF selection and three-time All-League honoree who earned San Diego City All-Academic honors and served as captain of Coronado’s varsity lacrosse team his junior and senior year. Salata competed in water polo and soccer during his time at CHS.
Apart from athletics, Salata served as student body vice president, advocated for student athletes as the Islander Sports Foundation student representative, tutored classmates and did community service through the National Honor Society. He also coached with Adrenaline Lacrosse, completed over 60 hours as a lifeguard cadet, and dedicated more than 30 hours of service as a Friends of Children United Society intern.
Stanley said he couldn’t think of a more deserving player.
Alex Cade, CHS lacrosse head coach and CEO of Adrenaline Lacrosse, said he is very proud of Salata and knows his teammates are as well.
Cade said Salata was an inspirational leader and lifted his teammates up, enjoying every moment on the field.
“(He) will physically outcompete any player on every play with a smile on his face,” said Cade.
According to Cade, Salata has the most goals for a longstick over four years.
“He elevates in big moments to make impactful plays,” said Cade. “Every game he had big moments which is what makes him an all American.”
Returning All-Americans
According to Kieffer, a majority of players on the girls team this season already are committed to play lacrosse at the collegiate level.
Lilah Cade, Breck and Collins, starters in the past season, are returning to Coronado for their last season as seniors. Lilah Cade, an attacker, and Collins, a defensive player, are first time All-Americans.
Kieffer said Lilah Cade, a Rollins College commit, had an extremely productive season as leader on the team’s offense.
“Lilah’s been working really hard to improve herself and become the level of player that she’s become in order to win this award,” said Kieffer.
Lilah Cade’s parents, Jada and Alex Cade, played college lacrosse and now coach the Coronado High School girls’ and boys’ lacrosse teams, respectively.
Kieffer said Collins, a UC Berkeley commit, is an extremely athletic and talented defender.
“She’s been playing defense for most of her lacrosse career,” said Kieffer. “Madie is someone who’s committed to her craft and has become one of those stronger, more dominant defenders in the region and in many cases the country.”
Kieffer said Breck Dunn, a Brown University commit, was the leading scorer with over 100 points in the season. Breck, a midfielder, was also a 2025 All-American.
“Breck will be one of the best players in the country next year in her age group,” said Kieffer. “Breck is very much a transcendent lacrosse talent.”
Annual standouts
The Coronado High School girls’ lacrosse team won the CIF title for a second year in a row in May.
Sydney Dunn, going to Brown University to play lacrosse, was the only All-American from Coronado in 2024.
“Sydney’s debatably one of the best players in the country at her age and she’s been at that level since a very young age,” said Kieffer. “She continues to work on her game and continues to improve.”
Sydney and Anaya, captains and midfielders, were honorees of the All-American and All-Academic last year.
“Maria is an amazing student athlete, an extremely intelligent young individual as exemplified by the fact that she is committed to go play at Yale University next year,” said Kieffer.
Kieffer said Anaya battled through a knee injury and returned even stronger. This year, Anaya is also a 2026 All-Academic and Jackie Pitts Award winner.
“The other awards speak to her character, her leadership, how she represents herself, her community and her teammates on and off the field,” added Kieffer.
Kieffer described the All-American Award as carrying a lot of weight, and said most of the successful college players were probably high school All-Americans.
“It’s a testament to their hard work,” said Kieffer. “It’s really a great piece of recognition for Coronado and the community’s ability to lead and develop players.”
