The Cerritos College family is mourning the loss of former women's track and field athlete Isabella Kress, who was hit by a commuter trail and killed on August 24. Kress, who was a member of the 2017 CCCAA State Champion Falcon team, placed ninth in the hammer at the South Coast Conference Championships and 10th in the discus that season, while she was also ninth in the hammer her sophomore season. She was also a member of two South Coast Conference championship teams, as well as a Southern California championship team.

A preliminary investigation found the death was caused by multiple blunt force traumatic injuries after she was struck by a northbound Union Pacific freight train Monday afternoon near Emma Wood State Beach, and determined the death to be an accident. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office told KVTA News that Kress had been taking pictures of the ocean and had earbuds on and apparently did not hear the approaching train.

"Izzy's transition has shocked the Falcon family, as she was loved by everyone that knew her," said her throws coach Lloyd Higgins. "She is by far the greatest person I've ever coached!"

"I cannot fathom how someone so great, and compassionate about life could leave us so soon," stated women's track and field coach Mike Allen.

"The Falcon family will feel this loss for a long time," echoed head coach Chris Richardson. "She was one of the finest human beings to come through this program since my arrival in 2012. I would have to say that Isabella was one of the brightest stars in the universe in the minds of everyone that knew her. Our prayers go out to her family and friends."

Kress, a 2016 graduate of Ventura High School, was a former track and field athlete specializing in shot put, hammer throw and discus. She was voted captain of the high school's track and field team during her senior year season. Isabella, or "Izzy" known by the Falcon family, majored in her life's passion of Culinary Arts.