5 Super Athletes With Ties To Palm Desert

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Palm Desert area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Jeremiah Estrada (Baseball)

Jeremiah Estrada, a graduate of Palm Desert High School, has showcased resilience and talent throughout his baseball career. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2017, Estrada overcame injuries and eventually debuted in MLB in 2022, striking out two batters in a scoreless inning. As a relief pitcher with the San Diego Padres, he set a record in 2024 by striking out 13 consecutive batters without allowing a base runner.

2. James Dockery (Football)

Palm Desert High School alum James Dockery is a football standout who led his team to its only solo Desert Valley League title with a 12-1 record in 2006. After a successful college career at Oregon State, where he earned an All-Pac-10 honorable mention, Dockery played in the NFL for teams like the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Oakland Raiders. Following his playing career, Dockery returned to Palm Desert as a head coach and assistant athletic director at Xavier College Preparatory.

3. Sienna Acosta (Volleyball)

Sienna Acosta, a Palm Desert native and current senior at Palm Desert High School, is a dedicated volleyball athlete. She has played for multiple club teams, earning first-team all-conference honors and leading her teams to conference championships. Known for her relentless drive and leadership, Acosta balances her athletic pursuits with academic excellence and aspires to continue playing volleyball in college while pursuing a career in medicine.

4. D.J. Alexander (Football)

Palm Desert's own Donell James “D.J.” Alexander carved out a notable career as an NFL linebacker. After starring at Oregon State, where he overcame injuries to post a standout senior season, Alexander was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015. A Pro Bowl selection as a special teamer in 2016, he also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

5. Caroline Wales (Golf)

Caroline Wales, a standout golfer from Palm Desert High School (Class of 2021), has achieved remarkable success on the links. Known for her discipline and strong work ethic, Wales competed in numerous prestigious tournaments and consistently posted impressive scores, earning her a spot on the University of Kansas Women’s Golf roster as a freshman. Her multi-sport background, including gymnastics, has shaped her into a versatile and dedicated athlete.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.