This post was updated June 10 at 12:20 a.m. Lisa Fernandez first met Rachel Garcia at a game in Garcia’s hometown when the redshirt junior pitcher was just a kid. Read more...
Photo: Assistant coach Lisa Fernandez has worked with her pitching staff on and off the field this season. The former UCLA pitcher helped lead UCLA softball to the 2019 NCAA championship. (Ashley Kenney/Daily Bruin)
Aggressive traps and a stifling attack – that’s how Johnny Den Bleyker said he likes to play chess. Set to graduate a year early and pursue a master’s degree, the junior long snapper for UCLA football has been playing chess since elementary school. Read more...
Photo: Junior long snapper Johnny Den Bleyker has been the long snapper on every kick and punt for UCLA football over the past three seasons. Den Bleyker attended the Rubio Long Snapping camps in high school. (Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Patrick Murphy used to spend more time on the ice than he did on the links. Just like his favorite movie character, Happy Gilmore. The senior UCLA men’s golfer, who was raised in Crossfield, Alberta, noted some similarities between himself and the fictional hockey player-turned-golfer. Read more...
Photo: UCLA men’s golf senior Patrick Murphy grew up playing both golf and hockey in his hometown of Crossfield, Alberta. Murphy suffered an elbow injury at age 13 that played a role in his decision to give up hockey in favor of golf. (Axel Lopez/Assistant Photo editor)
Valorie Kondos Field tells her athletes that changed plans aren’t scary – they’re exciting. And she would know. Kondos Field, whom the nation has nicknamed “Miss Val,” has captained seven national championship-winning teams during her time with UCLA gymnastics. Read more...
Photo: (Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Joy. That is on senior Katelyn Ohashi’s face as she grins and dances throughout her floor routine. Her teammates beam as she tumbles through the air and the crowd cheers with every completed skill. Read more...
Photo: UCLA gymnastics senior Katelyn Ohashi was the all-around champion at the 2013 American Cup prior to becoming a Bruin. But while competing, she had to fight through two torn shoulders and a fractured back. (Niveda Tennety/Daily Bruin)
This post was updated on May 15 at 10:18 a.m. Chloe Beverina’s first few minutes in a boxing ring went like how most peoples’ would’ve gone. Read more...
Photo: Second-year economics student Chloe Beverina played soccer before coming to UCLA last year, but she won the National Collegiate Boxing Association national championships in April. (Daniel Leibowitz/Daily Bruin staff)
Thirteen UCLA student-athletes spoke out about mental health over a month ago. Savvy Simo wasn’t one of them. But the junior indoor and beach volleyball player said she knew UCLA Athletics was releasing a video March 14 that allowed student-athletes to tell their stories. Read more...
Photo: Junior Savvy Simo will be only one of four players returning from UCLA beach volleyball’s championship lineup from the 2018 season when the Bruins won their first national title. (Alice Naland/Daily Bruin)
