Tuesday, June 17

Rallying for an Education: Howard Shu juggles school, Olympic aspirations

Howard Shu’s brother called the badminton player’s freshman year “a toss-up.” On the one hand, he was starting down the path to a degree in business economics from UCLA. Read more...

Photo: Fourth-year student Howard Shu traveled the world, competing in badminton in various countries and eventually playing for the U.S. national team. He has since returned to school after taking time off to try to make the 2012 Olympics.


Throwing the distance: Focus on training, technique leads to career success

There’s big, there’s huge and then there’s Wruck. Measuring 6 feet 6 inches and just a shade under 310 pounds, Julian Wruck is so much bigger than the rest of his competitors, standing out like a tank in a parking lot. Read more...

Photo: Between his analytical approach to technique and his dedication to training, redshirt junior discus thrower Julian Wruck’s record-shattering season is making waves in a sport often dominated by older athletes.



The Show Goes On: UCLA gymnast Sophina DeJesus shines as a performer

At age 13, Sophina DeJesus faced a difficult decision. The last year had been a whirlwind of traveling the world in order to act and dance professionally. Read more...

Photo: Freshman gymnast Sophina DeJesus was a successful dancer and actress as a child, encouraged to pursue her talents by dance choreographer and actress Debbie Allen. She was on a children’s television show called “Hip Hop Harry,” and also appeared on “The Tom Joyner Morning Show,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Maury.”


NFL player Maurice Jones-Drew returns to UCLA to obtain degree

Maurice Jones-Drew casually strolled into a small office inside the J.D. Morgan Center wearing a simple tracksuit, beanie and backpack and sat down for an interview. Read more...

Photo: Maurice Jones-Drew, pictured here at an event on the UCLA campus in 2011, returned to school for winter quarter this year. The Jacksonville Jaguars running back left school following his junior year to play in the NFL, but Jones-Drew made a promise to his grandmother before he left UCLA that he would return to obtain his degree in history.


In his three years at UCLA, redshirt sophomore sprinter Matthew Bedford has suffered three hamstring tears. Again working back from injury, Bedford hopes to have an impact during the outdoor season for the team after missing the indoor one.

Making up ground: Sprinter works toward return to track after multiple injuries

Sprinter Matthew Bedford’s biggest burden has always been his hamstring, but with a healthy body, he hopes that he can finally avoid a season plagued with injuries. Read more...

Photo: In his three years at UCLA, redshirt sophomore sprinter Matthew Bedford has suffered three hamstring tears. Again working back from injury, Bedford hopes to have an impact during the outdoor season for the team after missing the indoor one.

In his three years at UCLA, redshirt sophomore sprinter Matthew Bedford has suffered three hamstring tears. Again working back from injury, Bedford hopes to have an impact during the outdoor season for the team after missing the indoor one.

Walk on Wednesday: Special teams ace seeks more, bigger returns for spring ball investments

Standing in UCLA’s end zone with rain pelting down and 83,277 onlookers at the Rose Bowl, Roosevelt Davis was about to return his first-ever kickoff, against the crosstown Trojans no less. Read more...

Photo: Roosevelt Davis saw field action in the form of his first-ever collegiate kick return in the second quarter of UCLA’s 38-28 victory over USC in November. The 21-yard gain is the only return of his UCLA career.