UCLA ventured across the Pacific Ocean to secure its seventh
commitment of the year in Hawaiian linebacker Kaluka Maiava. By the
time Maiava arrives on campus in 2005, starting linebackers Justin
London, Spencer Havner and Wesley Walker will all be seniors,
making linebacker a key area of need in this year’s
recruiting season. At 6 feet and 210 pounds, Maiava likely will
play outside linebacker for the Bruins. Widely unknown until this
summer, Maiava made a name for himself through college camps,
earning top linebacker honors at the USC camp and MVP honors at the
Colorado, BYU and Utah camps. He will continue to visit other
schools, but said he expects to honor his commitment to UCLA when
signing day arrives in early February. UCLA may not have to venture
quite as far for its next commitment. Jeremy Childs, a smooth and
quick wide receiver from Los Alamitos, told Greg Biggins of
Rivals.com that he has to sit down with his family to discuss his
decision. “I’m definitely going (to UCLA),”
Childs told Rivals.com. “We need to have that discussion
before we do anything, but I’m definitely going there.
It’s a done deal.” Childs, who resembles former Oregon
receiver and fellow Los Alamitos alum Keenan Howry, is ranked the
No. 15 receiver in the nation.
VOLLEYBALL: Former Bruin Erik Sullivan has been
named to the indoor men’s volleyball Olympic team. Sullivan,
who also played in the 2000 Olympic Games, will play libero. Team
USA qualified for Athens by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying
Tournament in January. The team is 14-4 on the season and ranked
No. 6 in the world. UCLA’s Elisabeth “Wiz”
Bachman will be making her first Olympic appearance, having been
selected as one of three middle blockers for the United States
women’s volleyball Olympic team. Team USA is ranked No. 2 in
the world and is competing at the World Grand Prix in Taipei,
Taiwan.
GOLF: Steve Conway, a senior on UCLA’s
men’s golf team, finished third at the 105th Southern
California Golf Association Amateur Championship in Los Angeles
over the weekend with an overall score of 284. He finished one
stroke ahead of teammate Roy Moon, who placed fourth. Sophomore
Chris Heintz finished 22nd with a four-round total of 297. Bridget
Dwyer, who graduated from UCLA in 2003, qualified for the 104th
U.S. Women’s Amateur Tournament, held August 9-14 at the
Kahkwa Club in Erie, Pa. This is the fourth time she has advanced
to the tournament.
SOFTBALL: UCLA head coach Sue Enquist, along
with assistant coaches Kelly Inouye-Perez and Gina Vecchione, were
named the 2004 Speedline/National Fastpitch Coaches Association
Coaching Staff of the Year on July 7. Enquist and her staff led the
Bruins to a second consecutive NCAA Championship in May, knocking
off California 3-1 in the championship.
TRACK AND FIELD: Sacramento has won the right
to host the NCAA Championships for the next three years and may end
up hosting the event permanently, the Sacramento Bee reported. This
marks the first time since World War II that the event has been
awarded to a city for more than one year. Sacramento State has
hosted the last two Olympic Trials and 2004’s NCAA
Championships. It was the first time since 1968 that the national
championships took place on the West Coast. Compiled by Bruce Tran
and Andrew Finley, Bruin sports senior staff.