Sluggers share unique family histories
By Yoni Tamler
Daily Bruin Staff
You might think of the UCLA baseball team as a bunch of
meat-and-potatoes jocks from Orange County. While that description
may be true to an extent, several of the Bruins come from families
so unique in their athleticism that their accomplishments alone
would knock your Aunt Connie’s socks off.
Take infielder Brett Nista, who apparently is far from the most
notable sportsman in his family. His parents, Jerry and Elayne
Nista, have each been crowned national champions in roller skating
in their recreational careers.
"My dad won the championship in freestyle, and my mom won it in
dance," said Nista, whose parents met at the roller skating rink
built by his father. "I skated in my time but then they sold it and
I haven’t done it since."
How has this rubbed off on Nista?
Well, while it’s difficult to decide whether or not roller
skating genetics have any bearing whatsoever on baseball mechanics,
Nista has been known to occasionally flaunt his "wheels" on the
basepaths of Jackie Robinson Stadium, and has one stolen base in
one attempt this season.
Another Bruin with some eccentric sports blood is redshirt
freshman Allen Jerkens. Jerkens is the grandson of Harry Allen
Jerkens, the youngest horse trainer ever inducted into the Horse
Racing Hall of Fame. Jerkens also holds the distinction of being
the only trainer ever to beat Secretariat, doing it on two separate
occasions with different horses.
But there’s more: Jerkens’ father, also Allen, is a professional
sportscaster whose show, "Today at the Races," appears on ESPN
II.
"My entire family on my dad’s side is involved in horse racing
somehow – both my uncles are trainers," said Jerkens, who
emphasized that horses and broadcast journalism "do not interest me
at all. I saw what it did to my dad. I’m going on my own."
Pete Zamora is yet another member of the team whose athletic
prowess is in the genes. Zamora’s sister is Alison Zamora, a setter
on the UCLA women’s volleyball team, and his older brother, Daniel,
was a starting wide receiver for the University of Nevada football
team.
"I competed with my brother tremendously, but it wasn’t like I
wanted to kill him," Zamora said. "I just wanted to beat him."
In addition to all these phenomena, five members of the team
enjoy fishing. Nick Dieter, Chad Matoian, Ryan O’Toole, Jim Parque
and John Phillips all spend at least part of their spare time
casting lures or hooking bait.
"I love fishing, especially fly fishing," Parque said. "There’s
nothing better than chillin’ at the pier with my pole in one hand
and a cold beer in the other."
FRED HE/Daily Bruin
Second baseman Brett Nista inherited his ability from his
parents, both roller skating champions.
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