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. Stepping onto the canvas at Rise Athletics LA boxing gym with her all-black ASICS, the second-year economics student did more flailing than punching in her first sparring session. UCLA […]
Category Archives: Features
Savvy Simo talks intersection of athletic success and mental well-being
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. “I didn’t go because, at the time, I was very overwhelmed […]
Beach volleyball’s Izzy Carey finds air both on the court and across the world
Izzy Carey is used to getting air. The 5-foot-11 senior spent the last four years with UCLA beach volleyball improving her vertical – but she’s gotten much higher than that off the court. Carey climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, in July 2017 as part of a service trip to Tanzania […]
Met with a shoulder injury and severe pain, Madison Kocian muscled her way through
This post was updated March 19 at 9:12 p.m. Madison Kocian kicked up into a handstand at the end of practice – something she couldn’t do a year ago. But it took a long time to get there. “I feel like everything really did happen for a reason,” said the former Olympian. “To not know if […]
Associate head coach Rance Brown fosters diversity, brings passion to tennis court
For 15 years, Rance Brown commuted 66 miles from Laguna Beach. The then-volunteer assistant coach for UCLA women’s tennis had to wake up at 5 a.m. every day to drive to campus, but spotting former Lakers star Kobe Bryant running along the Newport Coast Drive made the drive worth it. “I made more money teaching in […]
Michaela Onyenwere nails a balance of focus and fun on and off the court
Michaela Onyenwere almost always has her nails done. “I love getting my nails done because I don’t like looking bare,” said the sophomore forward. “I just feel like when they’re plain, they’re boring.” Whether it’s manicures or pedicures, Onyenwere – who is averaging a team-high 17.1 points for UCLA women’s basketball this season – goes […]
Jaylen Hands blends broad music taste with basketball to reflect on his gameplay
Jaylen Hands has always had a reputation as a high-flying human highlight reel. The first time he wore a UCLA men’s basketball jersey, he dunked on Steve Alford. Now Alford is gone, and the sophomore is the lone point guard on the team. No more Aaron Holiday, Thomas Welsh or GG Goloman to lead the […]