UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close speaks to graduate student forward Angela Dugalic on the sideline. (Darlene Sanzon/Assistant Photo editor)
Fans can see talent as soon as an athlete steps on the court.
Sometimes, supporters can even imagine the hard work a player endures.
But what people never see is the mental conditioning athletes undergo en route to success.
Frida Esparza mostly wears black and gray.
She loves Metallica.
And when the graduate student was a sophomore, she rocked pink hair in the fall before swapping it out for a bright, pastel blue dye job in the spring.
Emily Lee’s little sister’s death drew her to health care at a young age.
The UCLA gymnastics senior’s affinity for a healing profession stems from a deeply personal experience that exposed her to the rigorous world of medicine.
Mick Cronin thought Tuesday’s showdown was just going to be business as usual. Then his dad called.
His 83-year-old father let Cronin know he’d be trekking across the country for Tuesday night’s game against Minnesota.
Playing Division I sports is a commitment.
Donning national colors is an honor.
Giving back to the community is a calling.
From competing for UCLA women’s soccer to representing Team Mexico, junior forward America Frias and sophomore midfielder Val Vargas have made names for themselves on the field.
Passing the torch is a natural part of sports, as new leaders step up to carry the team forward.
And in 2025, it could be Cheridyn Leverette who propels the Bruins to new heights.
This post was updated Dec. 4 at 10:48 p.m.
The word “proud” often fails to suffice in the Bhaghani household. It feels a pound too light and a description too fragile to contain adequate weight.
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