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Matt Bromley on How He Acclimatizes Himself to Scary Situations

Bromley advises you walk progressively scarier stepping stones until you’re at the place you want to be. Photo: YouTube//Screenshot Matt Bromley spends a lot of his life being scared. He does it because he loves surfing waves that scare him, but fear management is something all big wave surfers need to learn. Bromley, of course, […]

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Matt Bromley on How He Acclimatizes Himself to Scary Situations
Matt Bromley

Bromley advises you walk progressively scarier stepping stones until you’re at the place you want to be. Photo: YouTube//Screenshot


The Inertia

Matt Bromley spends a lot of his life being scared. He does it because he loves surfing waves that scare him, but fear management is something all big wave surfers need to learn.

Bromley, of course, rides waves that could kill him. One doesn’t get to be one of the best big wave riders in the world by not wiping out, though, and the bigger the wave, the bigger the wipeout. He’s had his fair share of them at places like Pipeline, Nias, and Maverick’s, and over the years he’s developed a sort of routine to keep the fear in check.

“For me, I think my greatest fear was getting caught inside on a multiple wave, massive set,” he says. “I was absolutely terrified of that — and I still am, to be honest — but I’ve been working my way to edge fear out of the equation.”

Bromley doesn’t exactly face the worst possible scenario of his fear all at once. Instead, he puts himself in situations that are similar to that worst possible scenario. Bit by bit, he works his way up so that if, or when, he finds himself facing a massive set of waves as he’s bobbing around on the inside, he knows what he’s in for and he knows he’s prepared for it. It’s about finding those stepping stones that lead you to the place you want to be, even if that place seems impossibly scary.

“It’s not about jumping from two-foot waves into 10-foot waves straight away,” he explains. “Nobody can do that, and I didn’t do that either.”

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LockerRoom: Sailing greats steer water polo team in LA Games effort

And Barbara Kendall, boardsailing’s Olympic triple medallist, is the performance coach of the White Caps – the new moniker for the New Zealand women’s water polo team. Right now, Powrie is in Singapore with the side, who took on Italy in their opening game of the world championships overnight. Kendall, who’s been in Denmark watching […]

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Why Irena Gillarová, former Virginia Tech javelin thrower, would choose a U.S. education over an Olympic medal

Story Links For javelin thrower Irena Gillarová, a low point in her career became a moment that altered the course of her life. The Czech athlete had been training full time, deciding not to pursue higher education to focus on athletics. Yet at the European Athletics Championships, she had not even made […]

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For javelin thrower Irena Gillarová, a low point in her career became a moment that altered the course of her life.

The Czech athlete had been training full time, deciding not to pursue higher education to focus on athletics. Yet at the European Athletics Championships, she had not even made it to the final round of competition. I didn’t make it to the finals and I have nothing, so what do I do now? She thought to herself.

As she walked out of the meet, Gillarová ran into Virginia Tech’s track and field coach, who asked her if she wanted to come to the United States to compete for his team.

The answer was an easy yes for Gillarová, fueled by a dream to become an NCAA student-athlete since she was a child.

“I always admired international student-athletes from my country who would decide to go study in the U.S. I always looked up to them,” she said.

At Virginia Tech, the international student-athlete set a school record in her first meet. In her second meet, she broke a 17-year-old Atlantic Coast Conference record.

Yet parts of the student-athlete experience surprised Gillarová. Her coaches would ask her about her grades, checking if she needed tutors and making sure she knew about the academic resources at her disposal. 

“In Czech, we don’t have a system which supports education and sports. It’s a huge difference that decides the rest of your life,” she said. “You have all the resources you need. How the whole system cooperates together is amazing.”

On the field, Gillarová broke school and national records throughout her four years in the U.S. Most notably, she won Virginia Tech’s first NCAA championship in javelin, and she repeated that accomplishment in the final meet of her senior year. She is one of only two Virginia Tech female student-athletes to win at least two national titles. She also graduated with degrees in international relations and religion and culture. 

After graduation, Gillarová returned to the Czech Republic to pursue an Olympic career, an experience made possible by her time as an NCAA student-athlete.

“It made me a professional athlete,” she said. “The resources you have as an athlete at U.S. universities showed me this is how it’s supposed to look like, and what you need to have to be professional.”

Even with competing on the Olympic stage — she finished 19th at the 2020 Olympic Games — Gillarová’s most valued accomplishments are her NCAA national championships.

“To me, they are the most important ones because it’s the moment where your team relies on you, the school supports you,” she said. 

After her athletics career, Gillarová’s gratitude for her U.S. opportunities drove her to create pathways for others to achieve similar experiences. She started an organization, usFutures, to help international athletes become NCAA student-athletes.

“I always tell them, if somebody would ask me if I would get a medal from the Olympics or if I would get education at U.S. universities, I would 100% say I would go with the education and these four years at the U.S. university,” she said. “I’m just trying to pass that experience to others.”

Gillarová has also started an endowment fund to raise money and spend time with children in foster care to encourage them to play sports.

“When other structures let you down, (athletics) gives you friends, it shows you different characters of people which you can be inspired by,” she said.

Additionally, Gillarová began working with the Czech Paralympic Federation on the possibility for international para athletes to become NCAA student-athletes.

Last fall, the NCAA office of inclusion hosted Gillarová at the national office as part of the Global Sports Mentoring Program, which pairs emerging international women leaders with female senior executives at top U.S. sports organizations for an immersive mentorship experience. At the national office, Gillarová focused her time on learning about the possibilities for para athletes to become NCAA student-athletes.   

“If it’s in my ability to help them to get to universities, I’m excited to learn anything I can because I’ve always admired the NCAA,” she said.

After an exceptional collegiate and Olympic career, Gillarová helps others become NCAA student-athletes for one reason: She knows it will change the course of their lives — the same way running into Virginia Tech’s coach at the European Athletics Championships changed hers.

“Sport opened the door for my whole career,” she said. “The majority of things I have in life are thanks to sport.

“Before college athletics, I was a kid which had dreams but didn’t have the tools to accomplish them. After college athletics, I became a person who’s given tools to help others accomplish their dreams.”



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Volleyball Adds Freshman Outside Hitter Christa Wilburn To 2025 Roster

Story Links DALLAS (SMU) – Outside hitter Christa Wilburn has been added to the 2025 SMU volleyball roster, head coach Sam Erger announced on Friday. Wilburn initially committed to the Mustangs as part of the 2026 freshman class but has reclassified to join the team this fall. The 6-foot-2 outside hitter was […]

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DALLAS (SMU) – Outside hitter Christa Wilburn has been added to the 2025 SMU volleyball roster, head coach Sam Erger announced on Friday. Wilburn initially committed to the Mustangs as part of the 2026 freshman class but has reclassified to join the team this fall.

The 6-foot-2 outside hitter was a standout at Dripping Springs High School and Regents School of Austin. As a freshman and sophomore at Regents, she tallied over 500 kills per season, helping her collect First Team All-State and All-District honors in both seasons.

Wilburn transferred to Dripping Springs to finish out her high school career, and in her senior season finished the year with 344 kills and 346 digs, racking up several accolades including, AVCA Girls High School All-Region, Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) 6A All-State Team, TGCA 6A District Newcomer of the Year, while also being selected to the TGCA 6A All-Star Team as an alternate. 

In her club career, Wilburn was a three-time team MVP and a four-time captain for Austin Skyline Juniors.

Wilburn and the Mustangs will begin the 2025 regular season on Aug. 29 in Baton Rouge against LSU.

 



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Pro Bruin Rundown: Bruin athletes find success in professional softball, beach volleyball leagues

As UCLA Athletics takes a break for the summer, professional sports are still in full swing, with many current and former Bruins taking part. Each week during the summer, Daily Bruin Sports will take a look at the standout performances of the past week from UCLA athletes as we count down the days until fall. […]

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As UCLA Athletics takes a break for the summer, professional sports are still in full swing, with many current and former Bruins taking part. Each week during the summer, Daily Bruin Sports will take a look at the standout performances of the past week from UCLA athletes as we count down the days until fall.

Softball: Jadelyn Allchin, Megan Faraimo, Sharlize Palacios, Delanie Wisz, Bubba Nickles-Camarena, Rachel Garcia, Lisa Fernandez

Flare often defines a league’s inaugural season, helping it capture an audience.

And the Bruins may provide the talent needed to draw viewership.

The Athletes Unlimited Softball League began its first season June 7, and UCLA softball has cemented itself as a significant contributor to the professional league’s launch.

Seven Bruin alumni occupy roster spots on three of AUSL’s four teams, while UCLA associate head coach Lisa Fernandez serves as the Talons’ general manager, a squad featuring four Bruins.

And the Talons have earned a league-high 12 wins, riding a seven-game winning streak.

Former Bruin outfielder Jadelyn Allchin has helped spearhead the Talons’ hitting success, slashing .438/.538/.656 and leading the team in all three categories. The Fountain Valley, California, local’s disciplined plate approach has helped her record the league’s third-highest on-base percentage.

Behind the plate, former Bruin catcher Sharlize Palacios has limited opponents’ base-running success, throwing six runners out on steal attempts. The 2025 Big Ten Network softball game analyst carries a powerful bat too, blasting two home runs this season for the Talons.

Yet, Palacios’ chemistry with the Talons’ pitching staff may represent her most underrated attribute.

Along with ace Georgina Corrick, former UCLA pitcher Megan Faraimo has a 3-0 record in the circle. The USA Softball National Team pitcher threw a combined shutout with fellow Talon pitcher Raelin Chaffin, blanking the Volts for four complete innings in the Talons’ 4-0 win Wednesday night following a complete-game outing against the Blaze Tuesday night.

(Myka Fromm/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Former Bruin pitcher Megan Faraimo initiates her delivery. The Oceanside, California, local won the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year award twice during her college career. (Myka Fromm/Daily Bruin senior staff)

Former Bruins Delanie Wisz and Bubba Nickles-Camarena compete for the Bandits.

Wisz blooped a walk-off single down the left field line to help snap the Bandits’ three-game losing streak against the Blaze Wednesday afternoon. The infielder’s game-winning single was her second walk-off of the season, also barreling a single up the middle to secure the squad’s 6-5 victory against the Volts on June 12.

Although the Wisz’s timely hitting can steal the show, Nickles-Camarena’s batting power has helped spearhead the Bandits’ winning record.

Nickels-Camarena boasts a .431 slugging percentage, and her three home runs this season are tied for third-most in the league. Yet the outfielder, who serves as an assistant coach on UCLA’s coaching staff, has struggled to make consistent hard contact, logging a batting average below .220.

For the Volts, former Bruin two-way player Rachel Garcia recently pitched a complete game in the team’s 5-3 victory against the Bandits Monday, striking out nine batters. The Palmdale, California, local’s 2.65 ERA is the second-lowest mark in the league.

(Daily Bruin file photo)
Former pitcher Rachel Garcia winds up before throwing a pitch. Garcia was named the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year in 2019 and 2021 and boasted a sub-two ERA in three out of her four collegiate campaigns. (Daily Bruin file photo)

But Garcia is also a viable lineup option for the Volts, riding a three-game hitting streak with two doubles across that span.

The Bruins will continue to compete in the AUSL until late July, with the postseason starting July 26.

But some won’t stop there.

Garcia, Nickels-Camarena and Faraimo, along with former Bruins Ally Carda and Maya Brady, are set to travel to the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, which begin Aug. 7.

Beach Volleyball: Savvy Simo, Abby Van Winkle, Lexy Denaburg

Representing your country on the world stage is an honor that few athletes experience.

But former UCLA beach volleyball players Savvy Simo and Abby Van Winkle got a taste for international competition with Team USA at the Alanya, Turkey, Challenger Event in the main draw – part of the Beach Pro Tour – from June 11 to June 15.

Simo and Van Winkle occupied court one as the premier pair during UCLA’s pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, concluding the season with a 13-2 record.

(Daily Bruin file photo)
Bruin alumnus Lexy Denaburg rises up to the net and prepares to spike a ball. Denaburg is currently competing in the Association of Volleyball Professionals league for the Brooklyn Blaze, pairing with Julia Donlin. (Daily Bruin file photo)

And their chemistry has carried them onto the world stage.

The pair qualified for the main draw tournament after defeating Canadians Devin Corah and Dana Roskic in three sets during the preliminary round June 11.

The American pair – which ranks 27th in the world rankings – defeated France’s Lézana Placette and Alexia Richard to open the main draw June 11, boasting seven combined service aces and just four blunders across the second and third sets to bounce back after dropping the first set.

The former Bruins dropped their second contest but responded with a sweeping victory over Canadians Heather Bansley and Sophie Bukovec on June 13. The American pair used a multifaceted attack, with each boasting double-digit attack points, combining for 25 against the Canadian duo.

Simo and Van Winkle lost their final match of the tournament, falling to 13th-ranked pair Clémence Vieira and Aline Chamereau in two sets.

The next Challenger event of the Beach Pro Tour tournament is in Baden, Austria, and is set to occur between Aug. 5 and Aug. 10.

But the world circuit isn’t the only place where athletes can flash their capabilities.

Former Bruin Lexy Denaburg is in the midst of her first season with the Brooklyn Blaze in the Association of Volleyball Professionals, partnering with Julia Donlin.

The three-time AVCA All-American has posted the league’s second-highest passing rate at a .944 clip, facilitating the ball to the attacking-focused Donlin, whose 93 kills are the second-most in the league.

(Daily Bruin file photo)
Former UCLA player Lexy Denaburg prepares to receive a ball. The Merritt Island, Florida, local achieved three AVCA All-American selections with the Bruins. (Daily Bruin file photo)

Denaburg faced the New York Nitro women’s pair June 21 in East Hampton, New York, controlling the game at the net. The Merritt Island, Florida, local racked up nine kills and two blocks to help sweep the Nitro.

The Brooklyn duo lost its first contest of the season the following day, falling to the undefeated Austin Aces’ women’s pair in three sets. Yet, Denaburg opened the affair with four kills on a .571 hitting percentage to help secure a first-set victory.

Denaburg is scheduled to play next on Aug. 8 in Dallas against the Dallas Dream women’s pair.

Men’s Volleyball: Miles Partain

Beach and indoor volleyball require two distinct skill sets.

But Miles Partain appears to have mastered both.

After competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics on the Team USA beach volleyball squad, the setter returned to the UCLA men’s volleyball program, but NCAA eligibility restrictions stopped him from playing last season.

The 2022 MPSF Player of the Year is competing in the AVP this summer for the Dallas Dream along with partner Andrew Benesh. In 2022, Partain captured the AVP championship with Paul Lotman.

(Daily Bruin file photo)
Bruin setter Miles Partain leaps to hit a ball. The Pacific Palisades, California, local left the UCLA men’s volleyball program 10 games into the 2023 season to the join the U.S. Beach National Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Daily Bruin file photo)

And the Pacific Palisades, California, local has made a strong two-way impact, hustling for a league-high 73 digs while recording 111 kills. Partain sports the second most kills in the AVP, compared to just 23 attacking errors.

Partain and Benesh recently split two contests between June 21 and June 22.

The Olympian showcased his versatility in the first match, boasting a 100% passing rate and recording 8 digs along with 10 kills to help sweep the Austin Ace men’s pair.

The duo lost its second affair of the East Hampton, New York, circuit, despite Partain’s 15 kills.

Partain and Benesh have a 4-2 record, holding the fourth-place spot in men’s pair standings, and are set to return to the court against the Brooklyn Blaze men’s pair Aug. 8.



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12 Named to Track All-ACC Academic Team

Twelve Orange standouts earned All-ACC Academic distinction, for their performance during the outdoor track and field season and their success in the classroom. The All-ACC Academic Team takes into account performance on the track, in addition to a student-athletes academic record, with those eligible having qualified for competition at the ACC Outdoor Track and Field […]

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Twelve Orange standouts earned All-ACC Academic distinction, for their performance during the outdoor track and field season and their success in the classroom.

The All-ACC Academic Team takes into account performance on the track, in addition to a student-athletes academic record, with those eligible having qualified for competition at the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships and/or NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, while maintaining a 3.0 or better GPA for both the spring semester and their career.

Baneet Bains (Public Relations), Emma Eastman (Exercise Science), Heidi Demeo (Human Development and Family Science), Nyah Hernandez (Intercollegiate Athletic Advising), Justus Holden-Betts (Public Health), Rylie Lusk (Marriage and Family Therapy) and Peyton Rollins (Dual major: Marketing and Management) represented the women.

The men saw Omar Alsaidi (Information Management and Technology), Emanuel Joseph (Economics), Perry Mackinnon (Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises), Xayvion Perkins (Dual major: Public Communications and Political Science) and Sam Ricchiuti (Undeclared in the Whitman School of Management) earn the accolade.

The ACC Honor Roll, which honors a student-athlete for academic success, regardless of their event qualifications, will be released later this month.

 



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Whiteout Volleyball Club expands to boys club option

Whiteout Volleyball Club is responding to the call of local interest to expand its programming to the Yampa Valley’s first competitive boys travel team.  Last year, Whiteout Volleyball introduced a boys development program which included 12 athletes. The new program will begin this fall, offering boys in Northwest Colorado the opportunity to compete in sanctioned […]

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Whiteout Volleyball Club is responding to the call of local interest to expand its programming to the Yampa Valley’s first competitive boys travel team. 

Last year, Whiteout Volleyball introduced a boys development program which included 12 athletes. The new program will begin this fall, offering boys in Northwest Colorado the opportunity to compete in sanctioned USA Volleyball Rocky Mountain Region tournaments for the first time. 

The club plans to produce a middle school team with a four-tournament season beginning in October. Practices start in late August.



The club is also gauging interest in a high school-level travel team. 

Those interested in learning more or signing up their child can fill out the interest form at WhiteoutVolleyball.com/boysprogram. For more information, contact WhiteoutVolleyball@gmail.com.





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