Sports
More than just a number – The Hawk Eye
What if I’m not good enough for college? Everyone says junior year is the hardest — they aren’t wrong. From balancing multiple AP classes, dual credit courses and preparing for the SAT and PSAT, this year felt like a constant battle, and no one talks about how overwhelming and lonely it can feel when things […]

What if I’m not good enough for college?
Everyone says junior year is the hardest — they aren’t wrong. From balancing multiple AP classes, dual credit courses and preparing for the SAT and PSAT, this year felt like a constant battle, and no one talks about how overwhelming and lonely it can feel when things don’t go as hoped.
Junior year is considered to matter the most — it’s the year colleges care about. The one where your GPA, test scores and extracurriculars either set you up for success, or shatter your dreams. I walked into this school year confident, thinking that this was going to be my best academic year. I began chasing a version of myself I thought colleges wanted. However, when I tapped on the SAT’s “reveal your score” and saw a number that didn’t reflect my efforts, I broke – not all at once, but quietly and slowly — a pain that would linger within me.
I felt constant humiliation from my friends and family who teased me about my score. It hurt because I was the student who’d always earn A’s on assignments, studying day and night. Slowly, I began disappearing into my classes, not caring about anything because I felt like my dream of getting into a good college was crushed. After months of SAT prep, I couldn’t understand how it all fell apart. Now, I’m left wondering how I can improve as I’m running out of time.
With my own sport, track and field, I felt the pressure of having to succeed and make big achievements to impress colleges. I thought I would do well and that I’d work hard to earn a varsity spot. Despite my dreams, I ran my worst meet crushing any remaining faith I had for my future. Everything was falling apart. No matter how hard I tried to hold on, I constantly felt like I was losing grip of the future I wanted.
But here’s one thing no one really says: it’s OK not to be OK.
Our plans fall apart, and failure happens to all of us. The truth is, sometimes a person can do everything right, but still fall short. It’s normal. It’s not the end of the world. Failing a test and not being the “perfect student” doesn’t mean an individual failed at life. It’s how one responds to the obstacles that they’ll face that matters.
Rather than figuring out my major, the college I’m going to or what my future looks like, I learned to get back up — even if I didn’t feel like it. Growth doesn’t always come easily; sometimes it shows up in big losses that can’t be redeemed, yet you choose to keep going anyway.
It’s OK to lean on people, because without them, we might forget how to live. I distanced myself from the people I cared about. I missed out on my homecoming game, the dance, Thanksgiving parties, hangouts and late-night food drives with my friends — moments I’ll never get back all because I thought nobody would understand the pressure that consumed me.
I realized the most meaningful parts of my junior year were the exact opposite of what I imagined at the start. It was the late-night FaceTime calls, the immaturity, laughter and the people who stuck around when I couldn’t be myself.
Junior year was tough, but it showed me that being myself is enough. That meant more to me than any number could.
Sports
West Coast Conference Announces 2025 Men’s Water Polo Schedule
Story Links SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference announced its 2025 men’s water polo conference schedule on Tuesday. The conference slate will run from Thursday, Oct. 2 to Friday, Nov. 14, with each team playing six conference contests. The West Coast Conference was ranked as one of the top men’s […]

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference announced its 2025 men’s water polo conference schedule on Tuesday. The conference slate will run from Thursday, Oct. 2 to Friday, Nov. 14, with each team playing six conference contests.
The West Coast Conference was ranked as one of the top men’s water polo conferences in the RPI last fall with six of the seven teams ending the year ranked in the final coaches poll.
Pacific, the 2024 West Coast Conference regular season champions, will host Air Force on Thursday, Oct. 2, to open conference play. West Coast Conference Tournament champion California Baptist will open the Conference slate at home against Pepperdine on Thursday, Oct. 9.
The 2025 West Coast Conference Tournament will take place on the campus of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 21-23.
Official dates are as of June 3 and subject to change.
2025 West Coast Conference Men’s Water Polo Conference Schedule
Oct. 2
Air Force at Pacific
Oct. 3
LMU at San José State
Oct. 5
Pacific at Santa Clara
Oct.9
Pepperdine at California Baptist
Oct. 11
San José State at Pacific
Oct. 12
California Baptist at Air Force
Oct. 16
Santa Clara at California Baptist
Oct. 17
Air Force at LMU
Pacific at Pepperdine
Oct. 18
Santa Clara at San José State
Oct. 19
Pacific at LMU
Air Force at Pepperdine
Oct. 24
Pepperdine at San José State
LMU at Santa Clara
Oct. 30
California Baptist at LMU
Nov. 2
California Baptist at Pacific
San José State at Air Force
Nov. 8
LMU at Pepperdine
San José State at California Baptist
Santa Clara at Air Force
Nov. 14
Pepperdine at Santa Clara
Sports
Meet the Toledo area’s 2025 Division I track and field qualifiers
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Sports
What to Expect in June
Santa Monica’s month-long Pride celebration returns in June with expanded programming across multiple venues, culminating in a full day of events on Saturday, June 21. The citywide celebration spans the Promenade, Pier, Main Street and Santa Monica Place, featuring art, activities, entertainment and community resources supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The partnership includes Downtown Santa Monica […]

Santa Monica’s month-long Pride celebration returns in June with expanded programming across multiple venues, culminating in a full day of events on Saturday, June 21.
The citywide celebration spans the Promenade, Pier, Main Street and Santa Monica Place, featuring art, activities, entertainment and community resources supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The partnership includes Downtown Santa Monica Inc., Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica Pier and Main Street Santa Monica, collaborating with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.
At Santa Monica Pier, Fabulous Fables: Drag Queen Pride Family-Edition runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the historic Merry Go-Round Building. The family-friendly event, presented with The Crow Comedy Club, features face painting, live performance by Santa Monica Playhouse, poetry reading by Santa Monica Poet Laureate Anne Carmack, drag storytelling and a Books & Cookies pop-up.
The Pride at the Pier Beach Sporting Experience runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with OutLoud Sports hosting mini tournaments in kickball, dodgeball, soccer, football, volleyball, tennis and cornhole. Simultaneously, Pride at the Pier Beach Volleyball offers open-format play for all skill levels through Pride Point Volleyball.
Santa Monica Place hosts Pride Disco and Kid Zone from noon to 4 p.m., featuring a family-friendly Silent Disco and craft activities with Cayton Children’s Museum. The venue’s Lanterns of Love display will illuminate Center Plaza throughout June.
Pride on the Promenade takes place from 2 to 7 p.m. with musical performances, giveaways, interactive games and LGBTQ+ businesses on Third Street Promenade. The event is part of Downtown Santa Monica’s Entertainment Zone, allowing guests to carry alcoholic beverages while strolling.
Main Street Santa Monica offers Drag Bingo in the Beer Garden from 3 to 6 p.m., alongside the Summer Soulstice celebration. The street closes to cars from Strand Street to Pier Avenue for live music, family activities and art installations.
The weekend concludes Sunday, June 22, with the Pride on the Pier Dance Party.
Additional June events include the City’s Pride Proclamation on May 27, SaMo Pride Drag Bingo Night on June 5, AIDS LifeCycle Finish Line Festival on June 7, Family PRIDE at Annenberg Community Beach House on June 13, and Rainbow Family Storytime at Ocean Park Branch Library on June 17.
For event registration and vendor opportunities, visit eventeny.com/events/pride-on-the-promenade-20126. Main Street Drag Bingo tickets are available at mainstreetsm.com. Complete schedules and updates are at SMPride.com.
Edited by SMDP Staff
Sports
Cal Poly Awards 2024-25 Athletes, Scholar-Athletes of the Year
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — From championship trophies and NCAA postseason runs to program records and academic excellence, the 2024-25 Cal Poly Athletics season was packed with historic moments. With student-athletes excelling in competition and the classroom, the Mustangs delivered across every season. Monday night, Cal Poly Athletics unveiled its annual end of the year […]

Monday night, Cal Poly Athletics unveiled its annual end of the year awards during its Night of the Mustang event. Aidan McCarthy, a standout in track & field, was named the Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Piper Ferch, a star for beach volleyball, was named the Female Student-Athlete of the Year.
Corban Payne (Track & Field) and Emily Lieber (Women’s Soccer) were both named Scholar-Athletes of the Year for their success both in the classroom and in competition.
Women’s Golf’s Jensen Jalufka was recognized with the Mustang Way Award for her leadership, character, and commitment to Cal Poly’s core values. Rory Devaney (Track & Field) and Jenna Drobeck (Beach Volleyball) earned Iron Mustang honors for their strength, hard work, and dedication in training throughout the year.
The fastest American in collegiate history in the men’s indoor 800, McCarthy won Big West titles in the 800 and 1,500, earned First Team All-American honors indoors and will compete for a national title outdoors next week in Eugene.
Ferch was a First Team All-American, First Team All-Big West, AVCA Top Flight Award winner. Partnering with Erin Inskeep at the No. 1 spot, the duo achieved a 28-7 record, becoming the highest-winning pair in program history. She also tied the program record for career wins with 101 and helped lead the Mustangs to their second straight NCAA Championship Semifinal appearance.
Payne, who last week qualified for the NCAA West Prelims in the shot put, has maintained a 4.0 GPA while earning his Master’s Degree in Engineering Management. Lieber, A three-year starter for the Mustangs and All-Academic honoree, Lieber has maintained a 3.97 GPA while pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering.
Mahoney was the Big West Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Big West after leading the men’s soccer team in goals scored and helping them win a Big West regular season title.
Pulling, a transfer from Cal State Bakersfield, was named First Team All-Big West after leading the team in blocks and was second in kills per set while helping the Mustangs win the Big West regular season title.
Through this week, Cal Poly has had 106 All-Academic honorees through the fall and winter, 74 All-Conference selections, seven All-Americans, eight conference major award winners, 41 school records, six team conference championships, 16 individual conference championships, and five Coach of the Year award winners.
Cal Poly baseball, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s soccer, and men’s track and field won Big West team titles.
With championships, national rankings, NCAA appearances, and strong academic results, the 2024-25 season marked one of the most successful in recent Cal Poly memory. The Mustangs now turn the page to the 2025-26 season with momentum, excitement, and school pride.
Sports
Massachusetts high school volleyball team rallies around teammate detained by immigration agents
BOSTON — A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. “Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our […]

BOSTON — A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities.
“Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our brother,” the Milford High School boys volleyball team said in an Instagram post.
Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior born in Brazil, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that agents were looking for the teenager’s father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time.
“Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he’s here illegally, we will take action on it,” he said when reporters asked about the teen.
Asked why ICE would detain an 18-year-old with no criminal record, Lyons answered, “I didn’t say he was dangerous. I said he’s in this country illegally and we’re not going to walk away from anybody.”
Gomes da Silva has filed a request in federal court seeking to be released as his immigration case proceeds. A judge on Monday gave the government two weeks to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours’ notice given to the court.
The arrest has sparked outrage among Democratic officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, who demanded information about his location and whether he is being afforded due process. The superintendent of Milford schools said the district plays no part in immigration enforcement and supports all families, including immigrants.
Hundreds of students at the school staged a walkout Monday, holding signs reading “Free our friend” and “America was built by immigrants.” Teachers will be at Tuesday night’s volleyball game along with other community members who support Gomes da Silva’s release, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said.
“The Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns ICE’s cruel and inhumane actions in the strongest possible terms,” the union said in a statement. “We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents.”
___
Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.
Sports
Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Makes a Big Splash With 35th Anniversary Bash – Pasadena Weekendr
The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center (RBAC) is marking its 35th year of service to the Pasadena community with special celebration events on June 16. The nonprofit has planned commemorative activities designed to engage community members and highlight the center’s long-standing commitment to aquatic programs. Community members can start the day with a special Anniversary Community […]


The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center (RBAC) is marking its 35th year of service to the Pasadena community with special celebration events on June 16. The nonprofit has planned commemorative activities designed to engage community members and highlight the center’s long-standing commitment to aquatic programs.
Community members can start the day with a special Anniversary Community Coffee from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A free Anniversary Water Fitness class called “Cheers to 35 Years” will take place at 1:35 p.m. in the Recreation Pool deep end. Those interested in participating must register in advance through the center’s website.
The center recently announced extended weekend summer hours, with the facility now remaining open until 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays starting June 7.
Visitors should note several upcoming facility closures related nearby Rose Bowl events. The center will be completely closed on Sunday, June 15, with early closures at 3 p.m. on June 17, 19, and 25. Additional modified hours include a 1 p.m. closure on June 21 and split hours on June 23 (5:30 a.m.-8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.-9 p.m.).
In other RBAC news, the center recently hosted the swimming events for the 2025 Pasadena Senior Games.
The center is celebrating staff achievements as well, with Coach Mike Gonzales recently bringing home a Bronze Medal from the PanAm Aquatic Water Polo Championships with the USA Cadet boys team, including a big win against host Colombia.
Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103. www.rosebowlaquatics.org.
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