Senior Daniel Orozco is congratulated after a home run against Pacific Lutheran. The outfielder and pitcher has overcome incredible adversity on his path to becoming a star for the Kingsmen, including a near-fatal car crash and the loss of his mother to breast cancer. “I always think about her,” said Orozco, who is hitting .351 with six doubles and a team-leading 31 RBIs on the season. Photo Kendal Lanz
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| Baseball star honors mother’s memory with hard work, resilience |
By Kyle Jorrey Ventura County born and raised, Daniel Orozco boasts one of the best cheering sections of any Kingsmen student-athlete. Following a line drive into the gap or a diving grab in the outfield, the shouts of support could come from his father, a cousin, an aunt, uncle or sibling. The one voice missing, that of his biggest fan, his mother, Susana, who died in 2023 after a three-year battle with breast cancer. She was just 45. Never far from his thoughts, Susana remains a positive force in Daniel’s life, her constant words of encouragement echoing in moments of frustration or exhaustion. “I can still hear her telling me, ‘Go for it,’” Daniel said. “Even when she was really sick, she would always tell me not to worry about her ... to keep my focus on going after my dreams.” This season, those dreams seem closer to reality than ever. After seeing just 30 at-bats as a junior, Daniel is an everyday player for the Kingsmen — and their best hitter with men in scoring position. Through 25 games, the outfielder is batting .351 with six doubles, two home runs and a team-leading 31 RBI.
In the field, he’s made 42 outs while recording just a single error. “His work ethic is tremendous,” head coach Erik Scherer said. “He’s one of the grittiest guys we have.” |
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| Braden Gonzales Senior | Men’s Volleyball
One of only two returning starters from a team that reached the national semifinals in 2025, Braden Gonzales is a big reason why the 19-6 Kingsmen have continued their winning ways. Currently in the top 20 in Division III in digs per set (2.77), the curly-haired libero regularly leaves the opposition’s best attackers shaking their heads. Head coach Kevin Judd described the Thousand Oaks High School graduate as a “relentless ball of energy moving at the speed of light.” “He’s a very emotional player,” Judd said. “When he makes big plays, it can really fire up the team.” It also deflates their opponents, who have just a .193 hit percentage (the ratio of kills to kill attempts) compared to .257 for the Kingsmen. Gonzales, who set the program record for digs in a season (300) last year, has Cal Lutheran poised for its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
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| Mia Reveles Junior | Softball
In her first season as a member of the Regals, Mia Reveles is burning up the base paths. The outfielder from Goleta is a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen bases to go along with a team-leading .377 batting average and 18 runs scored. A transfer from Santa Barbara City College, Reveles has been a pleasant surprise for Cal Lutheran, contributing in every facet of the game. The exercise science major led Dos Pueblos High School (Santa Barbara) to a Channel League title in 2022. Reveles is one of several talented juniors on the Regals roster, suggesting better days lie ahead for the proud program.
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| Max McGrady
Junior | Baseball
After seeing the program graduate two All-SCIAC pitchers in 2025 — Luke Wechsler and Leo Bristow — the Cal Lutheran faithful had to wonder who would step up to fill the void. Insert Max McGrady, a native of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. With a month left to play, the Santa Barbara City College transfer boasts a 2.77 ERA and a team-best 49 strikeouts for the Kingsmen. The 6-foot-2 right-hander mowed down 11 in an eight-inning win at Caltech on Feb. 25 and recently earned SCIAC Pitcher of the Week honors. Head coach Erik Scherer credited pitching coach Joey Romano with aiding McGrady’s development. “It took a little while to fine-tune some things ... now he’s putting it all together and really competing well and giving us a chance each time he’s out there.”
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Madi Bodhidatta Senior | Women’s Swimming
Load up the dynamite — it’s time to add a new bust to the Mount Rushmore of Regals swimming. Madi Bodhidatta capped an incredible collegiate career in the pool last month with her third consecutive visit to the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships. The senior from Bangkok was the university’s lone representative at the contest, competing in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and the 100 butterfly, where she finished 34th in 56.61 seconds — just .24 seconds shy of her own program record. Head coach Barry Schreifels said of Bodhidatta, who has set more team records than anyone in school history: “She’s somebody who has brought a lot of really positive attention to our school and our program.” Bodhidatta will graduate this spring with a degree in sports management.
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JODIE AND JOSIE OPARANAKU |
As intimidating as they are on the field of competition, identical twin sisters Jodie (left) and Josie Oparanaku are warm and inviting off it. The Las Vegas natives are the oldest of four girls born to two Nigerian immigrants. About to graduate with degrees in psychology, both Jodie and Josie aspire to become doctors. Photo: Kendal Lanz |
The Oparanakus’ epic run at Cal Lutheran is coming to an end.
The identical twin sisters — Josie, an All-SCIAC midfielder on the Regals lacrosse team, and Jodie, an accomplished hurdler in track and field — will graduate next month with bachelor’s degrees in psychology. Both aspire to medical school and, one day, becoming physicians.
As hard as they are to tell apart, they’re even harder to hold back: Each has excelled in all aspects of the student-athlete experience.
During their time in Thousand Oaks, the Las Vegas natives have established a legacy of commitment, both in their respective fields of competition and in the classroom. The children of Nigerian immigrants who emphasized education — their father is a medical doctor and their mother an accountant — they chose Cal Lutheran because it provided them the opportunity to continue pursuing their athletic and scholastic passions in a faith-based environment.
Born at the same moment as they were delivered by C-section (though Josie can lay claim to coming out a minute earlier), they have remained as close as two sisters can be. Here are some questions to better get to know the Purple and Gold’s most famous twins: |
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Attendees of the inaugural Wine & Beer Walk fill the plaza between William Rolland Stadium and Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center. This year’s walk will take place April 25, rain or shine.
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Countdown to Wine & Beer Walk begins |
Vendor list includes several businesses ran by Cal Lu alumni |
Tickets are still available for the second annual Cal Lutheran Wine and Beer Walk, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25.
The fundraiser benefits all Kingsmen and Regals student-athletes, ensuring they have sufficient funds to travel as a full team to postseason competitions and enjoy other benefits like new equipment and extras such as last fall’s welcome-back barbecue.
For $75 — $50 for Cal Lutheran students (21+) and faculty — guests will be able to sample food and drink selections while congregating with fellow Purple and Gold faithful in William Rolland Stadium Plaza. Children 12 and younger are free. While the event is geared toward adults, there will be activities for kids, including a play area.
Vendors slated to appear: Adorato Wines, Atost Winery, Cavaletti Vineyards, Enegren Brewing Co., Grayhawke Winery, Hiatus Crafthouse, Institution Ale Co., Jackson Family Wines, Leap 29 Wines, Malibu Brewing Company, Naughty Pine Brewing Co., Opolo Vineyards, Pars Fortuna, Pedals & Pints Brewing Co., Rock Garden Cellars, Stonefire Grill, Sunland Vintage Winery and Tarantula Hill Brewing Co.
Opolo, Hiatus, Jackson Family and Naughty Pine are all operated by Cal Lutheran alumni. Purchase tickets online using the link below or at the gate. Event is rain or shine. |
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Michael “Mikey” Holland’s move from CSU Long Beach to Cal Lutheran for his senior year has provided a spark to a vastly improved sprint team. At last month’s Oxy Invite, the Moorpark High School graduate logged the fastest 100-meter time (10.72) by a Kingsmen student-athlete ... in 40 years. He followed that up by winning the 100 and 200 at the SCIAC Quad Cup Final in Whittier. Holland even has the potential to compete in the 400 at next month’s conference championship meet. “He definitely excels at all three events,” assistant coach Daniel Tustin said.
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Bella Bravo has a great sports name and the talent to back it up. Standing just 5 feet tall, the senior goalkeeper has been an elite stopper in net since arriving on campus in 2021. This season, Bravo has played every minute of every game for the 3-7 Regals, recording her 600th career save on March 14 against Edgewood University. Bravo tallied an impressive 21 versus Chapman. “She’s the best goalie in the conference in my opinion,” second-year head coach MacEllen McDonough said. “She’s been our most consistent player ... just a great communicator and leader.”
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Pitchers haven’t found an answer for Kingsmen third baseman Phillip Jeong. With over half the season in the books, the junior from Valencia is still hitting near .500 — .488 to be exact — and leading the conference in hits (47) and on-base percentage (.570). Head coach Erik Scherer said Jeong has exceeded all expectations during what can only be described as a breakout year. “He didn’t start on opening day, came in late in the game, got a pinch hit ... now he’s a key piece to that offense ... and defensively he’s solidified the position (third base),” Scherer said. The computer information systems major is also 8-for-11 in steal attempts.
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Lauren Lohmeier’s “game face” is an ear-to-ear smile. “She’s playing with love and passion again,” head coach Tim Settem said of the senior, who is having a career year in the pool. The Mission Viejo native — who just scored her 100th career goal — leads the Regals with 60 points (41 goals, 19 assists) despite coming off the bench. Lohmeier has found the back of the net consistently in big moments, including scoring the game-winner with just over a minute left in a 9-8 victory over Occidental in March. Settem said she’s also contributing defensively for the Regals, who at 7-2 in conference are a lock for their second consecutive SCIAC Tournament appearance.
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Head coach Brett Halvaks has another talented Regals distance runner to gush about. Sloan Pullen, a first-year student-athlete from Moraga, is keeping pace with senior Summer Gelman, a defending NCAA qualifier. A member of the swim team, Pullen had just two weeks of consistent practice before running the 10th-fastest time in the 1,500-meter in CLU history. If Pullen, who has since topped that time, comes out for cross country in the fall, she has the chance to be a rare three-sport standout. “Sloan could be a great story, especially if this time next year she’s doing all three and accelerating in all three,” Halvaks said.
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The Regals (8-2) are off to their best start in recent memory, due in part to the play of junior Kylee Limpias. After contributing only sparingly in 2025, the Bakersfield native is now Cal Lutheran’s No. 2 singles player — making an “exceptional leap,” according to head coach Michael Gennette. “She’s really shown what you can do with a little hard work,” Gennette said. Limpias, playing alongside Anya Rajan, the Regals’ No. 1, captured a 7-5 doubles victory last week against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, the top-ranked Division III team in the nation. The co-captain has seen her Universal Tennis Rating system score rise from 5 to 8 (out of 16.5), putting her in the upper echelon of collegiate tennis.
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Our rundown of the can’t-miss Kingsmen and Regals action at home |
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April 3-4 | 3 PM, 11 AM, 2PM |
Backdrop: The Kingsmen (18-7) have the perfect blend of gritty upperclassmen and promising young talent. Both groups face a critical test this weekend against Redlands, who sit ahead of Cal Lutheran in the conference standings with a month to play. Bolstered by the return of outfielder Lucas Danielewicz (.380, 26 RBI) for his fifth year of eligibility, the team is averaging nine runs a contest and only giving up 4.6. The fact that the Kingsmen dropped two out of three to the Bulldogs last year only serves as further motivation. Starting pitcher Oscar Lopez (5-2, 2.52 ERA) has been excellent. The junior lefty hasn’t given up over three earned runs in a start all season. Photo: Kendal Lanz
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Women’s Water Polo vs. La Verne |
Backdrop: Back for a sixth season in Purple and Gold — a freak occurrence made possible by COVID and injuries — goalie Izzy de Souza is performing at an elite level. Already the university’s career leader in saves entering 2026, the graduate student leads the conference with 170 stops to begin April. More importantly, she has her teammates playing with purpose. The Regals sit just two games out of first with the bottom half of the conference on deck. Expect Cal Lutheran to be firing on all cylinders when it welcomes La Verne for Senior Night — a team they beat 25-3 in February. Among those excelling: Olivia Hurley, Aleaha Gonzalez and Hudson Grier, all of whom are set to return in 2027. Photo: Kayla Bell
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Men’s Volleyball vs. UC Santa Cruz |
Backdrop: While the Kingsmen (19-6) have all but assured themselves a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, players and coaches would prefer to leave nothing to chance. A team without a conference, Cal Lutheran once again must rely on an at-large bid; the same goes for UC Santa Cruz. The rival Banana Slugs know their only way into the dance is by winning at least one match during an end-of-the-season home-and-away that starts Saturday at Gilbert Arena. April 4 is also home fans last chance to see senior libero Braden Gonzales work his magic in person. This contest will have a postseason feel. Photo: Kayla Bell
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Backdrop: The Regals (10-15) are showing signs of life after a tough start to the season. Winners of three straight, the young squad can put itself back in the postseason conversation by taking care of CMS this weekend and then protecting its home turf against La Verne. Cal Lutheran has won six of nine from the Leopards, including two on the road in 2025. Pitching has been the team’s Achilles heel thus far, with opponents batting .370 against. Bright spots include juniors Mia Reveles, Reyna Perez and Kalli Strahm. Strahm, from tiny Holtville, California, sports a 3.95 ERA to go along with five complete games. Photo: Mia Betrone
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Senior Camden Hyde used Instagram to share his selection to the 2025-26 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Allstate Good Works team. Each year, NACDA selects 60 student-athletes for the honor, which is judged on leadership in community service, academics and athletics. A member of the Kingsmen basketball and track and field teams, Hyde founded The Alternative, a student organization that offers a positive, community-focused “alternative” to the typical college social scene through Bible studies, worship nights and service projects. To go along with his 3.95 GPA, the Boise native leads volunteer efforts to feeding the unhoused and mentor local youth.
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Kim Kolibas went from rescuing points to rescuing people. The former Regals tennis star is now an emergency room doctor for St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John's Hospital in Camarillo. |
By Kyle Jorrey
A former First Team All-SCIAC tennis player for the Regals, Kim Kolibas remains incredibly cool under pressure. She needs to be — there is a lot more at stake these days than a break point or tournament victory. The Cal Lutheran graduate is an emergency room physician for St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo.
“Being a collegiate athlete helped me with learning how to manage work challenges. I learned early on the benefits that exercise has on helping out with mental stressors,” Kolibas said. “The same consistency that you need when training for a sport like tennis applies similarly to training to become a doctor. Teamwork is incredibly important in a workplace like the ER, and I do believe being on a team in college helped set the groundwork for that success.” After graduating in 2012 with a degree in biology, the Ventura County native took a year off from school to work as a scribe in the emergency room at Los Robles Regional Medical Center. The experience gave her time to complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and apply to schools. She ultimately attended Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Colorado before completing her residency in emergency medicine at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. Kolibas decided on ER work because: “No day is ever the same. I have the unique opportunity to make a difference and help people on some of their worst days.” After spending time at two hospitals in the San Fernando Valley, she jumped at an opportunity to work closer to home, accepting her current position with St. John’s.
“I grew up in Ventura County and both of my parents lived in Camarillo at the time so that was a big factor in why I came back,” Kolibas said. “Unfortunately, my mom passed away in 2023. I am very happy that I did move back and had some time with her before she passed.”
Kolibas said her best memories of Cal Lutheran were cheering on her tennis teammates and the joy of being on a team. Her results improved each year, concluding with a senior season that saw her earn All-SCIAC First Team honors and post a doubles record of 11-7 with partner Holly Beaman.
Asked her secret to balancing sports and studies while a student, she replied: “Time management. I truly gave it my all whether I was on the court or in the classroom.”
A typical day for Kolibas, who works the night shift at the hospital, starts around 3 p.m. with a workout, spending time with her three dogs and then dinner with her wife, Amy, at their home in Newbury Park. Then it’s off to the ER, either in Oxnard or Camarillo.
“We see everything ... from strokes, to pediatrics, traumas, to basic urgent care complaints,” she said. “Hard to say what is ‘typical’ on any given work night, but fair to say I am always exhausted and ready to hit my pillow when I get off in the mornings.”
Tennis is still a pastime, and while she doesn’t play as much as she would like, she remains an avid fan, attending the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells every year. The best piece of advice she has to offer current Kingsmen and Regals student-athletes with dreams of going into medicine?
“Enjoy the journey. The time management, discipline and teamwork skills obtained by being a student-athlete will benefit all aspects of life,” she said. |
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© 2026 California Lutheran University |
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