Alex Bosanac
Despite being new to Occidental, midfielder Alex Bosanac (first year) has consistently earned himself playing time on Occidental’s men’s soccer team. The team played Redlands College in a rematch of the 2023 SCIAC Championship Sept. 28, where Bosanac contributed the Tigers first goal en route to a 2-2 tie.
Bosanac said one of the adjustments of playing at the collegiate level is the high level of physicality.
“SCIAC is super physical, and a lot of the teams use that to their advantage,” Bosanac said. “We played at [Cal Lutheran] a couple of days ago, those guys were all huge, they all looked like bodybuilders. We won 3-0 because we don’t really rely on that. We play our game.”
According to his teammate Devin Bening (first year), he knew Bosanac before coming to Occidental because the two of them had competed against each other on different MLS Next teams.
“Alex is a very funny guy. He’s definitely very offensive. He loves to hit through balls and is always aggressive with his actions going forward,” Dening said. “Over the summer, we coached a soccer camp together, so I got to know him a bit more and he’s a nice guy and good with the ball.”
Men’s soccer Assistant coach Brian Wright said from a character standpoint, Alex is the type of athlete that puts the team first and foremost in his life.
“He’s always sacrificing for the betterment of the team and making sure that he’s doing the things on the pitch that are going to help us to be successful in games,” Wright said. “Off the pitch, he’s a good teammate and makes sure that he’s doing what needs to be done in order to help with the culture that we try to have.”
Bosanac said the team has a special tradition to raise the level of competition on the team.
“We do a lot of challenges. One of them we do every practice is whoever can get 55 passes with a partner in the quickest time,” Bosanac said. “I’ve won it one time. So, whoever wins those challenges, coach takes a picture of us and puts it in the locker room.”
Bosanac said the team has been playing a 4-4-2 diamond formation, and he’s been playing as the right attacking midfielder.
“I’d say my game is a lot of through balls and dictating the play,” Bosanac said. “Passing the ball and getting that assist — that’s my favorite.”
Eliana Channell
During Occidental volleyball’s matchup against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS) Sept. 28, Eliana Channell (junior) hit six kills and had a pair of blocks. Channell said she started playing volleyball during her first year of high school and has mostly played middle blocker.
“My freshman year [of college], I played right side, but I’ve been a middle [blocker] my whole volleyball career,” Channell said. “Middle is a great defensive position where you […] defend from attackers and from other hitters.”
According to Channell, she has improved at different aspects of playing her position while at Occidental.
“I think I’ve gotten better at my blocking, pressing and getting up timing-wise [for blocks],” Channell said. “Especially this year, my arm swing has gotten a lot better with this new coach. I think she brought a lot to the table.”
Women’s volleyball Head coach Emily Foster joined the volleyball program along with eight first-year players this fall. Channell said the new personnel has given the team new energy.
“It’s been really good having more people, and practices have run better,” Channell said. “I love our freshmen. They just brought a good energy, and I think we’re more competitive in practices and then that translates to games.”
According to teammate Katelyn Cajigas (sophomore), Channell looks out for her teammates and brings energy to the court.
“Eliana is just like our mother on the team,” Cajigas said. “She’s always pushing us to fight harder, and she’s super competitive. But she’ll always be there for you too.”
Channell said that having the support of her teammates has reached far beyond just on the court.
“A freshman asked me if my friends were coming to our first scrimmage of the year, and I said, ‘they’re already here,’” Channell said. “You bond through the hardship of balancing classes and being an athlete.”
Contact Theodore Wilton at twilton@oxy.edu
