Tyler Kubo
Tyler Kubo (sophomore) went three for five with a triple and three RBIs in the baseball team’s 14-12 win over George Fox University Feb. 16. The Bruins jumped off to a strong start with 4 runs in the first inning. Kubo’s first RBI in the game came in the bottom of the first when he hit Daniel Major (junior) home to make it 4-1.
According to Kubo, the Bruins dominated early in the game, but the Tigers were able to turn it around due to the strength the team gets from their 45-man roster.
“A lot of it comes down to once you slip into that mode, and there’s 50 of your brothers behind you that have your back,” Kubo said. “Our coach likes to say it’s like going into war. We knew George Fox [was] going to be tough. The game was really big for our team, because it showed how much grit we have and our strength in numbers.”
Assistant Coach Antonio Andrade ’22, who played on the baseball team while at Occidental, said Kubo’s versatility, consistent hard work and hitting earned him innings on the field last year. Andrade said he expects Kubo to get even more playing time this season.
“Kubo is a well-rounded player,” said Andrade. “He’s got speed, instincts, he can steal bases, good throwing arm, good glove in the outfield, he makes a lot of contact at the plate. He’s a tough player, he’s always gonna dive for you, and he’s the guy that we want. He plays outfield. We have seven to eight outfielders that we [want to] get in there ,and it can be really tough. It’s his ability to do everything.”
Captain and catcher Thomas Munch (sophomore) said he agrees with Andrade.
“Tyler Kubo is one of the best players I’ve ever played with,” Munch said. “He’s a great person overall. I can’t say enough good things about Tyler.”
Sean Elsee (sophomore), also a captain, said Kubo is a leader on the team.
“One of the greatest attributes you can have as a baseball player is being positive in all moments. That’s Tyler,” Elsee said. “If I could make a team with nine Tyler Kubos, I would do it.”
Kubo’s mother Kim Kubo said her son leads by example on and off the diamond.
“We raised him to be humble and easygoing,” Kim Kubo said. “We are proud of the person and young man he is becoming.”
Emma Wilderman
Women’s water polo center Emma Wilderman led the Tigers to a 14-11 win over the Austin College Kangaroos Feb. 15. She scored three goals.
Head Coach Lindsey Garcia said she attributes some of Wilderman’s success to her tenacity in the weight room.
“She does a fantastic job lifting,” Garcia said. “She’s one of the heavier lifters on the team and is always pushing herself to lift more. She knows she has to work extremely hard if she wants to get better. “
Wilderman’s high standards for herself extend to her teammates, and according to Garcia, Wilderman is a big motivator of all the women on the 18-person roster. Garcia said her support shows up in the weight room.
“If we are going to go do a hard set, Wilderman always says ‘you can do more,‘” Garcia said. “She’s always pushing her teammates to work harder.”
After a shot from the Kangaroos, a rebound hit Wilderman in the head. Wilderman said she unknowingly suffered a concussion but played the rest of the game.
“It didn’t really bother me until a day or two afterwards,” Wilderman said. “I have a little bit of a headache. Hopefully, I’m feeling better by next weekend. I just need to go through the recovery steps and then I’m good.”
Wilderman said she hopes to be back before they host Merced Feb. 28. Isabella Wilde (sophomore) said that Wilderman will be missed in the practices leading up to the next game.
“We actually haven’t been scrimmaging this week,” Wilde said. “Both of our primary centers are out.”
According to Wilde, Wilderman’s position typically takes the majority of the shots on a team and that it is very physical.
“You are fighting someone in the water the whole time,” Wilde said. “It takes a lot of grit and stamina. She loves to lift and pushes me.”
According to Wilde, she and Wilderman spend time together in the off-season improving their game.
“We swim and lift together in the offseason,” Wilde said. “In the weight room we like to be competitive. She’s always picking up a bigger weight, trying to get another rep, and I think that adds a lot to our team.”
Wilde said the loss of Wilderman is especially substantial to the guards on the team, because they typically face off against other centers.
“I am a guard and she is a center, so we play against each other a lot,” Wilde said. “Emma helps the team. She can lift our spirits.”
Contact Bennett Michaels at bmichaels@oxy.edu
