Victoria Vahi
Women’s cross country runner Victoria Vahi (first year) placed 61st at the UC Riverside Invitational Sept. 19, finishing first out of all Occidental racers.
According to head cross country coach Robert Bartlett, Vahi was not recruited by Occidental. Bartlett said he instead met Vahi at first-year orientation.
“It’s funny, I didn’t know [Vahi] existed until the first day of orientation when I heard that a student and their mom were looking for me,” Bartlett said. “She’s been a wonderful surprise.”
According to Bartlett, Vahi’s lack of experience is not the disadvantage it might seem to be.
“The nice thing is that running is running — our sport is not rocket science,” Bartlett said. “[Vahi’s] naivety in terms of the nuances of our sport is actually a bit of a gift, because she doesn’t overthink things.”
According to Vahi, the athletic culture at Occidental is very different to what she experienced in her home country of Estonia. Vahi said there is a strong individualist culture surrounding sports and success in Europe.
“In Estonia, you would not see that type of support from your teammates,” Vahi said. “Everyone [at Occidental] is very supportive […] It’s way more like we are a team. We are doing this together. In Estonia, it’s only you. If you want to be good you have to fight for your spot.”
Vahi said she had never run cross country before joining Occidental’s team, only having played tennis and run track in high school. According to Vahi, her high school experience with sports was very different from her first year of college.
“[High school] was much more strict during the one hour you would practice, then they don’t really care [after],” Vahi said. “[Coaches would say], ‘Do whatever you want, just come to practice.’”
Bartlett said Vahi’s simple approach to running helped her be successful in her first race, and her varied skillset has helped her adapt to the sport.
“[What] I’ve learned very quickly about [Vahi] is that she’s a hard worker, she has a great attitude and she’s tough,” Bartlett said.
Women’s cross country runner Missy LeClaire (junior), who set a new personal best at the UC Riverside Invitational, said she was very impressed with Vahi’s race at the event.
“[Vahi] is a bit quiet, then whipped out that performance at Riverside,” LeClaire said. “I couldn’t even see her, that’s how fast she was.”
LeClaire said Vahi has been a wonderful addition to the latest first-year class, especially because the women’s cross country team has not always had a full roster of runners.
“It’s so early in the season that we’re still getting to know everyone,” LeClaire said. “I like when [Vahi] opens up. She is so humble and so fun to be around.”
Gianni Simamora
Men’s soccer player Gianni Simamora (first year) scored a goal against Azusa Pacific University during their match Sept. 26 that ended in a 1-1 draw. Simamora said the experience of scoring his first collegiate goal was dreamlike when considering his role as a defensive middle fielder.
“I haven’t scored a goal in so long,” Simamora said. “Especially to take the lead in the game, it felt unreal.”
Simamora said a key part of the team’s success is how hard they work in practice to make each other better.
“Alongside all the tactics, we also do competitions in practice,” Simamora said. “[Winning] is a big deal [for] bragging rights. Everyone [competes], but [when] practice ends we are all back to being best friends.”
Simamora said having a large, cohesive first-year class will be good for the future of the men’s soccer team.
“It feels good to be contributing to the team as a freshman, even with less experience,” Simamora said. “It’s also good that our freshman class is huge, we have a really good connection.”
Head men’s soccer coach Rod Lafaurie said Simamora is a perfect fit for the team. According to Lafaurie, Simamora contributes positively in all areas of men’s soccer culture. Lafaurie said Simamora’s vibrant energy is a joy to have at practice.
“[Simamora] is just a good human being,” Lafaurie said. “He’s a great player, funny, hardworking and intelligent, he fits all the things that we want in our culture. He’s lighthearted and likes to have a good time. [He] always has a willing easy smile. It’s nice to see someone that’s happy and jovial.”
According to Simamora, his positive attitude has always been something he’s carried with him, which has helped him face the adversities that come with being an athlete.
“Something I’ve always been told was to keep being me,” Simamora said. “My coach said, ‘You have a lot of joy and that’s a good thing.’ I don’t want that to go away. If you are ever faced with adversity or challenges, you have to try and overcome them and keep going.”
Contact Quinn Godfrey at qgodfrey@oxy.edu
