University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Student-Athletes to Compete at 2019 World University Games
July 01, 2019 | Bruin Athletics
A total of 37 UCLA students will be competing at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy this summer. They will be featured on 10 various teams, with the biggest contingent coming from the 20-member women's soccer team. The event will begin with Opening Ceremonies on July 3 and continue as a 12-day event ending on July 14.
UCLA women's soccer head coach Amanda Cromwell will lead the USA team. The roster features 20 American-based Bruins, including returning All-Pac-12 players Anika Rodriguez, Karina Rodriguez, Ashley Sanchez, Delanie Sheehan and Viviana Villacorta, plus seven freshmen. Team USA will debut against Italy on July 4 before playing Japan on July 6. The semifinals take place on July 10, with medal matches occurring on July 12.
"We are proud to be representing not only Team USA but UCLA at the World University Games," said Cromwell. "Having the opportunity to represent your country is always a tremendous honor, and we love being able to showcase the high-level of play that we see regularly in collegiate soccer."
Several UCLA water polo members will represent USA in Italy this summer, with five on the men's roster and four on the women's roster. Felix Brozyna-Vilim, Jake Cavano, transfer Sam Krutonog, Evan Rosenfield, and alternate Tommy Gruwell will be with the men's team, which begins play on July 2 and concludes with medal matches on July 14. Val Ayala, Ava Johnson, Roxy Wheaton and incoming freshman Abbi Hill will be competing on women's team beginning July 2 through July 13. A trio of UCLA alumni will be coaching the U.S. teams – head coach Brian Flacks and assistant coach Bret Lathrope will lead the men, while Molly Cahill will serve an assistant coach for the women.
The U.S. tennis team will be fully represented by three Bruins - Sophie Bendetti and Abi Altick on the women's side, and NCAA doubles champion Keegan Smith on the men's side. UCLA Women's Tennis Associate Head Coach Rance Brown will coach the tennis teams. Competition begins on July 5, with the semifinals on July 12 and finals on July 13.
"This is my second time doing the University World Games," said Brown. "The first time was in Korea, and it was life changing to have USA on your jersey. These three young people are going to have a tremendous experience being able to represent their country and being able to play tennis. Looking forward to it and a tough competition."
UCLA Volleyball will be represented by U.S. team members Brandon Rattray and Madeleine Gates. Preliminary round matches begin on July 5, followed by the women's semifinals on July 10, the men's semifinals and women's medal-round matches on July 12, and the men's medal matches on July 13.
UCLA has one international student-athlete competing in swimming – Erica Vong, representing Macau. The swimming competition starts on July 4.
Two additional UCLA students will be competing at the World University Games - Isabel Chu (Table Tennis) and Connor Wilson (Taekwondo). Table tennis begins competition on July 4, while Taekwondo starts July 7.
The U.S. delegation is headed by former UCLA basketball player and head coach Gary Cunningham, who serves as the President for the for the United States International University Sports Federation (US-IUSF), the official representative and governing body for the U.S. in the World University Games. UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero is the Vice President of the US-IUSF.
The World University Games are organized by the International University Sports Federation and held every other year. The event features student-athletes under the age of 25 competing in 18 summer sports – track & field, soccer, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, judo, swimming, basketball, volleyball, water polo, rugby sevens, fencing, taekwondo, table tennis, tennis, shooting sports, archery, diving, and sailing.
FISU.TV and the Olympic Channel will live stream the World University Games, beginning with the Opening Ceremony on July 3 at 12pm PT. Soccer, tennis, volleyball and water polo matches will be live streamed starting from the semifinal round. Click here for the live stream schedule.
Follow USA Team at the World University Games on Twitter and Instagram (@usateam_) and Facebook (/WUGUSA).
UCLA's 2019 World University Games Competitors
Women's Soccer - Olivia Athens, Lauren Brzykcy, Marley Canales, Chloe Castaneda, Sunny Dunphy, Mia Fishel, Jackie Gilday, Kylie Kerr, Kaiya McCullough, Hannah Mitchell, Brecken Mozingo, Maricarmen Reyes, Brianne Riley, Anika Rodriguez, Karina Rodriguez, Ashley Sanchez, Delanie Sheehan, Kali Trevithick, Cassidy Tshimbalanga, Viviana Villacorta
Women's Swimming – Erica Vong (Macau)
Table Tennis - Isabel Chu
Taekwondo - Connor Wilson
Tennis - Abi Altick, Sophie Bendetti, Keegan Smith
Men's Volleyball - Brandon Rattray
Women's Volleyball - Madeleine Gates
Men's Water Polo - Felix Brozyna-Vilim, Jake Cavano, Sam Krutonog, Evan Rosenfield, Tommy Gruwell (alternate)
Women's Water Polo - Val Ayala, Abbi Hill, Ava Johnson, Roxy Wheaton
