Steven Saum

Hoping to return to defend their national championship crown, the Gaels took to the rugby pitch in Berkeley on Saturday to face archrival Cal in the Collegiate Rugby National Semifinals. The Golden Bears got out in front early, and Saint Mary’s fought hard to retake the lead. But on this day it was not to be: The match went to Cal, 38–27. Saint Mary’s and Cal came into the match ranked the top two teams in the west by Goff Rugby Report, with the Gaels at No. 5 and the Bears at No. 4.

It began like this: Early the morning of February 24, Ukraine — a free and independent nation — became the victim of an unprovoked war of aggression launched by Vladimir Putin, who ordered tens of thousands of Russian troops to invade. Missiles and shells rained down on cities across the country. Apartment buildings and hospitals were hit. Civilians were terrorized and killed, while many thousands huddled in bomb shelters and metro stations.

In Their Own Words is a series in which we introduce you to the Gaels you need to meet—students, alums, faculty, and staff—and let them tell their stories, in their own words. Meet Miyako Tanaka-Oulevey MA ’95, a medal-winning Olympian from Japan. Following her career as an athlete in global competitions, she embarked on a career as a sports psychologist that has led her to work with business leaders and athletes.