When Xander Sielken left Hawaii for California in 2023 to pursue college baseball at West Valley College, he expected challenges, but not to suddenly support himself entirely.

During his redshirt freshman year, he was unexpectedly cut off financially and became responsible for rent, food, and daily expenses with no safety net. Determined to stay in school and on the field, he balanced full-time academics and baseball while working multiple jobs, including valet parking, cutting hair, and baking and selling homemade banana bread.

The pressure intensified in spring 2025 when he broke his hamate bone during one of his best seasons. Surgery forced him home to Hawaii for two months of recovery, where isolation and financial stress mounted. During this time, his four-year relationship also ended.

When it was time to return to California, he couldn’t afford the flight. In a powerful show of support, his teammates pooled funds to bring him back. Still recovering, he returned for the playoffs and delivered with a 3-for-4 performance in a key elimination game, helping West Valley finished second in the state.

“Those moments tested me in ways I never expected,” he said. “There were times when the stress, injuries, and uncertainty felt overwhelming. But I leaned on my faith, stayed focused on my purpose, and reminded myself why I started playing this game. The support from my teammates, coaches, and friends meant everything to me. They showed me I wasn’t alone. That experience changed my perspective and helped me become a stronger person and teammate.”

Now at CSU Monterey Bay, he has continued his rise, starting at third base and batting second while hitting .337 with 27 runs scored for the 21-5 Otters

Levi built her reputation on pristine form and balletic precision, representing the Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympics before beginning her highly anticipated NCAA career at Stanford.

But in January 2025, she made a far more personal decision: to redshirt her freshman season and step away from gymnastics to seek treatment for an eating disorder. The struggle had followed her for years, even as she trained toward the Olympics. She pushed through in silence for years, determined not to let it derail her goals.

Once she arrived at Stanford, she found joy in school, teammates, and campus life, but her mental health began overshadowing everything. “It was really tainting my love for the sport,” she said, realizing that without help, she couldn’t continue to excel. She committed fully to recovery, stepping away from school and training for five months of intensive treatment.

Recovery took longer than she expected, but it reshaped her life. She returned stronger mentally, gradually easing back into training with support from coaches and medical staff. Sharing her story publicly was vulnerable, but purposeful; she hopes to reduce stigma around eating disorders in aesthetic sports and encourage other athletes to seek help. “It’s part of my story,” she said, “but it’s not my whole identity.”

Now a redshirt freshman, she is thriving as a Cardinal, competing on all four events and stunning the NCAA gymnastics world with her unique style. She was named Atlantic Coast Conference Newcomer of the Week on February 10 and holds season-best scores of 9.950 on bars and floor and a 9.925 on beam.