East Ventura News

Members of Cal Lutheran’s national champion women’s soccer and men’s volleyball teams visited the White House this week, witnessing Vice President Kamala Harris’ first public comments since President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection.

The 23 student-athletes and five coaches attended a celebration for the 2023-2024 NCAA champions on Monday. Harris, a former California attorney general and senator, is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.

“The historical aspect of it … that was pretty cool,” said women’s soccer coach Frank Marino.

Marino and assistant coach Brenton Frame accompanied 17 players from the Regals squad that captured the NCAA Division III crown last December. The players included Elena Baltazar, Logan DuFord, Anna Evenson, Madie Fahey, Ally Fisicaro, Ryan Kaneko, Allie Lam, Jalynne Magana, Adriana Maroney, Macey Peery, Eden Quiroz, Darya Rasoli, Ellie Ruhoff, Kelsey Slaugh, Olivia Suarez, Caitlyn Winter and Isabella Veljacic.

Men’s volleyball coach Kevin Judd was joined by assistants Ron Higa and Fred “Chuck” English and six players: Connor Crawford, Ryker Linn, Trent Rigney, Noah Rigo, Jake Tucker and Ben Weber. Sophomore Braden Swenningsen missed the event due to a canceled flight caused by an IT failure.

The Kingsmen won their first NCAA Division III championship in April. Despite having to arrange their own travel, both teams found the opportunity too enticing to pass up. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said Judd. “To be invited to the White House along with 1,000 other athletes who were the best in their sport this year … I mean, that’s a big deal.”

More than 90 college teams were represented at College Athlete Day at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., marking only the second time champions from all three divisions were honored together. Current NCAA President Charlie Baker initiated this tradition last year.

“What a great idea to include everyone,” Marino said.

Monday’s event on the White House lawn was livestreamed as many tuned in to hear Harris speak following Biden's decision to drop out of the race just three months before Election Day.

Lynda Teeler, senior vice president of championships for the NCAA opened with remarks highlighting the achievements of over 500,000 student-athletes across more than 1,000 institutions nationwide. She then introduced Harris.

Harris began her speech by noting President Biden's absence due to recovering from COVID-19 before addressing the athletes directly about their accomplishments and challenges faced along their journey.

“I know it was not easy to make it to this moment... By doing so you demonstrated that true greatness requires more than skill; it requires grit and determination,” Harris said. “Congratulations again on all you have accomplished... you will always be champions.”

Coaches designated one student-athlete each to represent their programs on stage behind Harris. Judd chose Weber while Marino selected Veljacic who had scored the game-winning goal in last December's championship match.

Veljacic described hearing Harris' comments as "crazy," while Weber appreciated that she kept her remarks brief given how long they had been standing beforehand.

Before Monday's main event commenced on the White House lawn both teams received an unexpected tour through parts of The White House including Blue Room Green Room Red Room Main Dining Hall etcetera without official guides but guided instead informally by history major Ryker Linn according teammate Weber

Veljacic expressed awe at seeing portraits past presidents families pets during surprise tour saying "We had no idea we would be getting a tour We were really surprised."

Afterwards both teams gathered outside for group photo commemorating day with prideful smiles reflecting overall sentiment shared among attendees encapsulated perhaps best by Webers final thought: "But getting experience that being honored vice president definitely icing cake"