Aninyei and Kimura: Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year
6/30/2026 4:19:00 PM | Track and Field
Chelsea Aninyei and Kazu Kimura earn conference honors
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Today The Big West Conference announced its Scholar-Athletes of the Year Awards for UC Riverside. For the 2025-26 season the recipients are Chelsea Aninyei (Track & Field) and Kazu Kimura (Track & Field).Â
Aninyei had a stellar season for the Highlanders. A three-time Big West Field Athlete of the Week, she won the triple jump (13.04m/42'9.5) and placed third in the long jump (6.08m/19'11.5) at The Big West Championships. From there she qualified for the NCAA West Regionals before making it to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore.
While in Oregon she placed fifth in the triple jump setting a new conference, school, and personal record of 13.52m/44'4.25. That resulted in First Team All-American honors for the senior.
Academically, Aninyei earned dean's list honors seven times and was also selected to the chancellor's list once. In May, she was awarded UCR's Heart of a Highlander at the 2026 SCOTTY Awards.
"Chelsea personifies resilience," said UC Riverside Track & Field Head Coach Nate Browne. "To overcome the personal challenges she has faced throughout her career, and especially this past year, and still come out a conference champion and NCAA All-American is one of the greatest stories you will ever hear in UC Riverside athletics."
She plans on continuing her academic journey this fall as she pursues a Master of Public Health with the goal of building a career in healthcare. Her personal experiences have given her a deep sense of purpose that will guide her professionally and personally.
"Chelsea Aninyei's story is one of resilience, determination, and growth," said UC Riverside's Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Services and SWA Michelle Almazan. "Through hard work, discipline, and a genuine commitment to becoming the best version of herself she transformed into an honors student, earned admission to graduate school and established herself as one of the most accomplished track & field athletes in UC Riverside history."
Kimura was The Big West 2026 High Jump Champion, which made him the first athlete in school history to accomplish that feat. He posted a jump of 2.12m/6' 11.5. Kimura went from a tryout athlete, to a walk-on, to earning a scholarship, to becoming a Big West champion and NCAA qualifier.
"He is incredibly competitive, a true student of the sport, and one of the most respected athletes in my training group and across our entire team," said Browne. "What makes his accomplishments even more impressive is that he has excelled in the classroom while reaching this level of athletic success."
In the classroom Kimura earned dean's list honors five times and chancellor's list honors once. While still exploring his long-term career path, he is interested in pursuing a career in corporate business where he can combine his analytical mindset, work ethic, and leadership skills.
"Kazu Kimura represents the very best of what it means to be a student-athlete. As only a sophomore, he has already distinguished himself through his academic excellence, athletic achievement, and the humility and work ethic that have earned the respect of his teammates and coaches," noted Almazan. "I believe his greatest achievements are still ahead of him, and I look forward to watching him continue to grow and make a lasting impact both at UC Riverside and beyond."
