Sunday, March 30, 2025

The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union
The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union
The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union
Greg Fontanilla

Greg Fontanilla, Editor-in-Chief, Warrior Life

Greg Fontanilla is Warrior Life’s current editor-in-chief for spring 2025. In fall 2024, he served as the editor-in-chief and Sports Editor of The Union. He is also a former Managing Editor for Warrior life Magazine. He previously served as the Sports and Co-Photo Editor for The Union in 2022 and 2023. Outside of journalism, Greg is currently pursuing his graduate degree and loves to share his passion for sports, health+fitness, outdoor activities, and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner.

All content by Greg Fontanilla
Three-time Olympic Medalist April Ross gives tips to a student during a the volleyball clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 23. at the El Camino College sand courts. Ross was hired to take over for longtime beach volleyball coach LeValley Pattison, who retired in the spring. “I feel like being here at El Camino close to home, I can coach, pursue this career, mentor the girls here and then spend a lot of time with my family - those two things were really important,” Ross said. (Mario Trejos | The Union)

Serving up a new era: a coach on and off the court

By Greg Fontanilla
November 18, 2024
After clinching a playoff berth and a National Northern League title, Warriors defensive coordinator Matt Kirk holds up one finger to signify his team as league champions. Kirk and the Warriors will wrap up the regular season on the road against Allan Hancock on Nov. 16. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Warriors football team execute comeback against Ventura, clinch National Northern League title

By Nick Miller and Greg Fontanilla
November 10, 2024
Vice President of Educational Policies Darcie McClelland prepares to discuss the changes to El Camino's grade change policy at an Academic Senate meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

New grade change policy in approval process

By Greg Fontanilla
October 15, 2024
El Camino College Warriors wide receiver Damonte Bias scores a touchdown during a National Northern League matchup against rival Bakersfield Renegades on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Featherstone Field. The Warriors secured a 27-26 conference win, remaining undefeated in the Northern League. (Taheem Lewis | The Union)

Warriors football team hang on by a thread in National Northern League matchup with Renegades

By Greg Fontanilla
October 6, 2024
Three-time Olympic beach volleyball medalist April Ross with assistant beach volleyball coach Carolina Garbato. (Photo courtesy of April Ross)

Three-time Olympic medalist April Ross named coach of El Camino beach volleyball program

By Greg Fontanilla
September 26, 2024
A customer waits to order food from The Surfer Truck on Thursday, Sept. 5 by the Social Sciences Building. The Surfer Truck is one of many food options owned by Best Food Trucks, which has a partnership with Pacific Dining, the food management company that oversees dining at El Camino College. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Food trucks return to El Camino, offering a variety of dining options

By Greg Fontanilla
September 15, 2024
Warriors of El Camino sit in silence on a bench after dropping their season-opener to the Palomar Comets on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Featherstone Field. The Warriors will look to bounce back in a head-to-head clash with the Riverside Tigers on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. at Featherstone Field. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Warrior football home opener spoiled by visiting Comets

By Greg Fontanilla
September 15, 2024
The victim in a physical altercation is attended to by an El Camino College Police Department officer in Lot C on Thursday, Sept. 12 on the third floor of the parking lot where the altercation took place. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Tensions boil in Parking Lot C

By Greg Fontanilla
September 12, 2024
The Warriors of El Camino College are all smiles after sweeping Glendale 3-0 (25-9, 25-7, 26-24) in their season opener at home on Friday, Aug. 23. The Warriors will be on the road at Bakersfield College at the Bakersfield Quad for a doubleheader against Santa Barbara at 10 a.m. and will face Bakersfield at 2 p.m. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

El Camino sweeps season opener against Glendale in 3 sets

By Greg Fontanilla
August 23, 2024
An El Camino College Police car patrols the campus on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. (Ma. Gisela Ordenes | The Union)

Suicide unfolds in campus parking lot

By Greg Fontanilla
August 9, 2024
An El Camino College quarterback drops back to pass during its spring football game that took place on Wednesday, May 29 at Featherstone Field. The spring football game was an event held by the football program to showcase the work and talent the team has been working on during the off-season. El Camino will be on the road for its season opener against Southwestern College in San Diego on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

El Camino spring football sets the stage for the fall season

By Greg Fontanilla
May 30, 2024
Illustration by Nikki Yunker

Academy to the streets: Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s impact on law enforcement

By Greg Fontanilla
May 22, 2024
Vehicles waiting to be inspected by students in the automotive technology program sit in the garage in the ATEC building on Saturday, April 20. (Greg Fontanilla | Warrior Life)

Driving and tapping into industrial careers: a glance at ITEC programs

By Greg Fontanilla
May 22, 2024
Anthony Taylor, center, takes the podium after winning a state title in the men's 110-meter hurdles at the CCAA track and field state championship on Saturday, May 18 at Saddleback college. Taylor, the state leader in the event and favorite to win set a personal best of 14.12 seconds. (Greg Fontanilla)

Hurdler clinches state title, longtime coach to retire

By Greg Fontanilla
May 21, 2024
With a bat in hand and a mitt in the other, ECC freshman catcher Anahi Pintado takes the softball field hours before their Tuesday afternoon game against East Los Angeles College on April 9. Pintado, a junior national softball player for Mexico has competed in the PanAmerican and World Cup. (Greg Fontanilla | Warrior Life)

Eyeing a field of dreams: Softball standout sets sights on the Olympics

By Greg Fontanilla
May 17, 2024
Illustration by Kae Takazawa

How family dysfunction led me to an epiphany

By Greg Fontanilla
December 6, 2023
El Camino College statistics professor Junko Forbes showcases math items in her office on Thursday Oct. 12. (Greg Fontanilla | Warrior Life)

Year 15 and counting: statistics professor continues to thrive in and out of the classroom

By Greg Fontanilla
December 5, 2023
Ami Jacobson, a sophomore on El Camino College's cross-country and track and field team warms up on the track at Murdock Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 1. (Greg Fontanilla | Warrior Life)

Top 5 items found in the bags of student-athletes

By Greg Fontanilla
December 4, 2023
A car accident occurred at the intersection of Crenshaw and Manhattan Beach Boulevards on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 16. The driver of the vehicle shown, a local senior citizen, did not suffer any serious injuries. (Clarence Davis | The Union)

Cars collide at intersection near El Camino

By Greg Fontanilla
November 16, 2023
Dozens of students return to their class after being evacuated by a fire alarm at the new Arts Complex building at El Camino College on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (Raphael Richardson | The Union)

Smoke alarms disrupt first day of class

By Khoury Williams and Greg Fontanilla
August 29, 2023
A field of greenery and flowers sits on the Stargazer Trails in San Pedro on Monday May 1. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Walking trails near El Camino College

By Greg Fontanilla
June 7, 2023

El Camino track and field hurdler thrives in regional and state competitions

By Greg Fontanilla
June 1, 2023
Vice President of Academic Affairs Carlos Lopez (left), Interim Vice President of Student Services Robin Dreizler and Executive director of Marketing and Communications Ann O'Brien lead the presentation on El Camino College's new enrolment strategy plan during the Board of Trustees meeting on May 15. (Khoury Williams | The Union)

Zero-cost textbooks, more financial aid part of college’s new enrollment strategy

By Greg Fontanilla
May 18, 2023
Lincoln Marschall anchors the 400-meter relay team during SoCal Prelims on Friday, May 5 at San Diego Mesa College (Andres Armenta | The Mesa Press)

Distance runner qualifies for track and field state championships

By Greg Fontanilla
May 10, 2023
Sparks players Joyner Holmes (left) and Reshanda Gray sign a set of basketballs during the Los Angeles Sparks' media day press conference at the El Camino College gymnasium on Thursday, May 4. (Raphael Richardson | The Union)

Los Angeles Sparks to call El Camino College home for practices, events

By Johan Van Wier and Greg Fontanilla
May 4, 2023

El Camino College swimmer breaks records and her goal is to go faster

By Greg Fontanilla
April 26, 2023
Coach John Britton in Nov. 2017. Britton died Tuesday, April 11. He coached both men's and women's soccer as well as head coach for women's badminton for 25 years at El Camino College. "He was a very faithful and loyal friend," Administrative Assistant Linda Olsen said. (Jorge Villa | The Union)

Longtime El Camino badminton and soccer coach dies at 70

By Greg Fontanilla and Ethan Cohen
April 14, 2023
El Camino College baseball coach and physical education instructor Nate Fernley at Warrior Field on Tuesday, March 4. Fernley was nominated and selected as Health Educator of the Year by the California Community College Physical Education, Kinesiology, Dance Association. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union) Photo credit: Greg Fontanilla

[Photo] Warriors baseball coach selected as Health Educator of the Year

April 7, 2023
El Camino College baseball coach and physical education instructor Nate Fernley at Warrior Field on Tuesday, March 4. Fernley was nominated and selected as Health Educator of the Year by the California Community College Physical Education, Kinesiology, Dance Association. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union) Photo credit: Greg Fontanilla

Warriors baseball coach selected as Health Educator of the Year

By Greg Fontanilla
April 7, 2023
Swimmer Melissa Brill takes off to get her race started at the El Camino Aquatics Center on Friday, March 24 during a South Coast Conference dual meet against Cerritos. Brill took a second-place finish in the women’s 1000-yard freestyle, first place in the 500-yard free, and in the 400-yard freestyle relay that included Diana Nguyen, Mia Park, and Angelina Norris. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union) Photo credit: Greg Fontanilla

[Photo] El Camino women’s swim team makes a splash against Cerritos

By Greg Fontanilla
March 30, 2023
Dr. Cindy R. Escobedo, Ph.D., poses by a table containing books and artwork related to her research and education in the Social Justice Center on Wednesday, March 15. One of those books is a dissertation written by her mother, Cecilia Escobedo. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Professor honors mother and daughter duos in education

By Greg Fontanilla
March 17, 2023
Greg Fontanilla with his promotion belt and certificate on Jan. 17 at Gracie University in Torrance.

How life and death led to my rediscovery of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

By Greg Fontanilla
February 28, 2023
Sequoia Gonzales poses for a photo on the track at Murdock Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Gonzales was recruited by Dean Lofgren, who is the head coach of El Camino's cross country and track and field program. "It comforted me to know that I would have help here, and I wouldn't have to stress so much of getting into a four-year," Gonzales said, referring to the student-athlete resources, which drew her into deciding to attending El Camino. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

El Camino’s athletic program boasts success with recruiting efforts

By Greg Fontanilla
December 8, 2022
El Camino women's volleyball team during pre-game before going head-to-head against Mt. San Jacinto at home on Monday, Nov. 14. El Camino defeated Mt. San Jacinto 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-16), and will now wait for the seeding results for the CCCAA Regional Playoffs, which determines if the team qualifies for the postseason. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Women’s volleyball sweeps Mt. San Jacinto in season finale

By Greg Fontanilla
November 15, 2022
Cindy Bradley talks to students during an English class in the Humanities building on Monday, Nov. 7 at El Camino College. Bradley is a ballet instructor known for discovering Misty Copeland, an award-winning ballet dancer. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Coach for award-winning ballet dancer speaks to El Camino students

By Greg Fontanilla
November 8, 2022
Sophomore forward Mario Carlos (9) attempts to get past a Pasadena City defender during an Oct. 18, South Coast Conference matchup held at El Camino College. Carlos scored a goal during the second period of play. "We have high expectations. For us, we need to win every game," Carlos said. El Camino will play another home conference game on Friday, Oct. 21, against East Los Angeles at 4 p.m. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Warriors now 4-1 in men’s soccer conference games after victory over Pasadena City

By Greg Fontanilla
October 18, 2022
Warriors freshman Leiana Gonzales jumps to block a shot from Panthers Autumn Nicholson during a match on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Gonzales was tied for most goals scored, 4, by El Camino. (Ethan Cohen | The Union)

Warriors women’s water polo tops Chaffey College in South Coast Conference game

By Greg Fontanilla
October 12, 2022
El Camino football coach Kenneth Talanoa sits in the stands at Featherstone Field at the El Camino College campus in Torrance on Monday, May 16. Talanoa will be entering his 21st season as the defensive line coach. He has been a part of Warrior football not only as a coach, but also played for the late John Featherstone in the early 90s. Additionally, he was inducted into the El Camino football Hall of Fame and named to the 1990s All-Decade team. (Greg Fontanilla | Warrior Life)

Football Coach Transcends the Game

By Greg Fontanilla
June 1, 2022
Freshman Andrew White serves the ball during the third set against L.A. Pierce College at the El Camino gymnasium on Friday, April 1. The Warriors defeated L.A. Pierce 3-0 (25-14, 25-6, 25-20). El Camino will be on the road on Wednesday, April 6 to face Long Beach City College for a conference matchup. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

Men’s volleyball defeats L.A. Pierce in home conference matchup

By Greg Fontanilla
April 2, 2022
Xerxes Reamer completes a baton pass to Jaylen Allen in the men's 4x100 relay, at the LBCC Viking Invitational in Long Beach on Friday, March 11. El Camino 'A' squad, consisting of Reamer, Allen, Matthew Irvine, and Kyvontei Campbell, ran a time of 42.58, placing 2nd overall. The Warriors will be at the RCC Open on March 18 at Riverside City College. (Greg Fontanilla | The Union)

El Camino relay squads place multiple top five performances at LBCC Viking Invitational

By Greg Fontanilla
March 15, 2022
Freshman Lulu Acuesta competing in the women's 100m butterfly during a dual meet at the ECC Aquatics Center on Friday, March 4. Acuesta placed second in her heat with a time of 1:15.19. Greg Fontanilla | The Union.

Warriors defeat Pasadena, but loses to Mt. San Antonio in dual swim meet

By Greg Fontanilla
March 10, 2022
Brea Rutledge and Leafa Juarez celebrate after a point at El Camino College on the 3's sand court during the first set against Santa Ana's Kaiden Raif and Myrandah Zepeda on Thursday, March 3. Rutledge/Juarez defeated Raif/Zepeda (21-11, 21-11), allowing the Warriors a 5-0 victory against the Santa Ana Dons. Greg Fontanilla | The Union

El Camino defeats Santa Ana 5-0 in beach volleyball

By Greg Fontanilla
March 9, 2022
George Stanich, 93, holds the bronze medal he won in the high jump at the London Olympics in 1948, at his Gardena residence on Monday, Nov. 1. Photo by Greg Fontanilla/The Union

Olympian, father and grandfather makes an impact on El Camino community

By Greg Fontanilla
January 25, 2022
Sophomore DS Saki Yamamoto passes the ball after a serve by Cerritos at the Cerritos College gymnasium during a South Coast Conference matchup on Nov. 3. El Camino defeated Cerritos 3-2 (24-26, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13), and will face East Los Angeles on Friday, Nov. 5 for a conference showdown. Photo by Greg Fontanilla/The Union

El Camino hangs on, defeats Cerritos in a 5-set match thriller on the road

By Greg Fontanilla
November 5, 2021
ECC Warriors freshman defensive back Michael Sams covers a receiver in a National Central Division matchup against Riverside on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Featherstone Field. The Warriors lost to the Tigers 34-27, and will play their final road game of the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 6 to take on Chaffey. Photos by Greg Fontanilla/The Union

ECC Warriors’ lose to the Riverside Tigers 34-27 at home game

By Greg Fontanilla
November 1, 2021

The Warriors beat the Panthers,11-6 in a South Coast Conference water polo showdown. Rio Hondo mini tournament is next

By Greg Fontanilla
October 28, 2021

ECC women’s volleyball team defeats the Compton Tartars in South Coast Conference contest, 3-0

By Greg Fontanilla
October 19, 2021