San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec



San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec
Noelani Sapla

Noelani Sapla, Staff Photographer, ’21-22 Photo Editor

Born and raised in San Diego, Noelani is a graduate student at San Diego State University working towards a masters degree in education. She joined the Daily Aztec staff as the photo editor for the 2021-2022 year, and is currently a staff photographer. She credits the Daily Aztec for the experience and opportunities to cover the NCAA tournament in Houston where the men’s basketball team played in the national championship game. While having a degree in education and teaching, Noelani’s dream is to become a professional sports photographer.

All content by Noelani Sapla
Adam Seiko cutting a piece of the basketball net as a keepsake from winning the Mountain West Regular Season Title against Wyoming in March, 2023 at Viejas Arena.

[Photo] ‘Shake em’ up Sheiko’: Former Aztecs’ guard Adam Seiko’s love of the game

by Sumaia Wegner, Managing Editor
April 29, 2024
A general view of the San Diego State student section during their 2023-2024 home opener again Cal State Fullerton at Viejas Arena on Nov. 6, 2023. The Aztecs have had announced sellout crowds at all 12 of their home games against DI opponents this season.

[Photo] SDSU ticket office responds to men’s basketball student tickets limits

by Emily Augustine, Graphics Editor
March 7, 2024
San Diego State forward Elijah Saunders catches a lob for an alley-oop dunk against New Mexico on Friday, Feb. 16 at Viejas Arena. Saunders' 12 points were the most in a Mountain West game in his career as the Aztecs beat the Lobos 81-70.

[Photo] Men’s basketball tops New Mexico, 81-70, on electrifying ‘blackout’ night

by Angel Rodriguez, Staff Writer
February 18, 2024
San Diego State guard Miles Byrd attacks the rim earlier this season at Viejas Arena. The sophomore from Stockton, California, had a career-high 13 points in SDSU's 88-70 loss at New Mexico on Saturday, Jan. 13.

[Photo] Lobos dog No. 19 men’s basketball, pulling away in Aztecs’ 88-70 loss

by Eric Evelhoch, Sports Editor
January 13, 2024
San Diego State guard Reese Waters drives past a defender earlier this season at Viejas Arena. Waters scored 22 points, his second 20-point game for the Scarlet in Black, as the Aztecs won 84-74 at Gonzaga on Friday, Dec. 29.

[Photo] Men’s basketball surges in second half, smashes No. 13 Gonzaga 84-74

by Eric Evelhoch, Sports Editor
December 30, 2023
San Diego State guard Lamont Butler attacks the rim against Stanford forward Max Murrell on Thursday, Dec. 21 at Viejas Arena. The Aztecs finished their home non-conference schedule with a 6-0 record following the 74-50 win.

[Photo] Aztecs full of holiday cheer: men sink Stanford, women sweep tournament

by Eric Evelhoch, Sports Editor
December 22, 2023
San Diego State forward Elijah Saunders emphatically dunks during the Aztecs' 83-57 season opening win against Cal State Fullerton on Monday, Nov. 6 at Viejas Arena. The sophomore recorded career highs of 9 points and 2 steals in the game

[Photo] Career nights highlight men’s basketball season opener against Cal State Fullerton

by Sumaia Wegner, Managing Editor
November 7, 2023
The MESA athletes answering questions from the kids of MCCS' youth camp on July 22, 2023.

[Photo] Exhibiting prominence on and off the court: MESA Foundation Mentors and Empowers Student Athletes

by Sumaia Wegner, Managing Editor
August 7, 2023
Senior Keshad Johnson reaches out for a fist bump during the SDSU men's basketball celebration on Saturday, April. 8.

[Photo] Aztecs celebrate a historic basketball season at Snapdragon Stadium

by Morgan Prickett, Sports Editor
April 13, 2023
SDSU senior Matt Bradley walks towards the Aztec bench while high-fiving freshman Miles Byrd during SDSU's 76-59 loss to UConn in the National Championship on Monday, April 4.

[Photo] First-half scoreless run leaves Aztecs with too big of a deficit to climb

by Morgan Prickett, Sports Editor
April 3, 2023
Senior Adam Seiko leaves the court following his final game for the Aztecs on Monday, April 3. Seiko is the winningest player in program history.

[Photo] Aztec seniors leave behind more than just their on-court play

by Justin Cox, Sports Editor
April 3, 2023
Senior Lamont Butler celebrates following SDSU's 72-71 win over FAU in the Final Four on Saturday, April 1.

[Photo] Lamont Butler’s game-winner lifts the Aztecs to the National Championship

by Morgan Prickett, Sports Editor
April 1, 2023
Matt Bradley pulls up for a jump shot in the Final Four versus Florida Atlantic University on April 1.

[Photo] On the night the Butler was the hero, Bradley does the heavy lifting

by Justin Cox, Sports Editor
April 1, 2023
Matt Bradley celebrates following SDSU's Mountain West Title win on Saturday, March 11.

[Photo] Aztecs secure a nail-biting tournament title win over Utah State, 62-57

by Morgan Prickett, Sports Editor
March 11, 2023
The Aztec men's basketball team hoists the 2022-23 Mountain West trophy following the win over Wyoming on March 4.

[Photo] SDSU men’s basketball crowned outright Mountain West champions after home win against Wyoming

by Jake Enrico, Staff Writer
March 8, 2023
Senior guard Matt Bradley drives to the hoop in a game versus New Mexico on Jan. 14, 2023.

[Photo] Men’s basketball corrals the Rams 77-58 in a balanced team win

by Justin Cox, Sports Editor
February 24, 2023
Senior forward Nathan Mensah punches home a dunk versus UNLV on Feb. 11, 2023.

[Photo] San Diego State men’s basketball leaves Fresno with a 45-43 win in a dominant defensive game from both teams

by Jake Enrico, Staff Writer
February 20, 2023
Senior guard Matt Bradley shoots a jumper over his defender in a game vs UNLV on Feb. 11.

[Photo] Column: Bradley and Trammell’s shooting slumps give no reason for panic

by Justin Cox, Sports Editor
February 17, 2023
SDSU junior Lamont Butler soars for a dunk during SDSU's game versus UNLV.

[Photo] Aztecs secure back-to-back victories at Utah and against UNLV

by Jake Enrico and Noah Lyons
February 14, 2023
Senior Keshad Johnson lifts off for an emphatic dunk in the first half against Occidental College on Friday Dec. 2, 2022.

[Photo] Aztecs rain 19 threes and set SDSU history with its victory over Occidental

by Morgan Prickett, Sports Editor
December 5, 2022
Snapdragon Stadium finished construction this fall. The new stadium will serve as home for many Aztec sports.

[Photo] Snapdragon Stadium Event Guide

by Morgan Prickett and Justin Cox
August 23, 2022
Matt Bradley (#3) setting up for a free throw against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Mountain West Quarterfinal game.

[Photo] Matt Bradley talks about returning for the 2022 season and how basketball saved his life

by Adam Correa, Staff Writer
April 2, 2022
Joshua Tomaic (left) and Trey Pulliam (right) go down the court during the 2022 Mountain West Tournament. Pulliam scored 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting during SDSU's 72-69 loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

[Photo] Aztecs bow out of NCAA Tournament in heartbreaking fashion, fall to Creighton 72-69

by Jason Freund, Sports Editor
March 18, 2022
Players on the SDSU bench during the Mountain West Tournament

[Photo] 3-Point Game Preview: San Diego State vs Creighton Bluejays

by Jason Freund, Sports Editor
March 16, 2022
(From left to right) Aguek Arop, Trey Pulliam, Matt Bradley and Lamont Butler during the 2021-2022 Mountain West Tournament.

[Photo] Tale of the Tape: Aztecs set to battle the Creighton Bluejays in the round of 64

by Justin Cox, Staff Writer
March 14, 2022
The Aztecs huddle up during their 58-57 loss to Boise State in the Mountain West Tournament finals.

[Photo] Men’s basketball lose in heartbreaking fashion to Boise State as final shot comes up just short

by Jason Freund and Marco Perez
March 12, 2022
Lamont Butler throws down a dunk during SDSU's 63-58 win in the semifinals over Colorado State.

[Photo] Men’s Basketball take down Colorado State, advance to Mountain West Tournament finals with 63-58

by Jason Freund, Sports Editor
March 12, 2022
Senior Nathan Mensah drives to the basket during SDSU's 53-46 win over Fresno State.

[Photo] Men’s basketball put a leash on Fresno State, advance with 53-46 victory

by Jason Freund and Juan Daniel Avila
March 11, 2022
teezo 2

[Photo] Concert Roundup: Tyler, the Creator thrills during tour stop at Pechanga Arena

by Serena Neumeyer, Contributor
March 3, 2022
Senior Matt Bradley shoots over an Air Force player during SDSU's 76-64 victory on Feb. 12

[Photo] Aztecs round up the Cowboys, move into tie for second place with 73-66 win

by Jason Freund, Sports Editor
March 1, 2022
Women in sports photography are truly unstoppable

Women in sports photography are truly unstoppable

by Noelani Sapla, Photo Editor
February 23, 2022
Aminé's Best Tour Ever Tour setup included several landmarks from his hometown of Portland.

Concert Roundup: Aminé pays homage to Portland roots at SOMA

by Noelani Sapla, Photo Editor
February 18, 2022
Screen Shot 2022-01-29 at 9.07.59 AM

Chad Baker-Mazara (left) gets helped up to his feet by Keshad Johnson (right) during SDSU's Jan. 8 match against Colorado State. The team will now be on a temporary pause due to COVID-19 quarantine protocols.

[Photo] Men’s basketball to go on COVID pause following postponement

by Jason Freund, Sports Editor
January 11, 2022
Matt Bradley (3) takes a shot during the game against Colorado State. Bradley led the team with 26 points on the day.

[Photo] Men’s basketball upset No. 20 Rams 79-49 with a blend of offensive and defensive prowess

by Adam Correa, Staff Writer
January 9, 2022
Trey Pulliam (center) drives towards the basket against Long Beach State Nov. 30

[Photo] Men’s basketball pick up important nonconference win in 63-53 victory over Saint Mary’s

by Jason Freund, Sports Editor
December 19, 2021
Freshman wide receiver Mekhi Shaw in disbelief after dropping a touchdown pass.

[Photo] Three Observations: Aztecs lose big in Mountain West Conference Championship

by Andrew Finley, Assistant Sports Editor
December 9, 2021
Trey Pulliam (4) looks to make a play against UC Riverside's Wil Tattersal.

[Photo] Aztecs look to avoid first losing record since 2011 and grab a key resume building win

by Austin Tarke, Staff Writer
November 16, 2021
Senior Trey Pulliam (center) attempts a three-point shot during the game agains U

[Photo] Men’s basketball falls 66-60 in close match to rival BYU

by Morgan Prickett, Staff Writer
November 15, 2021
Nathan Mensah throws down a dunk in the second half of San Diego State's 66-53 win over UC Riverside.

[Photo] Aztecs chop down the Highlanders for 66-53 victory

by Jason Freund, Sports Editor
November 11, 2021
Erykah Badu welcomed fans of all ages to her Badubotron tour with a show-stopping performance of "Hello."

[Photo] Concert Roundup: ‘Soulfly’ and the Soul Star

by Ryan Hardison and Katarina Josifov
October 27, 2021
SDSU has both the highest percentage of vaccinated students and the highest case count.

[Photo] COVID update: the good, bad and ugly

by Katelynn Robinson, News Editor
October 13, 2021
The SDSU Latinx Resource Center is located on the first floor of the Love Library.

[Photo] $15 million awarded to SDSU for Latinx disparity research

by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran, Staff Writer
October 13, 2021
The Districts' lead singer Rob Grote enthusiastically singing the chorus of "Cheap Regrets."

[Photo] Modest Mouse throws it back with nostalgic oldies at Open Air Theatre

by Ryan Hardison, Arts & Culture Editor
September 30, 2021
Aztec Football Week 4 vs Towson

Aztec Football Week 4 vs Towson

by Noelani Sapla, Photo Editor
September 27, 2021
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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Noelani Sapla