With the competitive level of play at Loyola Marymount University, it is no shock that these NCAA Division I programs have helped many of their student-athletes carry out their dreams of continuing their sport at the next level. These four athletes have nothing but good things to say about LMU Athletics, and they recognize the people that helped get them to where they are today.
Yanah Gerber (Women’s Water Polo) – South African Women’s National Team
Yanah Gerber began her collegiate career at Loyola Marymount in January of 2020. During the covid year, she red-shirted and lived at home in South Africa, preparing for the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics. She competed at the games in the Summer of 2021 and described the experience as life changing. “Sometimes I have to pinch myself to know that I actually went and was surrounded by such amazing athletes,” she said.
Since then, Gerber competed in Israel at the Junior World Championships in October of 2021 and more recently in the World Aquatics Championships in Doha this past February.
“The LMU training that we have here is so amazing and the coaches are so knowledgeable,” Gerber said. “Along with having 25 teammates to push me every day. That’s how LMU has supported me. By giving me this opportunity to train with a very high level team in college.”
Merrick Baldo (Baseball) – Fredericksburg Nationals, Washington Nationals Single-A Affiliate
After being sidelined his freshman and sophomore seasons due to the pandemic and injuries, Merrick Baldo was finally able to play his junior year at LMU. The pitcher worked his way back from elbow surgery in the 2022 season and ended with a 3.67 ERA (Earned Run Average) in 27 innings pitched. Then in the 2023 season, he was the team’s closing pitcher and threw 35 innings with a 4.11 ERA, helping the team win the WCC conference championship. Baldo was drafted in the 17th round by the Washington Nationals and is now playing in the Minor leagues for the Fredericksburg Nationals, the top teams Single-A Affiliate.
After his elbow injury, Baldo had doubts about being able to recover to his full potential, but the LMU trainers and coaches helped him bounce back in no time. “The facilities and the people within the environment made it so supportive,” he said. He is extremely grateful for the opportunity LMU provided in helping him achieve his dreams of getting drafted and playing baseball at the top level.
Noel Caliskan (Men’s Soccer) – Real Salt Lake
Following in the footsteps of his father who was a professional soccer player, Noel Caliskan picked up the sport when he was just four or five years old. He played at various clubs in Germany, his home country, growing up but was looking to play at a higher level when the time was right. Ultimately, Caliskan decided to come to LMU. He played four seasons for the Lions (2019-2022) before getting drafted to the Portland Timbers in December of 2022. He played on the Timbers for one season before he was picked up by Real Salt Lake where he is currently.
This past February, Caliskan had an opportunity that many soccer players dream of. Real Salt Lake played Inter Miami FC, a team full of FC Barcelona legends, on their opening day. Caliskan was able to go head to head with Lionel Messi who is arguably the best soccer player of all time. “It wasn’t like he was on the other side of the field. He was right next to me. We competed against the ball a couple of times,” he said. “It was surreal.”
“I liked everything about it. I loved it,” Caliskan said when asked about his time at LMU. The high level of play allowed him to grow mentally and physically, getting stronger and adding a new level of physicality to his game.
James Batemon (Men’s Basketball) – Ironi Kiryat Ata
With only Division II offers out of highschool, James Batemon still believed he was good enough to be a DI athlete. He spent two years playing basketball at North Dakota State College of Science and received Honorable Mention All-America in his first year. In his second stint, he received Second Team All-America honors, leading him to a handful of D1 offers from which he chose Loyola Marymount.
At LMU, Batemon tied multiple program records, set season records, and led the team in scoring both his senior and junior year. He was named to the All-WCC Second Team and the WCC All-Tournament Team in his first season and the All-WCC First Team in his second season. Batemon was also placed on the Lou Henson Award Watch List, an honor given to the most outstanding mid-major men’s basketball player each season, his senior year.
James Batemon dunking on opponent. Photo via source
Following graduation, he went overseas to Latvia, France, Greece, and Germany, playing professionally for around a year between the countries. Now, he is in Israel, playing as a point guard for the Ironi Kiryat Ata, a professional basketball team in the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
“My goal was always to be a professional,” Batemon said. The coaches, training staff, and school environment met that goal with encouragement. The support from students on campus made a huge impact on the team, and it was helpful for Batemon and his teammates to have a community on campus that trusted the group to represent the university nationwide.
