Amarna Milne

Multimedia reporter specializing in sports. Based in Miami. 

Featured Articles

Columbia News Service •

These Three Siblings Became a Backbone for Columbia Tennis - Columbia News Service

Before there was Columbia tennis, there were winter mornings on the mountain.
The three Kotzen brothers grew up chasing speed down the mountains in northern New Jersey, piling into the car before sunrise to spend weekends racing gates. Squeezing in runs whenever they could. Giant slalom, slalom, cold air, early starts, the kind of discipline that builds edge in young skiers. 
For a long time during their childhoods, skiing and tennis ran on parallel tracks. 
“Skiing was really foundational for u...
Columbia News Service •

Adaptive Tennis in Queens Opens the Court to New Yorkers with Disabilities - Columbia News Service

On Sunday afternoons at the Commonpoint Tennis Center in Queens, Joe Slaninka wheels himself to the baseline and locks eyes on the ball arcing over the net. With a sharp pivot of his chair and a clean swing, he sends it back cross-court. After more than 30 years of wheelchair tennis, the movement is now second nature. 
Slaninka was born with spina bifida, a congenital condition that can often cause paralysis in the lower limbs. He was introduced to wheelchair sports at 18 while attending Stony B...
Columbia News Service •

The Officer in the Ice Chute - Columbia News Service

The Olympics were four months away, and Preston Parsons sped down a bobsled track for the first time in his life.
The black metal sled rocketed into the ice chute with a roar. Parsons braced just like he had practiced, pushing all of his 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame into the back of the sled as gravity yanked him downward. Unable to see most of the mountain track ahead of him, he hopped into the back of the sled and blindly clung for life as his pilot steered left and right. Every turn felt like an...
Philadelphia Neighborhoods •

Athletic Trainer Residency Programs Elevate Sports Healthcare for College Athletes

At Temple University, athletic trainers and physical therapists are working to perfect skills that will help them better support college athletes. Through residency programs, these healthcare professionals gain hands-on experience and mentorship, preparing them to take their careers to new heights.


Victor Lugo-Merle, a physical therapy resident, reflects on his diverse experiences, which range from treating football players in the summer to working with O...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

DeMasi leaves lasting legacy at Temple through advocacy - The Temple News

Temple Women’s Soccer defender Natalie DeMasi has used her own mental health experiences to help the student-athletes at Temple. Content Warning: This story contains mentions of sexual assault and eating disorders. If you find the content disturbing, please seek help at Tuttleman Counseling Services or click here to find resources for sexual assault and here for disordered eating. 


Natalie DeMasi was walking back to the sideline during a practice her freshman year when she suddenly collapsed....
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Naese finding his stride on the green - The Temple News

Jake Naese’s passion for golf didn’t start on a high school team or with a professional coach — it began in his backyard when he was 12 years old. 


Growing up in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Naese lived on a hole of the Royal Lakes golf course, where the game was always nearby. It was there, with his dad by his side, where he first picked up a club. What began as simple chipping and putting sessions on the green soon turned into something more.


It wasn’t long before Naese was hooked and the ga...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Temple debuts new courts, knocks off Siena - The Temple News

Temple Men’s Tennis dropped just one set on its way to a 6-1 victory Friday afternoon.
Temple took to the courts at its brand-new facility for the first time Friday, marking a historic milestone for the program. 


Prior to the match, the team and fans gathered for an opening ceremony that honored the new state-of-the-art tennis complex, setting the stage for what is sure to be an exciting era of Temple tennis. 


“The leadership here at Temple has played a big role, specifically President Fr...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Brandes ready to help lead Owls’ rebuild - The Temple News

Temple’s Director of Tennis Jeff Brandes has seen encouraging results from both tennis teams a month into the season. For the first 11 years of Jeff Brandes’ life, tennis was nothing more than an afterthought. His first love was swimming but his plans had to change when a chlorine allergy forced him to leave the pool for good. 


Needing an alternative way to stay active, he decided to give tennis a shot. Soon after, Brandes’ backup plan had become his biggest passion. 


“Luckily I was a dece...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Owls pick up third win of the season against Sharks - The Temple News

Temple Women’s Tennis (3-5-1, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) defeated Long Island University (1-3, 0-0 Northeast Conference) 4-0 Sunday evening at the Vidas Athletic Complex. Temple lost just three sets the entire day and never dropped a match in the win.


KEY MOMENTS


THE NUMBERS


WORDS FROM COACH


“We had a great start,” said Temple head coach Jeff Brandes. “We took it to them in doubles. That’s the best doubles we’ve had all year, it just came together and we carried the momentum i...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Owls looking for improvement after tough 2024 season - The Temple News

Temple Men’s Tennis finished last season with just seven wins but are hopeful with a new head coach and returning key players. After a rough 2024 season, Temple is hoping to turn the page this spring with a new coaching staff and a fresh outlook. The Owls ripped off an impressive 19 wins in 2023, but took a leap back last season with just seven wins, marking their worst record since 2008. 


Now with new head coach Jeff Brandes leading the charge, Temple is aiming to climb back to the top of...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Temple Men’s Golf has room to grow during spring season - The Temple News

The Owls post mixed results in the four meets they competed in this fall and hope to see improvement this upcoming spring season.
Hopes were high after Temple’s Cherry team took fourth place at the Temple Invitational on Sept. 22 to kick off its 2024 fall season on the right note. But a string of underwhelming finishes throughout October have the Owls going back to the drawing board as they prepare for what they hope to be a more consistent spring season.


The Owls went on to finish 7th out o...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Owls kick off spring season with fresh courts and new coach - The Temple News

Temple Women’s Tennis won just nine games last season and let go of former head coach Steve Mauro. After finishing the 2023-24 season with its worst record in seven years, Temple enters the 2025 spring season with a clean slate. A mixture of new talent, leadership and focus on competition has provided new light for the program. 


Temple lost eight players from last year’s team and replenished its roster with five freshmen and a pair of transfers to complement the two returners. The Owls will r...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Temple falls to Yale, struggles continue as conference tournament nears - The Temple News

With its seven-game win streak in the rearview mirror, Temple entered its game against Yale hoping to rediscover that magic. The Owls suffered back-to-back losses entering the game, sapping the momentum and giving flashbacks to last season. 


When the Owls won four straight games last season to enter the rankings, they followed it up with four straight losses. Temple was hoping to avoid stringing the same tune this season but instead the woes continued. 


It took Yale just nine minutes to fi...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Temple’s historic win streak snapped against Lafayette - The Temple News

Through the first three-quarters of Temple’s game against Lafayette Sunday, the Owls’ offense was at a standstill. Temple was hoping to extend its historic win streak to eight games but had not found the back of the net and was in a one-goal hole entering the final quarter of play.


Temple earned a penalty corner 35 seconds into the fourth quarter and back Alizé Maes tipped in the pass from midfielder Devin Kinzel to tie the game at one. After that goal, the teams went scoreless for the final...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Maes’ career day leads Owls to double-overtime victory - The Temple News

Temple Field Hockey took down Wagner 2-1 to extend its win streak to five games Temple was knotted up at one with three minutes remaining in double-overtime against Wagner, searching for its first points since the second quarter. The Owls’ offense had racked up 19 shots up to that point, yet could not find the tie-breaking goal. 


Temple was approaching the Wagner goal once again and midfielder Agustina Tucceri fired a desperation pass towards the circle. 


The ball deflected off Wagner midf...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Temple beats Monmouth for second straight win against nationally-ranked opponent - The Temple News

The Owls took down the Hawks in their second straight overtime game 3-2 to extend their win streak to three games. After a scoreless first half dominated by defense, Temple and No. 20 Monmouth entered the second half looking for any sort of offensive spark. At the blink of an eye, the team’s offenses both found the momentum they desperately needed at nearly the same time.


Each team erupted, scoring one goal and one penalty stroke goal in the next 30 minutes. However, neither team was able to...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Owls outclassed in overtime loss - The Temple News

Temple Field Hockey scored two goals in the first quarter, but went scoreless the rest of the way in 3-2 overtime loss to Richmond Sunday morning. The first quarter of Temple Field Hockey’s game against Richmond Sunday gave fans the illusion they were about to witness an offensive spectacle. Both teams netted two goals in the first 15 minutes as each unit found scoring chances at ease. 


The momentum couldn’t carry over though, as both offenses quickly fizzled out and the defense took over for...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Temple falls to No. 3 Virginia, ending perfect start - The Temple News

Temple Field Hockey was unable to keep up with Virginia’s potent offensive attack in the 7-0 loss. Temple Field Hockey suffered its worst defeat of the season last year at home against Virginia on Sept. 3, 2023. The Owls lost 6-0 and failed to record a single shot on goal. Now playing in Charlottesville after a red-hot start, Temple was looking for revenge.


Virginia got on the board first with a goal at the seven-minute mark. However, Temple looked like the better team for the final six minut...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Owls attempt to climb the Big East mountain yet again - The Temple News

After falling to Old Dominion in the Big East tournament for the second year in a row, Temple Field Hockey looks to bounce back. As Temple Field Hockey kicks off its 2024 season, the echoes of a challenging 2023 NCAA campaign resonate. The Owls’ quest for the Big East Conference championship ended in a familiar heartbreak – losing in the semifinals for the fourth consecutive year. 


The Owls caught fire to begin the year and reached as high as No. 19 in the country. Their hot streak quickly fi...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Strong offensive showing pushes Temple past Lock Haven - The Temple News

Temple Field Hockey has scored 13 goals through its first two games on their way to an undefeated start.
In its second game of the season against Lock Haven, Temple Field Hockey stepped onto Lawrence Field with confidence. The squad was determined to replicate their commanding performance in Friday’s victory against Queens.


The Owls lacked the spark from Friday’s matchup for much of the first quarter Sunday. Neither team was able to score, but the Owls intensified their pressure as the first...
The Temple News - A watchdog for the Temple Univer •

Temple rolls past Queens in season opener - The Temple News

Temple Field Hockey used four first-half goals to sprint past Queens 7-0 for its first win of the season.
Temple Field Hockey’s home opener at Howarth Field Friday afternoon was the team’s first time stepping on the field since their heartbreaking Big East tournament semifinal loss against Old Dominion on Nov. 3 2023. The team hoped to wash it away by jumping out to an early lead to kick off its season. 


The Owls did just that, wasting no time flexing their muscles on the Royals Friday after...
Advanced Sports Reporting •

Waiting for the call

Not far down I-95, a former Cal star is playing for the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate.


By Amarna Milne


In a California living room buzzing with anticipation, Dylan Beavers sat on a beige couch flanked by his parents, eyes fixed on the MLB draft broadcast. Family and friends filled the room, their whispers punctuated by nervous laughter.


For Beavers, this moment was the culmination of years of dedication and determination. From backyard swings to stadium lights, he had honed his craft wi...
Junior Rowing News •

Henley Women’s Regatta 2021 - Junior Eights

The Peabody Cup boasts one of the most prestigious and competitive events at Henley Women’s Regatta. Many junior women up and down the country find themselves reaching the end of their school careers, and now approaching the final few races before transitioning from junior to senior rowing. Covid-19 ensured that for some juniors in this category, it will be their first and last junior race at Henley Women’s, so why not go out with a bang? This year’s draw is full of top names, big programmes and...
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