Arianna Jaurequi '25

Arianna Jaurequi '25
Major: Psychology
Involvements: Softball, Lions in Action
Awards: Raymunde McKay, R.S.H.M. Award

For Arianna Jaurequi ’25, a psychology major from Moreno Valley, California, becoming a Lion was a path that chose her. While she was committed to another college for softball, she was able to follow Coach Tairia Flowers and create something special for Loyola Marymount University’s softball program. “I knew I wanted to play college softball. I didn't imagine that I'd be getting such a great education on top of that.” LMU became a place where she could compete, grow and belong to a supportive community.

Balancing early morning practices, late-night study sessions, and game-day pressure isn’t easy but for Jaurequi, it’s what defined her LMU experience. The lessons learned through softball shaped her approach to life far beyond the field. “Being a utility player has helped me be more open to different avenues in life,” she said. “You might not like the role that you're in, but if you embrace it and you go 100% in that role, I think that you'll see a lot of character development and benefits from doing that. You might achieve something that you never knew you wanted.”

While softball was at the heart of her LMU story, Jaurequi also found ways to make an impact beyond the field in co-founding the Black Student Athlete Committee and Lions in Action, a Bible study group for student athletes. Both groups are about connecting athletes to a broader community in a space that can be difficult. It’s connecting students from other sports with similar backgrounds that may be seeking friendship, community and faith. “I'm leaving LMU athletics in a better place than when I found it, so it's just really cool.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Jaurequi hopes future Lions, especially student-athletes, embrace every moment and take full advantage of every opportunity. “I think it's easy to go all four years being in the bubble of your sport. The more you get involved, network and embrace the community and resources that are around you the better off you’ll be.” Some opportunities would have never come without the community she created to help figure out next steps. 

Jaurequi’s LMU experience in one word: growth. Failing forward and growing from each failure has been a big mind-shift. These specific moments of striking out , whether it's on the field or in the classroom, doesn’t define who you are as a person. What matters is how you use that lesson learned for the next pitch, the next test, or the next day. 

Of LMU’s five student EXP pillars, she connects most with Live a Life of Purpose, a reflection of her journey through athletics, academics, and personal growth. "My purpose was found in God and my family. Understanding those two things are my why, and the reason why I do what I do and who I'm doing it for,” said Jaurequi. “What I want to do is sports psychology and help other athletes realize that same purpose for themselves.”

After graduation, Jaurequi is headed toward earning her master’s degree in counseling with the ultimate goal of becoming a sports psychologist and helping athletes with their mental health and mental training. As she prepares to leave the bluff, she feels nothing but gratitude. “Thank you for changing my life,” was her last message to the community at LMU.