Work Samples

A feature on Chandler High School’s no-cut swim program, spotlighting three students who joined the team without knowing how to swim. The story follows their progression from fear and hesitation to determination and confidence, showing how inclusive coaching, beginner pre-camp training, and a supportive team culture transformed total beginners into motivated athletes. More than a sports piece, it explores courage, growth, and belonging—demonstrating that sometimes the hardest leap isn’t into the deep end, but into trying at all.

A long-form enterprise piece examining compulsive exercise in endurance sports through reporting, research, expert interviews — and personal experience. The story reveals how a culture of discipline and toughness can blur into anxiety-driven training, where rest feels threatening and stopping feels like failure. Through psychological research, medical evidence, and athlete testimony, the piece exposes the hidden mental-health crisis behind overtraining: the illusion of control, the fear of stillness, the physical and emotional cost, and the difficult, ongoing process of recovery. It’s an exploration of obsession disguised as dedication — and the quiet resistance required to step away.

A press-conference style feature highlighting MLB.com reporter Steve Gilbert during his guest appearance at the Walter Cronkite School. The piece blends news reporting with profile elements, capturing Gilbert’s insights on covering the Arizona Diamondbacks, navigating ethics, managing negativity in sports media, and building relationships inside the clubhouse. It also spotlights the origin of his motivational newsletter Win Your Day, which began as a gesture of gratitude and has grown into a 3,500-person community. The release offers a clear, informative look at Gilbert’s career, his philosophy as a journalist, and the positivity he brings to the game.