Leading the Way on the Diamond - Yuji Imai Is March Athlete of the Month
Sophomore, Yuji Imai from Chiba, Japan, captures Athlete of the Month honors for March
April 14, 2026
Yuji Imai's steady presence on the diamond and impact throughout March made him an easy choice for Athlete of the Month. As a key contributor to the baseball program, Imai combined consistency, preparation, and a team-first mindset to help set the tone during a pivotal stretch of the season. Leading the league in doubles for most of March, his approach goes beyond stat lines. He is showing up to work in the department and in the moments that matter. These habits drive daily success. We caught up with Imai to talk about his month, his mindset, and what fuels his performance.
Yuji, what does being named Athlete of the Month mean to you personally and as a member of the Olympic College athletics community? It is huge for me to join the Olympic college athletic community and be nominated for athlete of the month because I love this community, especially the passion and energy in it, everyday, and I feel it is perfect for me. I can contribute here and by being named athlete of the month, I am so happy to get evaluated on my work processes and get noticed for doing things right.
Looking back on the past few weeks, what moment or performance stands out most in your mind? Everyday is precious and unforgettable for me. Every time, whether I did go or bad, I feel awesome to be there with my teammates. If I have to mention a moment, I would say when we walked it off against Clark College and when we sweep Centralia CC.
How have your coaches and teammates helped you grow or succeed this season? They are huge for me and I think of them as my family. The coaches always help me up when I struggle, they give me motivation. And also, my teammates care about me so much. When I overthink, they always try to communicate with me and make me feel better. That's why I want to pick them up when they struggle and become their motivation. That is part of my job for the team.
What motivates you to keep improving—both in your sport and in the classroom? The biggest motivation for me to keep playing baseball is just love. I love baseball, and that's why I'm playing baseball. And, the reason why I can keep my good attitude in my class is also loving baseball because want to keep playing.
What are you currently studying at Olympic College, and how does your major connect to your goals for the future? I'm studying business and it gives me a ton of knowledge that I know will lead to my career goals because I want to get a job in America related to sports especially baseball. My classes help me a lot.
What's one area of your game you've focused on developing this year, and how has that paid off? The thing which I focus on the most in game to develop from last year, do my thing, and control what I can control. It is a big thing for me because last year, I would sometimes care about things outside of my control too much and make me feel scared and nervous. But this year, I just focus on what I can control, emotions and attitude, and it makes easier to play baseball.
Outside of competition, what do you enjoy most about being a student-athlete at Olympic College? I enjoy spending time with my teammates and hanging out with them. And also, my international friends come see me when they do something fun. So I'm enjoying many things out baseball.
What are your goals for the rest of the season, and how do you hope to build on this momentum? Simple. Win and get a ticket to the playoffs. To make it happen, I'm keep raising my efforts, bringing energy, and doing my job for the team to win.