It was a big week for former Aztecs across professional sports.
Former Aztec track and field athlete Shanieka Ricketts (Thomas during her time at SDSU), won a silver medal for Jamaica in the triple jump at the 2019 Track and Field World Championships in Qatar on Oct. 5. On her third attempt, she jumped 14.92 meters. She was inducted into the Aztec Hall of Fame a few days later.
A former SDSU pitcher, now with the Washington Nationals, Stephen Strasburg started Game 3 of the NLCS on Monday night against the St. Louis Cardinals. While the stadium lights were on for the night game, Strasburg was lights out. He pitched seven innings, allowing one unearned run on seven hits and no walks, while striking out 12 Cardinals en route to the win. Strasburg became just the fifth pitcher in MLB history to have multiple 12 strikeout performances in the postseason, while lowering his postseason ERA to the third-best mark (1.10) in MLB history with a minimum of six starts. Strasburg helped his Nationals to their first World Series appearance in franchise history, where they await the winner of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees.
Daniel Brunskill drew the start at right tackle for the 49ers in Week 6. He played all 78 offensive snaps and four on special teams in San Francisco's win over the Los Angeles Rams. Brunskill earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 82.3 on pass blocking, while only allowing one pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo. The still undefeated 49ers travel to the nation's capital for a Week 7 matchup against the Redskins.
In the MLS, Steven Beitashour is a defender for Los Angeles FC, which earned the top seed in the Western Conference. On October 24. LAFC plays the winner of Sunday's match between No. 4 Minnesota United FC and No. 5 Los Angeles Galaxy. The Galaxy features former Aztec midfielder Joe Corona and defender Daniel Steres.
Although early in the PGA season, three Aztecs are officially on the tour. Scott Piercy has played four tournaments so far in the 2019-20 season with a 19th-place finish at the Military Tribute at The Greenbrier from Sept. 12-15, while J.J. Spaun has appeared in five tournaments with a best of 36th at the Sanderson Farms Championship from Sept. 19-22. Xander Schauffele, the 10th-ranked player in the world, has yet to play a PGA tour event this season, but did tie for 46th at the Porsche European Open from Sept. 5-8.
In the NBA, Kawhi Leonard made his debut in a Clippers uniform in a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets last Thursday. Leonard started and played 11 minutes, shooting 3-for-6 from the field and 1-for-3 from 3-point range, totaling seven points, while logging six assists, one rebound and one steal. The Charlotte Hornets tendered a contract offer to Jalen McDaniels on Friday. He played in his first game on Monday, playing four minutes off the bench and picking up a rebound.
In addition to Brunskill, four other former Aztecs played in NFL Week 6 action. For the second consecutive week, Cardinals long snapper Aaron Brewer played in 10 special teams snaps in an Arizona win, this time over the Falcons. The Cardinals will play the Giants in the Meadowlands in Week 7. On the other side of the field in that game, Damontae Kazee recovered from his concussion in time to play, and made a pair of solo tackles to go with a pair of tackle assists on 56 defensive snaps for Atlanta. The Falcons host the Rams this week. Coming off his first career interception, Kameron Kelly had two solo tackles against the Chargers on Sunday Night Football. The Steelers are on bye in Week 7 and next play the Dolphins in week 8. While Strasburg was pitching for the Nationals on Monday night, fullback Nick Bawden was playing for the Lions in a division rivalry game against the Packers. Bawden played 22 snaps on offense and 18 on special teams. He made a crucial block on linebacker Blake Martinez, allowing Kerryon Johnson to run in the only touchdown of the game for Detroit. Bawden was also targeted on a pass. The Lions host the Vikings on Sunday. After he returned from injury in Week 5, Rashaad Penny was added to Seattle's injury report on Thursday with his hamstring injury that had already cost him two games, but practiced in full. Penny was listed as questionable and was declared inactive against the Browns. Penny could return against Baltimore Sunday afternoon. Calvin Munson is on the Patriots practice squad and Kahale Warring is on injured reserve for the Texans.