Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Bulldog Water Polo Star, a New Zealand Native, Reacts to Tragedy
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
March 16, 2019

Share

While Emily Nicholson was focused in the pool during Fresno State’s water polo battle against Michigan on Friday, no doubt her mind was on her native New Zealand.

“It’s heartbreaking. This is the first time anything like this ever happened. We’re such a peaceful and welcoming country. For someone to go in and abuse that, it’s really heartbreaking.” — Emily Nicholson

A gunman killed at least 49 worshipers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, earlier in the day.

The team leader in goals spoke to GV Wire about the tragedy following the game.

“My mom was actually the one that messaged me. I saw it after practice. I then went straight to Facebook, and it was just everywhere … everywhere,” she said about learning about the massacre.

Nicholson: ‘It’s Heartbreaking’

Nicholson still can’t believe something like this happened in her native land.

“It’s heartbreaking. This is the first time anything like this ever happened. We’re such a peaceful and welcoming country. For someone to go in and abuse that, it’s really heartbreaking.”

New Zealanders Are Resilient

Although the Auckland native has never been to Christchurch herself, she praises the city’s resiliency.

“They’re a tough, tough city. We’re a tough country. We stick together. We’ll rise up, we’ll get through this one again.”

Nicholson scored two goals in a 17-7 loss to the Wolverines.

Click on the video above to watch her comments.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Other States Are Showing California How to Protect Its Budget Without Cutting Needed Services

DON'T MISS

Nitrous Oxide Recreational Use Risks: Brain Damage, Death, and Easy Access

DON'T MISS

Federal Cuts Threaten Science, Ethics, and Public Health

DON'T MISS

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican Who Became a Liberal Darling, Dies at 85

DON'T MISS

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass as Pope and Calls His Election Both a Cross and a Blessing

DON'T MISS

Texas Measles Cases Rise to 709, State Health Department Says

DON'T MISS

The Latest: Trump Floats Cutting China Tariffs to 80% Ahead of Weekend Meeting

DON'T MISS

Wall Street Drifts as It Waits for a Highly Anticipated US-China Meeting on Trade

DON'T MISS

Israel Won’t Be Involved in New Gaza Aid Plan, Only in Security, US Envoy Says

DON'T MISS

National Hummus Day Highlights New Ways to Enjoy an Old Favorite

UP NEXT

Nitrous Oxide Recreational Use Risks: Brain Damage, Death, and Easy Access

UP NEXT

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican Who Became a Liberal Darling, Dies at 85

UP NEXT

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass as Pope and Calls His Election Both a Cross and a Blessing

UP NEXT

Visalia Smoke Shop Shut Down After Illegal Marijuana Sales Discovered

UP NEXT

Selma Bear Sighting Prompts Police, Wildlife Response

UP NEXT

Republicans’ Trust in Media Increases Following Trump’s Return to White House

UP NEXT

Rejoicing Peruvians See Pope Leo XIV as One of Their Own After His Many Years in Peru

UP NEXT

Shohei Ohtani Could Have Landed 15-Year Deal, Agent Says, but He Didn’t Want to Risk Skills Decline

UP NEXT

Los Angeles Coliseum and SoFi Stadium to Share Opening and Closing Ceremonies for 2028 Olympics

UP NEXT

Joe Biden Blames Kamala Harris’ Loss on Sexism and Racism and Rejects Concerns About His Age

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican Who Became a Liberal Darling, Dies at 85

34 minutes ago

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass as Pope and Calls His Election Both a Cross and a Blessing

38 minutes ago

Texas Measles Cases Rise to 709, State Health Department Says

40 minutes ago

The Latest: Trump Floats Cutting China Tariffs to 80% Ahead of Weekend Meeting

43 minutes ago

Wall Street Drifts as It Waits for a Highly Anticipated US-China Meeting on Trade

48 minutes ago

Israel Won’t Be Involved in New Gaza Aid Plan, Only in Security, US Envoy Says

51 minutes ago

National Hummus Day Highlights New Ways to Enjoy an Old Favorite

1 hour ago

Madera Traffic Crackdown Nets 134 Citations, 1 Arrest

1 hour ago

Panasonic to Cut 10,000 Jobs, Expects $900 Million in Restructuring Costs

1 hour ago

US Postal Service Reports $3.3 Billion Quarterly Net Loss

1 hour ago

Other States Are Showing California How to Protect Its Budget Without Cutting Needed Services

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. As California leaders and advocates enter prime budge...

5 minutes ago

5 minutes ago

Other States Are Showing California How to Protect Its Budget Without Cutting Needed Services

12 minutes ago

Nitrous Oxide Recreational Use Risks: Brain Damage, Death, and Easy Access

24 minutes ago

Federal Cuts Threaten Science, Ethics, and Public Health

34 minutes ago

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican Who Became a Liberal Darling, Dies at 85

38 minutes ago

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass as Pope and Calls His Election Both a Cross and a Blessing

A sign reading "measles testing" is seen as an outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has raised concerns over its spread to other parts of the state, in Seminole, Texas, U.S., February 25, 2025. REUTERS/Sebastian Rocandio/File Photo
40 minutes ago

Texas Measles Cases Rise to 709, State Health Department Says

43 minutes ago

The Latest: Trump Floats Cutting China Tariffs to 80% Ahead of Weekend Meeting

48 minutes ago

Wall Street Drifts as It Waits for a Highly Anticipated US-China Meeting on Trade

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend