42 Home Runs. 6'7" Dominance. Two Athletes Just Blew Up the ESPY Nominations!

Alright, fam, listen up! You know how we live for those jaw-dropping moments, the ones where an athlete just goes off and changes the game? Well, get ready, because two absolute phenoms from UCLA just snagged themselves 2026 ESPY nominations, and we're talking about some seriously wild achievements here. The big show hits on July 15th, and honestly, these two could totally walk away with the hardware. You absolutely love to see it when talent gets recognized on the biggest stage.

Megan Grant's Bat Just Flat-Out Broke the Record Books

First up, let's talk about Megan Grant. You gotta be kidding me with what this woman did! She was part of the UCLA national champion women's basketball squad, which is impressive enough, but her *other* sport is where she went completely nuclear. Grant is up for the Best Record-Breaking Performance award, and dude, it's not hard to see why. This season, she absolutely demolished the NCAA single-season home run record, slugging an unbelievable 42 dingers! Forty-two! That's not just breaking a record; that's setting a new standard that might stand forever. And the competition? It's bonkers. She's up against Myles Garrett, who shattered the NFL's single-season sack record, Johannes Hosflot Klaebo, who won six Winter Olympic Gold Medals, and Sebastian Save, who ran the first-ever marathon in under two hours. Yeah, it's a stacked category, but what

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Grant did with that bat? Pure, unadulterated power that you just can't ignore.

Lauren Betts Owning the Court, Top-Tier Athlete Style

Then we've got Lauren Betts, another absolute force, nominated for Best Women’s Sport College Athlete. This 6'7" center was an absolute nightmare for opponents. She locked down the Big Ten Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award, and it's no shocker when you look at her game. Betts was an anchor on both ends of the court, making that Bruins team a mighty 37-1 machine. While that incredible UCLA team itself didn't get a nod for Best Team, with the Texas Longhorns' championship softball team and the Indiana Hoosiers' undefeated football team getting the spotlight, Betts' individual brilliance shines through. Her competition for Best Women's Sport College Athlete is no joke either. She's battling Oklahoma gymnast Faith Torrez, Pittsburgh volleyball player Olivia Babcock, and Northwestern lacrosse player Madison Taylor. That's a lineup of insane talent from across the collegiate landscape, but Betts’ impact was undeniable, commanding the paint and owning every possession. So, mark your calendars! The 2026 ESPYs are going down on July 15th in New York City at the David H. Koch Theater, a huge change from the past quarter-century spent in Vegas or LA. Our Bruins have a real shot, and you can get in on the action and vote daily on the ESPN website. Let's send some good vibes to these incredible athletes. This is gonna be epic!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.