Mma Akela ’26

Varsity Wrestling, Flag Football, Track & Field, and Crew

For Mma Akela ’26, being a Loyola Academy athlete has always meant representing something greater than herself. A four-sport varsity athlete in wrestling, flag football, track and field, and rowing, Mma embraced every opportunity to challenge herself while building the discipline, resilience, and confidence that define her as both an athlete and a leader. Through wrestling in particular, she learned the value of perseverance and self-belief, lessons reinforced by the guidance of Coach Hemmila, whose mentorship helped shape her both on and off the mat. Whether competing, leading, or supporting her teammates from the sidelines, Mma has consistently demonstrated that true athletic success is rooted in character, commitment, and community.

One of the defining moments of her Loyola athletic career came when she returned to track and field during her junior year after initially stepping away from the sport. In just two weeks, she qualified for the state meet in the triple jump and broke Loyola Academy’s school record—an achievement that reminded her that it is never too late to rediscover a passion and pursue it with purpose. Equally important to Mma is living Loyola’s mission of being a woman for others. Even after shifting her focus from flag football to rowing, she remained a steadfast supporter of her former teammates, recognizing that leadership is as much about encouragement as it is about competition. As she prepares to continue her athletic career at the collegiate level in rowing, Mma carries forward the lessons she learned as a Rambler: give yourself grace, trust the process, and never underestimate what is possible through hard work, faith, and belief in yourself.