# @theathletichq on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DWRKJJyARMF
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/60988055-theathletichq-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/422bb659dc.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-03-24T15:00:43.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Athletic (@theathletichq) — https://gondola.cc/theathletichq

## Caption

Everyone saw the viral moment play out between Maryland junior Oluchi Okananwa and coach Brenda Frese, but not everyone knows about the story behind the relationship they built.

“Don’t tell me what I want to hear,” Okananwa, a junior, told Frese during one of their first conversations. “I want to be coached hard. I want to be elite.”

Growing up, Okananwa said she was held to a high standard, and there weren’t a lot of exceptions. But she learned to view tough love as a blessing.

It showed her that “pressure makes diamonds,” which has been her motto ever since.

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 4,012
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 52

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Athletic | @theathletichq | https://gondola.cc/theathletichq | Sports Media Outlet |
| Caylee | @caylee_allard | https://gondola.cc/caylee_allard | Senior Social Media Coordinator |

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