Just like that, 2025 is dunzo. Now we're transitioning to the second quarter of the 21st century.
It was quite the journey for the Southern Arizona sports and the Arizona Wildcats to wrap up the first quarter. From a national championship, to state championships, to game-winning and record-setting plays, 2025 was a year to remember in the Old Pueblo sports scene.
The most notable sporting event in Tucson just before the year ends is the latest edition of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop on Saturday, Dec. 27 — the second game with Snoop Dogg as the presenting sponsor.
As we look forward to 2026, the Star sports staff is collectively remembering 25 memorable sports moments from 2025, in chronological order.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) records a video after a game against the Washington Commanders, Sep. 28, 2025, in Atlanta.
Bijan breaks out
When: January
What happened: Tucson native and former Salpointe Catholic star Bijan Robinson finished his second season with the Atlanta Falcons third in the NFL in rushing yards (1,456) and rushing touchdowns (14) behind Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. Robinson also led the NFL in missed tackles forced (117) and was third in yards after contact (728), according to “Next Gen Stats.”
Robinson became the first Tucsonan to receive Pro Bowl honors since former Amphi receiver and returner Michael Bates (Carolina Panthers) in 2000. Entering this season, Robinson checked in at No. 62 on the NFL Top 100 list.
Caleb Love’s 60-foot buzzer-beater over No. 3 Iowa State on Jan. 27, 2025, will go down in Arizona basketball history.
Caleb Love hits 60-foot buzzer bomb at McKale
When: Jan. 27
What happened: Prolific go-to shooter Caleb Love was just 1 of 10 from 3-point range entering the final seconds of Arizona men's basketball's tense home game against third-ranked Iowa State but saved his best for last. Taking an inbounds pass from Anthony Dell’Orso with 2.2 seconds left and Iowa State leading 71-68, Love picked it up near the Cyclones’ 3-point line, took two dribbles and fired away.
“Best moment of my life,” Love said. But he wasn’t done: The shot sent the game to overtime — when Love hit both 3-pointers he tried to help the Wildcats win 86-75. "You hit a shot like that, you got to win in overtime," Love said. "There's no way we losing."
Tara Seaton heads for the finish line and a time of 17.92 in barrel racing on the closing day of La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson on Feb. 23, 2025.
Tucson Rodeo marks 100 years of down-home fun
When: Feb. 15-23
What happened: One of Tucson’s oldest traditions turned 100 this year. Over the last century, Tucson has embraced its Wild West roots with an annual rodeo and parade that celebrates the Old Pueblo’s past while bringing together the city’s future. The week-long event features multiple roping sessions, bareback riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, women’s barrel racing and more. Here’s to 100 more years of storied tradition and downright fun.
Sunnyside head coach Anthony Leon screams to his wrestlers during the state high school wrestling championships on Feb. 18, 2023, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.
Multiple Tucson schools capture wrestling titles
When: Feb. 22
What happened: The boys wrestling dynasty at Sunnyside High School — with one of the most dominant stretches in Southern Arizona high school sports history — added another state title. The Blue Devils won the Division I state championship for the ninth straight year — 38th state title since 1979. Sunnyside girls wrestling won its first-ever state championship despite not having an individual champion.
Additionally, Sahuarita boys wrestling won its fourth straight Division III state championship, and Mica Mountain girls wrestling won its first Division II state championship.
Alliana Silva, left, tries to chase down Jhianae DesRosier during a punt return session as Salpointe Catholic gears up for its first season of girls flag football on Sept. 10, 2025.
Salpointe takes home multiple state titles
When: March-November
What happened: Salpointe had yet another dominant year in athletics, winning state championships in baseball, boys soccer, girls soccer, girls tennis, volleyball and girls flag football. The Salpointe girls soccer program won six state championships under the late head coach Kelly Pierce, who died this summer at 44 years old. The girls portion of the local Brandon Bean Soccer Tournament is named after Pierce.
Salpointe's girls flag football program became the first Southern Arizona team to win a state championship since it became an AIA-sanctioned sport in 2023. Salpointe boys soccer won its fifth straight Class 4A state championship.
Brazil earns a 12-2 run-rule win against China in a World Baseball Classic qualifier game against Brazil at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson on March 4, 2025.
World Baseball Classic comes to Kino Stadium
When: March 2-6
What happened: Local officials’ push to bring professional baseball back to the 520 took another step forward when Tucson hosted one of the WBC qualifiers in March. Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium was the scene for seven games over five days featuring Brazil, China, Colombia and Germany. Colombia went undefeated to qualify for the 2026 WBC.
Kino was supposed to host more pro ball later in the year. But an Arizona Fall League tripleheader was canceled because of weather, and the Mexican Pacific Winter League’s relocated and renamed Tucson Baseball Team was unable to play in its new home because of visa issues.
Koa Peat, right, signed with the University of Arizona during National Signing Day at Perry High School in Gilbert on April 16, 2025.
Koa Peat headlines UA’s 2nd-rated recruiting class
When: March 27
What happened: Recruiting in-state prodigy Koa Peat since he was in eighth grade, before he led Gilbert Perry High School to four state titles, Arizona men's hoops finally received a payoff on the morning before its Sweet 16 game with Duke when Peat announced on ESPN he would play for the Wildcats.
Before long, during a spring when many high-major programs turned to the transfer portal, Arizona put together what 247 Sports ranked the No. 2 recruiting class in college basketball, with five-star guard Brayden Burries, four-star wings Ivan Kharchenkov and Dwayne Aristode, and longer-term prospects in Sidi Gueye, Mabil Mawut and Bryce James. The fact that Bryce is LeBron’s son added social media buzz, too.
Arizona head coach Becky Burke huddles with her team after the Wildcats' 72-69 loss to the Lobos at McKale Center, Dec. 7, 2025.
Becky Burke era begins for UA women’s hoops
When: April 9
What happened: After the departure of longtime coach Adia Barnes to SMU, Arizona women's basketball hired Burke to undertake another rebuilding project. Burke, 36, who began her coaching career at Embry-Riddle in Prescott, quickly climbed the career ladder by turning around one program after another. She led Buffalo to the WNIT championship in 2024-25 before becoming the 10th head coach in UA history.
With an almost entirely new roster that she and her staff rapidly assembled in spring, Burke has guided the Wildcats to a 9-2 record entering their Big 12 opener Monday vs. Utah.
The Arizona women's golf team, led by head coach Giovana Maymon (far right) and assistant coach Brady Campbell (second from right) won the season-opening Fields of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes Golf Couse in Grand Haven, Michigan, on Sept. 11, 2024. Wildcat athletes pictured include (from left) Charlotte Back, Carolina Melgrati, Nena Wongthanavimok, Maria Cabanillas and Lilas Pinthier.
Arizona women's golf wins Big 12 title
When: April 17
What happened: Arizona edged Arizona State and Oklahoma State at Houston Oaks Country Club in Hockley, Texas, to secure the program’s first Big 12 championship — and its first conference title since 2015. Arizona junior Nena Wongthanavimok, who made the Big 12 All-Tournament Team, finished tied for second after firing an even 71.
Sophomore Charlotte Back also made the all-tournament team and finished tied for 10th at 5 over. Between the Pac-12 and the Big 12, the Wildcats have won nine conference titles since 1992.
Arizona head coach Clancy Shields talks to Jay Friend and Eric Padgham during their doubles game against Harvard in Round 2 of the NCAA Tournament at LaNelle Robson Tennis Center in Tucson on May 3, 2025.
UA men's tennis wins Big 12 championship
When: April 20
What happened: Led by Colton Smith, arguably the greatest tennis player to ever play at Arizona, the Wildcats beat UCF, 4-1, in the Big 12 Tournament championship in Waco, Texas. The Wildcats won their second straight conference championship after taking home the Pac-12 championship in 2024. Smith was named Most Outstanding Player for the Big 12 Tournament. Arizona went to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament and fell to Virginia, 4-2.
Carolina Panthers first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan speaks during a news conference, April 25, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C.
4 Cats, Tucson native get drafted to the NFL
When: April 24-26
What happened: The UA football program produced four NFL Draft picks: wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers), offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (Miami Dolphins), kicker Tyler Loop (Baltimore Ravens) and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Washington Commanders) — the most NFL Draft picks from Arizona since 2008.
McMillan, who was drafted eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers, is the highest-drafted offensive player from Arizona in NFL Draft history — and the highest-drafted receiver in Panthers history.
Former Salpointe standout and Ohio State star safety Lathan Ransom became the third Tucsonan drafted in as many years, joining Robinson and offensive lineman Jordan Morgan. Ransom was drafted in the fourth round by the Panthers.
Arizona coach Chip Hale proudly displays the winners’ spoils after leading the Wildcats past North Carolina in the third and deciding game of their Super Regional series on June 8, 2025, at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
UA baseball reaches CWS for 19th time
When: June 8
What happened: Arizona has made the College World Series with leap year-like regularity this century, and the Wildcats did it again in 2025. This particular run to Omaha was almost as improbable as 2016, as the UA rallied late to stun No. 5 national seed North Carolina in Chapel Hill in the third and deciding game of their Super Regional series.
Chip Hale made his first CWS appearance as the head coach at his alma mater. Stopper of the Year Tony Pluta recorded the final out. And Salpointe High product Mason White delivered the go-ahead RBI in the eighth inning, another highlight during a season in which he rose to second on Arizona’s all-time home run leaderboard.
San Antonio Spurs first round NBA Draft pick Carter Bryant, right, poses for a photo with general manager Brian Wright during a news conference at the team’s facility in San Antonio, June 28, 2025.
Carter Bryant becomes NBA lottery pick
When: June 25
What happened: Starting just five games as a freshman last season, and with an unusually low usage rate (he ended possessions only 15.9% of the time when he played), Bryant was a puzzling NBA Draft prospect. But his steady improvement as last season went on, when he settled into a key reserve role at both forward spots, helped him, along with eye-popping measurables at the NBA Combine that included a 6-11.75 wingspan and maximum (running) vertical leap of 39.5 inches.
Bryant went to San Antonio with the final lottery spot, No. 14, and Spurs GM Brian Wright said the team tried to make moves that could have secured him even higher. “To get him at No. 14 was a pleasant surprise,” he said.
The Thornydale Little League 12U Softball All-Stars display their state championship banner after defeating Goodyear on July 12, 2025, in Cottonwood.
Youth softball, baseball teams win state tourneys
When: July-August
What happened: Three Tucson youth softball and baseball teams advanced to western regional tournaments but fell short of making their respective levels’ World Series. Thornydale Little League lost in the finals of the West Region Tournament in San Bernardino, California, in its bid to become the second area team in as many years to make the Little League Softball World Series.
The Sunnyside Junior All-Star baseball team was ousted in the JLB West Region Tournament in Bend, Oregon — but not before winning three straight elimination games and posting a 4-2 record in the tourney. Finally, Post 7 Moondogs, consisting of players from Tucson High, tied for third in the American Legion Western Regional Tournament in Fairfield, California, after winning their fourth consecutive state title.
University of Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita, left, celebrates with former his former Wildcat teammate Vegas quarterback Jayden de Laura (10) after de Laura led the Knight Hawks to the IFL Championship over Green Bay, Aug. 23, 2025, in Tucson.
Tucson hosts IFL championship
When: Aug. 23
What happened: The Indoor Football League reached a three-year agreement for Tucson Arena to host the IFL championship. The IFL title game featured the Vegas Knight Hawks, led by former UA quarterback Jayden de Laura, and the Green Bay Blizzard. With several of his former Arizona teammates and former UA head coach Jedd Fisch in attendance, de Laura scored three touchdowns, including a go-ahead rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The Knight Hawks won, 64-61.
Desert View’s football players run the gauntlet of fans looking for high fives after the Jaguars beat Goodyear Millennium 16-13 in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs.
Desert View football's perfect regular season
When: Aug. 29-Oct. 30
What happened: Desert View High School’s varsity football team had a season to remember. The Jaguars went 10-0 for the first time in program history. By the end of the regular season, Desert View had outscored its opponents by over 300 points. Despite the Jaguars' fall in the state tournament, the young team still cemented its legacy in Desert View history with this successful season.
Arizona’s Noah Fifita celebrates with supporters following the Wildcats’ win over Cincinnati, Nov. 15, 2025, in Cincinnati.
Fifita sets TD record, Cats' winning streak
When: Nov. 1-28
What happened: After back-to-back losses to BYU and Houston, UA football went on a five-game winning streak to end the regular season, which included victories over 25th-ranked Cincinnati and 20th-ranked Arizona State on the road. This year marked the third time in four years the Wildcats won the Territorial Cup.
Not only did the Wildcats become bowl eligible in the second season under head coach Brent Brennan, Arizona became one of eight teams in program history to reach nine wins. UA star quarterback Noah Fifita also etched his name in the UA history books when he passed Nick Foles and Willie Tuitama for the most career passing touchdowns at Arizona.
Fifita also became the first UA quarterback since Foles to win back-to-back Territorial Cups in Tempe. Fifita is the only quarterback to lead Arizona to multiple nine-win seasons.
Catalina Foothills senior tennis player Austin Cohen poses for a photo after his workout at Himmel Park on April 29, 2025.
Foothills swimming, tennis win state titles
When: Nov. 8
What happened: At the end of the fall high school sports season, the Catalina Foothills boys swim team secured its 14th swim championship title — its first in the last 14 years. The Falcons earned the top spot with an overall team score of 386. Senior Connor Daggett had three first-place finishes in the event, including in the 200 medley relay, 50 free and 200 free relay.
Earlier in May, Catalina Foothills' boys tennis won a Division II state championship. Led by star Austin Cohen, the Falcons won their 10th state title in the last 11 years and finished the season with a 19-0 record.
For the second year in a row, Arizona’s triathlon team has been named the Women’s Collegiate National Champions. The Wildcats took home the honor Nov. 8, 2025, in Tempe.
Arizona triathlon wins back-to-back titles
When: Nov. 8
What happened: In the emerging college sport of triathlon, which is still not officially under the NCAA banner, the Wildcats are leading the way. They won their second straight Women’s Collegiate National Championship, beating second-place ASU and 34 other teams in Tempe.
Senior Kelly Wetteland won the individual national championship, with a time of 1:09:09, while sophomore Margareta Vrablova finished in second place, just 10 seconds behind Wetteland. Several of UA’s triathletes also competed in the World Triathlon Championships in Australia last October and could pop up at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
From left, Amanda Sampson Lomayesva, CEO of Casino del Sol, Desireé Reed-Francois, director of Arizona Athletics, and Julian Hernandez, chairman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, hold up football jerseys at the conclusion of a press conference at Casino Del Sol Stadium on Nov. 17, 2025.
UA strikes naming rights deal with Casino Del Sol
When: Nov. 17
What happened: Arizona's athletics department reached a 20-year naming rights agreement with Casino Del Sol, changing the name of Arizona Stadium to Casino Del Sol Stadium. The deal with Casino Del Sol is valued at more than $60 million — the largest total amount in the Big 12 and one of the largest valuations in Power 4.
Stephen Schaefer, right, raises his arm as he crosses the finish line first as his teammate, Nikos Casto, follows just behind in the 42nd annual El Tour de Tucson on Nov. 22, 2025. The riders, of the Landis Cyclery team, broke away from the 102-miler pack to finish first and second.
2 locals take top spots at El Tour de Tucson
When: Nov. 22
What happened: Two Tucsonans finished in first place at this year’s El Tour de Tucson. Stephen Schaefer, 34, crossed the finish line of the 102-century mile race with a time of 3 hours, 39 minutes and 32 seconds. After completing the race, Schaefer was emotional, telling local media that he was riding for his father, who had colon cancer and at the time was in a coma. In the women’s 102-century mile race, Tucsonan Marge Rinaldo took home the first-place title with a time of 3 hours, 53 minutes and 2 seconds.
Arizona volleyball's Jordan Wilson (5), Avery Scoggins (6), Renee Jones (2) and Adrianna Bridges (13) vs. Cincinnati at McKale Center Nov. 28, 2025.
UA volleyball punches ticket to NCAA tourney
When: Nov. 30
What happened: After winning the NIVC in 2024, Arizona volleyball bolstered its nonconference schedule to improve its résumé and avoid another potential snub for the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats posted a 16-12 regular-season record and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time under head coach Charita Stubbs — and their first appearance since 2018. Arizona beat South Dakota State 3-1 in the opening match, but fell to host Stanford in the second round.
The UA secured the first-ever perfect score in the semifinal round of the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge and was the only team from the United States to compete in the tournament.
Wildcats type their way into history
When: Dec. 3
What happened: Nearly 40 University of Arizona business students competed in the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge in Las Vegas earlier this month. In one of the more unique sports achievements this year, the UA secured the first-ever perfect score in the semifinal round of the tournament.
The team was the only squad from the United States to place in the challenge. UA student Jackson Weber finished in fifth place in the individual round, making him the top American competitor, according to the UA.
Mica Mountain's Evan Wheeler (17), Roman Leon (66) and Jaidyn Crist (11) celebrate after winning the 4A state championship against Arcadia at Mountain America Stadium on Dec. 5, 2025, in Tempe.
Mica Mountain football wins 2nd straight title
When: Dec. 6
What happened: In just its fifth year as a program, Mica Mountain High School won its second state football championship. After going undefeated a year ago en route to title No. 1, the Thunderbolts started this season 2-2 under first-year coach Jay Campos. Then they got on a roll, winning 10 in a row to end the campaign.
Mica Mountain, the No. 7 seed in the 4A bracket, defeated No. 1 seed Phoenix Arcadia 42-17 in the championship game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. Campos won his first state championship after four previous trips to the title game. Senior receiver Evan Wheeler played a starring role, catching four passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns.
Arizona’s Dwayne Aristode (2), Brayden Burries (5), Ivan Kharchenkov (8) and Koa Peat (10) celebrate after taking down Auburn 97-68 at McKale Center, Dec. 6, 2025.
UA men’s basketball beats 5 ranked opponents
When: Dec. 13
What happened: Ranked 13th in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll, Arizona climbed into the No. 1 spot after beating Florida, UCLA, UConn and Auburn over the first five weeks of the season — and then put together an even more convincing performance against Alabama on Dec. 13, winning 96-75 before a semi-away crowd in Birmingham. That made them the first team to beat five ranked nonconference opponents in 30 years.
Already with a remarkably well-balanced rotation, the Wildcats received 28 points against Alabama from freshman guard Brayden Burries, who had struggled early in the season. In a tight eight-player rotation, the Wildcats have arguably the nation’s best interior with Peat, Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka, and a top point guard in Jaden Bradley, whose drives to the basket sealed wins over UCLA and UConn.
