Greg Hansen's Top 100 Sports Figures of 2016
Star columnist Greg Hansen counts down the year's best Southern Arizona sports figures.
No. 1 • Jay Johnson
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Arizona Wildcats head coach Jay Johnson watches the action during the fourth inning of the Arizona Wildcats vs. Arizona Diamondbacks baseball scrimmage at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 12-5 in the seven-inning game on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona’s first-year baseball coach guided the Wildcats to the College World Series finals.
No. 2 • Blake Martinez
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Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) tackles Oakland Raiders running back Jamize Olawale (49) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Breaking into the Green Bay Packers opening game starting lineup, as a rookie inside linebacker, the CDO grad made 63 tackles in his first 10 NFL games.
No. 3 • Allie Schadler
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Rio Rico's Allie Schadler. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Possibly the top girls distance runner in state history, Schadler was undefeated in the prep track and cross country seasons. The Rio Rico High senior won state championships in the 1,600, 3,200 and cross country finals and chose to sign with Pac-12 champion Washington over offers from Stanford and Harvard.
No. 4 • Ian Kinsler
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Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) reaches for home plate after being tagged out after right fielder Mark Trumbo caught a Victor Martinez fly ball in the third inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Winning his first Gold Glove in 11 MLB seasons, the CDO grad, a second baseman for the Detroit Tigers, produced one of his finest big-league seasons with 28 homers, 83 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and a .288 batting average.
No. 5 • Donny Toia
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Donny Toia of Canada's Montreal Impact, right, heads the ball with Dario Bendetto of Mexico's America during a CONCACAF Champions league match in Mexico City, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)
The CDO, Pima College and FC Tucson standout has started 44 games for Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact the last two seasons, a key defender who played 1,365 minutes in 2016. He was taken first overall in this month's expansion draft by Atlanta and traded to Orlando City.
No. 6 • Fletcher McCusker
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Fletcher McCusker, chairman of the Rio Nuevo board, and Elaine Becherer with the city manager's office, walk past a fully renovated concession stand during a guided tour of the Tucson Convention Center Arena on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
No one was more influential and active in the relocation of the American Hockey League's Tucson Roadrunners than McCusker, chairman of the Rio Nuevo Tax District. He spent $3.2 million to upgrade the Tucson Arena to accommodate Triple-A hockey.
No. 7 • Sydni Stallworth
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Pima Community College basketball player Syndi Stallworth works on her defensive skills during practice in Tucson on Oct. 3, 2016. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
A first-team NJCAA All-America point guard, Stallworth, from Palo Verde High School, averaged 16 points as the Aztecs went 28-8 and finished No. 3 in the nation; she is averaging 13.2 points for this season’s PCC team, which spent a month ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA.
No. 8 • Cody Ramer and Zach Gibbons
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Right photo: Arizona's Cody Ramer (13) celebrates after slamming a ground-rule double over the left field fence to lead off the game against Coastal Carolina in their final series game at TD Ameritrade Park in the College World Series, Monday, June 27, 2016, Omaha, Neb. Ramer eventually scored later in the inning. Left photo: Arizona right fielder Zach Gibbons (23) chases down a shot into the corner from UC Santa Barbara's Ryan Cumberland for a single in the top of the eighth inning of their elimination game at the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park, Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Omaha, Neb. Photos by Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona’s top-of-the-order dynamos ranked 1-2 in the Pac-12 in hits, with 107 and 102, respectively. Gibbons, an outfielder, hit .385 and Ramer, a second baseman, hit .348, leading the Wildcats to the national championship finals. Both then hit .351 and .338, respectively for the Orem Owlz in their first summer of pro baseball.
No. 9 • Dan Slania
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Scottsdale Scorpions pitcher Dan Slania (35) delivers a pitch during an Arizona Fall League game against the Peoria Javelinas on Oct. 24, 2015 at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Ariz. Peoria defeated Scottsdale 3-1. (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images via AP Images)
The Salpointe Catholic grad rose through the ranks of the San Francisco Giants organization this year, starting at Single-A, moving up to Double-A and finishing the season at Triple-A Sacramento. The former fifth-round pick's combined stats: 119 innings pitched, 111 strikeouts and 11 victories even though he started just 16 games.
No. 10 • Roman Bravo-Young
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Sunnyside's Roman Bravo-Young wrestles Rylan Evans of Mesa Mountain View for the 120-pound Arizona Interscholastic Association Championship at the Prescott Valley Event Center on Feb. 12, 2016.
The Sunnyside junior is the fifth-ranked wrestler, all weight classes, from the high school Class of 2018 after extending his prep record to 83-0 with a second state title. He then won the U.S. Cadet championships in July, made the USA junior team in a September meet in Europe, and then won the “Who’s No. 1?’’ title in Pennsylvania in October.
No. 11 • Delaney Schnell
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Delaney Schnell competes during the women's platform semifinal at the U.S. Olympic diving trials Monday, June 20, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Tucson High’s senior diver finished second in the U.S. Olympic Trials in synchronized platform diving, and sixth overall in platform diving. She has signed to compete for Arizona.
No. 12 • Haley Moore
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Amateur player Haley Moore reacts to her putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the LPGA Tour ANA Inspiration golf tournament at Mission Hills Country Club on Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Quite a freshman season at Arizona for the golfer from San Diego: she finished tied for second in the NCAA finals, was ninth in the Pac-12 and posted two top-3 finishes in Arizona’s fall season. She is ranked No. 12 nationally by Golfweek.
No. 13 • Todd Holthaus
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Pima Community College coach Todd Holthaus doesn't agree with a call against his Aztecs during their game with Gillette College at the Native American Classic being held at Pima Community College, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
In his 10th year as Pima College’s women’s basketball coach, Holthaus led the Aztecs to third place in the NJCAA finals in the spring. In the fall/winter, he won his 200th game at PCC as the Aztecs rose to the NJCAA’s No. 1 ranking.
No. 14 • Rick Schantz
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FC Tucson head coach Rick Schantz talks with midfielder Musa Morris before taking on the University of Arizona in an exhibition game at Kino Sports Complex, Wednesday, May 4, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Head coach of FC Tucson’s Premier Development League men’s team, Schantz guided the club to an 11-1-2 record and the Western Conference semifinals after winning the seven-team Southwest Division.
No. 15 • Justice Summerset
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Mountain View's Justice Summerset attempts to clear the bar at 7 feet 1 inch during the boys Division II high jump final at the state track and field championships in Mesa on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Summerset won the event with a jump of 6 feet 9 inches. Ralph Freso / for the Arizona Daily Star
A freshman at Arizona, Summerset broke the state record in the high jump (7 feet, 2 1/2 inches), won the state title and matched that height by winning the Junior Olympics national championship in Sacramento in July.
No. 16 • Jeff Scurran
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Catalina Foothills head coach Jeff Scurran talks with quarterback Rhett Rodriguez (4) and Kyle Benson (9) on the sidelines during the second half of the Catalina Foothills vs. Scottsdale Saguaro Class 4A state high school championship football game at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Saguaro won the championship 42-14. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
In his fourth season at Catalina Foothills, Scurran coached the Falcons to a 12-2 record and the state 4A championship game, winning his 217th game in Tucson, second-highest total in city history.
No. 17 • Penina Snuka
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Arizona setter Penina Snuka (20) fruitlessly chases a wild ball that landed just out of reach in set four against Arizona State at McKale Center, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The Pac-12’s Setter of the Year, a UA senior, led the league in assists for the second consecutive year.
No. 18 • Nathan Bannister
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University of Arizona starting pitcher Nathan Bannister (35) pitched seven shutout innings in a win over Sam Houston State in the NCAA Regionals in Lafayette, La., on June 3, 2016.
An All-Pac-12 first-team pitcher, Arizona’s senior right-hander went 12-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 142 innings, leading the Pac-12 with 114 strikeouts and helping the Wildcats to the College World Series finals.
No. 19 • Alex Verdugo
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Sahuaro's Alex Verdugo (11) watches his base hit in the second inning during the Sahuaro vs. Bradshaw Mountain Division II high school playoff baseball game on Friday, May 9, 2014, at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Sahuaro won 8-7 on a walk-off in the ninth inning after giving up four unanswered runs in the seventh. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
To cap his third season in pro baseball, the Sahuaro product was named to the Arizona Fall League's Fall Stars game. The outfielder hit .273 with 13 homers and 63 RBIs for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and was named baseball’s No. 45 overall prospect by MLB.com.
No. 20 • Krystal Quihuis
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In her sophomore season at Arizona, Quihuis won the Wildcat Invitational golf title, shooting 7 under par, and tied for fifth in the Pac-12 championships. The Salpointe Catholic grad has climbed to No. 26 in the NCAA individual rankings.
No. 21 • Mark, Kristie and Natalie Stevens
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Husband/father Mark coached Catalina Foothills’ state championship softball team. Wife/mother Kristie coached the Falcons’ girls’ tennis team to No. 2 in the state finals. Daughter Natalie hit .317 as a regular for Foothills’ championship softball team.
No. 22 • Rich Alday
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Head coach Rich Alday works with one of his catchers during practice at Ironwood Ridge High School, Monday, May 5, 2014, Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
In his third season as Ironwood Ridge’s softball coach, the former championship baseball coach at Pima College and New Mexico piloted the Nighthawks to a second state championship in three years, finishing 33-4.
No. 23 • Kalei Mau
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Arizona volleyball player Kalei Mau drives the ball during practice at Richard Jefferson Gymnasium in Tucson, Ariz., on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. The Wildcats have advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the eighth time in program history. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Despite shoulder and back injuries, Arizona’s senior outside hitter was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection after averaging 4.1 kills per set, second-best in the league.
No. 24 • Danielle O'Toole
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Arizona starting pitcher Danielle O'Toole (3) throws to a Tennessee batter during their NCAA Regional game Saturday, May 21, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Arizona won 4-0 to advance to the final round. Photo by Wade Payne / www.thepurplelens.com
Arizona’s junior lefty went 26-12, leading the Pac-12 in victories and finishing third in ERA, 2.17, and was a first-team all-conference pick.
No. 25 • Alex Bowman
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Alex Bowman points to the pole award sticker on his car after winning the pole for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway, Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Starting 10 times in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, mostly as a replacement for injured Dale Earnhardt Jr., the 23-year-old Ironwood Ridge High grad had a season’s best sixth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in November, after he won the pole position.
No. 26 • Turner Washington
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Canyon del Oro's Turner Washington throws the discus during practice at the school on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. The defending Division ll state champion already surpassed 200 feet twice this season and is closing in on the state record. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
After winning the state title as a sophomore, the CDO discus thrower broke the state Class 4A record (set in 1993) with a distance of 202 feet as a junior. He then finished second in the North Carolina New Balance national championships before signing to compete for Arizona.
No. 27 • Heather Moore-Martin
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Salpointe's head coach Heather Moore-Martin wonders what the game official saw after a line call went against her Lancers in the third game of their match against Sahuaro at Salpointe Catholic High School, Wednesday Sept. 30, 2015, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Needing to win the season’s final seven matches to win the state volleyball championship, Moore-Martin’s Salpointe Catholic team did just that, finishing 33-8 to capture the first state volleyball title for a Tucson girls team in more than 20 years.
No. 28 • Matt Brase
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Matt Brase. Photo courtesy of Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Only 34, Brase coached the NBA D-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers to a 29-21 record, fifth best in the league, and to the playoffs. The former Catalina Foothills, Central Arizona College and UA basketball player is in his sixth year in the Houston Rockets system.
No. 29 • Danny Vega
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Ironwood Ridge's Danny Vega defeated Ray Ramirez of Mesa Red Mountain for the 113-pound Arizona Interscholastic Association championship at the Prescott Valley Event Center on Feb. 12, 2016.
As a senior at Ironwood Ridge, Vega won his third state wrestling championship, completing his career with 116 consecutive victories and a 181-3 career record. He is now at Iowa State.
No. 30 • Jay Campos
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Sabino head coach Jay Campos calls out direction from the sideline during the first quarter of the Sabino vs. Queen Creek American Leadership Academy 3A state high school championship football game at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Sabino’s football coach went 12-2 and reached the state championship game for the fourth time, boosting his career victory total to 133, the sixth-highest total in Tucson prep football history.
No. 31 • Sage Watson
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Canada's Sage Watson, left, competes in a women's 400-meter hurdles semifinal during the athletics competitions of the 2016 Summer Olympics at the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Now a senior at Arizona, Watson reached the semifinals in the 400 hurdles at the Rio Olympics for her native Canada. She also helped Canada finish fourth overall in the 4x400 relay. She was third in the NCAAs in the 400 hurdles finals.
No. 32 • Sherri Cervi and Cory Petska
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Left photo: Cory Petska competes in the team roping event during the final night of the National Finals Rodeo, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Right photo: Barrel racer Sherry Cervi, from Marana, makes the second turn while on her run during the 90th La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo on the final day of competition on Sunday, March 1, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
The married rodeo couple from Marana had a banner year with both qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo. In 2016, Cervi was No. 4 in the world in barrel racing with $248,000 and Petska was No. 8 among tie-down roping heelers with $190,000.
No. 33 • Andy Trouard
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NAU's Andy Trouard, left. Photo courtesy of NAU athletics
A junior at NAU, the Salpointe Catholic grad was a valuable part of the Lumberjacks’ compelling NCAA cross country championship team, finishing 37th overall and fifth in the Big Sky finals. He was also 19th in the NCAA 1,500-meter finals in June after winning the Big Sky championship.
No. 34 • Jeremy Timpf
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Army linebacker Jeremy Timpf. Photo courtesy of Army athletics
Army’s defensive football co-captain, a senior from Sabino, is first among all Cadets with 97 tackles, giving him 306 for his career.
No. 35 • Chris Rastatter
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Referee Chris Rastatter ignores the rant of San Diego State coach Steve Fisher during the first half of a NCAA basketball game won by New Mexico 77-67 on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
For the first time, the Rincon High grad officiated the Pac-12 basketball tournament championship game. Rastatter then worked his seventh consecutive NCAA tournament, reaching the Elite Eight, working the Kansas-Villanova game.
No. 36 • Dave Cosgrove
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Dave Cosgrove. Photo courtesy of Pima athletics
Pima College’s Hall of Fame men’s soccer coach guided the Aztecs to a third consecutive region tournament championship, 18-3-1 overall.
No. 37 • Brielle Sterns
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Tucson Sahuaro's Brielle Sterns clears the final hurdle en-route to victory in the girls Division II 100-meter hurdles during the state track and field championships at Mesa Community College in Mesa on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Ralph Freso / for the Arizona Daily Star
At the state track meet, the Sahuaro junior won the 100 hurdles, finished second in the long jump at 18-4¾, and was fourth in the 400 hurdles. In the volleyball season, she was an all-state caliber player for the 25-3 Cougars.
No. 38 • Donny Sands
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Salpointe shortstop Donny Sands (13) waits for Sunnyside's Joseph Molina (4) to get to the bag to pick him off after he broke too soon on two-out full count in the second inning of their DII state playoff game at Hi Corbett Field, Thursday, May 14, 2015, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Drafted in the eighth round, 2015, as a third baseman out of Salpointe Catholic, Sands was turned into a catcher this year by the New York Yankees. He hit .286 in three Rookie League assignments and was named one of the Yankees’ Top 30 prospects by MLB.com.
No. 39 • Julian Gaona
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Tucson High's Julian Gaona (11), right, tracks the ball while a Flowing Wells defender watches in the first half during a game at Flowing Wells High School on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014. Photo by Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
In the winter, Gaona scored 33 goals for Tucson High’s state playoff team. In the fall, he scored 15 goals for Pima College’s region tournament-winning club.
No. 40 • Gavin Cohen
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Catalina Foothills sophomore golfer Gavin Cohen chips his third onto the green during a practice round at Ventana Canyon on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
The senior golfer at Catalina Foothills, who has signed to play at Arizona, participated in a double triumph: He shot 71-71 to win the individual state championship, helping his team, the Falcons, capture the state title.
No. 41 • Dave Rubio
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Arizona head coach Dave Rubio talks to his players during a timeout in the second set against Arizona State at McKale Center, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Celebrating his 25th season as Arizona’s volleyball coach, Rubio led the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 — the eighth in his UA years — and produced an unprecedented 4-0 sweep of UCLA and USC.
No. 42 • Katiyana Mauga
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Arizona outfielder Katiyana Mauga (34) races for first base against Houston at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, April 9, 2016. Photo by Alex McIntyre / for the Arizona Daily Star
Arizona’s cleanup hitter tied for the Pac-12 lead with 21 home runs, was second with 62 RBIs and was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
No. 43 • John Gleeson
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John Gleeson takes care of the newly dedicated Pima County Sports Hall of Fame exhibit hall in August 1999. Sergey Shayevich / Arizona Daily Star
As a baseball coach, Gleeson coached a state championship baseball teams at Flowing Wells but his work as the executive director at the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame has been exemplary. Gleeson retired after the Class of 2016 was inducted.
No. 44 • Susie Meyers
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Tucson’s most accomplished golf instructor was named to Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Teachers in America’’ as the lead instructor at Ventana Canyon.
No. 45 • Ben Kanute
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In this July 16, 2016 picture Ben Kanute, USA, competes in Hamburg, Germany, during the World Triathlon Series. (Lukas Schulze/dpa via AP)
The UA grad made the USA Olympic team in the triathlon after a taxing six-month series of qualifying events. He finished 29th in the Rio Olympics.
No. 46 • McKenna and Madison Witt
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Left photo: Arizona's Madison Witt practices with the team on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. Right photo: Arizona's McKenna Witt dives for a ball during practice on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. Photos by A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona’s junior beach volleyball standouts, twins, opened the season 17-0 and finished 26-4, second in the Pac-12 championships. Both were named first-team AVCA All-Americans.
No. 47 • Jeff Cotton
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Mountain View receiver Jeff Cotton (11) hauls in a pass in front of Cienega's Tre Stewart Ruiz during the fourth quarter of the Cienega vs. Mountain View high school football game on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, at Cienega High School in Vail, Ariz. Cienega won 27-24. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
In his first season at Pima College, the Mountain View High grad led the Western States Football League with an average of 93 receiving yards per game and 19.5 yards per catch. He was a first-team All-WSFL choice.
No. 48 • Yash Parikh
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Salpointe Catholic's Yash Parikh hits a backhand return during the Division II boys singles final against Thunderbird's Carlos Hassey at the Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale on Saturday, April 30, 2016. Ralph Freso / for the Arizona Daily Star
Arizona’s boys tennis player of the year won his second state singles championship (he also won in 2014 at Salpointe Catholic) and is rated as a four-star prospect by TennisRecruiting.com.
No. 49 • Tyler Fallwell
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Tyler Fallwell signed with the Kansas City Royals following a stellar season at Cochise College. Photo courtesy of Cochise College athletics
Striking out 103 batters in 84 innings at Cochise College, the ex-Palo Verde state championship pitcher was a third-team NJCAA All-American. The Kansas City Royals drafted him in the 19th round.
No. 50 • Edgar Soto
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University of Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne listens to Pima Community College athletic director Edgar Soto as the two discuss the working relationship between the two schools in Byrne's office at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Monday, Aug. 23, 2010. Photo by Greg Bryan / Arizona Daily Star
In perhaps the greatest year of sports in Pima College’s 45-year history, Soto, the athletic director, guided the Aztecs to No. 5 in the NJCAA rankings that determine the nation’s top overall JC athletic department.
No. 51 • Andy Litten
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Marana head coach Andy Litten hollers at his team during Sabino's 35-28 win over Marana at Marana High School on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. Photo by Rebecca Noble / for the Arizona Daily Star
One of the most impressive program-builders in Southern Arizona sports, Litten coached long-struggling Marana to a 9-3 record and its first playoff football victory in 22 years.
No. 52 • Rafael Quintero
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Puerto Rico's Rafael Quintero competes during the men's 10-meter platform diving semifinal in the Maria Lenk Aquatic Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
The Pac-12’s men’s Diver of the Year finished second in the NCAA platform and 1-meter events for Arizona, then finished seventh in the Rio Olympics 10-meter diving competition for his native Puerto Rico.
No. 53 • Ali Farhang and Mike Feder
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Ali Farhang, chairman of the Arizona Bowl Committee, talks with organizing committee member Mike Feder, right, before an event logistics meeting on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Farhang, the founder of the Arizona Bowl, and Feder, a first-year executive director, led a push that resulted in getting the 9-3 Air Force Falcons for the 2016 game, after the bowl’s first year returned more than $90,000 to Tucson youth charities.
No. 54 • Courtney Brown
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Pima Community College softball player Courtney Brown. Photo courtesy of Pima athletics
As Pima College went 33-14 in softball, Brown, a Flowing Wells grad, hit a team-high .466 with 72 RBIs to make the All-ACCAC first team.
No. 55 • Brendan Rumel
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Portland State basketball player Brendan Rumel. Photo courtesy of Portland State athletics
Before joining Portland State’s basketball team, the Rincon/University grad averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.6 blocks for the Rangers.
No. 56 • Alex Robles
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Tucson High School alum and current Austin Peay State University player Alex Robles, right, looks to turn the double play as he forces out the Red Raiders' Brandon Hyatt (20) at second during Post 7 Tucson's game in the Kino Baseball League on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz. Robles is a pitcher and infielder for the Austin Peay Governors in Clarksville, Tennessee. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
At Austin Peay, the former Tucson High shortstop-pitcher was an All-Ohio Valley second-team choice by hitting .317 and going 10-6 as a pitcher.
No. 57 • Tim Berrier
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Ironwood Ridge High School wrestling coach Tim Berrier in 2004. Photo by Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
In his final season as Ironwood Ridge’s wrestling coach, Berrier produced his fourth state championship, beating runner-up Sunnyside by 28 points.
No. 58 • Pau Tonnesen
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Spain's Pau Tonnesen makes an attempt in the long jump of the decathlon during the athletics competitions of the 2016 Summer Olympics at the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
After winning the Pac-12 title in the decathlon and finishing fourth in the NCAA, the Arizona senior placed 17th in the Rio Olympics, representing Spain.
No. 59 • Corben Sharrah
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Corben Sharrah of the United States competes in the men's seeding run at the Olympic BMX Center during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
The Amphitheater High grad made the USA Olympic team in BMX and finished ninth in the Rio Olympics.
No. 60 • Luis Gonzalez
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New Mexico baseball player Luis Gonzalez. Photo courtesy of New Mexico athletics
The Catalina Foothills grad, a sophomore outfielder, hit .381 for New Mexico and was an all-conference player as the Lobos reached the NCAA tournament.
No. 61 • Jim Fogltance and Cleo Robinson
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Referee Jim Fogltance, right, tells UA Head coach Dick Tomey that Washington State has made a first down in their game which the UA lost in overtime 35-34 in Pullman, Wash. Photo by David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
After their on-field football officiating careers in the Pac-12 ended, Fogltance and Robinson became TV replays officials. They advanced through the league’s merit system to work the Colorado-Washington league championship game.
No. 62 • Bobby Dalbec
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Arizona third baseman Bobby Dalbec (3) snares a screaming grounder by Oklahoma State's Collin Theroux (16) to get the second out of the eighth inning in their College World Series game at TD Ameritrade Park, Friday, June 24, 2016, Omaha, Neb. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
In Arizona’s run to the CWS finals, Dalbec, a third baseman, had seven home runs. He also went 11-6 as a big-game pitcher with seven saves.
No. 63 • David Rauer
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Pima Community College golfer David Rauer. Photo courtesy of Pima athletics
Not only did Rauer, a Cienega grad, win the ACCAC men’s golf championship by 10 strokes, leading Pima College to the region title, he then was named to the NJCAA All-American first team.
No. 64 • Pat Nugent
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Cienega head coach Pat Nugent congratulates his players after a score during the first half of the No. 9 Gilbert Mesquite Wildcats vs. No. 1 Cienega Bobcats 5A state quarterfinal high school playoff football game on Nov. 10, 2016, in Vail, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rebuilding a Cienega High football program that had gone 4-6 a year earlier, Nugent, who has coached at Pima College, Flowing Wells and CDO, led the Bobcats to a 12-2 record and the state semifinals.
No. 65 • Jaide Stepter
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USC hurdler Jaide Stepter smiles and poses for a photo. Photo courtesy of USC athletics
The Salpointe grad won her third consecutive Pac-12 championship in the 400 hurdles and was sixth in the NCAA finals for USC.
No. 66 • Kevin Cordes
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United States' Kevin Cordes competes in a heat of the men's 200-meter breaststroke during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
A seven-time NCAA championship swimmer at Arizona, Cordes won a gold medal for Team USA at the Rio Olympics by taking part in the medley relay. He finished fourth in the 100 breast stroke.
No. 67 • Kellen Marruffo and Andre Jackson
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Utah baseball players Andre Jackson, left, and Kellen Marruffo, right. Photo courtesy of Utah athletics
Two starters for Utah’s Pac-12 championship baseball team: Marruffo, from Sabino, hit .314 as a designated hitter; Jackson, an outfielder-pitcher from Cienega, hit .299 in multiple roles.
No. 68 • Tim Derksen
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Tim Derksen drives in a Nov. 2015 game against UC Riverside. Derksen scored the game-winning basket with 3.7 seconds left, leading the Dons to a 58-57 win. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Trapp/USF
In the winter, the Amphi grad completed his University of San Francisco career with 1,437 points, then signed with Marin of Spain in the EuroLeague. He leads the club with a 19.2 scoring average.
No. 69 • Drew Dixon
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Sabino's Drew Dixon (1) manages to dive into the end zone after his catch and run against Winslow at Sabino High School, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
One of the top all-around athletes in Tucson football history, Sabino’s quarterback/receiver/defensive back accounted for 1,177 passing yards, 901 rushing yards and 564 receiving yards as the Sabercats reached the Class 3A state championship game.
No. 70 • Mattie Fowler
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Nebraska first baseman Mattie Fowler, right, runs for first after getting a hit during their Super Regional softball game in Eugene on Saturday, May 25, 2013. (Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard)
Nebraska’s senior first baseman from CDO hit .347, did not commit an error in 53 games and was named All-Big Ten second team for an NCAA tournament club.
No. 71 • Alyssa Thompson
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Arizona track and field athlete Alyssa Thompson. Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics
As a junior from Salpointe Catholic, Thompson finished second in the Pac-12 heptathlon championships and was 14th in the NCAA finals.
No. 72 • Nico Montanez
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BYU cross-country runner Nico Montanez. Photo courtesy of BYU athletics
As a senior at BYU, the St. Augustine grad finished ninth in the NCAA cross country championships and sixth in the West Coast Conference.
No. 73 • Mike Crawford
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Utah baseball coach Mike Crawford. Photo courtesy of Utah athletics
In his eighth season as Utah’s pitching coach, Crawford, a Salpointe Catholic and UA grad, pushed all the right buttons in 2016. The Utes won the Pac-12 championship and reached the NCAA tournament.
No. 74 • Denesia Smith
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Pima Community College's Denesia Smith, top, and Syndi Stallworth combine to strip Gillette College's Brittany Richards of the ball in the first quarter of their game at the Native American Classic being held at Pima Community College, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
As Pima College finished third in the NJCAA women’s basketball championships, Smith, a Cienega grad, averaged 11.5 points per game.
No. 75 • Mike Urbanski
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Mike Urbanski leads a weekly run on Tohono Chul Park's Desert View Trail on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012 in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Fifty years ago, he was a standout distance runner at Salpointe Catholic; this year, Urbanski coached his girls cross country team, with only two senior starters, to the state championship.
No. 76 • Nic Conway
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Catalina Foothills High School softball player Nic Conway. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
In only her sophomore season at Catalina Foothills, Conway went 23-6 and struck out 302 in 198 innings with a 1.06 ERA, leading the Falcons to the state softball championship.
No. 77 • Gabi Stoian
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Arizona Wildcats soccer player Gabi Stoian, right, dribbles through traffic. Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics
Arizona’s leading soccer player scored six goals and was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection.
No. 78 • Brooks Reed
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Atlanta Falcons defensive end Brooks Reed (50) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Knile Davis (30) during the first of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Part of the defensive front rotation for the Atlanta Falcons, the defensive end from Sabino and the UA had 19 tackles in the first 12 games.
No. 79 • Rhett Rodriguez
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Catalina Foothills quarterback Rhett Rodriguez (4) takes off out of the pocket during the first quarter of the Catalina Foothills vs. Scottsdale Saguaro Class 4A state high school championship football game at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Nov. 26, 2016. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Pushing Catalina Foothills to the state 4A championship game, Rodriguez , a senior quarterback, passed for 2,886 yards and 30 touchdowns.
No. 80 • Kayla Bonstrom
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Stanford softball player Kayla Bonstrom. Photo courtesy of Stanford athletics
In her final season at Stanford, the CDO grad hit .308 and was chosen as a third-team All-Pac-12 first baseman.
No. 81 • Daniel Gonzales
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Notre Dame tight end Nic Weishar (82) is brought down by Navy linebacker Daniel Gonzales (58) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes)
Navy’s defensive football captain made 23 tackles before being injured (foot) in October, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. The Cienega grad, a three-year starter, was second in tackles for the Midshipmen and has been commissioned a second lieutenant to the Marines.
No. 82 • Bryce Cotton
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Utah Jazz guard Bryce Cotton (8) dunks the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 13, 2015, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 109-92. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
After playing for the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies in 2015-16, the Palo Verde grad played in the Chinese pro league before signing for 2016-17 with Anadolu Efes of Turkey in the EuroLeague, where he averages 10.4 points.
No. 83 • Desiree Hong
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Pima Community College golfer Desiree Hong. Photo courtesy of Pima athletics
The ACCAC’s women’s golf Player of the Year as a freshman at Pima College. The Sahuaro grad then finished 17th in the NJCAA finals as the Aztecs were 11th overall.
No. 84 • Jamarye Joiner
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Cienega quarterback Jamarye Joiner (11) looks to make a cut back during the second quarter of the No. 9 Gilbert Mesquite Wildcats vs. No. 1 Cienega Bobcats 5A state quarterfinal high school playoff football game on Nov. 10, 2016, in Vail, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
In his first season as Cienega's starting QB, Joiner passed for 1,713 yards and rushed for 762 to lead the Bobcats to a 12-1 record and the state semifinals. He accounted for 30 touchdowns.
No. 85 • Jacob Inclan
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Sunnyside's Jacob Inclan poses for a double-exposure photo on Thursday, March 30, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Photo-illustration by Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Averaging a double-double at Sunnyside, 19 points and 11 rebounds a game, Inclan led the Blue Devils to a 23-6 record and the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. He then registered five consecutive double-doubles for South Mountain Community College.
No. 86 • Misa Malkin
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AP Photo/Ron Harris
Still in the eighth grade, Malkin has made a mark on the USTA junior circuit, winning seven age-group championships this year.
No. 87 • Hector Banegas
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Pima Community College soccer player Hector Banegas. Photo courtesy of Pima athletics
Making the NSCAA All-America first team, Banegas, a sophomore from Rincon/University, scored a team-high 17 goals for the region tournament champ Pima College men’s soccer team.
No. 88 • Gabe York
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Arizona Wildcats guard Gabe York (1) raises his hand in victory after the Wildcats beat USC 86-78 at McKale Center on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Arizona won 86-80. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
He scored 511 points, most for any Arizona basketball player in 2015-16, and then was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection. York now plays for the Erie BayHawks of the NBA D-League.
No. 89 • Jamee Swan
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Colorado basketball player Jamee Swan. Photo courtesy of Colorado athletics
In her final year at Colorado, the Marana High grad averaged 13.5 points and seven rebounds, boosting her career scoring total to 1,245 points. She then signed to play for a Luxembourg EuroLeague team.
No. 90 • Ryan Ramsower
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Pima Community College baseball player Ryan Ramsower. Photo courtesy of Pima athletics
Pima College’s All-ACCAC third baseman, a Salpointe Catholic grad, hit a team-high .361 and accepted a scholarship to play at Washington State.
No. 91 • Alex Courtemanche
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Desert View running back Alex Courtemanche (34) gets past Sunnyside's Eddie Daniel (22) in the second half.
In Desert View’s revival as a football power, the senior tailback gained 1,981 yards and scored 29 touchdowns. His 198-yard per game average was No. 1 in the state.
No. 92 • Madison Mariani
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AP Photo/Matthias Schrader
A sophomore gymnast at Sabino, Mariani won five all-around championships in 2016 and was 12th in all-around competition at the U.S. Junior Olympics. She was invited to join the USA Olympic team’s tour on a stop in Phoenix.
No. 93 • Isabel Pacho
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Ironwood Ridge's Isabel Pacho hits a deep fly ball to right field against Cactus during the third inning of their Division II state softball semifinal game at Rose Mofford in Phoenix on Thursday, May 12, 2016. Pacho had a solo homer which helped spark the Nighthawks to a 5-2 victory and a berth in the title game. Ralph Freso / for the Arizona Daily Star
As Ironwood Ridge won the state softball title, Pacho, a sophomore third baseman, led the team in batting average (.458), home runs (9) and RBIs (59).
No. 94 • Shakir Smith
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Adams State basketball player Shakir Smith. Photo courtesy of Adams State athletics
A former basketball standout at Tucson High and Pima College, Smith averaged 20.8 points for Adams State, was an All-RMAC first-team selection and is averaging 15.4 points for the Akademik Bulteks of Bulgaria’s EuroLeague.
No. 95 • Nnenya Hailey
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Arizona hurdler Nnenya Hailey, center, competes in a meet. Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics
Although injuries scuttled her chance to make the Olympic team, Hailey finished second in the Pac-12 in the 100 hurdles and third in the 400 hurdles.
No. 96 • Ismael Galindo
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Fourth-year coach Ismael Galindo works with freshman guard Alejandra Cordova on shot form during girls basketball practice at Pueblo High School in Tucson, Ariz., Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
In his fourth season as Pueblo High’s girls basketball coach, Galindo guided the Warriors to a 25-5 season and the quarterfinals of the state tournament. Three years earlier, the Warriors went 4-18.
No. 97 • Mario Padilla
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Salpointe Catholic running back Mario Padilla (7) eludes Canyon del Oro's Zachary Bohnenkamp (22) during the first quarter of the Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic high school football Class 4A playoff game at Salpointe Catholic High School on Nov. 4, 2016, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
One of the leading sophomore football players in Arizona, Padilla, a running back, gained 1,427 yards for Salpointe Catholic, scoring 18 touchdowns, and gaining 212 yards in a state quarterfinal game against Tempe Marcos de Niza.
No. 98 • Robin Landrith
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Baylor catcher Robin Landrith. Photo courtesy of Baylor athletics
In her final home game after four years as Baylor’s starting catcher, Landrith, an Ironwood Ridge grad, hit a walk-off home run and caught a no-hitter. She helped Baylor win 45 games and reach the NCAA regionals.
No. 99 • Levi Wallace
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Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway (36) is tackled by Alabama defensive back Levi Wallace (39) as he carries the ball during the second half of the Iron Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
After the Tucson High defensive back earned a place on No. 1 Alabama’s football roster, he was awarded with a scholarship. Wallace has 11 tackles for the Crimson Tide as a nickel back and special teams player.
No. 100 • Lester Medford
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Baylor guard Lester Medford (11) looks to pass after being fouled by Texas guard Kerwin Roach Jr. (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 conference tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
In 34 starts for Baylor’s 22-win, NCAA tournament team, the Amphitheater High grad averaged 8.9 points and 6.5 assists as the Bears’ starting point guard. He is averaging 18 points for Falco KC in Hungary’s EuroLeague.
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