Spring sports have arrived, so itโs time for me to break out my bat and take a few swings. Here are my 10 predictions for how high school sports will shake out over the next few months:
1. Schadler will break more records, win more medals
Rio Rico junior Allie Schadler captured her third straight cross-country state title in the fall. Now sheโll head back to the track, where she won both the girls Division III 800- and 1,600-meter championships a year ago.
2. CDOโs softball team will win a state championship
Anyone who saw what CDO did at last weekโs Dorado Classic knows this is a legitimate possibility. Coach Kelly Fowler is in her second season back with the team and returns plenty from last yearโs state tournament squad, including sophomore Ellessa Bonstrom and a loaded pitching staff anchored by senior Randi Longville.
3. Lee, Parikh will face off for the singles state title
Catalina Foothillsโ Mike Lee and Salpointe Catholicโs Yash Parikh have both won individual state titles over the last three seasons, so it would be fitting for the two seniors to face off for the singles state crown in May. This prediction could fall through if Lee opts to instead play doubles with his freshman brother, Mason. Mark your calendars for April 14, when Foothills and Salpointe face off at Tucson Racquet & Fitness Club.
4. Peterson will be the cityโs top baseball player
Canyon del Oro senior Tristan Peterson is one of three returning starters from last yearโs state championship team. The 6-foot-1-inch, 215-pound Kansas State signee could be Tucsonโs top player. Peterson will primarily play catcher but will also likely see time in the outfield, coach Keith Francis said.
5. Tucson will have a boys volleyball state champ
Tucson hasnโt had a boys volleyball state champion in four seasons, thanks to one state-wide division in that span. Now with things split into two divisions once again, there should be a local winner. Perhaps Heather Moore-Martin can coach Salpointe Catholic to its first title. She led Catalina to championships in 2010 and 2011.
6. Foothills girls tennis will be back in the state finals
Longtime coach Kristie Stevens has seen her team win 13 state titles over the last 16 seasons. Foothills finished as the state runner-up in 2015 and was playing in the finals for the seventh straight year. You can expect to see the senior Morgan Chakraborty and the Falcons playing well into May once again.
7. Sahuaroโs Sterns will be a triple state champion
Sahuaro junior Brielle Sterns almost won three state titles last May before finishing fourth in the 300-meter hurdles. Sterns, who recently gave a verbal commitment to New Mexico State, repeated as the 100 hurdles state champ in 14.35 seconds and won the long jump with a mark of 18 feet 2 inches in 2015.
8. Tucson High will make a deep postseason run
Oscar Romero lost plenty from last year, when his team finished as the Division II state runner-up, but the Badgers return left-handed pitcher Jose Contreras and shortstop Alex Kelch. Contreras, a senior, finished 8-1 with a 3.27 ERA while Kelch batted .347 with 14 RBIs, eight doubles, three triples and a home run as a freshman in 2015.
9. Summerset will capture high jump state title
Mountain View senior Justice Summerset was the boys Division I high jump state runner-up as a freshman in 2013. He was fifth in Division II a year later and then finished in a tie for second as a junior. Summerset can go out on a high note this spring by winning his first state title. He cleared 6 feet 9 inches in his first meet on Wednesday.
10. Salpointe will get back to the state final
Salpointe Catholic lost to Cienega in the Division II state championship game last May, and could return this year. Sophomore outfielder Yannira Acuna led the Lancers with 52 hits last year and senior captain Brianna Aguilar-Beaucage struck out 10 in a season-opening win on Tuesday. Be sure to catch the state championship preview on April 14 when Salpointe travels to play at CDO.
