Pac-12's All-Century teams feature 43 greatest Arizona Wildcats ever
- Updated
Here's a look at every ex-Wildcat who has been selected to one of the Pac-12's All-Century teams.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Pac-12 All-Century teams feature best Cats in UA history
Throughout the last nine months, the Pac-12 Conference has been revealing its All-Century teams for each collegiate sport to commemorate the conference's 100th anniversary.
Every All-Century team has been announced thus far except for men's and women's track and field, which is scheduled to be announced on May 23.
There are 39 former Arizona Wildcats who have been named to the various All-Century teams, which accounts for 11.3 percent of the total number of former student-athletes (346) in the sports the UA plays. (Note: Some sports such as men's and women's rowing do not exist at UA).
Three ex-Wildcat athletes and one current coach received even higher honors. They are: Amy Skieresz-Wilson, Women's Cross Country Runner of the Century; Michele Mitchell, Women's Diver of the Century; and Annika Sorenstam, Women's Golfer of the Century. Mike Candrea, the UA's longtime softball coach, was named the Softball Coach of the Century.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Breakdown of each sport
Below is a breakdown of how many total athletes from Pac-12 schools were named to each team, and how many of them are former Wildcats.
Baseball: 31 total, two ex-Wildcats
Men's basketball: 21 total, two ex-Wildcats
Women's basketball: 21 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Men's cross country: 13 total, two ex-Wildcats
Women's cross country: 13 total, two ex-Wildcats
Football: 51 total, five ex-Wildcats
Men's golf: 13 total, two ex-Wildcats
Women's golf: 13 total, three ex-Wildcats
Men's gymnastics: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's gymnastics: 17 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Men's rowing: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's rowing: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Softball: 31 total, 11 ex-Wildcats, one coach
Men's soccer: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's soccer: 25 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Men's swimming and diving: 27 total, three ex-Wildcats
Women's swimming and diving: 27 total, five ex-Wildcats
Men's tennis: 13 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Women's tennis: 13 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Men's track and field: Announced May 23
Women's track and field: Announced May 23
Men's volleyball: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's volleyball: 17 total, one ex-Wildcat
Men's water polo: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's water polo: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Wrestling: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Here's a look at the 39 ex-Wildcats who were selected for the various All-Century teams.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Pac-12 Softball Coach of the Century: Mike Candrea
Years at UA: 1985-present
Notable achievement: Candrea has won eight national championships (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2007) during his time at the helm of the Arizona softball program.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Pac-12 Women's Cross Country Runner of the Century: Amy Skieresz-Wilson
Years at UA: 1995-99
Notable achievement: Skieresz-Wilson won four Pac-10 cross country individual titles and was the individual NCAA national cross country champion in 1996. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Pac-12 Women's Diver of the Century: Michele Mitchell
Years at UA: 1979-82
Notable achievement: Mitchell, a four-time All-American, is the most decorated diver in UA history. She was also inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1995. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Pac-12 Women's Golfer of the Century: Annika Sorenstam
Years at UA: 1991-92
Notable achievement: In 1991, Sorenstam became the first freshman to ever win the NCAA Division I championship. She was also named the NCAA Co-Player of the Year in 1991. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Baseball: Chip Hale
Position: Third base
Years at UA: 1984-87
Notable achievement: Hale led Arizona to a College World Series championship in 1986 while batting .345. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Baseball: Terry Francona
Position: Outfield
Years at UA: 1978-80
Notable achievement: Francona led Arizona to a College World Series championship in 1980 and was named the CWS Most Outstanding Player that year. He also won the Golden Spikes Award in 1980. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Men's basketball: Damon Stoudamire
Position: Guard
Years at UA: 1991-95
Notable achievement: As a junior in 1994, Stoudamire led the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance. As a senior in 1995, Stoudamire was named a consensus first-team All-American and was the Pac-10 Co-Player of the Year. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Men's basketball: Sean Elliott
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 1985-89
Notable achievement: As a junior in 1988, Elliott led the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance. During his time at UA, Elliott was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, was a two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year (1988, 1989) and a two-time consensus first-team All-American (1988, 1989). He was also the AP Player of the Year in 1989 and won the Wooden Award that year as well.
Elliott holds the UA records for: most career points scored (2,555), most field goals made (892) and attempted (1,750) and most free throws made (623) and attempted (786). He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Men's cross country: Lawi Lalang
Years at UA: 2011-14
Notable achievement: Lalang was named the Pac-12 Male Athlete of the Year in 2011 and 2012 for his cross country achievements. He won the Pac-12 championship and NCAA championship in 2011. He also notched a Pac-12 title in 2012 and finished third in the NCAA championship that year.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Men's cross country: Martin Keino
Years at UA: 1991-95
Notable achievement: Keino, a five-time All-American and six-time Pac-10 champion, won the 1994 NCAA cross country championship. He was also the Pac-10 Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 1991 and 1994 and was the NCAA Athlete of the Year for cross country in 1994. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's cross country: Amy Skieresz-Wilson
Years at UA: 1995-99
Notable achievement: Skieresz-Wilson won seven individual national titles (six in track, one in cross country) during her time at Arizona. She ran in 26 cross country races between 1995-99, and her “worst” finish was second place. She also won the Pac-10 cross country individual title all four years she competed in college. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's cross country: Tara Chaplin
Years at UA: 1998-2002
Notable achievement: Chaplin, a two-time Pac-10 champion and six-time All-American, won the 2001 NCAA cross country championship. She was also the Pac-10 Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2001 and she's an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Football: Tedy Bruschi
Position: Defensive end
Years at UA: 1991-95
Notable achievement: In 1995, Bruschi was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous first-team All-American selection. He was a three-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection and a consensus first-team All-American in 1994. To this day, Bruschi still holds the UA record for most sacks in a single season (14.5 in 1995) and in a career (55.0). He's also a College Football Hall-of-Famer and an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Football: Rob Waldrop
Position: Defensive tackle
Years at UA: 1990-93
Notable achievement: Waldrop won the Outland Trophy in 1993, given to the nation's top interior lineman. He was the 1993 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American in 1992 and a unanimous first-team All-American in 1993. He's also a College Football Hall-of-Famer and an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Football: Ricky Hunley
Position: Linebacker
Years at UA: 1980-83
Notable achievement: Hunley, a consensus first-team All-American in 1982 and a unanimous first-team All-American in 1983, holds the UA records for most total tackles in a career (566), most solo tackles in a career (323) and most assisted tackles in a career (243). He was the 1983 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. He's also a College Football Hall-of-Famer and an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Football: Chris McAlister
Position: Cornerback
Years at UA: 1996-98
Notable achievement: McAlister, a third-team All-American in 1997 and a unanimous first-team All-American in 1998, won the Mosi Tatupu Special Teams Player of the Year Award in 1998. He was also a three-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Football: Antoine Cason
Position: Cornerback
Years at UA: 2004-07
Notable achievement: Cason, a second-team All-American in 2006 and a consensus first-team All-American in 2007, won the Jim Thorpe Award — given to the nation's top defensive back — in 2007. Cason was also a two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Men's golf: Jim Furyk
Years at UA: 1989-92
Notable achievement: Furyk, a two-time honorable mention All-American and two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection, had seven top-10 finishes as a senior. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Men's golf: Ricky Barnes
Years at UA: 2000-03
Notable achievement: Barnes, a three-time All-American and the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman of the Year in 2000, won the Pac-10 championship in 2001 and the NCAA West Regional championship in 2002. He also won the U.S. amateur championship in 2002. Barnes won the Ben Hogan Award — given to the nation's top golfer — in 2003 and was the Pac-10 Golfer of the Year that year as well. He was also a four-time All-Pac-10 selection and is an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's golf: Annika Sorenstam
Years at UA: 1991-92
Notable achievement: Sorenstam, a two-time first-team All-American and two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection, won the NCAA title in 1991 and was named the National Player of the Year that same year. She won seven individual titles during her time at UA and claimed the Pac-10 title in 1992. She was also the 1991 Pac-10 runner-up and the 1992 NCAA runner-up. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's golf: Lorena Ochoa
Years at UA: 2001-02
Notable achievement: Ochoa, a two-time first-team All-American and two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection, was the National Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002 and ranked No. 1 in those two years as well. She finished in the top two in eight of 10 tournaments as a freshman and set NCAA records with seven consecutive victories and a 70.73-stroke average as a sophomore. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's golf: Marisa Baena
Years at UA: 1995-98
Notable achievement: As a freshman during the 1996 season, Baena completed the college golf equivalent of the Triple Crown — she won the individual Pac-10 title, the individual title at Arizona's NCAA regional and the individual national title as well. She was named National Player of the Year in 1996 and again in 1997. She was a three-time first-team All-American and three-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Mike Candrea
Position: Coach
Years at UA: 1985-present
Notable achievement: Candrea is an eight-time national champion and holds the record for most career wins by any Division I coach.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Leah Braatz
Position: Catcher
Years at UA: 1994-95, 1997-98
Notable achievement: Braatz, a three-time national champion and a four-time first-team All-American, is tied for second in UA history with 85 career home runs. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Amy Chellevold
Position: First base
Years at UA: 1992-95
Notable achievement: Chellevold, a two-time national champion and a four-time All-American, holds the UA record for longest hitting streak with 30 games. She's also second in UA history with 371 career hits. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Jenny Dalton
Position: Second base
Years at UA: 1993-96
Notable achievement: Dalton, a three-time first-team All-American, holds the NCAA record with 328 career RBIs. She was also the national player of the year in 1996, the same year she won the Pac-10 Triple Crown with a .469 batting average, 25 home runs and 109 RBIs. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Laura Espinoza
Position: Shortstop
Years at UA: 1992-95
Notable achievement: Espinoza, a two-time national champion and three-time All-American, holds the NCAA record with most home runs (37) and RBIs (128) in a season. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Caitlin Lowe
Position: Outfield
Years at UA: 2004-07
Notable achievement: Lowe, a two-time national champion and four-time first-team All-American, holds the UA record with 156 career steals. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Leah O'Brien
Position: Outfield
Years at UA: 1993-95, 1997
Notable achievement: O'Brien is a three-time national champion and three-time first-team All-American. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Alison McCutcheon
Position: Outfield
Years at UA: 1995-98
Notable achievement: McCutcheon, a three-time first-team All-American, holds the UA records for best career batting average (.466) and most career triples (22). She also holds the NCAA records for most hits in a season (132) and most career hits (405). McCutcheon notched the most hits and runs scored in the country two years in a row (1997, 1998). She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Jennie Finch
Position: Pitcher
Years at UA: 1999-2002
Notable achievement: A two-time national player of the year (2001, 2002) and three-time first-team All-American, Finch holds the NCAA record for most consecutive wins with 60. She also won a national championship in 2001, when she was named the Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player. That year, Finch went 32-0, which is also an NCAA record. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Nancy Evans
Position: Pitcher
Years at UA: 1994-95, 1997-98
Notable achievement: Evans, a two-time first-team All-American, was the national player of the year in 1998 and holds the NCAA record for best career winning percentage (.940, 124-8). She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Susie Parra
Position: Pitcher
Years at UA: 1991-94
Notable achievement: Parra, a three-time national champion (1991, 1993, 1994) and three-time All-American, holds the UA record for lowest ERA in a season with 0.30. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Softball: Alicia Hollowell
Position: Pitcher
Years at UA: 2003-06
Notable achievement: Hollowell led the Wildcats to a national championship in 2006 when she was named the Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player. She also holds the UA record for most career strikeouts (1,768) and wins (144), and was a four-time All-American. Hollowell also tossed a perfect game in 2004 against Indiana. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Men's swimming and diving: Ryk Neethling
Position: Freestyle distance
Years at UA: 1996-2000
Notable achievement: Neethling won nine NCAA titles — all individual — and was a seven-time Pac-10 champion. He won the Pac-10 Athlete of the Year award four years in a row, was the 1998-99 NCAA Swimmer of the Year and was a 17-time first-team All-American and finished in the top-5 at the NCAA championships 15 times. Neethling finished in the top-8 of every race he competed in during his college career. He holds the UA record for the 1,650-yard freestyle. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Men's swimming and diving: Rick DeMont
Position: Freestyle distance
Years at UA: 1977-79
Notable achievement: DeMont began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, but transferred to Arizona to finish his career. During his time at UA, DeMont was an eight-time All-American. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Men's swimming and diving: Kevin Cordes
Position: Breaststroke
Years at UA: 2011-15
Notable achievement: Cordes, a 13-time All-American, is a seven-time NCAA individual champion and five-time Pac-12 champion. He's a two-time Pac-12 Athlete of the Year and two-time NCAA Swimmer of the Year (both in 2013 and 2014). He was also the Pac-12 Men's Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2015.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's swimming and diving: Amy Van Dyken
Position: Freestyle sprints
Years at UA: 1991-92
Notable achievement: Van Dyken spent two years at the UA before transferring to Colorado State. There, her career really took off: She broke a U.S. record at the 1994 NCAA championships, the same year she was selected as the NCAA Female Swimmer of the Year. She later went on to win six Olympic gold medals.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's swimming and diving: Amanda Beard
Position: Breaststroke
Years at UA: 1999-2001
Notable achievement: Beard, a six-time All-American, was the 2000 NCAA runner-up in the 200 breaststroke and won the 2001 NCAA individual title in the 200 breaststroke. She also notched a Pac-10 championship in the 200 breaststroke in 2000 and had eight top-5 finishes at NCAAs.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's swimming and diving: Crissy Ahmann
Position: Butterfly
Years at UA: 1988-92
Notable achievement: Ahmann, a 13-time All-American, was a two-time NCAA champion. During her career she also notched four Pac-10 championships and 10 top-5 finishes at NCAA championships. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's swimming and diving: Michele Mitchell
Position: Platform
Years at UA: 1979-83
Notable achievement: Mitchell, a four-time All-American, won nine national titles. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's swimming and diving: Samantha Pickens
Position: 1 meter
Years at UA: 2011-15
Notable achievement: Pickens is a two-time NCAA champion, one-time Pac-12 champion and two-time Pac-12 Diver of the Year.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's track and field: Amy Skieresz-Wilson
Event: 10,000 meters
Years at UA: 1995-99
Notable achievement: Skieresz-Wilson, a 10-time All-American, was the first woman in NCAA Division I history to win four NCAA titles in the same year (both cross country and track and field). In 1996-97, Skieresz-Wilson won NCAA championships in the 5,000-meter indoor race, the 5,000-meter outdoor race and the 10,000-meter outdoor race. She also claimed the NCAA titles in those same three races a season later in 1997-98. Skieresz-Wilson was named the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year in both 1997 and 1998. She's also an Arizona Hall of Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's track and field: Brigetta Barrett
Event: High jump
Years at UA: 2010-13
Notable achievement: Barrett, an eight-time All-American and four-time All-Pac-12 selection, holds the NCAA high-jump record. She won six NCAA championships and three Pac-12 championships during her career at Arizona. Barrett also competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and took home a silver medal with a jump of 2.03 meters (6.66 feet).
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's track and field: Tanya Hughes
Event: High jump
Years at UA: 1991-94
Notable achievement: Hughes, a seven-time All-American and four-time All-Pac-10 selection, is a three-time NCAA champion and two-time Pac-10 champion. She was named the Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 1992. Hughes was an Olympian in 1992. She's also an Arizona Hall of Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's track and field: Brianna Glenn
Event: Long jump
Years at UA: 1998-2002
Notable achievement: Glenn, a 13-time All-American and 10-time All-Pac-10 selection, was a three-time Pac-10 champion and a two-time NCAA champion (long jump and 200-meter race). She was named the Pac-10 Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 2001 and won the USA outdoor long jump championship in 2002. Glenn is also an Arizona Hall of Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's track and field: Meg Ritchie
Event: Shot put
Years at UA: 1979-83
Notable achievement: Ritchie, a 10-time All-American, won seven NCAA championships (shot put and discus). She was an Olympian in 1980 and 1984. She holds the UA school records for shot put and discus. Ritchie is also an Arizona Hall of Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Women's volleyball: Kim Glass
Position: Outside hitter
Years at UA: 2002-05
Notable achievement: Glass, a three-time All-American and four-time All-Pac-10 selection, was named the National Freshman of the Year and the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2002. She's the UA's all-time leader in career kills, single season kills, career kills per game, season kills per game, career and season 20-plus kill matches, career service aces. Glass is also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Pac-12 All-Century teams feature best Cats in UA history
Throughout the last nine months, the Pac-12 Conference has been revealing its All-Century teams for each collegiate sport to commemorate the conference's 100th anniversary.
Every All-Century team has been announced thus far except for men's and women's track and field, which is scheduled to be announced on May 23.
There are 39 former Arizona Wildcats who have been named to the various All-Century teams, which accounts for 11.3 percent of the total number of former student-athletes (346) in the sports the UA plays. (Note: Some sports such as men's and women's rowing do not exist at UA).
Three ex-Wildcat athletes and one current coach received even higher honors. They are: Amy Skieresz-Wilson, Women's Cross Country Runner of the Century; Michele Mitchell, Women's Diver of the Century; and Annika Sorenstam, Women's Golfer of the Century. Mike Candrea, the UA's longtime softball coach, was named the Softball Coach of the Century.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Breakdown of each sport
Below is a breakdown of how many total athletes from Pac-12 schools were named to each team, and how many of them are former Wildcats.
Baseball: 31 total, two ex-Wildcats
Men's basketball: 21 total, two ex-Wildcats
Women's basketball: 21 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Men's cross country: 13 total, two ex-Wildcats
Women's cross country: 13 total, two ex-Wildcats
Football: 51 total, five ex-Wildcats
Men's golf: 13 total, two ex-Wildcats
Women's golf: 13 total, three ex-Wildcats
Men's gymnastics: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's gymnastics: 17 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Men's rowing: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's rowing: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Softball: 31 total, 11 ex-Wildcats, one coach
Men's soccer: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's soccer: 25 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Men's swimming and diving: 27 total, three ex-Wildcats
Women's swimming and diving: 27 total, five ex-Wildcats
Men's tennis: 13 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Women's tennis: 13 total, zero ex-Wildcats
Men's track and field: Announced May 23
Women's track and field: Announced May 23
Men's volleyball: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's volleyball: 17 total, one ex-Wildcat
Men's water polo: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Women's water polo: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Wrestling: Not eligible (no team at UA)
Here's a look at the 39 ex-Wildcats who were selected for the various All-Century teams.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Pac-12 Softball Coach of the Century: Mike Candrea
Years at UA: 1985-present
Notable achievement: Candrea has won eight national championships (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2007) during his time at the helm of the Arizona softball program.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Pac-12 Women's Cross Country Runner of the Century: Amy Skieresz-Wilson
Years at UA: 1995-99
Notable achievement: Skieresz-Wilson won four Pac-10 cross country individual titles and was the individual NCAA national cross country champion in 1996. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Pac-12 Women's Diver of the Century: Michele Mitchell
Years at UA: 1979-82
Notable achievement: Mitchell, a four-time All-American, is the most decorated diver in UA history. She was also inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1995. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Pac-12 Women's Golfer of the Century: Annika Sorenstam
Years at UA: 1991-92
Notable achievement: In 1991, Sorenstam became the first freshman to ever win the NCAA Division I championship. She was also named the NCAA Co-Player of the Year in 1991. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Baseball: Chip Hale
Position: Third base
Years at UA: 1984-87
Notable achievement: Hale led Arizona to a College World Series championship in 1986 while batting .345. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Baseball: Terry Francona
Position: Outfield
Years at UA: 1978-80
Notable achievement: Francona led Arizona to a College World Series championship in 1980 and was named the CWS Most Outstanding Player that year. He also won the Golden Spikes Award in 1980. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Men's basketball: Damon Stoudamire
Position: Guard
Years at UA: 1991-95
Notable achievement: As a junior in 1994, Stoudamire led the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance. As a senior in 1995, Stoudamire was named a consensus first-team All-American and was the Pac-10 Co-Player of the Year. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Men's basketball: Sean Elliott
Position: Forward
Years at UA: 1985-89
Notable achievement: As a junior in 1988, Elliott led the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance. During his time at UA, Elliott was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, was a two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year (1988, 1989) and a two-time consensus first-team All-American (1988, 1989). He was also the AP Player of the Year in 1989 and won the Wooden Award that year as well.
Elliott holds the UA records for: most career points scored (2,555), most field goals made (892) and attempted (1,750) and most free throws made (623) and attempted (786). He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Men's cross country: Lawi Lalang
Years at UA: 2011-14
Notable achievement: Lalang was named the Pac-12 Male Athlete of the Year in 2011 and 2012 for his cross country achievements. He won the Pac-12 championship and NCAA championship in 2011. He also notched a Pac-12 title in 2012 and finished third in the NCAA championship that year.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Men's cross country: Martin Keino
Years at UA: 1991-95
Notable achievement: Keino, a five-time All-American and six-time Pac-10 champion, won the 1994 NCAA cross country championship. He was also the Pac-10 Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 1991 and 1994 and was the NCAA Athlete of the Year for cross country in 1994. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's cross country: Amy Skieresz-Wilson
Years at UA: 1995-99
Notable achievement: Skieresz-Wilson won seven individual national titles (six in track, one in cross country) during her time at Arizona. She ran in 26 cross country races between 1995-99, and her “worst” finish was second place. She also won the Pac-10 cross country individual title all four years she competed in college. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's cross country: Tara Chaplin
Years at UA: 1998-2002
Notable achievement: Chaplin, a two-time Pac-10 champion and six-time All-American, won the 2001 NCAA cross country championship. She was also the Pac-10 Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2001 and she's an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Football: Tedy Bruschi
Position: Defensive end
Years at UA: 1991-95
Notable achievement: In 1995, Bruschi was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous first-team All-American selection. He was a three-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection and a consensus first-team All-American in 1994. To this day, Bruschi still holds the UA record for most sacks in a single season (14.5 in 1995) and in a career (55.0). He's also a College Football Hall-of-Famer and an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Football: Rob Waldrop
Position: Defensive tackle
Years at UA: 1990-93
Notable achievement: Waldrop won the Outland Trophy in 1993, given to the nation's top interior lineman. He was the 1993 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American in 1992 and a unanimous first-team All-American in 1993. He's also a College Football Hall-of-Famer and an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Football: Ricky Hunley
Position: Linebacker
Years at UA: 1980-83
Notable achievement: Hunley, a consensus first-team All-American in 1982 and a unanimous first-team All-American in 1983, holds the UA records for most total tackles in a career (566), most solo tackles in a career (323) and most assisted tackles in a career (243). He was the 1983 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. He's also a College Football Hall-of-Famer and an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Football: Chris McAlister
Position: Cornerback
Years at UA: 1996-98
Notable achievement: McAlister, a third-team All-American in 1997 and a unanimous first-team All-American in 1998, won the Mosi Tatupu Special Teams Player of the Year Award in 1998. He was also a three-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Football: Antoine Cason
Position: Cornerback
Years at UA: 2004-07
Notable achievement: Cason, a second-team All-American in 2006 and a consensus first-team All-American in 2007, won the Jim Thorpe Award — given to the nation's top defensive back — in 2007. Cason was also a two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Men's golf: Jim Furyk
Years at UA: 1989-92
Notable achievement: Furyk, a two-time honorable mention All-American and two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection, had seven top-10 finishes as a senior. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Men's golf: Ricky Barnes
Years at UA: 2000-03
Notable achievement: Barnes, a three-time All-American and the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman of the Year in 2000, won the Pac-10 championship in 2001 and the NCAA West Regional championship in 2002. He also won the U.S. amateur championship in 2002. Barnes won the Ben Hogan Award — given to the nation's top golfer — in 2003 and was the Pac-10 Golfer of the Year that year as well. He was also a four-time All-Pac-10 selection and is an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's golf: Annika Sorenstam
Years at UA: 1991-92
Notable achievement: Sorenstam, a two-time first-team All-American and two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection, won the NCAA title in 1991 and was named the National Player of the Year that same year. She won seven individual titles during her time at UA and claimed the Pac-10 title in 1992. She was also the 1991 Pac-10 runner-up and the 1992 NCAA runner-up. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's golf: Lorena Ochoa
Years at UA: 2001-02
Notable achievement: Ochoa, a two-time first-team All-American and two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection, was the National Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002 and ranked No. 1 in those two years as well. She finished in the top two in eight of 10 tournaments as a freshman and set NCAA records with seven consecutive victories and a 70.73-stroke average as a sophomore. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's golf: Marisa Baena
Years at UA: 1995-98
Notable achievement: As a freshman during the 1996 season, Baena completed the college golf equivalent of the Triple Crown — she won the individual Pac-10 title, the individual title at Arizona's NCAA regional and the individual national title as well. She was named National Player of the Year in 1996 and again in 1997. She was a three-time first-team All-American and three-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Mike Candrea
Position: Coach
Years at UA: 1985-present
Notable achievement: Candrea is an eight-time national champion and holds the record for most career wins by any Division I coach.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Leah Braatz
Position: Catcher
Years at UA: 1994-95, 1997-98
Notable achievement: Braatz, a three-time national champion and a four-time first-team All-American, is tied for second in UA history with 85 career home runs. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Amy Chellevold
Position: First base
Years at UA: 1992-95
Notable achievement: Chellevold, a two-time national champion and a four-time All-American, holds the UA record for longest hitting streak with 30 games. She's also second in UA history with 371 career hits. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Jenny Dalton
Position: Second base
Years at UA: 1993-96
Notable achievement: Dalton, a three-time first-team All-American, holds the NCAA record with 328 career RBIs. She was also the national player of the year in 1996, the same year she won the Pac-10 Triple Crown with a .469 batting average, 25 home runs and 109 RBIs. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Laura Espinoza
Position: Shortstop
Years at UA: 1992-95
Notable achievement: Espinoza, a two-time national champion and three-time All-American, holds the NCAA record with most home runs (37) and RBIs (128) in a season. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Caitlin Lowe
Position: Outfield
Years at UA: 2004-07
Notable achievement: Lowe, a two-time national champion and four-time first-team All-American, holds the UA record with 156 career steals. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Leah O'Brien
Position: Outfield
Years at UA: 1993-95, 1997
Notable achievement: O'Brien is a three-time national champion and three-time first-team All-American. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Alison McCutcheon
Position: Outfield
Years at UA: 1995-98
Notable achievement: McCutcheon, a three-time first-team All-American, holds the UA records for best career batting average (.466) and most career triples (22). She also holds the NCAA records for most hits in a season (132) and most career hits (405). McCutcheon notched the most hits and runs scored in the country two years in a row (1997, 1998). She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Jennie Finch
Position: Pitcher
Years at UA: 1999-2002
Notable achievement: A two-time national player of the year (2001, 2002) and three-time first-team All-American, Finch holds the NCAA record for most consecutive wins with 60. She also won a national championship in 2001, when she was named the Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player. That year, Finch went 32-0, which is also an NCAA record. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Nancy Evans
Position: Pitcher
Years at UA: 1994-95, 1997-98
Notable achievement: Evans, a two-time first-team All-American, was the national player of the year in 1998 and holds the NCAA record for best career winning percentage (.940, 124-8). She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Susie Parra
Position: Pitcher
Years at UA: 1991-94
Notable achievement: Parra, a three-time national champion (1991, 1993, 1994) and three-time All-American, holds the UA record for lowest ERA in a season with 0.30. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Softball: Alicia Hollowell
Position: Pitcher
Years at UA: 2003-06
Notable achievement: Hollowell led the Wildcats to a national championship in 2006 when she was named the Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player. She also holds the UA record for most career strikeouts (1,768) and wins (144), and was a four-time All-American. Hollowell also tossed a perfect game in 2004 against Indiana. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Men's swimming and diving: Ryk Neethling
Position: Freestyle distance
Years at UA: 1996-2000
Notable achievement: Neethling won nine NCAA titles — all individual — and was a seven-time Pac-10 champion. He won the Pac-10 Athlete of the Year award four years in a row, was the 1998-99 NCAA Swimmer of the Year and was a 17-time first-team All-American and finished in the top-5 at the NCAA championships 15 times. Neethling finished in the top-8 of every race he competed in during his college career. He holds the UA record for the 1,650-yard freestyle. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Men's swimming and diving: Rick DeMont
Position: Freestyle distance
Years at UA: 1977-79
Notable achievement: DeMont began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, but transferred to Arizona to finish his career. During his time at UA, DeMont was an eight-time All-American. He's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Men's swimming and diving: Kevin Cordes
Position: Breaststroke
Years at UA: 2011-15
Notable achievement: Cordes, a 13-time All-American, is a seven-time NCAA individual champion and five-time Pac-12 champion. He's a two-time Pac-12 Athlete of the Year and two-time NCAA Swimmer of the Year (both in 2013 and 2014). He was also the Pac-12 Men's Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2015.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's swimming and diving: Amy Van Dyken
Position: Freestyle sprints
Years at UA: 1991-92
Notable achievement: Van Dyken spent two years at the UA before transferring to Colorado State. There, her career really took off: She broke a U.S. record at the 1994 NCAA championships, the same year she was selected as the NCAA Female Swimmer of the Year. She later went on to win six Olympic gold medals.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's swimming and diving: Amanda Beard
Position: Breaststroke
Years at UA: 1999-2001
Notable achievement: Beard, a six-time All-American, was the 2000 NCAA runner-up in the 200 breaststroke and won the 2001 NCAA individual title in the 200 breaststroke. She also notched a Pac-10 championship in the 200 breaststroke in 2000 and had eight top-5 finishes at NCAAs.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's swimming and diving: Crissy Ahmann
Position: Butterfly
Years at UA: 1988-92
Notable achievement: Ahmann, a 13-time All-American, was a two-time NCAA champion. During her career she also notched four Pac-10 championships and 10 top-5 finishes at NCAA championships. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's swimming and diving: Michele Mitchell
Position: Platform
Years at UA: 1979-83
Notable achievement: Mitchell, a four-time All-American, won nine national titles. She's also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's swimming and diving: Samantha Pickens
Position: 1 meter
Years at UA: 2011-15
Notable achievement: Pickens is a two-time NCAA champion, one-time Pac-12 champion and two-time Pac-12 Diver of the Year.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's track and field: Amy Skieresz-Wilson
Event: 10,000 meters
Years at UA: 1995-99
Notable achievement: Skieresz-Wilson, a 10-time All-American, was the first woman in NCAA Division I history to win four NCAA titles in the same year (both cross country and track and field). In 1996-97, Skieresz-Wilson won NCAA championships in the 5,000-meter indoor race, the 5,000-meter outdoor race and the 10,000-meter outdoor race. She also claimed the NCAA titles in those same three races a season later in 1997-98. Skieresz-Wilson was named the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year in both 1997 and 1998. She's also an Arizona Hall of Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's track and field: Brigetta Barrett
Event: High jump
Years at UA: 2010-13
Notable achievement: Barrett, an eight-time All-American and four-time All-Pac-12 selection, holds the NCAA high-jump record. She won six NCAA championships and three Pac-12 championships during her career at Arizona. Barrett also competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and took home a silver medal with a jump of 2.03 meters (6.66 feet).
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's track and field: Tanya Hughes
Event: High jump
Years at UA: 1991-94
Notable achievement: Hughes, a seven-time All-American and four-time All-Pac-10 selection, is a three-time NCAA champion and two-time Pac-10 champion. She was named the Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 1992. Hughes was an Olympian in 1992. She's also an Arizona Hall of Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's track and field: Brianna Glenn
Event: Long jump
Years at UA: 1998-2002
Notable achievement: Glenn, a 13-time All-American and 10-time All-Pac-10 selection, was a three-time Pac-10 champion and a two-time NCAA champion (long jump and 200-meter race). She was named the Pac-10 Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 2001 and won the USA outdoor long jump championship in 2002. Glenn is also an Arizona Hall of Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's track and field: Meg Ritchie
Event: Shot put
Years at UA: 1979-83
Notable achievement: Ritchie, a 10-time All-American, won seven NCAA championships (shot put and discus). She was an Olympian in 1980 and 1984. She holds the UA school records for shot put and discus. Ritchie is also an Arizona Hall of Famer.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Women's volleyball: Kim Glass
Position: Outside hitter
Years at UA: 2002-05
Notable achievement: Glass, a three-time All-American and four-time All-Pac-10 selection, was named the National Freshman of the Year and the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2002. She's the UA's all-time leader in career kills, single season kills, career kills per game, season kills per game, career and season 20-plus kill matches, career service aces. Glass is also an Arizona Hall-of-Famer.
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson 🌵 (@this_is_tucson) • Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
More than 40 fun events in Tucson, December 12-14! ❄️✨
-
Over 40 free events happening in Tucson this December! ⛄
-
A list of places that will be open on Christmas Day 2025
-
A local gift guide for the foodie in your life 🍽️
-
Save the date! Here's the ultimate list of Tucson holiday events 🎄
-
17 festive holiday markets that support Tucson artisans
-
‘Less screen time, more hobbies:’ Tucson journaling group helps young adults connect
-
Get fresh bread and flaky, buttery croissants at the MSA Annex's new micro-bakery 🥖
-
20 gifts under $20 from Tucson shops! 🎄🎁



