Top 50 countdown: A recap of the best Arizona Wildcats athletes in all sports

Looking back on UA athletics' 2017-18 season

Former Star reporter Zack Rosenblatt counted down the 50 best athletes on the UA campus heading into the 2017-18 academic year, with help from athletes, coaches and those close to the program.

While many exceeded their expectations, others didn't live up to the hype. 

The Wildcaster's Justin Spears recaps how each athlete fared.

No. 50: Kat Wright

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Women’s basketball

The details: Wright is a 6-foot senior forward who came to Arizona as a graduate transfer from Florida Atlantic. She medically redshirted the 2016-17 season at FAU after suffering a season-ending injury. She is eligible to play at Arizona immediately.

The numbers: Wright averaged 7.4 points per game in 84 career games (17 starts) at Florida Atlantic. In her last action as a junior two years ago, Wright averaged 11.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Wright’s value: On a team without much shooting talent, the Wildcats will need to Wright to step in right away and become the team’s go-to shooter from deep. As a junior, Wright made, on average, three 3-pointers per game and shot at a 40.1-percent clip from downtown.

Why Wright? The Wildcats lost five seniors from last year’s 14-16 team and will only have two — with five new freshmen, none expected to redshirt — for the fall. On a roster without much experience, Wright’s veteran presence and shooting ability will be key to any sort of success Arizona might have in a rebuilding year.

Proof she’s good: Wright set an FAU record in a game against Charlotte when she made 11 three-pointers, helping her establish a career-high of 33 points. Arizona hasn’t had a player score at least 33 points in a game since Davellyn Whyte scored 34 in 2011. The UA’s single-game record for three-pointers made is just seven, accomplished six different times.

What Wright can accomplish: Arizona lost its three top scorers, and its leading returner (JaLea Bennett) attempted only 5.8 shots per game last year while the Wildcats’ top outside shooter, Lucia Alonso, only attempted 1.9 threes per game. As a junior at FAU, Wright attempted at least five threes in 23 of 30 games. So, basically, there’s room for Wright to break out this season as a deep threat and, potentially, even lead the Wildcats in scoring.

Coachspeak: “She’s going to have a clear advantage just because she’s an experienced vet. She’s a sharpshooter, so she’ll be our best 3-point shooter. We don’t have someone with her skill.” — UA coach Adia Barnes

She said it: “I’m so excited to spend my last year playing for the University of Arizona, competing in one of the top conferences and playing for a phenomenal coaching staff. I couldn’t be any more proud to call myself a Wildcat.” — Wright, in May

How Wright performed in 2018: Wright averaged 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game as Arizona went 6-24 during the regular season, 2-16 in conference play.  

No. 49: Dusan Ristic

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Men’s basketball

The details: Ristic is a 7-foot senior center from Serbia who came to the Wildcats as part of a highly-touted 2014 recruiting class. He spent two seasons as a reserve behind Kaleb Tarczewski before taking on a full-time starting role as a junior this past season. Before Ristic committed to the Wildcats in 2014, DraftExpress had projected him as a first-round pick in the 2015 draft. He’s not currently projected as a 2018 pick, thoughDraft Express did rank him the 28th-best junior in the nation after last season.

The numbers: Ristic has gradually improved his production each season as his playing time has increased. In scoring, his average has gone from 3.4 points per game as a freshman to 7.1 as a sophomore to 10.9 as a junior. The same goes for his rebounding numbers, which have risen from 2.1 to 3.8 to 5.5 boards. He’s never shot worse than 55 percent from the field and converted 76.5 percent of his free throw attempts last season, a solid conversion rate for a 7-footer.

The value: If nothing else, Ristic is a supremely skilled offensive big man, with advanced low-post moves that have improved with experience. Ristic struggles a bit with defense and rebounding for a player his size, but has slowly improved in those areas. Next to 7-foot freshman phenom DeAndre Ayton, the Wildcats will be difficult to defend in the low post this year.

Why Ristic? UA coach Sean Miller has called Ristic “as good of a scorer in the low post as a senior center as maybe I’ve seen.” Even with the defensive struggles, Ristic’s offensive skillset has already proven invaluable, and more improvement is expected for his senior season.

Proof he’s good: Beyond the year-by-year improvement, Ristic has proven in stretches that he can be virtually unstoppable in the low post. He only played 22.8 minutes per game last season but still managed to score in double figures 25 times, and he did with it efficiency too — attempting more than 10 shots on only five occasions. In three NCAA Tournament games last season, he shot at a 62-percent clip, and nobody on Arizona’s roster is more efficient close to the basket, as Ristic shot 77.1 percent at the rim.

What Ristic can accomplish: Ristic has All-Conference potential if he can increase his scoring average closer to the 14-16 points per game range — which might be difficult with Arizona’s bevy of offensive options — and also increase his rebounding rate. Beyond that, Ristic already had lucrative offers to play overseas back home in Serbia but chose instead to return to Tucson for his senior season. For a shot at the NBA, Ristic would have to improve drastically on the de fensive end and add a mid-range shooting game to his repertoire.

They said it: “Bill Walton always says to me, and it’s a great point he makes: If he were 6 feet, would he play basketball? And if he were 6 feet, do you think he would be a good player?” Miller said of the Pac-12 analyst and UCLA legend. “Dusan’s answer to that is yes. He has a desire and a hunger that I haven’t seen of a player with his size.”

He said it: “It is important to me to return to finish my education and complete my goals as a player. The support of my coaches, teammates, and the Arizona fans has been amazing throughout my three years in Tucson. I look forward to competing for championships during my final season in McKale Center.” — Ristic when he announced his return to Arizona for his final season.

How Ristic performed: Ristic made his last year in Tucson worth it despite the Wildcats falling in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament. He scored a career-high 23 points against Utah at home, was named Pac-12 Player of the Week for the first time ever and made the All-Pac-12 second team. 

No. 48: Michael Flynn

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Baseball

The details: Flynn is a 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher from Los Alamitos, California, who came to the Wildcats as part of coach Andy Lopez’s final recruiting class at Arizona before he stepped down, and was replaced by Jay Johnson before last season. Flynn was a spot starter and Arizona’s most consistent pitcher out of the bullpen this season, and Johnson called him the “go-to guy” out of the pen.

The numbers: Flynn didn’t pitch much as a freshman, appearing 14 times across 15º innings, managing a lackluster 5.17 ERA with 14 strikeouts and six walks in 2016. As a sophomore, he was 5-0 with a 3.29 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 52 innings, with a team-best .216 batting average against.

Flynn’s value: The Wildcats pitching staff was short on consistency in 2017, and Arizona is set to lose its staff ace (J.C. Cloney) and its next-best starter in Cameron Ming, who was selected in the 14th round of the MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. The Wildcats will need Flynn to transition from a bullpen role to full-time starter next season, and it’ll be some combination of Flynn and Cody Deason heading Arizona’s pitching rotation.

Why Flynn? Arizona’s coaching staff has talked about Flynn’s ability to become a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, citing his athleticism and mental make-up along with his improving pitching oeuvre. His arsenal includes a low-90s fastball and a hard slider, and he gained confidence this season to pitch both his curveball and change-up for strikes. Next season, talent will meet opportunity.

Proof he’s good: Flynn showed flashes in 2017 of what his potential could be as a starter. In relief against McNeese State, he went six innings, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out seven. In a start against Hartford, he only allowed one earned run in five innings of work and in his last six games, across 13ª innings, Flynn held a 3.38 ERA and struck out 18.

What Flynn can accomplish: He’s locked in as the likely No. 2 starter, and he has the potential to emerge as the staff ace on what should be a competitive Arizona baseball team. A good season as a starter could get him drafted next year, too.

They said it: “The athleticism, the clean arm, you could always see them. You could see them the first time he pitched in the fall of 2015. I think the confidence, concentration, effort and competitiveness have really elevated all through his time here. We saw flashes of it last year. We saw flashes of it early this year. Now he’s pitching at a really high level.” — Jay Johnson in May

He said it: “That’s what I live for… coming in with a couple runners on. I love getting out of those big pressure situations. I just feel like that’s the spot I need to be in. Those innings I come into, they can turn into big innings so I just try to give my team a chance and get ’em back into the dugout as quickly as I can.” — Flynn to SB Nation

How Flynn performed: Flynn posted a 6-5 record with a 4.89 ERA, striking out 72 batters in 73 2/3 innings as Arizona's No. 2 pitcher. After the Wildcats failed to make the NCAA Tournament, Flynn will focus on his professional career after he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 6th round of the MLB Draft.  

No. 47: Hailey Devlin

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Beach volleyball

The details: Devlin is a 6-foot-2 blocker from San Diego who contributed as part of Arizona’s No. 3 duo last season, helping the Wildcats finish fourth in the Pac-12 championships. She was a part of Arizona’s No. 5 team in 2015-16, when Arizona made its first-ever run to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to coming to Arizona, Devlin played for the USA Junior Beach National Team.

The numbers: Along with her partner Samantha Manley, Devlin managed a team-best 17-6 record — the same as Arizona’s star duo, Madison and McKenna Witt.

The value: As coach Steve Walker’s program rose through the national ranks, Devlin has been one of Arizona’s most consistent performers, even as she’s partnered with different Wildcats each season.

“To win that much with new partners every year, in a sport that relies so much on team chemistry,” Walker said, “just speaks to Hailey’s ability to adapt and be a terrific leader.”

Why Devlin? With the Witt twins now out of eligibility, the Wildcats will lean heavily on both Devlin and sophomore defender Olivia Hallaran to pick up the slack. Devlin has given no reason to think she can’t help the Wildcats stay competitive following the Witts’ departure. Devlin thinks she can become dominant, too.

“I think I have improved the most at becoming a more dominant player all around, and my blocking has improved immensely,” she said.

Proof she’s good: In three years — as Walker said, with a different partner each year — Devlin has managed to win 77 percent of her matches. As a junior, the Devlin-Manley pairing managed to win their matches against sixth-ranked LSU and eventual national champion USC.

What Devlin can accomplish: As a senior, she can lead one of Arizona’s top two pairings and help the Wildcats return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out last season.

They said it: “Hailey has been so steady for us in her time here at The University of Arizona. What will stand out if you look at her winning percentage over the course of three years is that she’s been very successful. … I look for Hailey to once again be a strong leader for us as we move into year five of the program.” — Walker

She said it: “I’ve always been the underdog or the athlete that has to work harder than everyone to see the same results. But during my time at Arizona, I have put everything into becoming the player that I am and I am proud of it and excited to see what this upcoming year has in store.” — Devlin

How Devlin performed: The senior posted a 17-6 individual record, and found a groove with her partner Sam Manley between March 18 to April 8, winning eight consecutive matches. 

No. 46: Addi Zerrenner, Claire Green

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Cross country/track and field

The details: Zerrenner and Green are both senior distance runners for the Wildcats women’s cross country team, which has been coached by James Li for the last 15 years. Green debuted in the 5K, and also has experience in the 1,500-meter and 800-meter runs, along with the mile and 3K indoors. Zerrenner primarily thrives in cross country, but also competes in the 3K, 5K and 10K.

The numbers: Last season, Green had the nation’s 12th-best time in the outdoor 5K (15:49.58 at the Stanford Invitational) and the 10th-best time for the indoor 3K (9:05.94 at Husky Invitational) and the 33rd-best mile time (4:39.23 at the MPSF Indoor Championships). Zerrenner came in 10th at the Pac-12 Cross Country Championships with a time of 20:47.57, and Green finished in 18th with a 21:07.30 time.

The value: The women’s cross country team has been on a decline since winning the program’s first Pac-12 title in 2013. Arizona has finished in eighth place in each of the three years since then. But the Wildcats have some hope for improvement now, and that starts with Zerrenner and Green, Arizona’s two most consistent and competitive runners on the cross country team. Green has also shown flashes of talent in distance running with the track team.

“Cross country was such a surprise because I’ve never considered it to be one of my strengths,” Green said. “It helped give me the confidence I needed to move up to the longer events on the track.”

Why them? We cheated and combined Green and Zerrenner largely because of their combined importance to trajectory of Arizona’s cross country program. They bring value to distance events in track and field too, but they’re Arizona’s best shot at rising up the rankings of the Pac-12 in 2017.

Proof they’re good: Green’s consistency across all the cross country races proved invaluable. She came in first place for Arizona in all but one cross country race last year and finished in the top 20 of all five races she competed in. Green took fourth overall in the 5K at the Pac-12 Track and Field Championships.

“It was undoubtedly the strongest season I have ever had,” Green said.

Zerrenner had the best race of her career in the conference cross country championships, surprising even herself on the way to a 10th-place finish and second team All-Conference honors. She was Arizona’s first All-Conference selection in cross country since 2013, which was the last of a five-year run where UA had at least one All-Conference selection.

Zerrenner also finished in the top two for Arizona at every one of its meets.

“Not to sound cheesy, but the day of the Pac-12 Championships is hands down the best day of my life,” Zerrenner said. “I ran the best race of my life.”

What they can accomplish: Zerrenner can improve on her 10th-place standing in cross country, and she has her sights set on reaching NCAA nationals, as well as both indoor and outdoor track and field. Green has her sights set even higher — the senior wants to make the All-American first team for cross country, indoor and outdoor NCAA championships, and place in the top five in the indoor 3K and outdoor 5K.

Green would be Arizona’s first first-team All-American in the 5K since Amy Skieresz won the national title in 1998.

Green said it: “Addi and I are the perfect example of opposites attracting. Our racing styles and personalities could not be more different, which is perhaps why we work so well as friends and teammates. Addi is constantly pushing me to be better because she excels in areas of training and racing that I really struggle in, and vice versa. When we step on the course it’s as if we can read each other’s thoughts.”

Zerrenner said it: Green “pushes me every single day not only at practice, but just in life overall as she is the perfect example of a female student-athlete doing it all. We definitely support each other, but we always want to beat one another. We joke all the time that we are like competitive sisters.”

How Zerrener, Green performed: Green finished in the 24th place at the NCAA Championships and received All-American honors. Zerrenner clocked a time of 16:05.65, a personal record, in the 5,000-meter run to take fifth place at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships. Zerrenner also won the George Kyte Classic in September. 

No. 45: Jenna Kean

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Kean enters her freshman season with the Wildcats with great expectations. She is the highest-rated recruit of the Wildcats’ sixth-ranked incoming class. FloSoftball listed Kean, an outfielder, as the 44th-best recruit in the nation. Kean picked the Wildcats over Pac-12 rival UCLA, and looking back said the decision was an easy one.

“I went on a visit to UCLA right before I went to Arizona and after seeing the campus and being around the softball team and coaches I knew that Arizona was the perfect place for me,” Kean said. “I felt as home as soon as I stepped on Arizona’s campus.”

The value: Arizona had an eight-person senior class last season, and three of them — outfielder Mandie Perez batted leadoff, shortstop Mo Mercado and third baseman Katiyana Mauga —were significant pieces in the UA lineup. The Wildcats also lost reserve outfielders Eva Watson and Alexis Dotson. Alyssa Palomino could move to first base after suffering back-to-back season-ending knee injuries, leaving Kean as a prime candidate to replace her in center field. Kean’s speed and slap-hitting ability will prove particularly important, especially with the loss of Perez.

Why Kean? UA coach Mike Candrea consistently reels in recruiting classes ranked among the best in the nation. Then, he plays them: Freshmen Jessie Harper, Dejah Mulipola and Reyna Carranco were some of Arizona’s most consistent hitters last season. Kean will need to contribute, too, and her success in high school — she was a key contributor as her team won a state title — suggests she’ll be up for the task.

“I am still working hard to be where I want to be, but I feel that when I get there (to Arizona) I will be able to contribute a lot to the team with my speed, slapping and outfield abilities,” she said.

Proof she’s good: In 14 Sunset League games, Kean hit .600 with five RBIs, 11 runs scored and seven stolen bases. Kean helped clinch a CIF Division I championship for Los Alamitos with what the Orange County Register described as a “tremendous game-ending grab” to make the final out. SoCal Sidelines described Kean has a “speedy slapper that wreaks havoc on defenses when she gets on base.” Kean was selected to a Southern California All-Star team that earlier this summer competed against a Team USA squad — which includes former UA pitcher Danielle O’Toole — competing for the 2020 Olympics. The All-Stars lost 10-0.

What Kean can accomplish: Kean will be a likely candidate for at least Pac-12 all-freshman team honors, and possibly even all-conference, as 41 players in total are selected across three teams. Depending on her level of production in her first year, Kean would also have a shot at the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award.

Coachspeak: “Jenna is a quick kid. She’s an Arizona prototypical short-gamer. She’s a good outfielder and very fast. I’m very impressed with her athleticism.” — Candrea in November

She said it: “I did watch their last couple of games in the (super regionals) and I was shocked when they lost. I believed they had it and worked hard all year to get there but fell short. I wanted them to make it so bad and even though they didn’t, I know they would have been one of the top teams in the World Series. Next year I really do think the team will make it and I can’t even explain how amazing it would be to be a part of that.” — Kean

How Kean performed: The freshman was a consistent player in her first season under Mike Candrea. Kean hit a walk-off home run against Grand Canyon in May. 

No. 44: Julia Patterson

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Volleyball

The details: Patterson is a sophomore setter for the Wildcats expected to step in and replace Penina Snuka, a four-year starter and the reigning Pac-12 setter of the year. UA coach Dave Rubio had intended to redshirt Patterson for her true-freshman season, but injuries necessitated early playing time as Snuka’s backup. Patterson arrived at Arizona last year from Los Alamitos, California, as one of the highest-rated setter recruits in the nation. PrepVolleyball.com ranked Patterson as the No. 67 recruit in the country. “At first, I was disappointed that I was not able to redshirt,” Patterson said, “but looking back, it was really good I didn’t.”

The numbers: Patterson saw action in 39 sets as a freshman, totaling 41 assists (or 1.05 per set) with 12 digs and three aces. At Los Alamitos, Patterson was her team’s MVP after a stellar senior season when she notched 892 assists, 234 digs, 61 blocks, 120 kills and 48 aces.

The value: The setter is arguably the most important position on the floor in volleyball, essentially the team’s point guard, and Patterson will be replacing one of the best at the position in program history. Arizona’s success will depend on Patterson’s ability to set up her teammates, four of whom are on our Top 50 list.

“I feel comfortable stepping up to the plate and becoming a leader on the court, regardless of what year I am as a player because at the end of the day we play in the hardest conference there is,” Patterson said. “If any one of us steps on the court with any uncertainty, then it will be a tough season.”

Why Patterson? Rubio raved about Patterson’s talent and future with the program, and Patterson will be expected to step up this season. Should Patterson perform to her capabilities, the Wildcats have the talent to be competitive in a difficult Pac-12 conference. Plus, it helps that Patterson spent a year playing behind Snuka.

“Penina did an amazing job of preparing Julia for the role she’s going to step into. She was mentoring Julia all year long,” UA coach Dave Rubio said. “There’s going to be a void, there always is when you lose a player like that, but we’re excited we had someone like Julia to back her up.”

Proof she’s good: Patterson showed flashes in limited playing time last season, tallying a season-high 11 assists in a loss to then-No. 16 Texas A&M.

What Patterson can accomplish: She’d be hard-pressed to match the accolades Snuka achieved last season — All-American, Pac-12 setter of the year and first team All-Pac-12 — but Patterson has the potential to help her talented teammates reach those goals. Snuka was an honorable mention All-American and an All-Conference first team selection as a sophomore.

Coachspeak: “Penina certainly cast a pretty big shadow, but if there’s one person who I think can handle the expectations that go with following someone like Penina, someone who can lead the team like Penina, someone who is going to be tough mentally like Penina, it’s going to be Julia Patterson. I feel very confident and comfortable with handing over the keys to the program to her.” — Rubio

She said it: “Even though I didn’t see the court much, I still feel like I am more experienced from getting my toes a little wet from the few points that I played because I got a little taste of what it was like to be the setter on the court. … Dave helped prepare me mentally and physically to levels I didn’t think I would reach freshman year.” — Patterson

How Patterson performed: How good was the junior? She was named to the U.S. Women's College National Team, which only 12 players were selected to. 

No. 43: Elizabeth Shelton

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Volleyball 

The details: Shelton is an athletic, 6-foot-2-inch outside hitter from Desert High School on the Edwards Air Force Base near Rosamond, California. Shelton redshirted her freshman season partly due to injury and partly to gain more experience before beginning her playing career at Arizona. Shelton was a standout in basketball and track in high school and didn’t even start playing volleyball until her junior year. Shelton picked the Wildcats over Air Force, San Francisco and UC Riverside.

“She’s really young in terms of her volleyball age,” said UA coach Dave Rubio.

The numbers: Shelton redshirted as a freshman at Arizona, but put up stellar numbers as a senior at Desert, recording 446 kills with 71 assists and 103 total blocks.

The value: Two of Arizona’s five seniors from 2016 are gone, including the Wildcats most productive outside hitter in Kalei Mau, an All-American, and Katarina Pilepic, an outside hitter who finished third on the team with 2.32 kills per set. Shelton might not be expected to play as big of a role as Kendra Dahlke or Tyler Spriggs on the outside, but Shelton’s raw talent will likely push her into significant playing time at some point.

Why Shelton? Rubio has said in the past that Shelton has the “chance to be one of the top players to ever put on a UA volleyball uniform,” high praise from the longtime coach.

“It’s going to take — assuming she’s healthy — it’s going to take some time to develop the skillset needed for the position she plays,” Rubio said. “She had a terrific, outstanding spring. The question for her coming into the fall is where she is in the evolution of her skills and her development of skills.”

Proof she’s good: Even with limited experience, Shelton finished her career one of the most lauded athletes in program history. She was named an Under Armour AVCA All-American as a senior, an all-conference first-teamer and helped Desert to a 28-3 record and a league title as a senior. Shelton has already had her jersey retired, and also helped the school’s basketball team to a state championship. Shelton is also impressive academically — she was the class valedictorian and is majoring in neuroscience with the hope to become a cognitive neuroscientist or molecular geneticist.

What Shelton can accomplish: Shelton could be a serious candidate for Pac-12 All-Freshman honors, though that will largely depend on how she’s doing health-wise in the fall and how much playing time Rubio is prepared to give her in the early going.

“You can’t put the cart in front of the horse,” Rubio said. “She’s gotta have the skills and the brain to be able to understand how the game plays at this level.”

Coachspeak: “She’s so athletic and she’s an alpha female. She’s someone who is just so tough mentally and a great competitor. Those are the kinds of kids you can really win big with.” — Rubio

She said it: “I chose Arizona because of the great academic program and support system provided for the student-athletes. I hope to bring positive energy to the Arizona volleyball program.” — Shelton, after signing with Arizona in 2015

How Shelton performed: Shelton is just as good of a student as she is a volleyball player. A pre-neuroscience major, Shelton received honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 Academic Team. Shelton was joined by Julia Patterson, McKenzie Jacobson, Makenna Martin and Victoria Svorinic, which was a school record. 

No. 42: Parker Jackson-Cartwright

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Men's basketball 

The details: Jackson-Cartwright is a 5-foot-10 senior who will enter his final season as Arizona’s full-time point guard. The last two seasons, he split time at the position with Kadeem Allen — who was picked by the Celtics in the NBA draft last week — and before that was a backup to T.J. McConnell as a true freshman. Jackson-Cartwright came to Arizona a four-star recruit and the No. 1 point guard in the West, according to Scout.com, and picked the Wildcats over UCLA, Washington, USC and others. Jackson-Cartwright missed his senior season of high school due to academic issues, but still joined the Wildcats as a key part of their 2014 recruiting class, alongside Stanley Johnson, Dusan Ristic and Craig Victor. Ristic, a senior, is the only other player remaining from the class.

The numbers: Jackson-Cartwright has never been one to put up gaudy numbers, but he’s often been efficient — especially from 3-point range — and doesn’t turn the ball over. In 9.6 minutes per game as a freshman, he averaged 2.9 points, 1.8 assists and 0.7 turnovers per game while shooting 39.1 percent on 3s. As a sophomore, his playing time bumped up to 21.2 minutes per game, and his averages increased slightly across the board, to 5.2 points, 3.4 assists and 1.4 turnovers, with a 37.5 percent 3-point shooting clip. Last year, Jackson-Cartwright missed some time due to injury but still finished with career-bests across the board at 5.9 points, 4.1 assists and 1.3 turnovers per game, shooting 42.3 percent from three.

The value: Allen is off to the NBA, and Kobi Simmons left after one season, leaving the Wildcats without much depth at point guard. After Jackson-Cartwright, the Wildcats have true freshman Alex Barcello, a talented shooter who can also play the two. UA coach Sean Miller mentioned it was likely the Wildcats would also play Allonzo Trier, a two, and Emmanuel Akot, a 6-foot-8 freshman, at the point. Jackson-Cartwright has, at times, struggled to stay healthy — he missed six games last year with an ankle injury, and wasn’t 100 percent for a while — but the Wildcats will need him to avoid missing any time this season. Arizona is loaded everywhere else on its roster, and the Wildcats will need a career-season from Jackson-Cartwright if the UA intends to return to its first Final Four since 2001.

Why Jackson-Cartwright? Jackson-Cartwright spent a year learning behind McConnell and Arizona’s offense in the last two years has often flowed best when Jackson-Cartwright was running the show. With Arizona loaded on the wing with Trier, Rawle Alkins and freshman Brandon Randolph, and in the low post with Ristic and freshman DeAndre Ayton, the Wildcats will need Jackson-Cartwright to run a smooth ship. “When he’s in the game, our ball movement is great,” Ristic said of PJC in March. “He’s a pass-first player who cares about other players more than himself.”

Proof he’s good: Jackson-Cartwright had five or more assists on 13 occasions last season and he was particularly impressive in games against Northern Colorado (11 assists, one turnover), Utah (9 assists, 0 turnovers) and Colorado (7 assists, 0 turnovers). From Feb. 16 to March 11, a stretch of eight games, Jackson-Cartwright made 17 of 25 three pointers — 68 percent — and Arizona went 7-1 in those games.

What Jackson-Cartwright can accomplish: With an increased minutes workload, provided Jackson-Cartwright stays healthy he’s primed for a drastic increase in numbers, particularly in the assists category, and would be a candidate for All-Conference honors and potentially the conference’s Most Improved Player award.

They said it: “He’s really mature for his age, and he doesn’t really get that emotional. He stays even-keeled, which you need from your point guard, and something I should probably learn from him, really.” — T.J. McConnell in 2015

He said it: “It’s big shoes to fill (playing point guard at Arizona). I’m not trying to be anybody else but myself. I can’t be Mike Bibby, I can’t be Jason Gardner, I just try to be myself. I’m unique in different ways than them, and I try to bring that every day.” — Jackson-Cartwright

How Jackson-Cartwright performed: Leading the charge as Arizona's starting point guard, averaging 7.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in his senior season.  

No. 41: Annie Ochitwa

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Women's swimming 

The details: Ochitwa is a junior swimmer for the Wildcats and is a standout in the individual freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events, and swims as part of one of the top medley relay teams in the nation alongside Katrina Konopka, Taylor Garcia and Kennedy Lohman, though the Wildcats will have to replace Garcia, who transferred to Michigan.

Ochitwa was recruited to Arizona by coach Rick Demont, or “Rocket” as the team calls him, who announced his retirement from coaching in May. Arizona has yet to name his replacement.

“I think all of us were just really surprised to hear that Rocket was retiring,” Ochitwa said. “He’s a very energetic and creative person, and I think his innovation is what I’ll take away most from getting the chance to swim for him.”

Ochitwa chose Arizona out of high school over Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, N.C. State and Auburn because everything about the UA felt “genuine” during her recruitment.

The numbers: Ochitwa was one of Arizona’s best performers as a freshman. In that 2015-16 season, five of her best finishes rank in the top 10 in UA history in their respective categories. Ochitwa fell off as a sophomore, though, and didn’t record any times that made the top 10 in UA record books. At this year’s NCAA Championships, Ochitwa finished in 31st place in the 100 freestyle (48.63), 20th in the 100 butterfly (52.18) and 38th in the 50 free. In the Pac-12 championships, she was fifth in the 100 free (48.94), 10th in the 100 backstroke (52.65), seventh in the 100 butterfly (52.10) and 11th in the 50 free (22.23).

The value: Arizona’s swimming program is in a state of flux with the retirement of DeMont and the impending new coaching hire. In order to start getting the program back to where it once was, among the nation’s elite, that will start with the returners. Ochitwa flashed what she was capable of as a freshman, and UA will need her back at that level as a junior.

“This season for me what definitely not what I had hoped for results-wise, but I learned a lot about myself and what swimming on this team means to me,” Ochitwa said. “It was hard for me to come off a great freshman year putting a lot of pressure on myself to try to top it, but I think I’ve come a long way mentally and I’m ready to start the next season.”

Why Ochitwa? Again, even if her sophomore campaign didn’t go as planned, Ochitwa was stellar as a freshman and was recruited to swim for Arizona for a reason — she has the talent.

Proof she’s good: Ochitwa is a school record-holder in the 100 butterfly and a national record-holder in that event for her age group. As a freshman, she broke Natalie Coughlin’s national 17-18-year-olds record in the event, recording a time of 51.02 at the NCAA championships, which broke Coughlin’s record of 51.18 set in 2001. At Arizona, she surpassed some of Arizona’s all-time greatest swimmers in that event, including Lara Jackson and Whitney Myers. She also is in the top 10 in four other events: sixth in 50 free, 10th in 100 free, eighth in 100 back and fifth in the 200 individual medley. She also holds the school’s 200 medley relay record alongside Garcia, Lohman and Konopka, and according to SwimSwam unofficially holds the NCAA’s second-best ever 50 butterfly relay split, completing it in 22.23 seconds.

What Ochitwa can accomplish: Ochitwa was a three-time All-American as a freshman, as well as a three-time honorable mention All-American. If Arizona is to get back to prominence, it will need Ochitwa to have an All-American-level junior campaign.

She said it: “This upcoming season, I’m personally focusing on just making small and consistent improvements. I don’t like to think too much about time goals or specific place goals, so what I’m working toward is always being better than I was the day before. As a team, I think we are all really working hard to make a big statement after last season.” — Ochitwa

How Ochitwa performed: Transferred to Missouri and was named Mizzou's Female Athlete of the Year, and set a program record in the 400 free relay with a time of 3:15.53.

No. 40: Jacob Alsadek

Rosenblatt said...

Sport: Football 

The details: Alsadek is 6-foot-7-inch, 320-pound offensive lineman from San Diego. Alsadek enters his fifth season as one of the most experienced players on Arizona’s roster, having started 33 games since debuting as a redshirt freshman in 2014. Depth is still a concern on the offensive line, but the Wildcats have one of the most experienced starting groups in the country — 2016 starters Nathan Eldridge, Layth Friekh and Gerhard de Beer all return as well — which bodes well for Arizona’s offense. Out of high school, Alsadek picked the Wildcats over Colorado and after redshirting the 2013 season, helped block for a productive rushing attack in 2014 that saw Nick Wilson rush for 1,375 yards.

“They take pictures of us every year with our shirts off, which is kinda weird, but when I first got here I was ugly, gross,” Alsadek said. Then it was “a little bit better, and a little better. How your body changes is insane. Right now I’m probably 318-320 and I’m moving like I was when I was 287.”

The numbers: There aren’t many statistics readily available when it comes to offensive linemen, and the best stats are more of a collective sort — as in how many sacks a team allows and how many rushing yards it gains, two areas where offensive linemen play a particularly important part. In that regard, even as win totals have decreased, Arizona has gotten better each season of Alsadek’s career in those categories. In rushing, the Wildcats averaged 181.9 yards per game in 2014, 222 in 2015 and a conference-best 235 per game last season. With sacks allowed, the Wildcats gave up a conference-worst 40 in 2014, 31 in 2015 and 28 last year.

The value: On an offensive line lacking depth — though not quite at the level of last season after young reserves like Christian Boettcher and Cody Creason received significant playing time — Alsadek’s experience and durability become particularly important. Alsadek starts at right guard, a particularly important position for Arizona’s rushing attack. Alsadek has been working with UA alum Glenn Parker four to five times per week this summer.

“I love it. It’s just changed the way I pass block, it’s awesome,” Alsadek said. “In the spring with one on ones, I think I only lost one or two reps all spring, which was cool, which is definitely better than I’ve ever done before.”

Why Alsadek? Alsadek is Arizona’s most experienced offensive lineman, and so he’ll be expected to step up in 2017. Alsadek has blocked some of the most-talented pass rushers in the country — including first-round picks like USC’s Leonard Williams, Washington’s Danny Shelton and Stanford’s Solomon Thomas — which should bode well for Alsadek this season.

“You see these people on TV now playing on Sundays and it’s a cool feeling,” Alsadek said. “It’s like, I battled with that guy.”

Proof he’s good: Alsadek was named a freshman All-American after the 2014 season, though he hasn’t received any similar honors since. Physically, he looks the part of a future NFL offensive lineman. The best evidence of what Arizona’s offensive line — and Alsadek — is capable of when things are clicking occurred in last season’s Territorial Cup against ASU. Then, the Wildcats didn’t throw a single pass in the second half because of the record-breaking rushing attack — a school-record 511 yards and seven touchdowns.

What Alsadek can accomplish: If Alsadek keeps progressing, he can play himself onto a Pac-12 All-Conference team — Athlon Sports had him as a preseason third team selection — and improve his stock as an NFL prospect. NFLDraftScout.com currently has him rated the No. 23 offensive guard in the 2018 draft class.

Coachspeak: “Jacob made himself a player coming out of high school just because of his work ethic. He’s a guy who would train above and beyond. I think that’s what he’s done. He’s learned our system. He’s a smart guy. But football is so important to him.” — UA coach Rich Rodriguez in 2014

He said it: “I just want to have no regrets this season, so hopefully it will work out. … It’s just like every year, elevating your game to another level.

“Being my last year, I’m trying to get that chance to play as long as I can, trying to make a name for myself more than I have.” — Alsadek

How Alsadek performed: Offensive linemen take great pride when the rushing game does well. In 2017, the Wildcats had the third-ranked rushing offense in FBS and Alsadek was a major part of that. Alsadek ended the year with honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 team. 

No. 39: Ashleigh Hughes

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Sport: Softball 

The details: Hughes is a strong-armed, slap-hitting outfielder for Arizona’s softball team. Next season, the Antelope, California, native will be one of only two seniors on the UA roster, along with reserve walk-on catcher Robyn Porter.

Hughes was a highly-regarded recruit coming out of high school, hitting .533 in a stellar prep career, and joined the Wildcats as part of a small, two-person recruiting class in 2015. The other player in that class — pitcher Trish Parks — left the program after just one season.

Hughes has bounced around the field since joining the Wildcats, starting out in a center field platoon as a freshman, moving to second base as a sophomore before finally settling in as Arizona’s right fielder in 2017 when standout freshman Reyna Carranco took over at second.

“If I can do anything, put me there,” Hughes said earlier this year. “I’m just happy to be playing and doing as well as I am and contributing to this team in any way.”

The numbers: Hughes didn’t contribute much as a hitter her first two seasons with the Wildcats. But in a breakout junior year, she was one of Arizona’s most consistent hitters, settling into a role at the bottom of the batting order. Hughes hit for a combined .277 batting average in her first two years, then raised that to .386 in 2017, the third best mark on one of the nation’s most prolific offensive attacks. She also had a .426 on base percentage, scored 32 runs — down from 34 as a sophomore, though she batted higher in the order that year — and stole five bases.

The value: Before 2017, Arizona had no problem producing runs and hitting for average. It just mostly came from the top and heart of the Wildcats’ batting order. For a few years, UA coach Mike Candrea stressed how the bottom of the lineup needed to improve. That’s exactly what happened when Hughes was moved from the two-slot to the bottom and, along with Carranco, the Wildcats were able to trot out a lineup without any real weak spots.

Why Hughes? Beyond being one of Arizona’s best slap-hitters, Hughes also has the team’s strongest outfield arm as she threw out multiple base-runners in 2017. As a junior, she managed a career-beset .981 fielding percentage with just one error, and led the UA outfield by a wide margin in assists with 10 from right field. With the departure of leadoff hitter Mandie Perez, along with other top-of-the-order hitters like Katiyana Mauga and Mo Mercado, there will likely be some re-shuffling of Arizona’s batting order. If Carranco moves up near, or at the top, then Hughes will have to hold down the fort at the bottom of the lineup.

Proof she’s good: Hughes’ numbers were never flashy, and neither was her performance. But her consistency in hitting and fielding is what has made her stand out. In 24 conference games, Hughes was second on the team with a .387 average and she hit .444 in the postseason. She also recorded 12 multi-hit games to help garner an All-Pac-12 second-team selection.

What Hughes can accomplish: Even with the losses of Perez, Mercado and Mauga, the Wildcats still project to have a potent lineup with first baseman Jessie Harper at the center. Whether Hughes moves up toward the top of the lineup or stays near the bottom, there will be plenty of run-scoring opportunities for the senior. If she can boost her non-batting average numbers, she has a shot at first-team All-Conference honors.

Coachspeak: “The more at-bats that she gets at this level, the better she is going to be at making good decisions about what to do. I think the other thing that’s really helped her is she’s simplified the game, instead of trying to do too much.” — Candrea during the postseason

She said it: “Just as you get older, you start getting a bigger picture for what you need to do and really buy into your role and what your job is. My job is getting on base and putting the bigger hitters in a position just to be able to get hits and score. It’s just, you accept your role.” — Hughes during the postseason

How Hughes performed: Hughes was named to the All-Pac-12 second team as a utility player. In her senior season, Hughes batted .266 as the Cats fell to UCLA in the Super Regional. 

No. 38: Devyn Cross

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The details: Cross is an athletic, 6-foot middle blocker entering her sophomore season for Arizona volleyball. She was a high school teammate of fellow UA sophomore Elizabeth Shelton at Desert High School on Edwards Air Force Base in California. Like Shelton, Cross didn’t start playing volleyball until high school. Cross didn’t have any college scholarship offers well into her junior season when UA coach Dave Rubio attended one of her matches. Two weeks later, Cross was offered a scholarship and, even after some late interest from UCLA, she decided to sign with Arizona as part of its 2016 class. Cross called it a “natural fit.”

“I chose Arizona because of the welcoming atmosphere,” she said. “I like how close everyone seems and how they welcomed me from the first time I met the team and the coaches.”

The numbers: Cross was Arizona’s most productive blocker as a freshman, leading the team in blocks per set (0.88), block solos (18), block assists (86) and total blocks (114). She also managed 1.28 kills per set at a .275 hitting percentage, along with 35 digs.

The value: Arizona is expected to be deep at middle blocker next season — the Wildcats return 6-foot-7-inch senior McKenzie Jacobson and Jade Turner, the daughter of former Arizona basketball player Joe Turner — but Cross might be the most talented one of them all. If Cross, maybe Arizona’s most athletic player, can keep progressing as she gains experience, the Wildcats will be better for it.

Why Cross? Rubio compared Cross’ athleticism to former outside hitter Kim Glass, who holds a multitude of UA career and single-season records. Cross’ athletic ability allowed her to contribute right away as a freshman and, with her inexperience, she has a high ceiling.

“She’s just a terrific, outstanding athlete,” Rubio said. “She’s just still young in her development.”

Proof she’s good: Cross wasn’t initially on track to become Arizona’s leading blocker. Heading into the final three weeks of the season, she was averaging only 0.59 blocks per set. Then she got hot and averaged 1.25 blocks per set to close out the season. That mark, extrapolated over a full season, would’ve ranked seventh in the Pac-12. Cross tallied five or more blocks on 10 occasions and led the UA in blocks in 16 matches.

What Cross can accomplish: If Cross can play at the level, or better, she did in the final three weeks of the season, she becomes an outside candidate to be selected to the Pac-12’s 18-person All-Conference team. That will be a tall task, however, considering just one sophomore was selected to the team in 2016.

Coachspeak: “This spring we put her on the opposite, so she’s got a chance to play a couple different positions outside of the middle position. I think the middle is the best position for her because you can really exploit the opposing team because of how quick and athletic she is. We’ll see, but she’s just an elite, elite athlete. Really quick, fast, explosive. She’s someone who can really get up and go quick.” — Rubio

She said it: “Rubio taught me that you have to keep a good mindset. You win some, you lose some. Looking forward to the next game and moving on is really important.” — Cross during last season

How Cross performed: Cross contributed 143 points for the Wildcats in 2017, including a season-high (13) on the road against Utah. In that game against the Utes, she also had 8 kills. Reminder: she's just a sophomore. Cross is expected to be back to improve on her 2017 season. 

No. 37: JaLea Bennett

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The details: Bennett is a 6-foot guard and the lone four-year senior on Arizona’s roster. There are two other seniors on the roster, but one (Kat Wright) is a graduate transfer and the other (Charise Holloway) left the program for a year before returning last season. Bennett came to the Wildcats as a highly regarded recruit from Grand Prairie, Texas. She was initially committed to play at Texas but decommitted before her senior season. Bennett said she desperately wanted to play at a school in Florida — Miami, Florida or Florida State specifically — but none came in with offers until after Bennett had committed to Arizona.

“In my head I was like, ‘If you guys wanted me, you would’ve been on me harder,’” Bennett said. “I thought I want to go somewhere needed where I can help build. I feel like I’m here for a reason.”

The numbers: There weren’t enough shots, or minutes, to go around for Bennett last season. In 19.3 minutes per game, down from 20.9 minutes as a sophomore, Bennett managed career-highs in points per game (6.9), rebounds per game (2.6) and field goal percentage (43.3). That was up from 5.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Bennett scored 4.5 points per game as a freshman.

The value: Coach Adia Barnes is expecting Bennett to emerge as a leader and Arizona’s most consistent contributor this season. The UA experienced heavy roster turnover from last season — Barnes’ first as coach — losing its top three scorers and rebounders, plus its top passer. Bennett will certainly take on a larger workload, and Arizona will need her to increase production across the board.

“I’m ready for this because I’ve been working toward it sophomore and junior year just talking and making sure everyone’s doing what they got to do, and making sure that I’m setting the right example,” she said.

Why Bennett? Bennett has shown flashes of her ability in three seasons but has never really been given the opportunity to take on much more than a supporting role. If the Wildcats are to be any good this season, they’ll need Bennett to make a major leap in her last season. Bennett feels she hasn’t had a chance to show what she’s truly capable of in her Arizona career so far.

“I feel like no one has seen nearly the amount of talent that I have,” Bennett said. “I feel like it’s got to be a good year for me, it’s got to be a big year. ... I think we’re going to do some big things this year.”

Proof she’s good: Bennett’s breakout performance came against Southern Utah last year, when she scored 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting. She scored 11 points in just 15 minutes against California, and shot 50 percent from the field in Arizona’s last seven games.

What Bennett can accomplish: Even if Bennett doesn’t lead the team in scoring, her all-around abilities make her a candidate to be among the team’s leaders in points, rebounds, steals and other categories. With a true breakout season, Bennett would be a dark horse for All-Conference honors.

Coachspeak: “She needs to be ready, she needs to be in good shape, she needs to be a leader on and off the court. She’s been working really hard this offseason. She’s been working with the freshmen. I think that’s really awesome for our chemistry.” — Barnes

She said it: “Freshman year I was very angry young woman. But since then I’ve matured. I’ve learned to channel my energy into something positive instead of negative. I’ve learned to stop hanging my head when I miss a shot. Next shot mentality. I feel like I’ve come a very long way.” — Bennett

How Bennett performed: Unfortunately for Bennett, she won't have the chance to watch the Adia Barnes regime take off in the following years. In Bennett's senior season, she averaged 13.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. 

No. 36: Cody Deason

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Deason is a right-handed pitcher entering his junior season. The Ojai, California, native wasn’t even supposed to play at Arizona initially. Ex-UA coach Andy Lopez recruited him, but Deason committed to Oregon. The Ducks dropped him late in the recruiting process. New UA coach Jay Johnson pounced, and Deason became a Wildcat.

“I liked what I saw and felt like he could help us with some time,” Johnson said in May. “I’m really glad it has worked out the way that it has.”

The numbers: Deason went 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 53º innings as a sophomore, but numbers don’t tell the full story. Deason’s worst performances of the 2017 season came both in his first and last starts — he allowed six earned runs in two-thirds of an inning against Eastern Kentucky to start, and seven earned runs in 1º innings during the Wildcats’ NCAA regional loss to Sam Houston State. As a freshman, Deason was 1-2 with a 3.73 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 31ª innings.

The value: The Wildcats have lost both starters ahead of Deason in the rotation: JC Cloney and Cameron Ming signed with the Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles, respectively. Deason will likely open the 2018 season as Arizona’s staff ace alongside Michael Flynn. The Wildcats will need Deason to emerge as a consistent starting pitcher if they hope to make a run to the College World Series.

Why Deason? Deason showed flashes of what he was capable of during Arizona’s run to the College World Series final in 2016, throwing four scoreless innings across three appearances. Deason improved quite a bit as a sophomore, and the junior yields a mid-90s fastball with a curveball that’s considered the team’s best. Deason has pitched seven scoreless innings in four games for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod League so far this offseason.

Proof he’s good: Take away his first and last starts, and Deason was rather impressive this season. He tallied a 1.75 ERA in his 19 other appearances, a mark which would’ve easily led the team. Deason had a 14.40 ERA when he took a March meeting with Johnson and pitching coach Dave Lawn. The three of them outlined a practice plan for Deason to get him back on track. Deason pitched 3º shutout innings against New Mexico State in his first appearance after the meeting, and never looked back.

“That was the confidence boost I needed,” Deason said late in the season. “I don’t think I’ve ever looked back.”

What Deason can accomplish: Deason should post the best numbers of his career, at least in categories such as wins, strikeouts and innings pitched. If Deason pitches more like he did outside of his first and last starts of 2017, he has a good shot at All-Pac-12 honor.

Coachspeak: “The game is so hard. It’s so different than football or basketball. There’s so much failure. It’s very experiential. You can only get better and learn by playing. … He was relatively green. He didn’t have a whole lot of high school playing experience. You just have to kind of get through it. I’m really proud of him, because his season did not get off to a good start at all.” — Johnson

He said it: “I think the biggest thing I’ve worked on is composure, and just realizing that it’s just a game. At the end of the day, win or lose, we’re going to come out the next day and we’re going to get to play the same game we love. I don’t try to change what I do for anybody. I just try to help the team win the game.” — Deason

How Deason performed: Arizona's ace posted his worst record of his UA career, but that didn't stop him from having a career-best 2.87 ERA. Next up, Deason will look to climb the ranks in the MLB as he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the fifth round. 

No. 35: Brandon Dawkins

The details: Dawkins is a dual-threat quarterback from Oxnard, California. For the second straight season, Dawkins will be in a battle to be Arizona’s starting quarterback with sophomore Khalil Tate, along with incoming freshmen Donavan Tate, K’Hari Lane and Rhett Rodriguez, though Dawkins is the presumptive favorite this time around after initially losing out to Anu Solomon last year.

UA coach Rich Rodriguez even said in the spring of Dawkins: “Khalil’s gotta beat him out.” Solomon has since transferred to Baylor. Dawkins came to Arizona as part of its 2014 recruiting class a highly-regarded recruit, with offers from Notre Dame, Utah and NC State.

The numbers: Dawkins redshirted his freshman season then backed up Solomon and Jerrard Randall as a redshirt sophomore. He received his first significant playing time against Arizona State that season and showed flashes of his potential, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 78 yards.

Last season, Dawkins battled injuries but played in 10 games with nine starts and threw for 1,348 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. He was more effective rushing the ball, amassing a team-best 944 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

The value: Dawkins still has to beat out Tate for the starting job — and keep the job after that — but of course the quarterback is the most pivotal position on the field for any football team, and if UA is going to bounce back from a troubled 3-9 campaign, it will start with Dawkins.

Nobody’s questioned Dawkins’ rushing and athletic ability, but he’s lacked consistency in the passing game and was still adjusting to Arizona’s offense last season. Dawkins says he now feels more comfortable running the show.

“As time’s gone in, even just in spring ball from my first to my second to my third, it’s like leaps and bounds of more experience and being more comfortable and understanding everything a lot more. It’s just like night and day,” Dawkins said. “I’ll watch film from this last spring and compare it to my first spring when I first got here and it’s like oh, it’s night and day.”

Why Dawkins? When Dawkins has been at his best, with the no-huddle offense flowing and he’s limiting turnovers, the Wildcats offense tends to fire on all cylinders. With one near-full season as a starter under his belt, if he can beat out Tate, Dawkins is poised to make improvements, especially behind an experienced offensive line and a talented stable of running backs to hand off to.

At the least, Dawkins should be at the head of one of the Pac-12’s best rushing attacks.

“The more comfortable you are in this offense — and as a quarterback the more you understand — the more you can execute,” Dawkins said.

Proof he’s good: The flashes of Dawkins’ ability have come in spurts, first in that ASU game in 2015 when he came in relief of an injured Solomon. Last season, Dawkins particularly thrived against Hawaii, completing 16 of 21 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown, adding 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns. A week later, Dawkins nearly lead the UA to an upset of Washington, an eventual College Football Playoff team, rushing for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

Finally, in his second career appearance against ASU, Dawkins didn’t throw a pass in the second half of a dominant UA victory, rushing for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

What Dawkins can accomplish: The Pac-12 is always stacked at the quarterback position, but perhaps more than usual this season. There is a Heisman favorite (USC’s Sam Darnold) and at least two other possible Heisman contenders (UCLA’s Josh Rosen and Washington State’s Luke Falk).

It would take a truly remarkable leap of production — and team success — for Dawkins to have any sort of shot at conference honors, making that the longest of long shots. But in terms of statistics, if Dawkins can stay healthy he’s a good bet to lead conference quarterbacks in rushing yards and be among the Pac-12 leaders in general in that category.

Coachspeak: “Brandon knows what we’re doing now … He’s got to understand, I can’t take off just because I feel pressure; I’ve got to learn to work and move in the pocket and make throws at times as well.

“When you’re a young quarterback, you tend to go with your first, natural instinct. That’s to take off because he’s so good at that.” — UA quarterbacks coach Rod Smith

He said it: “I’m really excited. We say it every year, we’re always overlooked. Now we gave them a reason to overlook us after the season we had. That doesn’t change much for me. I know what our team is capable of and what we can do. Especially if we keep guys healthy. I still believe there’s no team in the Pac-12 that’s going to come in and get an easy win off us.

“We’re a challenge for every team in the Pac-12 if we have everybody healthy and everybody on the same page. We don’t have to bring slot receivers and put them at running back, bring tight ends and put them at quarterback.

“I don’t think there’s too many teams that we couldn’t play with when we’re all healthy.” — Dawkins

How Dawkins performed: On the first drive against Colorado in October, Dawkins tucked the ball, scrambled out of bounds and took a late hit from a CU defender. Dawkins would miss the rest of the game with an injury. From that moment, the Khalil Tate era officially started at UA. Dawkins is now a graduate transfer at Indiana with hopes of starting in the Big 10.  

No. 34: Trent Botha

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The details: Botha is a 5-foot-11-inch senior from South Africa who is expected to be the Arizona tennis team’s leader this upcoming season. Botha started his career at Oklahoma State before deciding to transfer after one season to play for coach Tad Berkowitz with the Wildcats. At Oklahoma State, Botha went 3-0 on courts five and six for the Cowboys. Berkowitz left after Botha’s first season at Arizona. Botha quickly bonded with his new coach, Clancy Shields, who came to Arizona after three seasons as Utah State’s head coach.

“The guy has the most passion I’ve ever seen in a coach,” Botha told ArizonaWildcats.com. “He wants us to win so bad, and he’s willing to put so much effort and work in to get us there.”

The numbers: In Botha’s first season at Arizona playing for Berkowitz, he went 8-14 in dual singles play on courts three, four and five, with a 4-3 singles record and 3-2 doubles record. As a junior, and his first year playing for Shields, Botha spent most of the season on court three — where he held a 6-8 record — and had an overall dual singles record of 9-9. He also paired with senior Oliver Plaskett for a team-best 6-9 dual doubles record.

“Trent was one of our most improved players,” Shields said. “He consistently got better as the season went on and became a strong spot in our lineup. This was Trent’s third coach in three years, so a lot of the season was a learning experience about how we work and operate, but once he caught on, his game flourished.”

The value: Plaskett and Will Kneale are out of eligibility, leaving Botha as the leader in a four-person senior class. Shields expects him to take on a larger role this season.

The Wildcats haven’t won a single conference match in three years and haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2010. Last season, the Wildcats improved to 9-16 after going 8-17 the year before Shields arrived, and if Arizona is going to start making strides toward a postseason return, Botha will be a large part of that.

Why Botha? Shields has raved about the team’s depth and has pointed to Botha as someone with “the potential to break out this year.”

Botha has shown flashes in the last couple seasons, but the Wildcats expect him to emerge as someone who can compete on courts one and two on a consistent basis.

Proof he’s good: Some of Botha’s best performances last year came in individual wins against 24th-ranked Oregon, Utah, San Diego State, Marquette and Utah State. Before he began his first season at Arizona,

Botha advanced to the semifinals in doubles play at the Standard Bank Open in Maputo, Mozambique, and he captured the singles and doubles title at the SAS ITF 2 tournament in 2013. He was ranked 421st in the world at the end of 2014. At Arizona, much of Botha’s adjustment has been to coaching changes.

What Botha can accomplish: The Wildcats haven’t had an All-Conference selection since Claudio Christen was named to the All-Pac-10 second team in 2007.

Unless Arizona bounces back as a team and Botha tallies an impressive individual record, it will be a difficult feat to accomplish, but if anyone on Arizona’s roster is capable, it’s Botha.

Coachspeak: “Trent’s biggest strength in my opinion is his will and desire to be great. He is physically one of the fittest players in the country and has a lot of power in his game to impose his will.

“Trent takes care of the big-picture items and does a great job of working hard in the classroom, weight room and in practice.

“He can be one of the elite players in the country if he pays attention to the little details and makes a commitment to taking care of the little things that are so vital.” — Shields

How Botha performed: The Wildcats struggled in conference play with a 0-8 record during the regular season. Botha was a key reason why UA beat Utah in the Pac-12 championships. Down a set, Botha won two straight sets to clinch the win for Arizona. Not a bad way to cap off a senior season. 

No. 33: Delaney Schnell

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The details: Schnell is entering her freshman season as one of the most highly regarded recruits to join Arizona’s diving program in program history. Schnell — who started her prep career at Tucson High before switching to Arizona Connection Academy, an online school — is originally from Michigan and initially had planned to attend college in the Midwest, also considering Purdue before deciding that Arizona was the right fit because of the proximity to her family, the program’s history and the presence of her chosen major, psychology. Perhaps even more than all of that, though, Schnell will get to compete for UA coach Omar Ojeda, who has trained Schnell for the last three years.

“That’s very helpful because for any diver when they transition to college, they have to transition to new training programs, but I’m already familiar with that,” Schnell said. “That’s good because I won’t have to sit there and take that time to get used to everything, get used to his coaching methods, all that.”

The numbers: Schnell hasn’t finished outside of the top five in any event dating to 2015, when she finished in seventh in the preliminary quarterfinal of the 21st Fina Diving Grand Prix. Most recently, Schnell finished with a score of 963.70 at the USA Diving FINA World Championship Trials, good for second, which qualified Schnell for a spot on Team USA for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Schnell flies out for the competition — which will take place from July 14-22 — on Wednesday.

The value: Arizona’s most recent diving star was Samantha Pickens, who won two NCAA titles, one Pac-12 title and two Pac-12 Diver of the Year awards from 2012-15. Schnell has the ability to put Arizona’s diving program amongst the nation’s best, and as quickly as her freshman season.

“She is very talented, which is why it’s fundamental to take everything step by step … because if we don’t, she won’t reach her potential,” Ojeda said. “I am positive she will make a huge impact.”

Why Schnell? Schnell enters Arizona with high expectations, and already is aspiring to lofty goals. Such as this one — Schnell wants to win NCAA championships all four years she’s in college. Only one diver — Florida’s Megan Neyer — won titles four years in a row, and Neyer did it in two separate events. Only two others have won titles in three different years. Beyond college, Schnell has aspirations for the 2020 Olympics.

“We have been planning and programming her to be at her 100 percent for Tokyo in 2020,” Ojeda said. “But many things will come before that.”

Proof she’s good: It’s a lengthy list, but Schnell’s most notable accomplishments include two Junior World Championship titles, a sixth-place finish at the U.S. Olympic trials in 2016 and she’s represented the United States at the Pan American Games. Most recently, Schnell had an impressive — and intense — showing at those World Championship trials. There, Schnell entered the finals trailing Tarrin Gilliland by 8.55 points for a spot on the national team. Heading into the final round, Schnell narrowed the deficit to 1.55 points and then dove first, scoring 81.6 points while Gilliland followed by scoring 80 points, making up the difference to push Schnell into second place and to the World Championships.

“That was pretty crazy because we were only a point away going into the last dive,” Schnell said. Qualifying with that close of a lead was pretty crazy.”

What Schnell can accomplish: Beyond her lofty national championship goals — which, of course, would be a remarkable accomplishment as a freshman — Schnell can also help bring the Wildcats to relevance in the Pac-12 with a Pac-12 title. Schnell is also the presumptive favorite for the conference’s diving freshman of the year award, previously won at Arizona only by Michal Bower in 2014 and Mary Yarrison in 2004.

Coachspeak: “Besides her natural talent, she understands the process, what we need to make it (the Olympics) happen — skills, drills, technique, time, hard work at dry land, water inside and outside the pool…she will do what ever it takes to make it happen and also understands that the time will come. This doesn’t happen overnight, and she knows she still has a lot to learn.” — Ojeda

She said it: “I honestly don’t have that many goals for it (World Championships) because I don’t know what to expect. For me I usually dive better when I just go in and try to have fun and enjoy it rather than trying to expect something out of it. For me it’s just to see where I’m at with all my competitors.”

How Schnell performed: Schnell made her presence known at UA. She was the top diver in the one-meter, three-meter and the platform. In the three-meter and the platform, Schnell took first place in the Pac-12 Championships. Schnell became just the third Wildcat in history to win Pac-12 newcomer/freshman of the year, joining Michal Bower (2014) and Mary Yarrison (2004). Olympics in 2020 is almost a guarantee at this rate. 

No. 32: Tyler Spriggs

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The details: Spriggs is a 6-foot-1-inch outside hitter from Los Angeles entering her junior season. Spriggs chose Arizona over offers from Miami, Wisconsin and Colorado because of Arizona’s coaching staff, the competition in the Pac-12 and proximity to her home in Los Angeles, where her family still resides. Spriggs has athletic genes — her father, Larry, spent five seasons in the NBA and was a part of the Los Angeles Lakers team that won the 1985 NBA Championship.

“I loved the fact that I was close enough to my hometown of Los Angeles that my family would be able to come see me play with no problem,” Spriggs said.

The numbers: Spriggs was named to the Pac-12’s all-freshman team in 2015 after posting 2.63 kills per set, a .180 hitting percentage and 0.38 blocks per set. Spriggs’ numbers dropped slightly after she lost her starting position to Kendra Dahlke. As a sophomore, she was fourth on the team with 1.64 kills per set — 141 overall — and a .190 hitting percentage, 0.27 blocks and 0.42 digs per set in 86 sets played.

“Last year I took on more of a supporting role for the team, coming off of the bench,” Spriggs said. “This new role definitely took some time for me to adjust to, but I was ready to do whatever was needed of me in order to help the team succeed.”

The value: The Wildcats have lost outside hitters in senior Kalei Mau, an All-American, and Katarina Pilepic. Dahlke returns and is expected to be Arizona’s star. The Wildcats’ other outside hitters include redshirt freshman Elizabeth Shelton and true freshmen Paige Whipple and Katie Smoot, none of whom have any match experience.

UA coach Dave Rubio said he expects Spriggs to earn a starting position and become one of Arizona’s best players.

“I like what Tyler is. I like where she’s at mentally,” Rubio said. “I think this is going to be a big year for Tyler.”

Why Spriggs? The Wildcats need another outside hitter to emerge alongside Dahkle, and Spriggs has already proven capable of providing that level of production. Even in a reserve role, Spriggs is Arizona’s second-leading returner in terms of kills per set, and she should improve on her statistics as a junior. In the offseason, Rubio had Spriggs play for the sand volleyball team.

“She committed to playing sand, and she did that to help her indoor game,” Rubio said. “So we feel like Tyler is going to put herself in position to get lots of minutes from the start.”

Proof she’s good: As a freshman, Spriggs had 18 kills in an upset victory over UCLA and was second on the team with 14 double-digit kill matches. As a sophomore — mainly as a reserve — she had another four matches with double-digit kills, and again helped the Wildcats upset UCLA, then-ranked No. 9, by amassing 12 kills on 24 error-free swings.

What Spriggs can accomplish: With all the offense the Wildcats lose with Mau and Pilepic gone, Spriggs has the ability, and opportunity, to fill much of that production void. She could earn all-conference honors with a big year.

Coachspeak: “Her sole purpose in life right now is to get her starting position back. She’ll have those opportunities. I’m looking forward to seeing where she’s at. She’s been out there training hard. I’m looking forward to seeing where she’s at physically and skillwise.” — Rubio

She said it: “Before I got to Arizona my freshman year, I had moments where I felt and acted immature in my approach toward my teammates and losing sight of what it meant to be an all-around player. As soon as I set foot at Arizona, my whole perspective and outlook on being part of a team changed.” — Spriggs

How Spriggs performed: Spriggs was fourth on the team in kills (165) along with a .180 hitting percentage. After fighting for her starting role, she was a key part of Arizona's season in 2017. Her best weekend in Pac-12 play was in Los Angeles when she contributed 26 kills against UCLA and USC. 

No. 31: George Cunningham

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The details: Cunningham came to Arizona in 2014 rated the No. 2 overall recruit in the nation by Golfweek and the AJGA. He arrived at the UA having already accomplished quite a bit as a golfer, and some suggested he might turn pro after an abbreviated college career. That hasn’t happened: Cunningham has dealt with injuries and inconsistency over his first three college seasons.

The numbers: Since his stellar freshman season — more on that later — Cunningham has spent much of his time trying to bounce back. As a sophomore, he missed six months dealing with a dysfunctional tailbone and played in only three tournaments, managing a 75.33 stroke average. He performed much better as a junior, competing in all of Arizona’s 12 tournaments with a team-best 73.06 stroke average. Cunnningham also posted 12 rounds of par or better, two top-10 finishes and five top-20 finishes.

The value: Cunningham needs to emerge as Arizona’s top golfer if the Wildcats are going to return to the program’s heyday. Arizona has some talent beyond Cunningham, including sophomore David Laskin and incoming star freshman Trevor Werbylo of Salpointe Catholic. If Cunningham can continue to bounce back from a difficult sophomore season, the Wildcats will be in good shape.

Why Cunningham? When Cunningham’s at his best, he has the potential to be one of the top golfers in the nation. Cunningham said he’s back on the right path.

“For me, my last season was not what I wanted,” he said. “I had a few tournaments that I felt like I played to my potential and that was all I did. I did make a large stride toward where I want to go for my senior year, however, which is encouraging.”

Proof he’s good: Consider all he accomplished in the 2014-15 season. Cunningham was named to the All-Pac-12 second team and All-Pac-12 freshman team and posted a career-best 71.6 stroke average, which tied for second on UA’s all-time freshman single season list and 10th on the overall all-time list. He notched 19 rounds of par or better with six top-10 finishes and nine top-20 finishes. Cunningham played alongside UA alumnus Jim Furyk in the Northern Trust Open Collegiate Showcase and took second with a round of 72.

What Cunningham can accomplish: If he can get back to the levels of his freshman season, Cunningham would be a lock for All-Conference honors and a candidate to win the Pac-12 Men’s Golfer of the Year award. Cunningham has aspirations beyond that.

“My biggest goal is to get at least one college win,” Cunningham said. “It has escaped me a few times and it will make my college experience feel complete if I can get at least one win. Also, I would love to become an All-American.”

Coachspeak: “Given George’s experience and career plans with competitive golf, I believe he is ready for a great final year of college and amateur golf. He knows what to expect each week. Also, he will be able to play with freedom because the records and scores are washed out teeing it up at the next level. I believe this will be great for him and we are excited for him to lead our team to great things.” — UA coach Jim Anderson

He said it: “I feel like I had a successful freshman year that set up a good place to move forward as a golfer. But my injury during my sophomore year has dropped my game back pretty far. … I feel it is coming together for my senior year, and hopefully I will be the best I’ve been so far.” — Cunningham

How Cunningham performed: Cunningham finished the season with a 70.40 scoring average, which was the second-lowest in UA history since Chris Nallen in 2004. Cunningham's career scoring average Arizona was 71.87, which is the third best in program history. In four years, Cunningham dealt with a back injury, but finished off his senior named to the All-Pac-12 Team and will turn his focus to the PGA Tour Canada card.

No. 30: Paris Corley

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The details: Corley is a 5-foot-5-inch former five-star recruit from New Mexico entering her sophomore season. Corley spent her first two years of high school in New Mexico before moving to Phoenix and taking classes online with Connections Academy while training at Go Beyond Tennis Academy. Corley cited the weather, the level of competition and the UA’s stance as the only show in town — without professional sports teams — as reasons for picking Arizona. Arizona coach Vicky Maes, a former star player for the Wildcats, was also a draw for Corley.

“Having the opportunity to play for a coach like her is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Corley said.

The numbers: Corley posted a 6-3 singles record and a 5-3 doubles mark in the fall. In the spring, she was second only to Lauren Marker, Arizona’s senior star, with 16-8 overall record with a combined 9-2 mark on Courts No. 3 and 4, plus a solid 7-6 record on Court No. 2. Corley and Marker went 8-2 as a doubles team, all on Court 1. Corley also went 3-4 with Marie Van Aelst.

“Looking back, I would say I had a successful first season,” Corley said. “I learned a lot and grew so much.”

The value: Marker finished her career as one of the most-productive players in school history. She was the first Wildcat since Maes to win more than 100 singles matches in her career. The Wildcats will look to Corley to take Marker’s place.

Why Corley? Corley already was one of Arizona’s best players as a true freshman, and the Wildcats will look for her to take the next step as a sophomore. Corley has been working to improve her agility and speed on the court and is developing a more consistent serve.

Proof she’s good: That 16-8 record as a freshman is proof already. If not for the presence of UCLA star Ena Shibara, who was named both Pac-12 singles player of the year and Pac-12 freshman of the year, Corley might’ve had a real shot at winning the freshman award. Corley performed well against ranked schools, winning in both doubles and singles against Utah in the Pac-12 Tournament and topping USC, Oregon and Denver in the regular season. Corley’s most-impressive moment came when she upset California’s then-ranked No. 45 Maegan Manasse 7-5, 0-6, 1-0.

Maes called it a “true highlight” at the time.

“She battled hard when it counted most and was able to beat one of the best players in the nation,” Maes said. “I hope that, for her, this can serve as motivation to keep working hard and make those changes to her game that will turn her into a top player, too.”

What Corley can accomplish: Corley can establish herself as Arizona’s best player for the next three seasons and gradually climb up Arizona’s record books to the heights of players like Maes and Marker. Next season, she should lead the Wildcats in victories and can finish the season with a solid case for all-conference honors, which include six players on the first team and 10 on the second team.

Coachspeak: “There are so many things I love about Paris. Clearly, she is very athletic and highly motivated, with a huge upside because she is such a hard worker and a student of the game. … She comes from a long line of D-I college athletes and there is no doubt she is going to be very successful on and off the court.” — Maes, when Corley signed with the Wildcats

She said it: “The transition going from looking at tennis as an individual sport to realizing that college tennis is a team sport was a lot of fun. I love being on a team and having that support. Pac-12 tennis is one of the best, so having the opportunity to play against some of the best top-ranked players was an amazing experience.” — Corley

How Corley performed: Corley had a down year in 2018, posting a 2-3 record and was 1-0 in the No. 2 spot. Fortunately for Corley, she will have a fresh start next season with newly hired head coach Ryan Stotland. 

No. 29: Reyna Carranco

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The details: Carranco is a 5-foot-6 second baseman and slap-hitter from Oxnard, California, entering her sophomore season with Arizona softball. Carranco came to the Wildcats somewhat under the radar in a recruiting class that included Jessie Harper and Dejah Mulipola, the latter rated the No. 5-overall recruit in the nation by FloSoftball. Still, Carranco was highly sought after — she picked the Wildcats over ASU, Oklahoma and Florida State. Upon signing, Carranco said she picked the UA because “right when I stepped on campus I felt at home. I love everything Arizona has to offer and I especially love the family atmosphere coach (Mike) Candrea and the softball program bring.”

The numbers: Carranco’s full-season numbers don’t tell the whole story. At the end of her freshman season, her line looked like this: .340 average, 1 home run, 17 RBIs, 35 runs and a .447 on-base percentage. For a bottom-of-the-order hitter, those are all solid numbers. They’re even better considering this: Carranco hit .150 in Arizona’s first 27 games. She hit .454 in the last 34.

“I was really mad because I wasn’t doing what I knew how to do,” Carranco said in the postseason. “I just kept trying and trying, so that’s when I went to the slap.”

The value: Next season, the Wildcats lose star hitters Mandie Perez, Katiyana Mauga and Mo Mercado, though for the sake of Carranco, Perez might be the most relevant one. Perez was Arizona’s leadoff hitter and one of the best run-scorers in the nation. It’s unclear how  Candrea plans to alter his lineup next season, but Carranco would be a clear candidate to rise from the bottom of the order to the top, or near it, with her slap-hitting, speed and ability to get on base.

If the Wildcats expect to make a run back to Oklahoma City, Carranco will be a big part of that.

Why Carranco? The infielder went through some noticeable freshman struggles to start out her career, but after some adjustments, she was Arizona’s hottest hitter, and probably its most consistent, the rest of the season. If Carranco continues that trajectory, she has star potential. Candrea attributed some of her early struggles to trying to get Carranco to focus less on the short game and more on her untapped power potential. When that wasn’t working out, they adjusted back to the short game.

“She swings the bat well. When I recruited her I was impressed with her power,” Candrea said. “She’s got good hands, she makes good decisions and she’s starting to realize there’s times when she can use the short game, and I think she’s been able to use it quite well. Now she’s a five-tool player that can do a lot of different things.”

Proof she’s good: Carranco entered Arizona’s first Pac-12 series against Oregon State with that .150 batting average.

In the first game of that series, she was 2 for 2 with two runs scored. The rest of the way, she had nine multi-hit games after getting zero prior to Pac-12 play.

Carranco was particularly impressive against Oregon, going 3 for 4 with two runs and a triple in a 10-7 win, and in the postseason when she opened with three multi-hit games in a row and hit .556 overall in six games.

Before the postseason, Carranco was named both an All-Pac-12 third team selection and made the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. She’s also a talented fielder at second base.

“If you hit her 1,000 ground balls, she will probably pick the right hop 985 times,” Candrea said. “Rarely she gets a bad hop. She’s got some things you don’t teach, great instincts.”

What Carranco can accomplish: Carranco was Arizona’s leading hitter from the start of Pac-12 play onward, and it’d be reasonable to expect her to lead the Wildcats in batting average next season.

With continued improvement, Carranco is a legitimate candidate for All-Conferece first- or second-team honors.

Coachspeak: “She’s got a calmness to her. Be around her a little bit, and you want to check her pulse and make sure she’s still breathing because she’s one of those. She doesn’t get excited, which makes her a great second baseman .” — Candrea

She said it: “I don’t know what it was, I just think it was a funk because I was like, what the heck is going on? It’s just settling in now more that I know what’s going on. … I feel a little more confident now I think than at the beginning and I think I’m more comfortable now with Pac-12 play started because I know what’s going to be happening now, and that’s really helped me.” — Carranco at mid-season after breaking her slump.

How Carranco performed: Carranco missed a few games with a broken nose injury after she was hit by a 70-mile-per-hour fastball at Washington. That didn't stop her from being third on the team with a .335 batting average. The sophomore was placed on the All-Pac-12 third team. 

No. 28: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

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The details: Flannigan-Fowles is a 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pound safety from Tucson entering his junior season. He played two seasons at Tucson High — as a junior, he was selected to the Star’s All-Southern Arizona first team — before transferring to Mountain View for his senior season. However, the Arizona Interscholastic Association deemed him ineligible and he was forced to sit out the entire season. He was already committed to the Wildcats 2015 recruiting class at that point, committing verbally  shortly after receiving his first, and only, offer from his hometown school. Arizona stuck with him and intended to grayshirt him for 2015, making him a true freshman the following year. But out of necessity the Wildcats brought him in sooner and he earned playing time in all 13 games in 2015.

“That helped me mature faster,” Flannigan-Fowles said. “It helped me see how the game is played and helped me just be able to take that into account going into the next season.”

The numbers: In 2015, Flannigan-Fowles was mostly a reserve and frequent contributor to Arizona’s “S.W.A.T.” defensive package in passing situations. He recorded 28 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and one forced fumble as a freshman. As a sophomore, he was one of Arizona’s best defensive players, contributing 78 total tackles — 59 solo — with four tackles for loss, two interceptions and six pass deflections.

The value: On an extremely young defense, the Wildcats will need Flannigan-Fowles to emerge not only as one of its best players, but as a team leader. Arizona lost two seniors — corner DaVonte’ Neal and safety Tellas Jones — from its secondary from last season, and the Wildcats haven’t had a bona fide playmaker at safety since Tra’Mayne Bondurant a couple of seasons ago. Flannigan-Fowles has an NFL body and has flashed potential, but the Wildcats need him to take the next step.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Flannigan-Fowles said. “I’m feeling more comfortable that I know the speed, I know what to expect, I know the time and effort you have to put in to prepare yourself for Saturdays, so I’m getting there. I’ve accepted the challenge.”

Why Flannigan-Fowles? Arizona will likely have all newcomers at its traditional linebacker positions — senior DeAndre’ Miller will be the “stud” linebacker, which is a cross between defensive end and linebacker — including a true freshman, coupled with an undersized defensive line. If the Wildcats are going to show any improvement on defense next season, they’ll need the secondary to step up. At safety, sophomores Isaiah Hayes and Tristan Cooper have had flashes of potential, as have Jace Whittaker and Dane Cruikshank at corner. Coupled with Flannigan-Fowles, the secondary might be Arizona’s most talented defensive group, and it will be the Tucsonan who will be expected to lead the way. It helps that he’s bulked up — as a freshman, he only weighed 160, now he’s up to 210.

“Physically is where I made the most progress,” he said. “I was, man, I was small my freshman year. I was sore longer, now I can recover quicker. Even last year I felt a little small. Hopefully I can do something this year.”

Proof he’s good: Flannigan-Fowles’ two interceptions were tied for the team lead last season and he’s the UA’s leading returning tackler, second only to Paul Magloire, who’s now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was particularly impressive last season against Grambling State (nine tackles, one for loss, one interception), Hawaii (one interception), in a near-upset of Washington (eight tackles, all solo, with two pass breakups), USC (11 tackles, 10 solo) and Oregon State (career-best 13 tackles, one for loss).

What Flannigan-Fowles can accomplish: If Flannigan-Fowles can continue to make strides, particularly in the forced-turnover department, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if he led the Wildcats in both tackles and interceptions next season. If his numbers improve across the board, he might be Arizona’s best candidate for All-Conference honors. Beyond that, Flannigan-Fowles can improve his draft profile heading into his senior season in 2018.

Coachspeak: ”He’s making strides, and you can see a difference in him. I’d like to say that’s all me and beat my chest, but he’s come with a work ethic that’s second to none. ... You come with a great work ethic, we’ll put you in a position to make plays. He’s done so, so far.” — UA safeties coach Jahmile Addae last season

He said it: “I’m learning the defense, trying to learn it like it’s the back of my hand, knowing all the checks. Watching film during the offseason has helped me a lot so I can think quicker on the field. ... Film is just the best thing for you. If I watch, it doesn’t even have to be me sitting there for hours on end watching film. If I just sit there and I watch 30 minutes, 45 minutes a day of just film, or just watch a cut-up a day, I can improve. I can take that next step to where I want to be.” — Flannigan-Fowles

How Flannigan-Fowles performed: He was the old guy on Arizona's defense and will be next season. Flanningan-Fowles was poised to have a season where his name would be all over the headlines, but instead, the freshmen linebackers in Collin Schooler and Tony Fields were the breakout stars. Flannigan-Fowles is entering his third season under defensive coordinator Marcel Yates so expect his senior year in 2018 to potentially be an All-Pac-12 caliber player. 

No. 27: Karla Teran

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The details: Teran is a sophomore high jumper from Nogales, Sonora. She emerged as one of the Wildcats’ most talented performers as a true freshman. Before she came to Arizona, Teran graduated from Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Sonora and competed for Team Mexico’s Track and Field team at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Poland, where she came in seventh in the high jump with a mark of 1.77 meters.

The numbers: Between indoor and outdoor competition and including the NCAA Championships, Teran competed in 10 events as a freshman and acquitted herself well in most of them. Teran didn’t win any events, but much of that was because of her talented teammate, senior Lisanne Hagens, who was dominant this past season for the Wildcats. Teran finished in second four times and third twice.

The value: With the duo of Teran and Hagens returning this season, the Wildcats are poised to have one of the best high-jumping duos in the nation, with both of them legitimate All-American contenders after impressive performances last year. Arizona hasn’t performed quite as well as a team in the last couple of years, but should get back on track next season with Teran and Hagen.

“My goals and expectations for next season are to qualify for NCAA championships and be able to be in the podium in both competitions, Pac-12 and NCAAs,” Teran said.

Why Teran? As a true freshman, Teran was already one of Arizona track’s best athletes, and UA coach Fred Harvey will look for Teran to continue to improve her best marks. If Teran progresses as expected, the Wildcats will be in good hands in the high jump when Hagens runs out of eligibility after next season.

Proof she’s good: As a freshman, Teran was an honorable mention All-American and earned a runner-up finish — to Hagens — at the Pac-12 Championships, making her the first UA freshman since Erin Aldrich in 1997 to finish in the top two in the conference championships. She also cleared 5 feet, 8 inches or better three times, and her personal-best clearance of 5-10 came at the Horned Frog Invitational on April 15.

Teran went into the end of the NCAA West Prelims in a seven-way tie for 11th place, and proceeded to earn the 12th and final spot to the NCAA Championships by clearing 5-9¾.

After, Harvey said “I’m really excited about Karla getting that final spot. She was nails in the jump-off.”

What Teran can accomplish: She has the ability to rise from honorable mention All-America to full-blown All-American if she keeps improving. With Hagens around, Teran is unlikely to win a conference or NCAA title, but it’s conceivable that she finishes near her teammate all season.

She said it: “It was a wonderful experience to compete at Pac-12s and win second place in the high jump.

“That was my first time competing at the Haw-yard Field, and I’m glad it went well. Also, being able to participate at NCAA Championships was an exciting experience. I’m glad I qualified to NCAA nationals because it was a great experience for me as a freshman.”

How Teran performed: Teran placed second in the Jim Click Shootout (1.75 meters) and the Desert Heat Classic (1.79 meters). 

No. 26: Olivia Hallaran

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The details: A Mesa native, Hallaran is a sophomore defender for the UA beach volleyball team. Hallaran is actually quite new to the sand, having started playing outdoor just the year before joining the Wildcats, but she was a standout indoor volleyball player at Hamilton High. She was an All-State second-team selection as a senior and competed on the RPIN Club Team in Scottsdale, a team that won 16 open national championships. Hallaran came to Arizona, which she called her “dream school,” in part because of her proximity to family, particularly with her sister attending the UA.

“It’s really nice,” Hallaran told ArizonaWildcats.com last season. “It’s nice having family around. I love that my parents can come here and watch, and I love that I can go home whenever I want. It was my dream school, so Arizona was a perfect fit.”

The numbers: As part of Arizona’s No. 2 team — behind the star Madison and McKenna Witt pairing at No. 2 — Hallaran compiled a 9-6 record with Olivia MacDonald. The duo also had a 5-3 record in the No. 3 spot for an overall record of 14-9. Hallaran never played lower than the No. 3 pairing.

The value: The Witt twins are gone — as is redshirt senior Halli Amaro — meaning the Wildcats will have to replace the best duo the program — which started in 2014 — has ever deployed. The Wildcats return some talented players, including seniors MacDonald and Hailey Devlin, junior Mia Mason and sophomore Brook Burling. But if the Wildcats are going to continue to rise and become one of the best programs in the Pac-12, without the Witts around, Hallaran could be Arizona’s next star on the sand. UA coach Steve Walker said Hallaran is “loaded with talent.”

“Olivia has tremendous drive and is unwavering in her daily approach,” Walker said. “But you don’t ascend to Team No. 2 as a freshman without having a huge sum of athletic ability. She plays very high above the net and can really cover a lot of court as a defender.”

Why Hallaran? Hallaran emerged onto Arizona’s No. 2 team as a true freshman without much sand volleyball experience, and that bodes well for her continued appearance as one of Arizona’s better performers. There will be some pressure to replace the dominant Witt pairing, but the Wildcats are in good hands with Hallaran, who will still have two more years of eligibility remaining beyond this upcoming season.

“I really look up to the twins,” Hallaran said last season of the Witts. “They’re always super positive and encouraging, and they want each and every one of us to be better. They’re super motivating and cheer you on. They want everyone to reach our best potential.”

Proof she’s good: Hallaran, with help from MacDonald, won five of her first six matches of the season, including the clinching win for Arizona on the road at Arizona State. After a four-match losing streak, Hallaran helped her duo win a nail-biter against Utah in three sets, along with wins against TCU, New Mexico, Cal State Bakersfield and Grand Canyon. To close out the regular season, Hallaran/MacDonald won matches against Washington, Stanford and California with a loss to UCLA mixed in. In the Pac-12 Championships, which were in Tucson, Hallaran and MacDonald took down California before falling to UCLA and Stanford, the latter coming in an intense three-set (21-17, 14-21, 13-15) loss to the Cardinal.

Walker thinks she is ready to take the next step.

“To me, what was most impressive about her performance throughout the course of (last) season was really her willingness to never give in to any moment or opponent,” Walker said. “She was the least experienced starter we had, and you would have never thought that watching her.”

What Hallaran can accomplish: With the Witt twins gone, Hallaran will likely emerge to be part of Arizona’s No. 1 tandem. If that is the case, and Hallaran can improve on the 14-9 record for last season, the sophomore is a solid candidate for either the Pac-12’s 10-person All-Conference first team, or 10-person second team.

Coachspeak: “I expect Olivia to stay true to what brought her game to such a high level in 2017. Olivia only knows one way to be, and that is to give the very best of yourself every single time you take the court. Some credit really needs to go to her high school and club coaches, who are very demanding, but all of me feels that’s just how she is.” — Walker

She said it: “I really love everything (about Arizona). I feel like everyone’s a family here. I love how the town is centered around U of A. No matter where you go, someone has something U of A on. I feel like everyone is super supportive of the school.” — Hallaran

How Hallaran performed: Hallaran was teamed up with the other Olivia on the team, Olivia Macdonald. The Olivias paired together had a 9-6 record in the No. 2 position and went 5-3 in the No. 3 spot. Hallaran's individual record was 14-9 in 2018. 

No. 25: J.J.Taylor

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The details: Taylor is a diminutive running back from Corona, California, entering his second season with Arizona football. Even though he played in four games last season as a true freshman — before missing the final eight with a broken ankle — Taylor still qualified for a redshirt and so will enter next season as a redshirt freshman. Taylor came to Arizona after a stellar prep career at Centennial High School, rushing for nearly 4,000 yards and 68 touchdowns his last two seasons. Despite those video-game numbers, Taylor was still somewhat unheralded as a recruit because of his size — he’s currently listed as 5-foot-6 and 170 pounds. His only Power Five conference offers out of high school were from Arizona and Washington State, with others coming from Nevada, Ohio, Montana State, Sacramento State and Weber State.

“When I met him in person, I said, ‘Boy, he’s kind of tiny,’” Arizona co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach Calvin Magee said last season. “But when I watched him practice, I said, ‘I don’t care.’”

The numbers: In four games before going down with an injury, Taylor rushed for 261 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries, even though he barely played in Arizona’s first game of the season against BYU. Taylor was poised for a breakout freshman season before the injury, which occurred during the Wildcats’ fourth game against Washington.

“More than anything, you just feel bad for him,” UA coach Rich Rodriguez said after the game. “He will be back at 100 percent and be even better. But right now it stings.”

The value: This season, on paper the Wildcats have perhaps the most top-to-bottom talented group of running backs since Rodriguez started his UA tenure in 2012. It largely depends on health, though — Taylor missed most of his freshman season and is small for a running back, Nick Wilson hasn’t been able to remain healthy since a stellar freshman season in 2014 and true freshman Nathan Tilford hasn’t experienced the physicality of college football yet. Regardless, if Taylor can stay healthy, there’s a good chance he’ll be Arizona’s workhorse in the backfield and has the potential to put up numbers at the position the Wildcats haven’t had in a few years. Even at a self-described 80 percent health, Taylor showed flashes of improvement during spring drills.

“The sky’s the limit,” UA quarterback Brandon Dawkins said in the spring. “If that’s 80 percent, it’s really impressive.”

Why Taylor? Even in limited time, Taylor has flashed the ability to be a game-changing talent for Arizona’s offense. With continued improvement, and health, Taylor has star-level potential. Rodriguez is never one to rave much about individual players, but few players at Arizona make him light up quite like when he talks about Taylor. Rodridugez has compared him to former West Virginia standout Noel Devine and frequently lauds his football IQ.

“He has probably learned as quickly as any true freshman I’ve ever had,” Rodriguez said last season, “and I’ve had some really good ones.”

Proof he’s good: The best proof came in a two-game stretch where Taylor rushed for a combined 267 yards on 37 carries with two touchdowns, particularly in Arizona’s dominant win over Hawaii in Week 3. After that win, Taylor was the talk of Tucson after a Madden-esque performance that saw Taylor juking, spinning, twisting and turning away from defenders on his way to 168 rushing yards, including one run that went for 61 yards. He was flashing the same talent a week later against the Huskies — an eventual College Football Playoff team — before he injured his ankle.

“It was disappointing while the game was going on,” Taylor said of the injury. “But afterwards, after talking to my parents and talking to other people, they gave me words of wisdom. Everything happens for a reason.”

What Taylor can accomplish: Of course, the key for Taylor will be staying healthy. With Arizona’s depth at running back, the Wildcats won’t need to give Taylor a Ka’Deem Carey-esque workload, which should help. But with a full season, Taylor has real potential to be amongst the Pac-12’s leaders in rushing yards and would seem to be a dark-horse candidate for an All-Conference selection and Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year awards … if he stays healthy.

“I don’t like to think that there’s anything I can’t do,” Taylor said in the spring.

Coachspeak: “Noel probably had one of the most unbelievable (high school) highlight tapes you’d ever see. He would have three or four guys in a 2-yard box area, and none of them could even touch him. He was that quick and that explosive. J.J. has a lot of (those) same qualities. Noel was probably a little faster, but J.J. is so light on his feet. He’s like a butterfly.” — Rodriguez comparing Taylor to Devine

He said it: “I wouldn’t be able to tell you (if they do that) because that’s not my focus. I come out what’s planned for me to do and what the coaches want me to do. That’s not anything I think about at all. It’s just about winning the next game and coming out for practice, practicing as hard as I can, making my teammates work better and making them better players.” — Taylor, on people doubting him because of his height.

How Taylor performed: Who would've guessed that shortest player on a football field would get ejected for targeting? Taylor did that against Colorado, Khalil Tate's breakout game. Taylor was fortunately able to play the entire season as Nick Wilson's co-partner in the backfield and contributed 828 yards and 7 touchdowns. Taylor was named the Pac-12 co-offensive freshman of the year. 

No. 24: Madison Cindric

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The details: Cindric, from Lantana, Texas, is Arizona’s sole all-around competitor entering her senior season. Before coming to Tucson, Cindric had been home-schooled since the fifth grade, eventually training and competing with a club team called Texas Dreams. In 2011, she was a level 10 Junior Olympic National Qualifier and in 2012 Madison became the level 10 State champion of both beam and upper bars. In 2013 she was the level 10 regional beam champion, was a Junior Olympic team member, and placed third in the all-around of the Junior Olympic National competition. Cindric was recruited by other schools, but former longtime Arizona coach Bill Ryden convinced her to become a Wildcat. Tabitha Yim is entering her third season as Ryden’s replacement.

“I always wanted to compete in the Pac-12 and they were one of the first schools to recruit me,” Cindric told ArizonaWildcats.com last season. “Once I met the team and saw the athletic program I was hooked. Not to mention the campus is beautiful.” 

The numbers: As a junior, Cindric missed a large chunk of Arizona’s season dealing with a broken toe suffered practicing for a meet against Iowa State, but when she returned at the end of the season, she performed well. For three straight meets to end the year, Cindric managed a 9.85 score or higher on the balance beam. As a freshman and sophomore, Cindric competed in all of Arizona’s 26 total meets. Cindric’s career-highs include a 9.85 score on vault, 9.925 on uneven bars, 9.925 on balance beam and 9.85 on floor. Cindric was named a Pac-12 Freshman of the Week in the last week of the season in 2015.

The value: Cindric’s stance as Arizona’s sole all-around competitor — meaning she competes in all four events, vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor — makes her particularly valuable, and important, for any success the Wildcats might have. When healthy, Cindric is particularly adept on the balance beam. The Wildcats haven’t finished better than fifth place at the Pac-12 Championships since 2010, or in the Top-3 since 2005 and haven’t made it to the NCAA Championships since 2002. If the Wildcats are going to improve on last season’s seventh-place Pac-12 finish, Cindric will be an important part of that.

Why Cindric? Yim has said she has high expectations for Cindric, and the flashes of talent she showed at the end of last season show that, when healthy, Cindric can be one of the better all-around competitors in a tough Pac-12 Conference. Arizona only had a 1-5 conference record last season, and Cindric’s absence due to injury certainly played a role in that.

Proof she’s good: Upon returning after a two-month absence, Cindric performed quite well at the end of the season considering how long she was out of commission. In her first performance back on bars, she scored a 9.75 against BYU. More impressively, she set career-highs in both balance beam (9.925) and all-around score (39.325), the latter good for first place against the Cougars.

“It certainly is nice to have Madison Cindric back in the lineup as an all-rounder,” Yim told the Daily Wildcat after that meet. “She really shined tonight.”

What Cindric can accomplish: Arizona hasn’t had an all-around individual Pac-12 Champion since Heidi Hornbeek — arguably Arizona’s best gymnast ever — won in 1996. Hornbeek also won on balance beam and floor exercise in 1997. The expectations aren’t for Cindric to reach Hornbeek's levels of success, but with full health Cindric should at least compete for a conference title and is a good candidate for All-Conference honors.

Coachspeak: “Maddy Cindric has been our sole all-around competitor for the past few seasons. She had a fluke injury at the beginning of 2017 that kept her out for two-thirds of the season, but we expect her to have a strong 2017-2018 year.” — Yim

She said it: “It felt amazing to finally get back out there and compete. This team has been fighting all season, so I just wanted to come back and help as much as I could. I knew I just had to go up there and do what I do. After I stuck my dismount I couldn't have been more excited. Getting a season high and tying my career high for my first time back out there was so special.” — Cindric to the Daily Wildcat last season

How Cindric performed: Arizona's team captain scored the highest balance beam score (9.950) of the season, and competed in every meet in 2018. She also scored a career-high 9.875 on the vault. Cindric was also named to the Pac-12 All-Academic second team. 

No. 23: Alyssa Palomino

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The details: Palomino is a 5-foot-10 power-hitting outfielder entering her redshirt sophomore season with the Wildcats. Even by Arizona softball’s lofty recruiting standards, Palomino was one of the more highly regarded power hitters UA coach Mike Candrea has ever reeled in. At Mission Viejo (California) High School, Palomino set Orange County home run records both for a season (18) and career (58), and helped the U.S. Junior National Team to a 10-0 record and gold medal in the Junior World Women’s Championship. There, Palomino set a Junior World Women’s Championship record for RBIs with 27, which beat UCLA legend Stacey Nuveman’s 20-year record of 18, and also tied Nuveman’s home run record with five. Beyond that, Palomino was a first-team high school All-American as a junior and senior. Palomino, who committed to the UA as a sophomore, has a UA connection, too — her aunt is Toni Mascarenas, a former Wildcats standout.

The numbers: Palomino missed her true freshman season after suffering a torn ACL on her right knee on the first day of fall practice, but bounced back nicely in her redshirt freshman campaign. Palomino finished the season with a .302 average and 49 runs scored and was third on the team in both home runs (16) and RBIs (54).

The value: Palomino suffered another torn ACL — this time on her left knee — in practice leading up to postseason play and missed all of Arizona’s regional and super regional games. As a result, Palomino might move from center field to first base next season, but that won’t have any real impact on her value to the Wildcats. With Katiyana Mauga — the best power hitter in UA history — gone, the Wildcats will need Palomino to take a step forward in the middle of the order. Palomino had surgery on her knee at the end of June, and if her recovery goes in the typical recovery timeline — often 6-8 months — Palomino should be fully recovered by the start of the season. If not for the latest knee injury, Palomino would be rated even higher on this top-50 list.

“It was tough to see Alyssa go down when she went down,” Candrea said at the time of the injury. “That changed our lineup a little bit.”

Why Palomino? Palomino at her best is probably Arizona’s top power hitter, and she showed last season what she is capable of at her peak. She’s technically entering her third season with the UA program, the second with college playing experience. Coupled with sophomore Jessie Harper, the Wildcats will have one of the best power-hitting duos in the nation. Palomino struggled to close out the season — she only hit .229 in conference play — but was still one of Arizona’s most-dangerous hitters. She was named an All-Pac-12 second team selection.

Proof she’s good: For most of the season, Palomino led the Pac-12 in RBIs, and even after some late-season struggles and the injury that cost her six postseason games, Palomino was still right behind Mauga and Harper in terms of run production, finishing third on the team with 30 extra-base hits. There was a nine-game stretch from March 25 to April 8 when Palomino hit six home runs and drove in 19, including a 7-RBI game against Stanford on April 7. At that point, Palomino’s batting average was .353.

What Palomino can accomplish: Assuming Palomino returns to full health and stays there, there’s no reason to think she won’t be an All-Conference selection, and probably a first-teamer. With her increased responsibility as one of Arizona’s go-to run producers, it’s conceivable that Palomino ends the season an All-American, too, and she’ll likely battle with Harper for the team lead in home runs and RBIs.

Coachspeak: “She’s a kid who has a great passion for the game and has a great work ethic. That’s her life. She loves playing the game of softball. I think we have quite a few of those this year.” — Candrea last season

She said it: “You know, there’s been ups and downs, but that’s what this game is all about. It’s definitely a ride that I’ve never experienced before. It’s a long season and just keeping our bodies right and our minds right for it, it’s been fun and one hell of a ride for this team.” — Palomino before her postseason injury

How Palomino performed: Palomino brought out the bats this season. She had the highest batting average (.363) on the team and led UA with 19 home runs. The sophomore outfielder also received First-Team All-Pac-12 honors. 

No. 22: Lainey Burdett

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The details: Burdett is a 5-foot-9 goalkeeper from Las Vegas entering her junior season with the Wildcats. Burdett started her UA career early in 2015, enrolling in the spring semester before her freshman season. That, Burdett said, helped speed up the transition process and had Burdett ready to start as Arizona’s goalkeeper as a true freshman. Burdett considered other schools, including Oregon, before committing to the Widlcats, but said she knew this is where she wanted to play, in part because of the campus and college-town feel, but mostly because of Arizona’s coaching staff, namely head coach Tony Amato — hired before the 2013 season — and assistant Paul Nagy.

“I love the coaching staff,” Burdett said. “I love Paul, working with him. He’s definitely made me a better player. And I love Tony and how they (the staff) go about everything.”

The numbers: As a freshman, Burdett played in 16 games (over 1,250 minutes) and compiled a 1.22 goals against average and a .754 save percentage with 52 saves. Burdett improved her numbers across the board as a sophomore, participating again in 16 games (1,470 miuntes) with a 1.16 goals against average, .756 save percentage with 59 saves.

The value: Irregardless of talent, the goalkeeper is, of course, one of the most important positions on the pitch. It helps that Burdett has talent, too. The Wildcats season ended without an NCAA Tournament bid last year after UA ended with a 9-9-1 record (4-7 Pac-12), breaking a streak of making the postseason at two years. If the Wildcats are going to back, much of that will depend on Burdett’s performance.

“As a goalkeeper she sees the whole field and you need somebody you can trust back there as your last person,” said UA star midfielder Gabi Stoian. “It’s good that she can be vocal and she can be trusted back there and she comes up big for us.”

Why Burdett? Burdett missed Arizona’s first three games last season as she was sick with mononucleosis and couldn’t play, and the Wildcats lost a game to Pepperdine 3-1 in that stretch. Upon Burdett’s return, the Wildcats went 4-0-1 in the next five games and outscored opponents 10-2. Beyond her importance, she’s talented — UA coach Tony Amato said she’s got a real shot at All-Pac-12 honors at the end of the season — and has shown improvement each year.

“I definitely feel like having the experience now of two years under my belt gives me a lot more confidence going into this year,” Burdett said. “Then, hopefully, I’ll be able to keep getting better each year.”

Proof she’s good: As a freshman, Burdett had three shutouts. As a sophomore, that number jumped to seven, tied forthe fourth-highest total in the Pac-12 and the third most in a season in UA history. In five non-conference games, Burdett only allowed two goals and stood out against Washington State (zero goals on 18 shots, season-high eight saves) and Arizona State (zero goals on 12 shots, with five saves). For her career, Burdett is No. 3 all-time in goals-against-average (1.19), fourth in shutouts (10) and ninth in career saves (111).

What Burdett can accomplish: If Burdett shows continued improvement, and can rise in the Pac-12 in terms of goals against average and save percentage, she has a shot at being named an All-Conference selection. Plus, Burdett will continue to climb in the Arizona record books and could enter her senior season next year with the change to become a career record holder in a few categories.

They said it: “She’s a character. She’s great to play with. She’s an amazing player on the field, she’s vocal, she conducts her back line, all the way to the front. She’s good at what she does on the fied and then off the field she makes jokes, she makes people laugh, it’s great being around her.” — Stoian

She said it: “The season didn’t go as we planned but on a personal level I feel that I got better from my freshman year. So just the improvement along with that, I thought it was good. Obviously I hope this year goes a lot better…last year was definitely a huge bummer but now we know it’s time to work and we know what we have to do in order to get there.” — Burdett

How Burdett performed: Was named Pac-12 goalkeeper of the week after recording a career-high 11 saves against No. 2 Stanford. Burdett also had seven shutouts, which is the third most in program history. 

No. 21: Justin Wright

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The details: Wright is a 5-foot-7 swimmer from Fresno, California, who specializes in the 200-meter butterfly for Arizona’s swimming program. Out of high school, Wright was ranked the 20th-best recruit in California and No. 131 overall by CollegeSwimming.com.

Wright chose the Wildcats over offers from California, Tennessee and Auburn out of Clovis West High School, and he liked the Wildcats enough to commit to the program while the UA was dealing was some turmoil with its coach at the time, Eric Hansen, who was in the midst of a season-long leave of absence before eventually resigning.

Wright stuck to his commitment with Arizona when Rick DeMont was named his replacement and is staying at UA for his senior year with new coach Augie Busch, with whom Wright met last week for the first time.

The numbers: As a junior, Wright performed best in the 200 butterfly, recording Arizona’s top time for the season in the event, but also finished with Arizona’s 10th-best 50 freestyle time (22.19), sixth-best 500 freestyle (4:33.73) and third-best 100 butterfly (46.78).

As a sophomore, Wright set the school record in the 200 butterfly — which he has since broken — and earned a selection as an honorable mention All-American. As a freshman, he recorded a team-best time (1:43.85) in the 200 butterfly along with the fifth-fastest time in three other events: 500 free (4:36.30), 1,000 free (9:56.91) and 100 fly (48.31).

The value: Arizona’s swimming program is in a transitional period, factoring in DeMont’s retirement, the hiring of a new coach and the general struggles of the programs since legendary coach Frank Busch left in 2011 and the Wildcats dealt with the turmoil of the Hansen years.

With misses in recruiting, coupled with some departures after DeMont’s retirement — including men’s standout Blair Bish — the Wildcats will rely on Wright to be one of the team’s standouts on the men’s side. If Arizona is going to remain competitive in Augie Busch’s first season, Wright will be a big part of that.

Why Wright? Wright is already a school record-holder, which is a major accomplishment at a school with Arizona’s prestigious history.

He’s one of the best butterfly swimmers in the Pac-12, and should continue to rise in the event as a senior at the national level.

Proof he’s good: Wright broke his own school record in the 200 butterfly at the NCAA Championships. Actually, he broke it twice — first in the preliminary round with an eighth-place finish, then again in the finals when he took seventh with a time of 1:40.94, good for second place and the first All-American honors of his career.

Recently, Wright qualified for the World University Games with a fifth-place finish in the 200 fly (1:56.11) at the Phillips 66 National Championships in Indianapolis. Wright will compete at the World University Games in Taiwan, Aug. 19-30.

Wright won Arizona’s Junior Male Athlete of the Year award last year over J.J. Matijevic (baseball), Dusan Ristic (basketball) and George Cunningham (golf).

What Wright can accomplish: Wright has yet to win a Pac-12 championship, and if he can continue to improve on his school-record time in the 200 butterfly, he can challenge for a conference title as a senior.

Also, Wright should be able to garner another All-America nod with a solid performance at the NCAA Championships.

He said it: “I think the biggest factor was really just the team. I took some trips, met all the guys. It’s a great group of people, great training ethics, everything, and I loved it.” — Wright about why he picked Arizona to Swimming World in 2014

How Wright performed: Posted the best time in the 200 butterfly on the team (1:40.16) on March 21 in the NCAA Championships. 

No. 20: Cesar Salazar

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The details: Salazar is a 5-foot-9, 190-pound catcher from Hermosillo, Sonora, who played high school baseball at Sahuaro. Salazar’s path to Arizona was certainly a unique one — after a series of personal connections placed him with some talented club baseball teams, Salazar eventually moved from Mexico to Tucson and lived with a legal guardian so he could play at Sahuaro. The Arizona Interscholastic Association deemed Salazar ineligible due to a strange AIA rule that deems international students only eligible for non-varsity level of competition. Salazar played 18 games as a senior — where he hit .613 and committed to play at Arizona for coach Andy Lopez before he retired — until the AIA deemed him ineligible again and he missed the rest of the season. Salazar initially considered turning pro but ultimately picked college baseball instead.

“I think I grew up as a human being a lot due to that experience,” Salazar said last year. “I became more mature. That helped me get tougher, too … That’s one of the biggest (reasons) I’m here. I overcame that adversity.”

The numbers: Even with the limited high school playing time, Salazar has been Arizona’s starting catcher both years he’s been at UA. As a freshman, he hit .276 with 28 RBIs and 30 runs. As a sophomore, his numbers improved across the board, including a .284 average, two home runs and 34 RBIs. Both seasons, Salazar had a .992 fielding percentage, with only four passed balls each year while throwing out a combined 21 of 52 attempted base stealers.

The value: Salazar was eligible for this year’s MLB draft, but decided instead to return — as did outfielder Cal Stevenson — for his junior season at Arizona, which is a huge development for UA heading into 2018. Salazar is expected to be a team captain, he’s a talented defensive catcher and a consistent hitter for the Wildcats.

With Arizona losing pitchers Cameron Ming and J.C. Cloney to the pros, Salazar’s game managing abilities will be particularly important with a new starting rotation, likely headed by Cody Deason and Michael Flynn, taking over next season. Plus, Arizona also lost stars Jared Oliva and J.J. Matijevic from its lineup, meaning Salazar will have to step up at the plate, too.

Why Salazar? Even if his hitting numbers aren’t flashy, Salazar is one of Arizona’s most clutch and consistent hitters of the last two seasons. His true value, though, comes in his defense and ability to manage the pitching staff. Pitchers have long raved about his abilities in that regard.

“The mind he has for baseball just comes naturally for him,” pitcher Nathan Bannister said during Arizona’s College World Series run in 2016. “I don’t know where he got it. We’re thankful that he has it.”

Proof he’s good: Salazar was just a true freshman during Arizona’s remarkable 2016 run through Omaha, but the Wildcats partly only got there because of him. In the 11th inning of the Super Regional final against Mississippi State, Salazar came up to bat with two outs and the bases loaded, and singled home Kyle Lewis to give the Wildcats the win, clinching the program’s 17th trip to the College World Series.

“It didn’t hit me that we won against Mississippi State and that we were going to the College World Series until we got on the plane to Omaha,” Salazar told ArizonaWildcats.com in October. “During some of the big moments, I just tried to stay relaxed.”

What Salazar can accomplish: Salazar was one of five Wildcats to make the Pac-12’s large, 32-person All-Pac-12 team, and there’s no reason to think he can’t do it again in 2018. Salazar would also seem to be a prime candidate for the conference’s All-Defensive team, and some improvement at the plate should help Salazar improve his draft status for next year.

Coachspeak: “Cesar goes ‘Coach, I’m going to get you to the College World Series.’ True story. It was the way he said it, with such conviction. I loved it … This is the kind of guy I want in the program,” he said. “He’s one of those foundational guys.” — Johnson about Salazar in 2016

He said it: “I don’t try to think too much about that. I just work my butt off and overcome adversity. That’s basically what my whole life has been based off.” — Salazar about being an undersized catcher

How Salazar performed: Salazar went back-to-back on the all-conference team and had a successful senior season despite not making the NCAA Tournament. Arizona's catcher had a .339 batting average and hauled in six runs, a season best, against Oregon in the last series. Salazar was picked up by the Houston Astros in the seventh round of the MLB Draft. 

No. 19: Dejah Mulipola

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The details: Mulipola is 5-foot-8 catcher heading into her sophomore season with the Arizona softball team. Mulipola recently played for the USA Junior Women’s National Team, along with UA infielder Jessie Harper, at the World Cup of Softball and was selected to play for the team at next week’s Junior Women’s World Championship in Clearwater, Florida. Mulipola came to Arizona from Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, California, where she was one of the highest-rated recruits in the nation in the 2017 class, ranked No. 5 overall by FloSoftball. Mulipola had offers from pretty much every blue-blood program — including Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan and UCLA — but chose the Wildcats for the usual reason — longtime Arizona coach Mike Candrea.

“Coach. It was coach,” Mulipola said last season. “That’s everyone’s reason. He was my main reason to come here. I fell in love with the school, the program, the coaching staff — that was all key.”

The numbers: Mulipola started her UA career off nicely, finishing second on the team with 54 runs scored — sixth-best in the Pac-12 — to go with a .335 batting average, 12 home runs, 49 RBIs, 12 doubles and three triples. On the defensive side, Mulipola finished with a .995 fielding percentage with only two passed balls.

The value: Arizona is losing some of its best hitters from last season’s Pac-12 title-winning team, namely third baseman Katiyana Mauga, shortstop Mo Mercado and outfielder Mandie Perez. The Wildcats’ transition to life without them, though, will be made easier with Mulipola returning after a standout freshman season. Beyond the hitting aspect, Mulipola quickly established herself as a talented game manager and defensive player at catcher, which will be particularly important with a young pitching staff. Danielle O’Toole is gone, as are Nancy Bowling and Michelle Floyd, leaving the Wildcats with Taylor McQuillin, a junior, and two true freshmen in Taylor Gilmore and Hannah Bowen. Though Mulipola had just one year to work with O’Toole, that worked out just fine.

“She’s the best catcher I’ve thrown to,” O’Toole said during the postseason. “It’s hard to beat her. I told her she’s getting better at reading my mind. It takes a long time to do that with somebody.”

Why Mulipola? Mulipola burst out of the gates as a freshman, leading the Wildcats in hitting for a couple weeks before cooling down. Even so, Mulipola proved why she was rated so highly coming out of high school, and the difficulties that usually come with transitioning from high school to college didn’t seem to affect her. Mulipola is looking at a likely four-year career as Arizona’s starting catcher, and with continued improvement she has legitimate All-American potential.

“When it’s go-time she’s going to play,” McQuillin said. “She doesn’t let her emotions get to her, and that makes her the great player she is. I think she did a great job handling pressure, and the next few years she has left she’s going to branch out and become the player she’s supposed to be at the collegiate level. She’s going to keep doing big things.”

Proof she’s good: Her selection to the Junior Women’s National Team is evidence of how highly she’s thought of around college softball, and she flashed star potential at times in her freshman season at Arizona. In just the second week of the season, she had already won Pac-12 Freshman of the Week and started the season with a team-best .567 average in the first 15 games, all wins. In that stretch, she also hit five home runs, 21 RBIs and scored 24 runs.

What Mulipola can accomplish: Mulipola was surprisingly held off of the Pac-12’s three All-Pac-12 teams last season, though was an All-Freshman selection. Next season, she’s a good bet for an All-Conference selection and, with increased run-producing responsibilities and a season under her belt, has legitimate All-America potential if her numbers take a leap to the next level.

Coachspeak: Mulipola has “emotional stability. She doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low. She’s played the game at a high level so she’s been there before, but I think she stays in the present moment really well.” — Candrea

She said it: “As a freshman coming in, it’s just about finding myself as well as trying to get to know the team. You don’t know what to expect or what’s going to happen, but it’s about staying true to who you, the player, are and just getting better.” — Mulipola last season about the adjustment to college

How Mulipola performed: She caught eight runners stealing bases and was fourth on the team with a hitting percentage of .313. Muilpola's performance behind the plate as Arizona's catcher was good enough to give her All-Pac-12 Defensive Team honors. 

No. 18: Katrina Konopka

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Konopka is a 5-foot-8 swimmer specializing in freestyle and backstroke entering her junior season for Arizona’s swimming program. Konopka will be swimming the 50 freestyle event for Team USA at the World University Games in Taiwan next month.

Konopka came to Arizona after a standout prep career at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Greenville, South Carolina where she was named to the All-State team every year and was a member of the 2015 Junior National Team where she set a junior world record in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay. She also finished second in both the 50 free and 100 free at Junior Nationals. Konopka picked Arizona over Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, where new UA coach Augie Busch was hired away from, for a few reasons, including the atmosphere and coaching staff.

“As soon as I arrived in Arizona, I knew that it would be my home,” Konopka said. “I absolutely loved the coaching staff and the team. I felt like they were a big family and that is something I was looking for.”

The numbers: Konopka was Arizona’s top female performer in a number of events last season, recording the team’s top time in 50 free (21.71), 100 free (48.13), 100 back (52.02) and as part of four different relay team events (200 free, 400 free, 200 medley and 400 medley). She also finished with the 10{sup}th{/sup} best time in 200 free (1:53.19), 7{sup}th{/sup} in 100 fly (56.11) and 10{sup}th{/sup} in 200 individual medley (2:06.38). As a freshman, Konopka finished 18{sup}th{/sup} in 50 free at the NCAA Championships, which she improved on as a sophomore (more on that soon).

The value: Konopka is currently Arizona’s most successful swimmer, on either the men or women’s side, so with a new coach and rebuilding program, the Wildcats will be relying on Konopka to help bring UA back closer to relevance, especially after finishing in 16{sup}th{/sup} place at the NCAA Championships in 2017, the program’s worst finish since before Frank Busch began a two decade stretch as coach in 1989.

“I wish that last season had been a bit better; however, I was able to learn a lot about myself and about my swimming,” Konopka said. “I believe that last year made me a much better athlete and so I am very excited to see how next season goes.”

Why Konopka? Even during some team struggles last season, Konopka was Arizona’s most consistent performer, leading some of the best performing relay teams in school history and rising the school’s all-time leaderboards in 50 freestyle. Entering her junior season, Konopka will have two years under Augie Busch’s tuteledge to become a threat for a Pac-12 or NCAA title.

Proof she’s good: Konopka is in the top six in four different events in Arizona history, including third place in 50 free (21.71), fifth in the 100 free (48.13), sixth in the 100 back (52.02) and first as part of a 200 medley relay team (1:34.63). Konopka is also a world-record holder in the 200-meter medley relay, part of a gold-medal winning Team USA group from the 2016 World Championships in Windsor Canada. At Arizona last year, Konopka earned All-American status in 200 free and medley relays, as well as three honorable mention All-America honors in 50 free, 400 medley relay and 400 free relay. In the 50 free, she improved to a 13{sup}th{/sup} overall finish after finishing in 18{sup}th{/sup} as a freshman.

What Konopka can accomplish: Konopka wasn’t able to finish in the top four at NCAAs in any of the events she qualified for, but with some improvement she’s a candidate to become an All-America selection in as many as five events, in addition to contention for Pac-12 titles in a few categories.

She said it: “I am very excited for this upcoming season. I get to start off by representing Team USA at World University Games in Taipei. This year should be a lot of fun, and that is the most important part of swimming for me. My goals for this year just include having fun and racing my hardest to represent the ‘A’ the best I can.” — Konopka

How Konopka performed: Konopka finished seventh 22.37 in the 200-yard freestyle relay in the NCAA Championships and earned All-America honorable mention. 

No. 17: Turner Washington

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The details: Washington is a 6-foot-4, 250-pounder from Canyon del Oro High entering his freshman year with Arizona’s track and field program. An elite discus thrower, Washington is currently competing at the Pan American Junior Championships in Peru, along with incoming UA freshmen thrower Jordan Geist and sophomore high jumpers Justice Summerset and Karla Teran. Washington qualified for the Pan Am after a second-place finish at the USATF Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento last month.

Washington committed to Arizona in October, picking the Wildcats over Alabama, though he also had heavy interest from Arizona State, North Carolina and Stanford. Arizona throws coach T.J. Crater said that, even though Arizona is Washington’s hometown team, it was never a lock that Washington would stay in the Old Pueblo. In the end, the two biggest selling points for Washington, Crater said, was the proximity to family and the presence of Geist, the other incoming star freshman thrower from Pittsburgh.

“There were times definitely we thought we were losing him and he wasn’t going to come,” Crater said, “but at the last minute he made the decision to come to Arizona and we could not be happier about it.”

The numbers: Here’s a number — Washington has 12 of the 14 best discus throws in Arizona high school history. Oh, and seven of those throws were greater than the previous 30-year record of 212 feet and 11 inches, set by Tempe High School’s Dwight Johnson in 1987. Washington has shown remarkable improvement in shotput, too, going from a best of 33 feet and 10 inches as a freshman to a personal-best 65 feet, 1ƒ inches as a senior, good for second place at the Division II state championship.

The value: Arizona has been competitive in men’s throwing events for a long time, but the Wildcats have never experienced an infusion of talent quite at the level they will this season with the arrival of Washington and Geist, who specializes in shot put. For Washington, he’ll have to make some initial adjustments — the discus in college weighs 4.4 pounds, compared to 3.3 pounds in high school — but should compete for conference and NCAA titles right away, and eventually for gold medals at the Olympics.

“I think about it every day,” Washington told the Star last year. “I have a bad habit now in class: Whenever I’m bored, I’ll start drawing Olympic rings. I think to get there it’s just keeping up what I’m doing — lifting hard, throwing hard and doing whatever my dad tells me to do. I have faith it’ll come.”

Why Washington? There’s always an adjustment from high school to college competition, but the level of success Washington has already had indicates it shouldn’t take too long. Plus, he has the genes — his father, Anthony, was a three-time Olympic thrower, and his uncle, Warner Smith, was an All-Pac-12 offensive lineman for Arizona football.

“He’s blessed with genetics,” Crater said.

Proof he’s good: At the New Balance national championships in North Carolina, Washington threw the discus to the 223-foot, 2-inch mark — that was 22 feet farther then the next best throw at the competition … which happened to be Geist. Washington’s best throw (227 feet, 10 inches) is nearly 15 feet farther than Johnson’s best throw and Washington holds 16 of the 28 200-feet discus throws in Arizona high school history. There’s also this — CDO staffers had to extend the fences multiple times since Washington kept throwing the discus too far.

“I want to be able to throw over the fence,” Washington said, “but then, every time I get close to throwing it over the fence, they move it back.”

What Washington can accomplish: As Crater pointed out, it’s important to temper expectations for any incoming freshman, especially since Washington will have to adjust to the new weight. But regardless, Washington has the talent and potential to compete for national titles and All-American honors all four years at Arizona.

Coachspeak: “He has an understanding of the event, he’s a student of the discus, he’s not arrogant, he’s very humble. He’s really perceptive to learning and doing what he needs to do to become a better thrower and better competitor.” — Crater

He said it: “I hated it for a while. My brother threw further and I never liked him being better at a sport than I was. Eventually, as I got better and better and spent more time doing it, it became a passion — it’s like hobby and a sport at the same time.” — Washington last year

How Washington performed: The duo in Washington and fellow freshman Jordan Geist gave Arizona a breath of fresh air for the future. Washington won two events in 2018, the Desert Heat Classic (56.50 meters) and the Jim Click Shootout (55.91 meters). Washington also took fourth place in the Pac-12 Championships. 

No. 16: Taylor McQuillin

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The details: McQuillin is a 5-foot-8 lefty pitcher entering her junior season with Arizona softball. Even in the storied history — both in performance and recruiting — of the UA softball program under coach Mike Candrea, the Wildcats have had very few players come to Arizona more highly regarded then McQuillin was when she joined as part of the team’s 2016 recruiting class. McQuillin initially committed to play at Oklahoma State as a freshman in high school but flipped to the Wildcats as a junior. She came to Arizona after a stellar career at Mission Viejo — playing with UA outfielder Alyssa Palomino — where she won the Gatorade National Player of the Year award in 2014, won back-to-back national titles and was named an All-American as a senior by six publications. She won 103 games in her prep career and struck out 690 batters her last two years.

“Taylor is an outstanding pitcher that will make an immediate impact for the Wildcats,” Candrea said when she signed. “I feel we have one of the very best pitchers, if not the best in this class. Taylor is proven and has a chance of being a dominate force in the circle.”

The numbers: At some schools, McQuillin would’ve become the staff ace right away, but she didn’t have to with Danielle O’Toole around. As a freshman, McQuillin started 20 games and finished with a 12-8 record, 3.17 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 128 innings pitched. She improved across the board in a greater role as a sophomore, going 16-4 with a 1.92 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 120.1 innings. She also allowed 17 less extra base hits, from 38 as a freshman to 21 her sophomore year.

“I think the mentality I have now is completely different than the mentality I had coming into my freshman year,” McQuillin told the Star this week. “I was excited and ready to play but you don’t know the stage you’re on until you get here. It’s nerve wracking.”

The value: McQuillin might be the most important player on Arizona’s roster next season. Barring a game-changing transfer pitcher coming in, McQuillin will be the lone returning Wildcat with any college pitching experience.

With O’Toole gone, McQuillin will be looked upon to emerge as Arizona’s staff ace, capable of pitching multiple days in row, of shutting down the talented teams in the Pac-12 and doing that up to, and including, the postseason. She has certainly flashed the capability of doing do, being amongst the conference leaders in ERA last season.

“She’s going to have to be one of those go-to people next year as Tooly was for us this year,” Candrea said.

Why McQuillin? McQuillin showed marked improvement from her first year to her second year, and the fact that McQuillin — who employs a diverse pitching arsenal, including a change-up, rise ball, fastball, screwball, curve, drop and drop curve — experienced high-pressure postseason situations in the Super Regionals against Baylor should go a long way toward helping her make the jump from complimentary piece to a team star and leader. McQuillin pitched 15⅓ postseason innings, allowing five earned runs while striking out 16 batters and walking three.

“I did as much as I could to help, but I think it was a great experience for me so I know what it’s like to go in and pitch in those pressurized situations,” McQuillin said. “Postseason is a whole different game. It’s anyone’s ball game to come up and win so you don’t know the postseason feels until you experience them.”

Proof she’s good: Through Arizona’s first 41 games, McQuillin held a Pac-12-best 0.65 ERA. Even though she cooled down the rest of the season, her ERA still finished under two runs and she pitched admirably in a start against South Carolina in the postseason, pitching a complete game shutout against the Gamecocks while striking out six batters.

What McQuillin can accomplish: McQuillin was an All-Pac-12 second team selection last season, and has a chance to make a leap up to the first team. Depending on how much of a leap McQuillin makes in her third season, she could contend for the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year award, but that will be difficult in a conference filled with young pitching talent — of the nine pitchers selected to the All-Conference teams, only O’Toole was a senior.

Coachspeak: “Any experience you go through as an athlete, it’s a teaching moment for her. I know she’ll rebound and hopefully will be a fire for her all year when she’s working … I think she’ll learn a lot from it.” — Candrea

She said it: “It’s great (experience), even just this year being able to work my way through situations in conference play was huge for me because I feel like if I can compete with people in one of the top conferences in the country, then postseason I know that I’ll be able to step up and do it.” — McQuillin

How McQuillin performed: McQuillin pitched her first career no-hitter in March against New Mexico. In 242 innings pitched, McQuillin had 1.68 ERA and a 28-12 record. McQuillin was named to the All-Pac-12 softball team. 

No. 15: Jordan Geist

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The details: Geist is a 6-foot-2, 275-pound thrower from Pennsylvania entering his freshman season with Arizona’s track and field program. Geist is considered one of the best high school shotput throwers in the history of the sport — not just in Pennsylvania — and currently is competing in the Pan American Junior Championships in Peru, along with incoming UA freshmen discus thrower Turner Washington and sophomore high jumpers Justice Summerset and Karla Teran. Geist qualified for the Pan Am Championships after claiming first place at the USATF Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento last month.

Geist, the No. 1 high school shot-putter in the nation, committed to the Wildcats thanks largely to the work of UA throws coach T.J. Crater, who has recruiting ties in Pennsylvania from his time at Penn State. Geist initially favored Arizona State, but after Sun Devils throws coach David Dumble left, Arizona was in the driver’s seat and reeled him in. In addition to ASU, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Indiana were also in the picture.

“It just felt comfortable,” Crater said. “All of our conversations, it just turned out that we had the team, the weather, the coaching and the major (business) he wanted. I equate it to the perfect storm, it just worked out. … He was looking for warm weather, a good team, good coaching, the educational side of things. If there was ever a set to boxes to check off, I think Arizona met all of his needs and it was a good fit for us and a good fit for him.”

The numbers: Geist holds the Pennsylvania state record, which he set as a junior, with a top throw of 74 feet, 3ƒ inches, and he recently set a personal record of 76 feet in winning at the New Balance Outdoor Championships in North Carolina. At New Balance, Geist also won the 12-pound hammer throw with a mark of 238 feet and 9 inches, and finished second — to Washington — in discus with a 201 feet, 9-inch throw. His personal-best 12-pound shotput mark indoors is 76 feet, 10ƒ inches.

The value: Geist has a legitimate case as the top track and field recruit to ever join UA’s program, and along with Washington should help bring Arizona’s throws program to elite status.

Why Geist? This question can be answered with an anecdote from Crater.

“Last December, Jordan threw at an indoor meet in Pennsylvania. He threw a 16-pound shot, which is what we throw at the collegiate and international level. His average was probably around 64 feet, which is enough to be an All-American at NCAAs and have a chance to win Pac-12s, but what he did was he threw his last throw over 68 feet, which would’ve won several of the last NCAA Championships. It was a great throw, well above his average, but that was the moment we all sat back and said ‘whoa.’”

Proof he’s good: The proof is in the numbers, and the numbers are good. Consider: Geist’s best shotput throw is 7 feet better than the best throw in Arizona prep history, set by Dallas Long all the way back in 1958. Geist also has the best nickname on this list — the Knochness Monster, a reference to the name of his high school, Knoch.

What Geist can accomplish: As a freshman, he has the talent and track record to compete for NCAA and Pac-12 titles and seems prime to at least become an All-American in his first year. It wouldn’t be surprising if, at this time next year, Geist is at or near the top of this list.

Coachspeak: “Everybody on the outside is kind of crowning him the next big thing, and obviously we believe he can be great, but I constantly remind people that this is a young man who is 18 years old, who is moving away from home for the first time and he’s going to be 2,000 miles from his family. … But he’s a talented kid, he’s got the competitive mindset, he’s smart in the classroom and he’s a great person.” — Crater

He said it: “I think I’m definitely a mentally stronger athlete this year. I thought this offseason, I just learned more about myself as an athlete, what my body needs to get ready for big meets and the type of training I need to be doing. … I’ve really cleaned up my diet this year, compared to what it was last year.” — Geist to the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette earlier this year.

How Geist performed: One could easily argue that Jordan Geist was the best athlete on the UA campus in 2018. Geist broke the NCAA freshman record of 21.45 meters in the shot put at the Washington Invitational. Geist also took home six first-place finishes, including the Pac-12 Championships. Geist also Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and earned All-American honors. 

No. 14: Nick Quintana

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The details: Quintana is a 5-foot-10 third baseman from Las Vegas entering his sophomore season with the Arizona baseball team. Quintana surprised some when he chose to come to Arizona after being selected in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. Only three of the first 328 players drafted that year did not sign and become pros, and Quintana was one of those three. Before Quintana committed to the Wildcats, he had initially committed to play at USC for a couple of years before flipping to UA. It was a major coup for Arizona, as Quintana was ranked the nation’s No. 6 overall recruit by Perfect Game Baseball and No. 2 overall in the Pac-12, while also being named both a MaxPreps and Rawlings Perfect Game All-American.

Quintana attributed his love for Arizona as a recruit to the UA coaching staff, led by head coach Jay Johnson.

“You know in all honesty, it was the coaching staff. It’s a first-class staff, they’re amazing,” Quintana said. USC “didn’t work out, with the coaches and on the business side, so I was decommitted, Jay found out and it worked out perfectly.”

The numbers: Quintana’s numbers cooled off after a blazing start to his UA career, but he still hit .293 with a .394 on-base percentage as a freshman, with six home runs, 38 RBIs and 42 runs while starting 58 of Arizona’s 59 games. Quintana is currently playing with UA first baseman Alfonso Rivas for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League, though he is struggling to the tune of a .162 average in 24 games.

Last season, Quintana committed 19 errors in his first-ever season playing third base, which was a “tough transition” he said, but he “feels good now” about where he’s at in terms of fielding.

The value: Arizona lost its best bat when JJ Matijevic was drafted by the Houston Astros, removing the UA’s best run producer from the lineup. The Wildcats also lose outfielder Jared Oliva and infielders Kyle Lewis and Louis Boyd from the starting lineup.

As a sophomore, Quintana will need to take a leap across the board, but especially in run production.

Why Quintana? For a stretch early in the season, Quintana looked like one of Arizona’s best hitters. Even though he cooled down as the season went on, Quintana’s talent is tantalizing and there’s no reason to think he can’t take the next step as a sophomore. The experience in the Cape Cod League, he said, will help.

“Every single pitcher we’re facing out here is the Friday night guy from everybody’s team. We’re facing some of the best relievers in the country from all different schools and we’re facing some of the best starters from all over the country,” Quintana said. “I’d rather be out here struggling with a good team, winning and having fun then going home for no reason. It’s definitely working out in my favor going into next year.”

Proof he’s good: The first series of Quintana’s Arizona was a doozy — he hit .571 with six RBIs against Eastern Kentucky and was selected as the Pac-12 Player of the Week. In Arizona’s first 19 games, Quintana hit .411 with two home runs, 20 RBIs and 21 runs, helping UA start the season 15-4.

He only hit .230 with 18 RBIs and 21 runs in Arizona’s last 40 games, but he still was named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection. He hit 17 doubles, the most for a UA freshman since Jett Bandy hit 21 in 2009.

“I thought it was great,” Quintana said of his season. “I started off really well and did well during the season and I look back at the stats with my coaches and the month of May really kicked my (butt). But I mean besides that, I had a blast.”

What Quintana can accomplish: With his increased role and responsibility in Arizona’s lineup, Quintana is poised to be among the team’s leaders in a number of categories, and is a good bet for the conference’s 32-person All-Pac-12 team.

They said it: “I’ve never seen someone that young take this game so seriously. He’s an easy guy to talk to, very fun and light around the locker room, but sometimes he can be quiet just because he’s so concentrated and motivated to do well. Which isn’t a bad thing.

“I love Nick and I’m really excited to see what he can do these next two years because he’s got a lot ahead of him.” — UA outfielder Cal Stevenson

He said it: “I didn’t have any problems, no injuries — thank God — and I started pretty much every single game except one. For a freshman to do that I think it’s an amazing honor and accomplishment for me. …Yeah, I’d love to hit .350 as a freshman, but .293 is perfectly fine with me because now every year moving forward I can improve and that’s what the scouts and teams look for, improvement. I’m excited to go into next year.” — Quintana on his freshman season

How Quintana performed: The All-Pac-12 third baseman had a .313 batting average and hit 14 home runs on the season, two coming against Arizona State in the final home series. Quintana should be poised to be one of the best power hitters in the Pac-12 as a junior. 

No. 13: Rawle Alkins

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Alkins is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound guard from New York entering his sophomore season at Arizona. Alkins came up through the high school ranks as one of the most highly-regarded New York-area recruits in a long time, garnering a five-star ranking and offers from schools all over the country, including Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina and others. Alkins picked the Wildcats during a live broadcast on ESPNU. Ultimately, the reason he chose to play college basketball at Arizona was an interesting one — he saw them lose a game to Oregon at McKale Center during the 2015-16 season.

“The reason why I loved Arizona so much is simple: Winning is the only option there,” Alkins wrote in his USA Today blog, shortly after making the announcement. “I saw them lose to Oregon and it was literally like the end of the world there. I love that and I want to always be associated with winners.”

The numbers: Alkins’ numbers during his freshman season weren’t flashy, but he was an all-around contributor and one of Arizona’s most consistent performers. He finished the season averaging 10.9 points on 46.3 percent shooting and 37 percent from three, with 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

The value: Arizona was already poised to be a preseason Top-5 team as well as a perceived Final Four contender before May 21, thanks largely to the return of Allonzo Trier and addition of freshman DeAndre Ayton. Then, that day, Alkins surprised many when he announced he’d be returning to Arizona for his sophomore season, launching the Wildcats into preseason No. 1 territory. It makes sense — with Alkins around, the Wildcats have one of the most stable lineups of the Sean Miller era, with four returning starters, and Alkins’ size and skillset allows for Miller to get creative with different pairings using the bench.

Why Alkins? Alkins tested the waters for the NBA draft, meaning he declared but didn’t hire an agent, allowing him the ability to work out for NBA teams and explore his draft stock while maintaining his college eligibility.

Thus, Alkins was invited to participate in the NBA draft Combine and was one of the standout performers, scoring 18 points in his first game on 7-for-10 shooting while recording the fifth-highest maximum vertical leap (40.5 inches) of all 67 combine participants. He showed what he was capable of against some NBA talent, and returned anyway. That bodes well for the Wildcats.

Proof he’s good: Alkins’ consistency across the board — in scoring, rebounding, passing and defense — was vital for Arizona’s success last season, particularly with Trier missing half the year, but the quintessential Alkins moment came in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Saint Mary’s.

Four minutes into the game, Arizona was losing 17-12 when Alkins seriously hurt his finger and left the game. By the time he returned with 3:43 left in the first half, Arizona was down 24-16.

Less than a minute after returning, Alkins — who fractured his index finger, it turned out — corralled a defensive rebound, took the ball up the floor himself, took on two defenders with a spin move at the rim and scored using his injured hand. He would score six points and UA outscored SMC 53-36 after his return.

“In the training room, they have a TV back there so I was watching the game and I saw we was down eight, so I told the trainer and the doctor, we have to do whatever it takes to get back on the court,” Alkins said after the game.

“Then they did the X-rays and luckily it was a minor fracture. So I said, ‘I can play?’ They said, ‘You can play.’ I just taped it up a little bit and ran back on the court.”

What Alkins can accomplish: Alkins was a Pac-12 All-Freshman selection last season, and with some improvement he’s a good candidate for a spot on either the 10-person All-Pac-12 first team, or five-person second team.

Beyond that, Alkins will need to show some improvement in a few areas, namely outside shooting, if he wants to improve his draft stock from its current second round projection. Alkins said NBA people told him he can be “unstoppable” with a developed jumper. Plus, next year he can continue to rise as a fan favorite — last season, Arizona fans fell in love with Alkins’ ability to play through injury, and he started a social media movement called #SavageLife.

Coachspeak: “He almost has a gift where even his expression during the game is even-keeled and it’s fueled by his love of the game. I haven’t been around a player who loves it more than him. He really wants to be great and he puts the work in, and he’s really in a way been a pleasant surprise. With how easy he is to deal with, he’s been really fun to have as part of the team.” — Miller last season

He said it: “When I first started saying ‘savage life,’ I didn’t think of it as blowing up but right now everyone on the team is starting to use it, the fan base for Arizona is starting to use it, and it’s becoming a serious thing.

“It’s the Arizona mentality. It’s a mindset and it’s a mode that I get in before games. I can only speak for myself, but it’s different with everyone.

“You can take it how you want. Savage can mean a lot of things. It can be used in things other than basketball. I always wanted to play hard and play my best, and the word savage is the first thing that came to mind.” — Alkins

How Alkins performed: Alkins' broken foot injury would've been a huge issue for Arizona initially, but the FBI investigation of Arizona's alleged involvement in paying recruits smothered it. Alkins' foot became a problem for a week in Pac-12 play, but still averaged 13.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore. The highlight play for Alkins this past season was a posterizing dunk over USC's Elijah Stewart, which sparked a run for the Cats resulting in a Pac-12 Tournament championship.    

No. 12: Cal Stevenson

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Stevenson is a 5-foot-9-inch, 170-pound outfielder from Fremont, California, entering his senior season. Stevenson was initially one of UA coach Jay Johnson’s first recruits to Nevada, and the two eventually joined in Arizona, too, when Stevenson transferred to the Wildcats from Chabot College in California before last season. He hit .359 in his lone season at Nevada and was named the Mountain West’s co-freshman of the year. Johnson technically recruited Stevenson twice.

“The second time was more, ‘You want to come here?’ and, ‘Yeah, I want to come here,’” Stevenson said. “It’s hard to say no to Arizona. Arizona is a great school. When I was in (high school) in 2012, they won the national championship. That’s a place where I wanted to go out of high school. I knew they always had great players and I wanted to be surrounded by great players to improve myself and see where I was at.”

The numbers: Spending most of the season batting either first or last in the order, Stevenson became one of Arizona’s most clutch hitters in his first year in Tucson. He hit .311 on the year with four home runs, 30 RBIs, five stolen bases, 11 doubles and a team-best 61 runs scored. Before Arizona, he hit .287 with 57 runs scored and 21 steals at Chabot. He also scored 55 runs and stole 10 bases at Nevada in 2015.

The value: Johnson has described Stevenson as a “table setter,” and it’s an apt description. He’s one of Arizona’s best when it comes to getting on base, and with Jared Oliva gone after being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the MLB draft, Stevenson will likely emerge as the everyday leadoff hitter. His role will be particularly important — getting on base and scoring runs — with two of Arizona’s three best run producers (Oliva and J.J. Matijevic) off to play in the pros.

Why Stevenson? He admits that it was an adjustment going from the Mountain West to playing in the Pac-12, and Stevenson certainly slumped at points in his first season at Arizona. But his position as table setter proved especially true late in the season when he hit a walk-off homer against Washington, and the Wildcats went on to win six of their next eight games. It was Stevenson’s second walk-off hit of the season, the first coming against Oklahoma State.

“It’s funny because I was thinking about this the other day,” Stevenson said last week. “Those are the first two walk-off hits I’ve ever had. I’ve had opportunities where I could’ve ended the game and it just didn’t happen. I think this past year, it’s just slowing yourself down and really embracing the moment. … When you get those hits, it’s a great feeling.”

Proof he’s good: In Stevenson’s first 15 games, he hit .358 and scored 25 runs, and had a similarly impressive streak in a five-game stretch later in the season with matchups against Santa Clara, Washington and Arizona State. In those five games, he hit 10 for 18 (.556) with eight runs scored. Stevenson won Pac-12 player of the week in May, and wound up leading the conference in runs scored (61) and walks (48) while finishing fourth in on-base percentage (.448).

“It was a grind. There was definitely some parts of the season where I had to really get through it because it was tough. It’s a higher level competition,” Stevenson said. “It was about making adjustments from throughout the season that you’re not used to making and really sticking to it without getting way from it. That’s what helped me toward the end of the year — I had a plan and I stuck with it.”

What Stevenson can accomplish: Arizona’s lineup might not be as potent in 2018 as it was in 2017. But as the primary leadoff hitter, Stevenson should still finish among the league leaders in runs scored and on-base percentage while pushing for a spot on the 32-person All-Pac-12 team. He was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection last season.

Coachspeak: “I knew he was a good player. We brought him in (anticipating) he would be a key part of our team, and he’s absolutely done that. It’s more than just the production. His style of play, the way he plays, has elicited a lot of respect from his teammates.” — Johnson

He said it: “It was tough for me last year. Especially for me watching the seniors leave, especially watching what they had to go through the year before, losing the national championship game. So for me, it’s motivated me to do better and get through this offseason, get to the fall and really grind and get after it. I know what it’s like to be in a regional and I just want to go further.” — Stevenson, on his motivation after being eliminated in the Lubbock Regional.

How Stevenson performed: The All-Pac-12 honorable mention outfielder only struck 16 times in 174 at bats over 48 games. Stevenson also led the team with six triples. What's next for Stevenson? He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 10th round of the MLB Draft. 

No. 11: Kendra Dahlke

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Dahlke is a 6-foot outsider hitter from Bonsall, California, entering her junior season as a member of Arizona’s volleyball program. Dahlke came to Arizona as a highly touted recruit from Fallbrook High School. She won the Most Valuable Player award at the Junior Olympics in 2014. Dahlke attributed her decision to pick Arizona over offers from UCLA, North Carolina, Ohio State, Kansas and Oregon State largely because of Arizona’s coaching staff, led by longtime UA boss Dave Rubio.

“It is a fun environment to be a part of and represent, and I feel as though you get the whole experience of what it means to be a student-athlete here,” Dahlke said. “Coach Rubio has been here for many years and has really taken the time to develop the program and turn it into something great.”

The numbers: As a sophomore, Dahlke led the team with 496 kills and 546.5 points and was second with 3.97 kills per set. She also had a .204 hitting percentage with 278 digs (2.22 per set) and 58 total blocks. Dahlke’s stats improved across the board from her freshman season, when she averaged 1.57 kills per set. Dahlke also played for Arizona’s beach volleyball team and finished with a 8-11 overall record after being paired mostly with Mia Mason, the sister of former Arizona basketball walk-on Trey Mason.

The value: With All-American Kalei Mau and star setter Penina Snuka gone, Dahlke will be expected to emerge as Arizona’s latest go-to outside hitting star. Dahlke made a big jump in production from her freshman to sophomore season; now she’ll try to maintain that success.

“She’s the one that’s at the top of the scouting report now,” Rubio said. “She’s the one that everyone’s going to be dialed in on when they play us. So can she handle the pressure that goes with that role?”

Why Dahlke? Dahlke was expected to start right away as a freshman in 2015 but wound up losing her starting position to Tyler Spriggs. Dahlke “just went crazy” in her training, Rubio said, and came back and won the starting position back as a sophomore. If Dahlke can continue on that path, Arizona will be better for it.

Proof she’s good: Dahlke managed at least 10 kills in 28 of the 32 matches she played in after having achieving that on only four occasions as a freshman. The 28 10-kill matches are tied for the fourth-most in a season in UA history. She also finished sixth in the Pac-12 in points per set (4.37), 11th in double doubles (10) and notched 25 points in a four-set win over eventual national champion Stanford.

“For me, last season was about getting my confidence up,” Dahlke said. “The upcoming seasons are going to be about not holding anything back and being the best I can be all the time and being a leader on and off the court.”

What Dahlke can accomplish: As Arizona’s go-to player now, Dahlke should emerge as Arizona’s leader in kills and kills per set, as well as finishing amongst the league leaders in both categories. With continued improvement, Dahlke is a good bet to finish the season an All-Pac-12 selection and a candidate for All-American honors.

Coachspeak: “Kendra comes in and just committed herself in the offseason, took her game and elevated it to a different level. The thing for Kendra now is: can she maintain that and continue to get better? She has such a good aptitude for the game, has a great skill set. Her biggest challenge is being dialed in to every single day of practice and on every single contact.” — Rubio

She said it: “Some of my goals for this upcoming season are to win the Pac-12, become an All-American, be a leader on and off the court and play in the Final Four in Minneapolis this year for the chance to get to play in front of my family that is out there. This would mean so much to me, and these have always been goals of mine.” — Dahlke

How Dahlke performed: Dahlke posted 326 kills and averaged 3.26 kills per set, which led the team and it wasn't even close. The closest Wildcat was Paige Whipple who recorded 213 kills last season. Dahlke posted a career-high 17 aces and had 6 blocks versus Utah. Statistically, Dahlke was Arizona's best offensive player, which bodes well for an ever better senior season in 2018. 

No. 10: Gabi Stoian

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Stoian is a 5-foot-5-inch midfielder from Scottsdale entering her senior season. The UA star came to Arizona after a stellar high school career at Pinnacle, where she tallied 24 goals and nine assists in 26 games as a senior, all helping her win the 2014 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year award. Stoian visited a handful of schools, including Arizona State, before picking the Wildcats.

“It came down to West Coast schools,” Stoian said. “I visited ASU as well, but U of A just something about it attracted me to it. I loved the coaches, the staff that was here, I loved the players, and the campus … it felt like home. So all these things came together and I fell in love with the team.”

The numbers: Stoian has a number of Arizona career records in her sights, though her production has dipped since a stellar freshman season in 2014. That season, she scored 13 goals, including five game-winners, scored 33 points and had seven assists. As a sophomore, an injury kept her out of four matches, though she still led the team with six goals, eight assists, 20 points and 59 shots. As a senior, Stoian scored six goals with five assists, 17 points and 75 shots. Stoian said her senior season was afflicted with bad luck.

“Oh my gosh. Last season was awful,” Stoian said. “It was so frustrating. I hit so many cross bars. I think half of them were goals, half of them were crossbars. But it’s all right, it’s just the way the game plays out sometimes. I’ve got to find other ways to get the ball to the back of the net.”

The value: Stoian had one of the best individual seasons in program history as a true freshman, ending with a berth in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, and helped UA to another NCAA Tournament a year later. If the Wildcats are going to return after missing the postseason in 2016, it’ll start with Stoian.

“We got the Sweet 16 my sophomore year and I want to be back there — further, if we can — and make a run for it,” Stoian said. “That’s the standard now — we want to be back in that tournament.”

Why Stoian? Stoian is still the Wildcats' unquestioned star, and with a little bit of luck her junior season numbers would've looked different. There's no reason to expect Stoian won’t bounce back with a strong senior season.

Proof she’s good: Just look at where she stands on the Arizona career leaderboard — she’s scored 25 career goals, second-most in school history, seven away from the record. She has 20 assists, four off the record, and 70 points, which is 13 off the record. She also has six career game-winning goals, good for fifth place in school history.

“I’m excited to start and I know what records I want to break,” Stoian said, “and I’m going with that mentality.”

What Stoian can accomplish: As a freshman, Stoian made the All-Pac-12 second team. As a sophomore, she made the first team. Last year, it was honorable mention. Expect a return to the first team this season, as well as contention for conference player of the year and All-American honors. Arizona’s last, and only, conference player of the year was Mallory Miller in 2005.

Coachspeak: “The biggest thing is she just has that knack for when a chance comes her way, she knows how to beat a keeper. Some players get 10 chances a game and they only are able to score one. She gets a chance, and you'd bet on it hitting the back of the net. A lot of it comes down to technical ability — both feet, inside and outside of foot, finesse it, power it, chip it — but a lot of it is the instinct." — UA coach Tony Amato in 2015

She said it: “Yeah, I mean, obviously they (opponents) didn’t know who I was coming in and I wasn’t man-marked, I wasn’t put on scouting reports and then slowly, that’s expected, that happened now and I just need to know how to work around that…I want to break records, I want to leave my legacy here, and I know I’m capable of doing that.” — Stoian

How Stoian performed: Stoian started 17 games for the Wildcats in 2017 and scored 10 points on 27 shots on goal. Stoian was a part of a senior class that was the winningest class in program history, appearing in the NCAA Tournament three times in four years. 

No. 9: Lisanne Hagens

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The details: Hagens is a 5-foot-9-inch high jumper from the Netherlands entering her senior season in Arizona’s track and field program. Hagens competed for a club team before coming to Arizona because there were no athletics offered at her high school. She was crowned Dutch National Junior Champion in 2012 for indoor and outdoor track and field, and won the Dutch National Junior Championship in long jump that year. Hagens competed at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona. Other American colleges recruited Hagens, but the prospect of jumping for UA assistant Sheldon Blockburger — who has since been hired at USC — intrigued her. 

The numbers: Hagens is Arizona’s leading women’s high jumper, and has proved over her first three years at Arizona, managing nine first-place finishes and three other events where she was in the final five. Hagens also won first place in long jump at the Duel in the Desert against Arizona State last season with a jump of 18 feet 10 ¾ inches. Hagens' best-ever high jump at Arizona came in last season’s Jim Click Shootout when she cleared 6-0¾.

The value: Hagens is Arizona’s star women’s jumper. Hagens, sophomore Karla Teran and All-American Justice Summerset on the men’s side give Arizona one of the best jumping teams in the nation.

Why Hagens? Hagens has been one of the UA’s most consistent, and impressive, performers of the last couple years. This off-season Hagens performed well at the U23 Championships and is poised to rise in Arizona’s record books with some improvement on her best jump.

“She had a very good summer and she’s going to need a little bit of rest,” said UA coach Fred Harvey. “Then she’ll start training for her final year.”

Proof she’s good: Hagens’ most telling accomplishment has been her success in the Pac-12 Championships: the Dutch jumper has won two straight conference titles in the high jump. In the NCAA Championships, Hagens improved from an All-Amerca Honorable Mention selection with a 23^rd place finish in 2016, to a second-team All-American selection in 2017 with a 10^th place finish. Indoor, Hagens won the MPSF Indoor title with a career-best jump of 6-0¾, the same as her outdoor personal-best mark. At the U23 Championships in Poland this summer, Hagens came in eighth place with a jump of 5-8.

What Hagens can accomplish: Hagens hasn’t quite broken into Arizona’s record books yet — her best jump is behind the No. 10 jump in school history of 6-2 ¾. Hagens has shown improvement each season for her entire Arizona career. Hagens also has a chance to win her third straight Pac-12 title, which would make her the fifth women in the high jump to ever accomplish the feat, the last coming from former UA star Brigetta Barrett from 2011-13. Hagens also can improve on her 10th-place NCAA finish and rise into first-team All-American status.

Coachspeak: “I’m really proud of her for staying around. Sheldon Blockburger recruited her to come to school here, and Sheldon coached her, and with him moving on to USC and making the transition to a new coach, that was seamless. She did that and with that being said, a lot of athletes don’t make that transition that smoothly and she did and so with that, she continued to develop and I’m really excited about where she’s going.” — Harvey

She said it: “The achievements that Coach Sheldon had with some high jumpers drew me to Arizona. Like the things he has done with Brigetta Barrett, I came here for high jump and I really want to improve my personal record…I looked at the results and saw that Sheldon achieved pretty great things so I thought he would be a good coach for me.” — Hagens

How Hagens performed: Hagens didn't perform in any meets this season for medical reasons. 

No. 8: Krystal Quihuis

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Quihuis is a 5-foot-3-inch golfer entering her senior season at Arizona. Quihuis came to the UA from Salpointe Catholic High School, where she posted one of the most prolific prep golf careers in Tucson history, comparable to local legends like Sara Brown, Vicki Suhocki and Cindy Rarick. Quihuis was making headlines as a 9-year-old in 2006. At Salpointe, Quihuis was a two-time state champion, one-time runner-up and three-time Star girls golfer of the year. Before joining Arizona, she helped Team USA win the Junior Solheim Cup by sinking a 25-foot birdie putt. Quihuis considered Arizona State, but ultimately chose to play golf at Arizona.

“Krystal is a proven champion,” UA coach Laura Ianello said when Quihuis signed. “She’s a local talent and it’s very important that we keep the best golfers in-state. She’ll be a great addition to our team.”

The numbers: Quihuis finished her junior season with a 72.17 stroke average, which was the 21st-best mark in the nation, and she ranked No. 41 in the NCAA Individual rankings. Quihuis played in 10 events — and 30 rounds — and finished greater than par in 18 rounds with five top-10 finishes. That was all an improvement from her sophomore season, when she had a 72.62 stroke average and four top-10 finishes.

The value: Few golf programs can claim a one-two punch quite like the one Arizona has with Quihuis and All-American junior Haley Moore. Because of them, the Wildcats have the potential to have one of the top teams in the Pac-12.

Why Quihuis? Quihuis won Pac-12 freshman of the year as a member of a stacked UA lineup. Each season since, she’s improved and is poised to rise on the national level as a senior.

Proof she’s good: Quihuis might be at her best heading into her senior season — she won the 87th annual women’s TRANS National Championship at Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club earlier in July, finishing 10 strokes ahead of everybody but one golfer. Quihuis won after making part on hole 18 in a one-hole playoff with Michigan State’s Sarah Burnham. Soon, she’ll be competing in the U.S. Women’s Amateur — as will Moore — at the San Diego Country Club from Aug. 7-13. Quihuis won the Wildcat Invitational as a sophomore and had a career-best 10-under performance at the Dick McGuire to open last season. Quihuis was Arizona’s best finisher at the NCAA Regionals, coming in 10th place at one-over par, and finished tied for fifth place at the Pac-12 Championships two years in a row. 

Coachspeak: "Krystal is by far one of the hardest workers I've ever met. She's a grinder. She'll never quit on you, never uses excuses, never says 'I'm sick' or 'I need a day off.' She's gotten tougher and more mature. She'll come back strong Tuesday." — Ianello

How Quihuis performed: Unfortunately for Quihuis, she was not a part of the national championship team. Quihuis skipped her senior season and took her talents to the professional ranks on the LPGA Symetra Tour.

No. 7: Alfonso Rivas

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Rivas is a designated hitter/first baseman entering his junior season with the Arizona baseball team. Rivas already had a connection to UA coach Jay Johnson even before he became a head coach at Nevada. Johnson was an assistant coach at University of San Diego when he scouted a game at Rivas’ high school, La Jolla (California) Country Day, in May 2013 and came away impressed. Before there was enough time for a full-on USD offer, Johnson was hired at Nevada — Rivas “didn’t want to come to Nevada,” Johnson said last year — before ultimately being convinced to play for Johnson when he was hired to replace Andy Lopez at Arizona.

“It was close to home,” Rivas said of his decision. “Being from San Diego, the flight is not too long and the drive is not too close. Arizona was a good, perfect fit for me and my family. That’s how I decided to go there.”

Rivas made a huge jump in production from his freshman to sophomore campaigns. In 2016, he had a .247 average with one home run, 26 RBIs and 22 runs.

In 2017, that jumped to a .371 average with seven home runs and 64 RBIs with 54 runs. Rivas is currently playing with UA freshman infielder Nick Quintana for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League, where he has a .275 average, two home runs, 10 RBIs, two stolen bases and 12 runs in 33 games.

“It’s huge,” Rivas said of playing in the Cape Cod League this summer. “I mean, you’re facing the best of the best out here and it prepares you for the type of competition we’re going to face next year.”

The value: With the departures of J.J. Matijevic and Jared Oliva to pro baseball, Rivas is expected to start at first base and anchor Arizona’s lineup, which even without those two stars still has the talent to be potent again.

It would be unreasonable to expect Rivas to make the same leap from his sophomore season to his junior season as he did from freshman to sophomore, but with some continued progress Rivas has star potential in what could be his last UA season, depending on his draft standing after the year.

“The dude can rake,” Johnson said last year. “There’s some guys that were put on the planet to hit. We talked about that with Zach Gibbons (Arizona’s leading hitter in 2016). Alfonso’s working his way into that category.”

Why Rivas? Rivas made a surprisingly huge leap as a sophomore and helped the Wildcats produce one of the best run-scoring lineups in the nation.

Even with such talent as Cesar Salazar, Cal Stevenson and Quintana in Arizona’s batting order, much of Arizona’s offensive success will rest on the shoulders of Rivas, and he’s proven he can produce at the level Arizona needs.

Proof he’s good: As a sophomore, Rivas finished third in the Pac-12 in batting average, seventh in slugging percentage, first in on-base percentage, fourth in runs scored, third in hits, second in RBIs, eighth in total bases and third in walks.

Rivas’ impressive performance against the top talent in the Cape Cod league this summer bodes well for his play this upcoming season, too.

“He found his swing with the snap of his fingers and he’s been hot,” Quintana said of Rivas. “It’s definitely awesome to watch, especially him going into this senior year and this summer being such a big part in the draft and where he’s going to be projected and all that stuff.”

What Rivas can accomplish: Rivas was named an All-Pac-12 selection last season and it would be disappointing if he wasn’t in 2018, too. Beyond that, Rivas has All-America potential, could challenge for the Pac-12 Player of the Year and should be in the mix to win the Pac-12 batting title.

They said it: “Just knowing him personally, he’s just an awesome, humble guy, first-class person. Looking forward into the season I know that we can expect this type of person and this type of athlete with that much talent going into next year. It’s cool to look at.” — Quintana

He said it: “I think I did pretty well. I was happy with my performance and all the things I accomplished last year, but I’m just looking forward to next season and hopefully perform the way I did last year.” — Rivas

How Rivas performed: Rivas was Arizona's best hitter with a .347 batting average and started all 56 games for the Wildcats. Rivas was also selected to the All-Pac-12 team, and was picked up by the Oakland A's in the fourth round of the MLB Draft. 

No. 6: Bailey Roth

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Roth is a distance runner entering his junior season in Arizona’s track and field program, and he also runs for the UA cross country team. Roth, from Colorado, came to Arizona as a highly regarded recruit, helping to continue the school’s long, stellar history of distance runners, which most recently included star Lawi Lalang.

Roth’s prep career included two New Balance Nationals titles, the 3A Georgia state title in cross country and the Colorado state title in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter races. He won the junior title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the U.S. Track and Field championships two years in a row, and in only his second time competing in the steeplechase set the U.S. high school record at the IAAF World Junior Championships.

Ultimately, Roth picked Arizona over Oklahoma.

“I think definitely the climate all year (in Arizona) is good for training,” Roth said. “In Colorado it snows. Being that I can train all year long is pretty exciting, and I think that honestly the weather and (distance/cross country) coach (James) Li were huge. And there wasn’t one thing I didn’t like on my visit.”

The numbers: At the NCAA Championships in June, Roth finished with a time of 8:48.70, good for an 11th-place finish and All-American honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. His best time in that event was 8:37.38, which he accomplished at the NCAA Championships a year earlier.

In his career, Roth has finished in the top three in the 3,000 steeplechase on six occasions, while also getting sixth place at the Jim Bush Invite in 2016 in the 3,000 meters and sixth at the last two Jim Click Shootouts in the 1,500. In cross country, Roth made his debut in 2016 and finished in the top three in all three events in which he competed.

The value: As Arizona’s lead distance runner, Roth has flashed the potential to be one of the top runners in the nation. UA coach Fred Harvey has raved about his talent, and as Arizona comes into the season with one of its most-talented groups of men and women — notably high jumpers Justice Summerset, Lisanne Hagens and Karla Teran, and throwers Turner Washington and Jordan Geist — Roth is one of the key pieces to helping get the UA program back to relevance.

Why Roth? He’s already accomplished a few things that very few runners in Arizona history have, and he’s only entering his junior season. Harvey said they key for Roth will be improving his performance in cross country, which would translate to success in the indoor/outdoor track and field season.

“The big thing for him is having a great cross country season,” Harvey said. “His talent is limitless in terms of what he can do with the steeplechase itself, but the No. 1 factor is going to be consistency of training and having that training go through cross country.”

Proof he’s good: Roth won the Pac-12 title in the 3,000 steeplechase in 2017, making him the first to accomplish the feat in 24 years, the last being Martin Keino in 1993. Marc Davis won two years in a row before that. Roth also has the seventh-best 3,000 steeplechase time in school history and was the first Arizona steeplechaser since Keino in 1995 to finish 11th or better in the NCAA finals in the 3,000-meter event. He’s also Arizona’s third two-time All-American in the steeplechase and first since Jeff Hess in 1983.

“It feels great,” Roth said of the Pac-12 title. “This is something I have been working hard at for a long time. To do it on this track means a lot to me. Coming into it, I had a lot of confidence and I’m happy to be at the strength level that I am at.”

What Roth can accomplish: Only one Wildcat (Davis) won multiple Pac-12 titles in the 3,000 steeplechase, and Roth has two years left and a chance to be the first in school history to win three conference titles in the event. Roth also should be competitive in cross country this season and has the potential to keep rising at the NCAA Championships, too.

Coachspeak: “I really like his development to this point. He did a great job in terms of being able to handle the pressures and expectations of being at the NCAA Championships. … He’s one of the most-talented young people that we’ve had and the distances have been an institution for quite a while, and that’s saying a lot.” — Harvey

He said it: “When I visited (Arizona), my host was Lawi (Lalang) and he really represented the school well and got me excited for training with coach Li and it’s just, I look up to him a lot and with him being comfy with coach Li, it makes me feel even better about my decision.” — Roth

How Roth performed: Roth didn't perform in any meets this season for the Wildcats. 

No. 5: Deandre Ayton

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Ayton is a 7-foot-1-inch, 250-pound freshman who played high school basketball at Hillcrest Academy in Phoenix. UA coach Sean Miller has consistently reeled in top-10 recruiting classes filled with five-star-rated players. Some of the more highly-regarded recruits included future NBA players like Stanley Johnson and Aaron Gordon.

However, Miller has never reeled in a recruit quite like Ayton. The talented big has long been projected as a top-five pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, as high as No. 1. Scout.com recently altered its rankings for 2017 — which is rare — to make Ayton the No. 1 recruit in the incoming freshman class. Ayton uniquely has already declared he’ll only be in college for one season before leaving for the NBA. He committed to the Wildcats early, too, in September 2016 over Kansas and Kentucky, who rarely lose recruiting battles to anyone.

“I was just ready to become a Wildcat,” Ayton told the Star at the time. “I didn’t want to make too many dramas.”

The numbers: Ayton was born in the Bahamas and began his career at Balboa City School in San Diego, but didn’t play as a freshman after being ruled ineligible. As a sophomore, Balboa finished with a 17-14 record as Ayton averaged 21 points, 16 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game, recording double-doubles in 21 of 22 games. After transferring to Hillcrest, he averaged 29.2 points, 16.7 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game as a junior. As a senior, Hillcrest went 33-6 and Ayton averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game and was in turn selected as a McDonald’s All-American.

The value: Ayton is a program-changing talent with the ability to become an All-American in his first season. With Allonzo Trier and Rawle Alkins back in the fold, the Wildcats could compete for their second national championship.

“He’s obsessed with being a great player and because of that I think his future is incredibly bright,” Miller said after Ayton officially signed his letter of intent. “We’re all looking forward to providing him an environment where he can grow and also give our team and recruiting class that special player who can go inside and out.”

Why Ayton? There aren’t too many players built quite like Ayton. He’s a 7-footer with 3-point shooting range, all-world athleticism with top-notch rebounding and shot-blocking ability, with low-post moves to boot. The only question mark surrounding Ayton at this point from those who have watched him revolves around effort, but all indications in the early going point to Ayton fitting in well in early workouts for UA.

Proof he’s good: This incoming national freshman class is considered one of the most talented at the top in a while, with projected lottery picks like Michael Porter (Missouri), Mohamed Bamba (Texas) and Collin Sexton (Alabama). Some consider Ayton a better prospect then all of them. NBADraft.net has Ayton projected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft, as did DraftExpress before shutting down in June.

A DraftExpress scouting report on Ayton read: “What’s so impressive about Ayton at this stage, is his physical and athletic abilities, and how he uses them to have an impact on the game. He has the ability to dominate the game in the paint, using his size and strength to finish inside, crash the boards, and protect the rim. He is not the most explosive athlete, but he is long, and quick off the floor, and has the fluidity and change of speed to look at ease running the floor in transition, not a skill many guys his size have.”

What Ayton can accomplish: It’s hard to project exactly what he can do, but Ayton certainly has the potential to accomplish quite a bit beyond a possible Final Four run. If he puts up the numbers, Ayton would be a candidate for All-America honors, even first-team, and should run away with the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award. Depending on how his statistics match up with other top talent in the Pac-12, including Trier, he’d be a reasonable candidate for the conference player of the year award, too.

Coachspeak: “I’m not gonna sugarcoat it: he’s one of these once-in-a-generation types of players. He is big, 7 foot, and the fact that he hasn’t lifted weights is astonishing to me. When you look at him and shake his hand he has a physical presence as a young person that you don’t often see. One thing I’m really excited about is to get him with us and plug him into our strength and conditioning program and I think his body will change in a big, big way.” — Miller

He said it: “To me, I’m glad I committed to U of A, man. So glad. If I had committed to the others, I think I would have been mad because I didn’t want to leave my family … and with a coach like Coach Miller, we can make history. I really intend to give him his first Final Four. And I think I can really change the college game.” — Ayton

How Ayton performed: Ayton might've been the best freshman to ever step foot on the hardwood at McKale Center, and he has the hardware to prove it. Ayton was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Pac-12 Player of the Year and Pac-12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. No other player in the conference's history has won all three of those accolades. Now Ayton looks to be the first ever Wildcat selected No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft.  

No. 4: Haley Moore

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Moore is a 5-foot-11-inch golfer from Escondido, California, who is entering her junior season with Arizona’s women’s program. Moore came to the Wildcats as a highly-touted recruit, ranked seventh in her class and 14th overall in the American Junior Golf Association’s rankings. In high school, she was the only amateur to make the cut at the 2015 ANA Inspiration Championship, was a four-time winner in matches at the Wyndham Cup, earned  the 2014 CIF Player of the Year and played in the 2015 Junior Solheim Cup. She came to Arizona in tandem with her brother Tyler, also a golfer who joined the men’s team. Tyler has since left the UA program. Moore will be participating in the U.S. Women’s Amateur, which begins  next week at  San Diego Country Club.

“I knew 30 minutes into my unofficial visit that the University of Arizona was where I wanted to attend college and play golf,” Moore said after signing. “I am so excited to be joining the Wildcat family and look forward to starting the next chapter of my career. These past years of playing junior golf tournaments have helped my game rise to the next level and prepared me for college golf at U of A.”

The numbers: Moore finished in the top five in seven of the 10 events she played  as  a sophomore. She finished the season with a team-best 71.40 stroke average and had rounds of par or better on 22 different occasions.

The value: Moore and Krystal Quihuis give Arizona a 1-2 punch to rival any team in the country. The Wildcats have never finished any worse than fourth place at the Pac-12 championships under coach Laura Ianello, winning in 2015 before Moore arrived.

Why Moore? The women’s golf program is one of the UA’s most storied athletic programs. Some of the sport’s biggest names, including Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, were Wildcats. Moore has a chance to be among the best in Arizona history, and she has at least another year — two, if she doesn’t turn pro — to keep improving.

“My golf role model would be Annika Sorenstam,” Moore told the school’s website. “She has made women’s golf what it is today. I would love to follow her footsteps and one day shoot a 59.”

Proof she’s good: Moore was named a second-team All-American by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association for a reason. She won the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate in New Orleans back in February. Moore finished the season ranked as GolfWeek’s No. 13 individual golfer in the nation, and No. 15 in the women’s amateur rankings. She also was an All-Pac-12 first-team selection and had one of the best rounds in school history at the Dick McGuire Invitational to start the season. There, she tied for the best 18-hole round (65) in school history and the second-best 54-hole total (206). She also had a 66 in last year’s Pac-12 Championships and a 54-hole total of 207 at the Annika Intercollegiate in September. Moore tied for fifth place — with Quihuis — at this year’s Pac-12 Championships and finished in ninth as a freshman.

What Moore can accomplish: Moore can become the first golfer at Arizona to be named a first-team All-American since Alison Walshe was selected back-to-back in 2007 and 2008. With continued improvement, she can become  the UA’s first Pac-12 Golfer of the Year since Erica Blasberg in 2003.

Coachspeak: ““I still remember the first time I saw Haley back in November of 2012 at the AJGA Polo Golf Junior Classic. Her tee shot ended up on the cart path and she decided to hit a low hook off the cement through the trees up onto the green. I immediately texted Coach Ianello and said, ‘Hey Moore needs to be a Wildcat!’ … Haley has been blessed with a true talent for the game of golf.” — UA assistant Derek Radley after Moore signed as a freshman

She said it: “My goals going forward are to continue my consistent play and finish every tournament inside the top 10. I would like to win a national championship both individually and as a team. As well as be an All-American and to be an Annika Award finalist.” — Moore to ArizonaWildcats.com

How Moore performed: On the sudden-death 19th hole, all Haley Moore had to do was sink a birdie putt and the Wildcats would win their first national championship in 18 years. Moore sunk the putt in clutch time and her teammates crowded around the junior in celebration for taking down the almighty Alabama team which had three All-Americans on roster. Moore was also named to the all-conference team. Moore could skip her senior year like Quihuiis and play professionally, but Moore plans to return and attempt to win back-to-back national championships.   

No. 3: Justice Summerset

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Summerset is a 6-foot-3-inch high jumper entering his sophomore season in Arizona’s track program. Summerset set the Arizona state high-jumping record at Mountain View, clearing 7 feet 2 ½ inches as a senior. Summerset was also a standout quarterback for the Mountain Lions, throwing for more than 5,000 yards with 46 touchdowns over two seasons. Summerset competed for Tucson Elites, a local club track team coached by UA coach Fred Harvey’s wife. His connection with the Harveys was one of the reasons Summerset chose Arizona over other schools, including Arizona State.

“I already had a great relationship with Fred and it was just more about getting a relationship with the jumps coach (Matthew McGee) and that came very easily,” Summerset said. “I took my official visit and we just talked all day. The conversation just flowed and it seemed normal to me, so I was ready to make that leap. I was looking at other schools like ASU, and just being able to have options was important … but I felt like I didn’t need options when Arizona came in.”

The numbers: Summerset thrived both in indoor and outdoor competition as a freshman. He won four competitions, including both the first indoor (NAU Friday Night Duals) and outdoor (Stanford Invitational) events of his UA career. He finished in second place on two other occasions, third twice and never outside of the top 10. His best marks were a 7-3 jump in that indoor NAU event, and 7-2¼ at the Jim Click Shootout outdoors.

The value: Summerset finished third at the NCAA outdoor championships, and second place indoors. How impressive is that? In the history of Arizona, no high jumper has ever won the NCAA outdoor title. Summerset is likely Arizona’s biggest track and field star, and its best shot at an individual title, as soon as this upcoming season.

“If I had jumped my personal best” at the outdoor championships, Summerset said, “I probably would have won. That’s how I’m looking at it right now going into next year. If I had done my best, I could’ve won. So just knowing what it takes going into this second year is important.”

Why Summerset? Arizona’s high-jump program is as talented as its been since Brigetta Barrett and Nick Ross were competing at the UA. The Wildcats have Lisanne Hagens and Karla Teran on the women’s side, and Summerset has already proven what he’s capable of as a true freshman, with three more years to develop under Harvey and McGee’s coaching.

“It excites the heck out of me as a coach, to have him be a part of this program for the next three years,” Harvey said. “He’s a young man that’s unflappable.”

Proof he’s good: Summerset came in second (indoor) and third (outdoor) place at the NCAA championships as a true freshman, making him, in turn, a first-team All-American in both areas. The best part about the outdoor NCAA championship accomplishment is that he struggled — a 10th- place finish — at the Pac-12 championships just before at the same venue (in Eugene, Oregon) and bounced back in style. Recently, Summerset won a bronze medal at the Pan American Junior Championships in Peru and has his sights set on the 2020 Olympics and beyond.

The 2020 games are “the main goal, that’s the main focus,” he said. “I have ‘2020’ stapled up on my wall. Then, 2024, then 2028, and keep going. I want to be able to represent my country. Doing that this summer opened my eyes and that’s just what I really want to do.”

What Summerset can accomplish: Summerset has his sights set on a 7-4 jump, and then from there a 7-6, which is “the Olympic standard,” he said. If Summerset can make that leap as a sophomore, he has a decent shot at winning both the Pac-12 and NCAA titles and can continue to march toward Ross’ school record jump of 7-7.

Coachspeak: “A lot of people think that’s an easy task to come in just because you’re talented, to be an indoor and outdoor All-American. In an event such as high jump, it’s one of the most difficult things to do. … We were at Eugene for the conference championship and he didn’t score … to come back three weeks later to the same facilities and to accomplish what he did just tells you a lot about him as a young man and a competitor.” — Harvey

He said it: “I just want to take it day by day. I have a big goal in mind but you got to take little steps to get to that big goal, and overall I want to win. I’ve been close and getting on the podium is nice and all, but I’ve experienced that already. I’m ready to shoot for the big goals.” — Summerset

How Summerset performed: Summerset didn't place first in any of the meets, but was consistent. In the four meets Summerset performed in, he placed second three times and third once. He will be one of the top juniors not only in the Pac-12 but nationally in 2019. 

No. 2: Jessie Harper

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Harper is a 5-foot-6-inch infielder from Stevenson Ranch, California, entering her sophomore season at the UA. Harper came to the Wildcats as part of Mike Candrea’s No. 3-ranked recruiting class in 2016, according to FloSoftball. Harper was rated the nation’s No. 43 overall recruit. Harper primarily played shortstop in high school but moved to first base as a freshman. Harper is expected to return to her natural position next season.

The numbers: Harper finished the 2017 season with some of the most impressive stats of any freshman in the country. Her final numbers: A .333 batting average, 19 home runs, 56 RBIs, 34 runs scored and just 22 strikeouts in 186 at-bats. She also had a .720 slugging percentage, the sixth-best mark in the country among freshmen.

The value: The Wildcats went from a good team to the Pac-12 Champion largely because of the contributions of their freshmen. Catcher Dejah Mulipola and second baseman Reyna Carranco played well, but Harper was the breakout star. With Katiyana Mauga, Mandie Perez and Mo Mercado gone from Arizona’s lineup, Harper will have to step up as the team’s best hitter in 2018. If anyone knows what that’s like, it’s Mauga, Arizona’s all-time home run leader.

“It’s definitely going to get harder for the next three years,” Mauga said during the postseason, “especially when pitchers know you already, they’ve faced you, and you’re playing the same teams over and over.”

Why Harper? Candrea has already compared Harper to former UA outfielder Leah O’Brien. That’s high praise, considering O’Brien was a three-time All-American, a three-time NCAA champion and one of the best hitters in program history. Harper proved ready for college pitching from the get-go: She hit .367 with 15 home runs in the first 41 games of her career, and finished the season with more nearly as many home runs (19) as she hit in all of high school (22)

“In the beginning I was kind of overwhelmed with the college atmosphere and everything like that,” Harper said. “College softball is definitely different than travel ball and high school, it was a little bit to get adjusted to, but I love every second of it.”

Proof she’s good:Harper finished second in the Pac-12 in home runs, third slugging percentage and total bases, fourth in RBIs and eighth in doubles. Outside of Mauga, shewas Arizona’s most clutch — and exciting — hitte. In April, Harper hit a foul ball so hard it broke a television camera at Hillenbrand Stadium. Later in the month, she had a game-winning hit against Arizona State. In the last series of the regular season at UCLA, Harper smacked a grand slam that broke a car’s windshield. Harper’s walk-off RBI single gave Arizona a Super Regional win over Baylor. The win, which put the UA within a victory of the Women’s College World Series, came on her birthday.

“She’s always got a smile on her face, handles the pressure well,” Candrea said after the game. “It was a challenge for her to struggle a little bit because she really hasn’t struggled a lot throughout the whole year. (She) went back to work during the week and stayed positive, came out tonight and squared one up.”

What Harper can accomplish: Harper was named a first-team All-American as a freshman, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished at Arizona since 2010. She was also named to the All-Pac-12 first team and the conference’s All-Freshman team. With continued production at this level, it’d be reasonable to think Harper can be both a first team All-American and All-Conference selection again.

Coachspeak: “Jessie, you look at her and she doesn’t look like a freshman. She’s a very mature ballplayer… I knew she was a good hitter, but you never know how they’re going to react when they get into this situation. It is so much about making adjustments… There’s only been 1 or 2 games or pitchers hwo I felt like had the upper hand on her.” — Candrea

She said it: “I took it as a new challenge. I accepted it, I knew it coming in here that I wasn’t going to be playing short my freshman year. Anywhere I can help my team reach its end goal, even if it was just on the bench cheering on my teammates, I was definitely pleased when coach trusted me at first base, and the team did too. That took a little bit of growing and it’s been an amazing experience so far.” — Harper, on playing first base last season

How Harper performed: Harper was second team on the team with a .340 batting average and was one of two Wildcats to have at least 60 hits. Harper was another Wildcat that made it to the All-Pac-12 team. Harper and Palomino proved to be Arizona's one-two punch behind the plate combining for 37 home runs.

No. 1: Allonzo Trier

Rosenblatt said...

The details: Trier is a 6-foot-5-inch, 205-pound shooting guard from Seattle entering his junior season at Arizona. Trier came to Arizona from Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, a high school basketball powerhouse that also produced Arizona alumni Nick Johnson and Brandon Ashley. Trier averaged 26.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in his lone season at Findlay, and the team went 29-3. Trier scored 17 points in the McDonald's All-American game, and was named MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic after scoring 28 points. Trier was rated a 5-star recruit by all the major recruiting websites, and Scout.com pegged him the 20^th-best recruit in the nation. Trier chose the Wildcats over Kansas, Connecticut, UCLA and Louisville. 

The numbers:  Trier averaged 14.8 points per game as a freshman, but missed seven games in Pac-12 play after injuring his hand in a four-overtime game against USC. Trier missed the first half of his sophomore season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He later said that the positive test came because he was unknowingly given a banned substance by a "well-intentioned but misguided" person after suffering an injury. He returned in January, and led the Wildcats with a 17.2 points-per-game scoring average the rest of the season. He finished his sophomore season with improvements in rebounds (from 3.3 per game to 5.3 per game), assists (1.1 per game to 2.7 per game), 3-pointers made (1.5 per game to 1.9 per game) and 3-point percentage (36.4 percent to 39.1). 

The value: Most expected Trier to leave Arizona after two seasons. Trier surprised many when he announced his return, and the Wildcats immediately catapulted to pre-season top-5  projections. Trier joins fellow returner Rawle Alkins on a team that includes the nation's top-ranked incoming freshman, DeAndre Ayton. 

Why Trier? There are a few reasons Trier chose to return, from his desire to post better numbers to chasing a winning a national championship and improving his NBA Draft stock. With Trier back, Arizona's expectations are now supercharged. Without Trier, Arizona was a Pac-12 title contender. With him, they could compete for a national championship.

Proof he’s good: Trier was the team’s most consistent scoring option after returning from the suspension. Trier said he never felt like he was able to reach what he was capable of in limited time, but he scored 22 points in a win against Stanford, shooting 12 of 12 on free throws; in a three game stretch against Washington, USC and UCLA, he averaged 24.7 points per game; and in Arizona’s Sweet 16 loss to Xavier, he scored 15 straight points for the Wildcats to keep them in the game.

What Trier can accomplish: If Trier continues to improve the way he did between his freshman and sophomore season, he'll be a favorite for Pac-12 Player of the Year and could be a prime candidate for All-American honors. UA coach Sean Miller might look to Trier to become Arizona’s shut-down defender now that Kadeem Allen is in the NBA.

He said it: “Me and Kadeem shared that role last year, and slowly as I progressed in my freshman year and in the middle to the end of the season (last year), that was my role too. Especially when we played bigger. I feel comfortable with it regardless. I guarded Lonzo Ball last year, Markelle Fultz, all those things. Anybody you throw in front of me, I’ll be ready.” — Trier, on his defense

How Trier performed: One could argue that Trier wasn't even Arizona's best player, and that's solely because Ayton is a once-in-a-generation player. However, Trier made the All-Pac-12 team for the first time in his career and averaged 18.1 points and 3.2 assists per game, both career highs. Trier was suspended for two games during the Pac-12 season after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, which was later identified as Ostarine, the same drug that suspended him for half of the 2017 season. At the end of the day, Trier will go down as arguably the best shooting guard to ever play under Sean Miller.