• Slug: Sports-Arizona Wildcats Triathlon, 730 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Thomas Forbes
Cronkite News

TUCSON – Five athletes ran across the finish line under the Arizona Wildcats arch by the McKale Center chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” while freshman Mia Wentzy waved an American flag over her head. It was a picture-perfect finish for Team USA competing against Team International in a friendly intrasquad competition at the University of Arizona’s campus on a recent cool Saturday morning.

The Wildcats triathlon team continues to train hard and foster camaraderie in the program’s second year of existence. The athletes hope the chants of “U-S-A” at home in Tucson turn into even louder cheers of celebration at the USA Triathlon National Championship in November.

In the meantime, the Red-Blue intrasquad was held on Sept. 14, in preparation for the team’s trip to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete Sunday with six other schools at the Battle in the Fort race hosted by TCU at Marine Creek Reservoir. The race consists of a 750 meter swim, 12.4 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run. Continue reading “University of Arizona’s triathlon team determined to build success after squad’s rookie season”

• Slug: Sports-Rich Alday Tournament, 670 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Tom Forbes
Cronkite News

TUCSON – Anyone who knew Rich Alday had nothing but kind remarks about the former Pima Community College baseball coach. People described his amiable nature, fair and measured approach with his players and the family atmosphere he created on the diamond in the midst of fierce competition.

Those values translated into three NJCAA World Series appearances from 1974 to 1989 for the Aztecs before Alday became the head coach at the University of New Mexico from 1990 to 2007. He carried the same traits to Albuquerque, where he left his mark as the winningest coach in program history with 515 victories. He returned to Pima for one last season in 2017 before retiring.

While the Pima County Hall of Famer died in 2021 at age 71, his unmatched legacy still lives today through his numerous accolades and the Rich Alday Memorial Golf Tournament, which held its fourth annual event last Saturday at El Rio Golf Course to fundraise for the upcoming baseball season. Continue reading “Local baseball community honors late Rich Alday in golf tournament to support Pima baseball”

• Slug: Sports-St. Mary’s Brophy, 625 words.
• Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – For decades, the Catholic high school battle in the Valley revolved around Brophy and St. Mary’s. With their roots and history tied together, at one point the schools merged during the Great Depression. Once Brophy reopened in 1952, a rivalry was born. The two battled back and forth for generations, with campuses just miles apart. Fans and athletes bickered about mascots, school colors and even engaged in territorial spats over which side commanded certain watering holes along Central Avenue.

But over the years, as Brophy grew bigger and bigger, the rivalry began to diminish. After 2012, the schools mostly stopped playing each other in football. However, a new rivalry has emerged, with Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale filling the hole left by St. Mary’s, which gradually fell off the sports scene as the seasons changed.

On Friday, what is now called the Holy Bowl is set to be played for the fifth time in as many years, between Notre Dame Prep and Brophy. This Catholic school series started in 2020, and has developed into not just a rivalry, but a coming together between the two. Continue reading “Notre Dame and Brophy football rivalry carries more respect than animosity”

• Slug: Sports-ASU Swimming Behm, 780 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Tucker L. Sennett
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Things have significantly changed on the pool deck of the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center for the Arizona State swim and dive program. Legendary coach Bob Bowman went to Texas. Leon Marchand and his five Olympic golds went professional.

Luckily for the program, new coach Herbie Behm and a cast of remaining talented swimmers have ASU poised for a successful first season in the Big 12 in the wake of those changes.

“Now that we’ve had a lot of success, it’s different goals and different things we’re trying to reach, but still kind of who we are is very much the same,” Behm said. Continue reading “Uncharted waters: Herbie Behm ready to defend NCAA title, navigate new changes with ASU Swim and Dive”

• Slug: Sports–Rising Preview Stone. 910 words.
• Photo available. Graphics available.

By Cooper Burns
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – After Saturday’s decisive 4-0 win, Phoenix Rising FC turn the page to arguably their biggest game of the season. On Wednesday night, Rising face their rivals, Orange County SC, in a matchup with playoff implications.

The game is packed with storylines as both teams compete for the final two spots in the Western Conference, but none bigger than facing former Phoenix Rising coach Danny Stone, who was named interim coach of Orange County SC on Aug. 30.

Stone, an assistant coach for Phoenix Rising from 2021-23, helped guide the team to its first USL championship title last season. On Jan. 18, he was promoted to Rising coach after Juan Guerra left for Major League Soccer. Continue reading “Phoenix Rising FC set for showdown against former coach Danny Stone, Orange County SC”

• Slug: Sports-ASU Volleyball Big 12. 834 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Anne-Marie Iemmolo
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Arizona State women’s volleyball assistant coach Shaughn McDonald stood near the end line of the court during a team practice, helping players perfect the form on their serves ahead of the Sun Devils’ upcoming game.

At times during the team scrimmage, McDonald paused play to direct the team to be more aggressive or correct players’ positions on the court. McDonald, a former libero for the Saint Francis Red Flash men’s volleyball team, has endless experience on the court and in the coaching zone.

Last year, he was the director of operations and technical coordinator for the Houston Cougars, one of ASU’s new Big 12 opponents. This year, McDonald uses his prior experience to help the Sun Devils adjust to their new conference and competition.

“This conference (Big 12) has retained a lot of really good players, so I do feel fortunate to have a little bit of insight into what those players and those teams do,” McDonald said following a recent team practice.

Continue reading “Shaughn McDonald brings valuable Big 12 insights as assistant to ASU women’s volleyball”

• Slug: Sports–Rising Hispanic Heritage, 700 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Sebastian Mondaca Sepulveda

Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Every time Phoenix Rising FC scored a goal, red smoke filled the sky, adding more color to an evening that was as festive as it was meaningful.

The goals came early and often – it was the first four-goal game this season for Phoenix, which had eight shots in the first 30 minutes – as the organization celebrated its annual Hispanic Heritage Night with a 4-0 victory against San Antonio FC Saturday at Phoenix Rising Stadium. The victory, which helped the defending USL champions keep their postseason hopes alive, also highlighted the importance of bringing in the culture within the community and the love of the sport.

Hispanic Heritage Month honors the diverse heritage of American citizens whose ancestors originate from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The celebration has grown since its origins as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson, expanding into a full month under President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Continue reading “On vibrant Hispanic Heritage Night, Phoenix Rising explodes with 4-0 win to keep playoff hopes alive”

• Slug: Sports–Life After Football, 1,860 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Heading into the 1997 NFL Draft, former Arizona State offensive tackle Juan Roque felt superhuman.

Selected in the second round, 35th overall, by the Detroit Lions after leading Arizona State to an 11-1 record and a Rose Bowl appearance, the two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection and consensus All-American was certain his best days were still ahead of him.

What many Lions fans remember as one of the most unforgettable Thanksgivings ended up being just as memorable for Roque, although for very different reasons.

Continue reading “Life after football: Arizona State alums Juan Roque, Steve Campbell reflect on challenges after competition”