All Entries in the "Softball" Category

ONLINE EXTRA: Softball runs win streak to 11 games

Story by JAMES KELLEY
Photo by NARCISO THOMAS VILLARREAL
Videos by JAMES SARGENT and JAMES KELLEY

The Pima Community College softball team is hitting its stride, as the Aztecs have won 13 of their last 14, won 11 in a row and earned their sixth player of the week award of the season.

Until it was snapped April 14, No. 13 Pima (44-11, 34-8 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) had an 11-game win streak.

“We had a long winning streak and unfortunately it ended like they all do, but that just means we were pretty consistent,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We’ve been hitting the ball well. I am just happy with all the Ws we got.”

Freshman Mari Contreras (25-2) earned her second straight National Junior College Athletic Association Region I Pitcher of the Week honor on April 10. Contreras threw three shutouts in a row.

“She’s just a horse, she’s a stud and we’re lucky to have her. We love running her out there every game,” Quiroz said.

The award is the sixth time this season that an Aztec has won a POW award. Freshman utility Erika Tapia, freshman infielder Jacqueline Deen, sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros and freshman utility Jessica Schneider previously have won Batter of the Week awards.

Jessica Schneider

“I think I am doing OK, I know I can do better,” Contreras said. “I know when I am under pressure I do my best.”

On April 19, Pima pounded GateWay Community College, in a double dip on Sophomore Day.

Pima won the first game 6-5. Sophomore Adriana Garcia (12-5) earned the win, while Schneider went 3-3, hit a double and drove in one. Freshman outfielder Kat Banks hit a game winning home run.

“We’re coming together as a team and I think we are going to go really far,” Contreras said.

In the second game, Contreras struck out five and gave up two hits in four innings as Pima cruised to a 19-6 win.

“The momentum carried over to game two,” Quiroz said. “We have a bunch of hitters and it is kinda like a train. One starts hitting and they all start hitting and it becomes unstoppable.”

The Aztecs had 17 hits and five homeruns. Deen went 3-4, hit homers in her first two at-bats and drove in six RBIs. Ballesteros went 4-4, hit a double, a homerun and drove in five RBIs.

Contreras normally pitches the first game of doubleheaders, but threw the second so that University of Arizona head coach Mike Candrea and UA pitching coach Teresa Wilson could watch her.

Pima extended its win streak to 11 on April 14, before South Mountain Community College snapped it during a doubleheader split. In the first game, Contreras earned the win with a four-hitter in a 6-4 victory.

Freshman infielder Jacqueline Deen, sophomore infielder Mercedes Garcia and freshman infielder Jessica Sipe hit homeruns. Garcia went 3-4. Freshman utility Jessica Schneider also went 3-4 with a double and an RBI.

Adriana Garcia suffered the 3-1 Pima loss in the second game, despite not giving up any earned runs. Schneider hit another homer.

Pima won its 10th game in a row on April 12, with a doubleheader sweep at Arizona Western College.

Contreras led the way in the first game, a 2-0 win, with her fourth straight shutout and 11 strikeouts. Sophomore infielder Katie Asher and Schneider each had homeruns.

Adriana Garcia threw a five-hit shutout in the second game, a mercy rule shortened 10-0 win. Schneider went 3-3, with a double and another homerun and sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros also hit a dinger.

Freshman utility Erika Tapia went also 3-3, with a homerun, two runs and five RBIs.

On Deck
April 23: @ Phoenix  College, noon
April 26: @ Yavapai College, noon
April 30: @ Mesa CC, noon
All dates are doubleheaders.

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Sibling pitchers find home in Tucson

Story by JAMES SARGENT
Photo by JAMES KELLEY

Softball and baseball has been the focal points in the lives of Taryne and Torry Mowatt.

Both Taryne, 24, and Torry, 20, started playing tee ball when they were 4 years old. Their love for the game grew as the years went by and careers for both of them started to form.

The Mowatts grew up in Corona, Calif. Taryne was the first to make the trip out to Tucson to play softball for the University of Arizona.

“I wanted to go to a school that was going to give me an education and a chance to win a championship, and I knew that Arizona was going to be the best bet,” Taryne said.

Taryne went on to become one of the best pitchers in Arizona softball history.

She won 100 games over her tenure as a starting pitcher and was a part of the 2006 and 2007 National Championship teams.

In 2007, Taryne won the Most Outstanding Player award at the Women’s College World Series, after throwing more than 1,000 pitches in a week to lead the UA to its eighth National Championship.

“There aren’t words to describe it unless you have felt the greatest moment in your life,” Mowatt said of winning the College World Series. “It was something that not many people can say they have accomplished and I got to do it with some of my best friends.”

In 2007, Taryne also won two ESPY Awards for Best Female Athlete, beating the likes of Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker and Best Female College Athlete.

“I was shocked, I didn’t see it happening,” Taryne said. “I was content with just being there, but when they said my name, in my head I was thinking, ‘Great, now I have to go give a speech in front of millions of viewers and all the best athletes in the world.’ But it was really fun and I would love to do it every year if I could.”

Taryne currently is a member of the Chicago Bandits in the National Pro Fastpitch, formerly the Women’s Pro Softball League. The up-and-coming league has four teams total.

She is helping to lay the groundwork for softball players to have an adequate living in the future by building the NPF to higher standards. She was drafted by the Washington Glory in 2008, but has been on three teams in three years.

Outside of softball, Taryne loves music and updating her Twitter page. She also has started her own website, Taryne.com, which gives updates on camps, clinics, appearances, games and other interesting, fan-friendly information.

Her brother, Torry, on the other hand, does not quite have the resume that his older sister has, but has enjoyed success of his own.

Torry Mowatt, left and Taryne Mowatt, right

Torry moved to Tucson to live with his sister and play baseball. He was recruited to play out of high school but suffered an injury. That led to Tucson, and Pima Community College, being his best bet.

“I came out here as an outfielder and a couple turn of events, turned into a pitcher,” Torry said of his experience at Pima. “Last year, I was more of a thrower than a pitcher, but thanks to the summer, I learned a lot of new things and worked with a lot of different styles of baseball.”

Torry has definitely improved with pitching as he is now, arguably, one of the Aztecs’ best pitchers.

“I thought it was going to be a lot tougher of a transition,” Torry said. “It has been more mentally tough than anything.”

As of April 5, Torry was 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA and has recorded 40 strikeouts on the season. He primarily comes out of the bullpen but has started a game.

Torry’s plan for after Pima is one with many decisions.

“I have school, a pro career that is now a reality and Division 1 ball to think about as options,” Torry said. “Every little kid’s dream growing up is to play pro ball and it has always been a dream of mine. It is now a little bit stronger because it is actually a reality where it is just a matter of me reaching out and grabbing it.”

When baseball isn’t on Torry’s mind, he loves to go fishing.

“If I had the chance to do it everyday, I’d do it,” Torry said of fishing.

The Mowatts also have two other siblings, Jordan, 17, and Anthony, 13.

Jordan is a softball player like her sister, and plays high school ball in California. According to Taryne, Jordan will most likely continue to play in college, though mostly likely in the Golden State.
Family life is a big part of the Mowatts and this is evident in Taryne’s support of her brother Torry.

“I try to make all the games that I know he is pitching in,” Taryne said.

Taryne and Torry will throw together on occasion and run together to keep in shape.

Working out on your own was the main training tip that both Mowatts mentioned as the keys to their success.

“My work ethic has helped me to be the best baseball player that I can be,” Torry said.

Taryne and Torry are both still young and have many more years of baseball and softball ahead of them.

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ONLINE EXTRA: Softball wins 8 straight, 2 more POWs awards

By JAMES KELLEY
Video by NARCISO THOMAS VILLARREAL
Mari Contreras photo by JAMES KELLEY
Lindsey Weldon and Katie Asher photo by ANTHONY FRENCH

The Pima Community College softball team is rolling, winning eight in a row and two player of the week awards in one week.

For the week ending April 3, freshman Mari Contreras (23-2) won National Junior College Athletic Association Region 1 Pitcher of the Week while freshman utility Erika Tapia won Batter of the Week. Pima has won five player of the week awards.

“I think they both earned it. Erika’s been in a slump and all of a sudden she has exploded. I am very happy for her and Mari,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “I think she is the best pitcher in the league.”

Mari Contreras

On April 5, No. 19 Pima (39-10, 29-7 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) swept a doubleheader against Chandler-Gilbert, to win their eighth game in a row. It was their 11th win in their last 12 games.

The Aztecs earned a mercy rule win, 8-0, in five innings in the first game. They won the second 3-2 in the first extra inning with a walk-off double by freshman infielder Jessica Sipe.

“I think at the beginning of the season we started off getting to know each other, but I think we are reaching our peak,” Tapia said. “Our strengths are starting to pop out.”

Contreras two-hit the Coyotes and earned her third straight shutout. Tapia went 3-3, hit a home run and stole a base. Sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros also hit a home run.

Sophomore Adriana Garcia (10-4) picked up the win in the second game, after giving up one unearned run and six hits in eight innings. Ballesteros had two RBIs in the nightcap.

“We’re playing well, we battled —that’s a pretty good pitcher we beat (April 5) — we seemed to get a hit when we need to and (April 5) it was Jessica Sipe,” Quiroz said. “I like where we are at.”

On April 2, the Aztecs completed a perfect week and won their sixth game in five days, with a two-game sweep at Glendale Community College. Pima beat the Gauchos 5-0 and then 6-0.

Contreras struck out 13, tying a season high, and threw a one-hitter. Tapia had three RBIs. She and Sipe each hit homeruns.

In the second game, Adriana Garcia held GCC to four hits to get the win. Freshman designated player and lead off hitter Nicole Rascon went 3-4 with two RBIs.

The Aztecs closed out March by raining on Paradise Valley Community College’s parade when they swept a postponed doubleheader.

Lindsey Weldon, outfield and Katie Asher, second base

Contreras led Pima in the first game, a 7-0 win, throwing a one hitter. Rascon went 3-4 in the leadoff spot, with a triple and three RBIs and Tapia had two RBIs.

Freshman Ariel Silva (2-2) got the win in the nightcap, a 4-2 Pima victory, as she threw 6 1/3 innings. Adriana Garcia got her first save.

Freshman utility Jessica Schneider went 3-4, hitting her eighth homerun of the season and two RBIs. Tapia and Sipe each hit triples.

“I feel I struggled, but I felt I found my love back for the game,” Tapia said. “It’s a different level than high school. I’m glad my teammates were there to pick me up and help me find it.”

Six of the games in the Aztecs’ win streak were away from the friendly confines of the West Campus.

“I think it is way more impressive. It is such a drag going to classes, then practices and being on the road a lot, it’s really draining, but I think our coaches and our teammates really motivate us,” Tapia said about winning on the road.

On March 29, Pima swept a doubleheader at Central Arizona College, 12-3 and 7-1.

Contreras led the way in the first game, striking out seven in the six-inning mercy rule win. Sophomore infielder Katie Asher hit two home runs and drove in four RBIs. Sipe also hit a dinger.

Adriana Garcia excelled in the pitcher’s circle and batter’s box, giving up just four hits and striking out a season high nine and went 3-4, with two runs and two RBIs. Tapia hit two doubles and drove in one run.
Sophomore infielder Mercedes Garcia hit a homerun and two RBIs.

On March 26, the Aztecs split a doubleheader at Eastern Arizona College. Pima won the first game 9-4, thanks to 15 hits and four homeruns but lost the second 7-4.

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Softball moves up in the rankings, earns another POW

Story and photo by JAMES KELLEY

As the Pima Community College softball team snapped a three-game losing streak and won six of their last seven games, accolades continued to come.

The Aztecs (30-9, 20-6 Arizona Community College Athletic Association) moved up five spots in the rankings to No. 7.

In addition, freshman infielder Jacqueline Deen was named Region I Hitter of the Week, for the week ending March 19. Deen hit .857, scored 11 runs, drove in five RBI, hit four doubles and went 7-7 on stolen base attempts to earn the player of the week honor.

“I like the way we are swinging the bat right now and we are playing good defense. I am happy where we are at right now,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We’re ready for the stretch run right here.”

Pima’s doubleheader at Paradise Valley Community College on March 22 was canceled because of rain and a makeup date has not yet been set.

The Aztecs rebounded from a loss by scoring two mercy rule wins over Scottsdale Community College on March 19.

Mari Contreras (18-2) won game one, a 12-1 win, and sophomore Adriana Garcia (7-3) won game two, an 8-0 win.

Sophomore Katie Asher went 5-7 on the day, with two doubles, a homerun, four runs and seven RBIs.

Freshman utility Jessica Schneider went 4-5 in the double dip, hitting two doubles, a triple, a homer, four RBIs and scoring five times.

Deen went 3-3, hit a double, scored three times and stole two bases.

“Jackie Deen has done a great job. She has swung the bat very well, played good defense and she is one of the fastest players on our team,” Quiroz said.

Pima split a pair with No. 9 Mesa Community College on March 15. PCC won the first 10-6, as Contreras struck out nine.

Asher was perfect at the plate, going 4-4, with a run and two RBI. Sophomore first baseman Mercedes Garcia hit a two-run homer and scored another run.

In the second game, a 4-2 loss, Adriana Garcia gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings. She was relieved by freshman Ariel Silva, who shut the door on the Thunderbirds, giving up just one hit.

“Mari, has been pitching very solidly, we are getting good games from Adriana, Ariel and Erika. I like where we are at right now,” Quiroz said.

On March 13, the Aztecs played three games at the Phoenix College Invitational, going 2-1.

Pima opened the day with a 4-2 loss to Illinois Central Community College, which hosted the women’s basketball national tournament.

Silva gave up four runs on five hits before being spelling by Contreras.

Jessica Sipe

Next Pima run-ruled Mott (Mich.) Community College, 10-2. Freshman Erika Tapia pitched the six-inning complete game, striking out eight and giving up four hits.

The Aztecs closed the trip by drowning College of Lake County (Ill.) 17-0. Adriana Garcia threw a no-hitter and allowed just one base runner.

Deen went 6-6, scored six runs, stole four bases and knocked in four RBI in two games.

Asher hit a two-run homer versus Mott and hit a double, a triple and drove in five RBI against Lake County.

Schneider went 4-4 with a homerun and three RBI against Mott and hit a grand slam against Lake County.

Pima’s Spring Break skid began by getting swept in a doubleheader by then-No. 2 Yavapai College, 5-4 and 7-3 at home.

In the first game, Yavapai roughed up the Aztecs’ ace Contreras, getting five runs, three earned on nine hits, but the freshman did strike out 10 Roughrider batters.

Mercedes Garcia hit a homerun.

Adriana Garcia took the loss in the second game. Schneider hit a homer, one of five Aztecs hits in the nightcap.

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Freshman proving to be a Jill of all trades for softball

Story and photo by JAMES KELLEY

Freshman Jessica Schneider has had a memorable couple of weeks for the Pima Community College softball team, pounding the ball and even catching for the first time.

Ever.

Schneider is listed as a first baseman and third baseman on the roster and was named Region I, Division I Batter of the Week for the week ending Feb. 27.

“The first time catching was pretty cool,” Schneider said. “That is the first time I have ever caught in my life.”

Schneider donned the “tools of ignorance” on March 8 when the Aztecs’ regular catcher, sophomore Charissa Ballesteros had to miss the double header against Phoenix College to be with her grandfather, who was on his deathbed.

Jessica Schneider

No. 12 Pima (25-5, 17-3 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) run ruled Phoenix 12-1 in the first game and beat the Bears 10-3.

Freshman Mari Contreras (16-1) threw a two-hitter with seven strikeouts and freshman outfielder Nicole Rascon went 3-4 with two runs in the first game.

Freshman outfielder Kat Banks went 2-2, hit a double and drove in four RBIs. Freshman outfielder Aubrey Baldwin and Schneider also went 2-2 with Baldwin hitting two RBIs and Schneider three.

“We’ve been so up and down all year and (March 8 ) we played two really good games, minus one bad inning, but I thought they played really, really well and showed a lot of perseverance in coming back,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “I was very happy with today, it has been a long time coming.”

In the second game against Phoenix, Schneider and sophomore infielder Katie Asher went 2-3 with a pair of RBIs. Freshman infielder Jessica Sipe blasted a three run homer over the right-center fence.

“Phoenix is a great program, they have like 10 national championships so any time we can beat a team like that, we are on our game,” Quiroz said. “I have a lot of respect for them.”

Quiroz said Schneider had played catcher in practice, but she admitted she “was a little nervous” and that it is “way different” than first or third base.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” Schneider said.

Pima split a double header at Chandler-Gilbert Community College on March 3, earning a five-inning mercy rule 11-2 win in the first game, but dropping the second 4-3. Two errors in the bottom of the last inning in the nightcap led to a walk-off loss.

Ballesteros went 5-8 in the doubleheader, scoring two runs and driving in two RBIs. Sophomore first baseman Mercedes Garcia went 4-8, hit a pair of doubles and scored twice and Schneider went 4-7, scored a pair of runs.

“I think we are doing good, we are playing well as a team,” Schneider said.

The Aztecs had their eight game winning streak snapped on Feb. 26 at the hands of Arizona Western College, but rebounded to salvage a split.

Pima dropped the first game 2-1 in 8 innings. Freshman Mari Contreras (13-1) suffered her first loss of the season despite striking out 13 Matadors.

In the second game, Contreras got the 12-11 win after relieving sophomore Adriana Garcia. Schneider went 3-3, including her bottom of the seventh walk-off home run. Ballesteros went 4-4, drove in three RBIs and hit a solo homer.

On Feb. 22, Pima swept a doubleheader against No. 6 South Mountain Community College. Contreras picked up both wins.

The Aztecs run ruled SMCC 10-1 in the first game. Contreras threw a five hitter and struck out nine Cougars.

Sophomore shortstop Katie Asher hit a three run dinger, only to be bested by Schneider’s grand slam. Freshman outfielder Nicole Rascon went 3-3, scored two runs and drove in one RBI.

In the nightcap, Contreras came in relief of freshman Ariel Silva to shut the door on South Mountain with 2 2/3 innings of shut out ball in a 6-4 win. Schneider went 2-2 and drove in two RBIs, while Garcia went 3-3, hit a double, scored a run and knocked in two RBIs.

The Aztecs, two games behind No. 2 Yavapai College in the standings, will host their archrival YC on March 12 for a doubleheader starting at noon. Yavapai knocked Pima out of the playoffs the last two years.

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Softball makes it rain wins after bad loss

Story and photo by JAMES KELLEY

Since the Pima Community College softball team was blown out on Feb. 8, it seems like only the weather can rain on its parade.

After having their 10-game winning streak snapped by Eastern Arizona College and suffering a mercy rule 13-2 loss in the process, the No. 12 Aztecs (17-3, 9-1 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) have won six in a row.

“I think, if there is such a thing, it was a good loss,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “They brought reality to us that day and kind of opened our girls’ eyes. They felt like they were invincible, but it was good to find out they weren’t. We have played better since then.”

Pima’s most recent wins came at the Cathedral City Kickoff in California, but rain limited their stay to two games.

“Well it was a long trip for two games,” Quiroz said. “Unfortunately we were rained out to two games, but we were actually fortunate that there was teams there that had been there a day and a half and hadn’t played.”

On Feb. 18, Pima started a game against Citrus (Calif.) College. It went extra innings, to eight, then was suspended because of rain with the score at 2-2.

The Aztecs finished off Citrus, 3-2, on Feb. 19 when freshman utility Erika Tapia hit the game winning RBI with the bases juiced, 22 hours and 45 minutes after the game started.

Freshman third baseman Jessica Sipe went 3-3 with a walk and freshman pitcher Mari Contreras (10-0) threw a four-hitter and struck out nine Owls.

In Pima’s only other game in the Golden State, the Aztecs were victorious over Victor Valley (Calif.) College 2-0 on Feb. 19. Sophomore shortstop/third baseman Katie Asher went 2-3, including a home run.

PCC was scheduled to play three games on Feb. 18 and two on Feb. 19 and not play Victor Valley, but the rain wreaked havoc on the schedule.

“What happened was when it started raining and people started getting mad and teams left and they had to kind of get games as best they could,” Quiroz said.

PCC routed Glendale Community College twice on Feb. 15.

Contreras threw a three-hitter in game one, an 8-0 six-inning mercy rule win. Sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros hit two doubles and hit three RBIs, and Sipe hit a walk-off home run.

Freshman corner infielder Jessica Schneider hit a two-run homer in the second game.

On Feb. 12, the Aztecs swept a doubleheader against Central Arizona College, rebounding from the loss to Eastern.

Quiroz called on Contreras to pitch both games. The freshman threw a four-hit shutout in the first game for a 1-0 win. In the nightcap, she threw a six-hitter for a 4-2 win.

“I’m a little concerned with our hitting,” Quiroz said. “We have great pitching right now and our hitting is kind of lagging—I don’t think it is where it will be. Maybe I am being impatient, but we need to hit the ball better.”

Freshman outfielder Nicole Rascon went 2-3 in the second game, scoring a pair of runs.

Nicole Rascon

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Will you be my sports Valentine? Three years since the big inning for diamond couple

By HANNAH McLEOD
Photo by ANA RAMIREZ

In baseball and softball, there is the saying, “three strikes and you’re out!” but for Aubrey Baldwin and Cameron Blazevich, “three years and still dating” is their saying.

Baldwin is the softball centerfielder for Pima Community College. She has been dating Blazevich, Pima’s baseball catcher, since high school.

They both attended Catalina Foothills High School and met through a mutual friend. Baldwin noticed the shirt Blazevich was wearing at that first introduction.

“I remember him wearing a baseball shirt and that definitely caught my attention,” she said.

Blazevich not only noticed Baldwin, but told a football teammate who was talking to Baldwin that he was going to steal her from him.

“He said to go ahead and try and we’ve been dating ever since,” Blazevich said with a laugh.

After they began dating, Blazevich and Baldwin discovered they are both really good at the sports they play.

“First time I saw him play I was surprised at how good he was,” Baldwin said. “I asked him where he batted in the lineup and he told me that he was lead batter.”

Blazevich had the same reaction to Baldwin’s softball abilities.

“I was surprised at how good she was,” he said.

Despite their skills, both admit they offer advice to each other.

“I usually act like I’m not listening because I am too stubborn, but I do,” Baldwin said. “He’s a catcher and I know nothing of catching, so if I give him advice it is usually light-hearted joking.”

Blazevich agreed. “We both give each other advice, but I’m not always sure if we listen.”

Cameron Blazevich and Aubrey Baldwin

The PCC baseball and softball teams don’t travel together, so Blazevich and Baldwin don’t get to see each other play very much. This makes Blazevich appreciate that they can talk to each other about one another’s games.

“We definitely talk about how our games went, which to me is great because I can talk to her in sports language,” Blazevich said.

Blazevich and Baldwin’s common love for sports has made them both excited for the beginning of their new seasons. The saying for this Valentine’s Day may just be, “Take me out to the ball game!”

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Softball begins season in style

Story and Photos by JAMES KELLEY

Save for one game on Feb. 8, the Pima Community College softball team is almost off to a dream start, highlighted by a slew of mercy rule wins and triumphs over ranked foes.

On Jan. 28, the No. 12 Aztecs (11-3, 5-1 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) started the season at the College of Southern Nevada Kickoff Classic.

Freshman Ariel Silva of Hawaii said aloha to college softball by throwing a no hitter against North Idaho College in an 11-0 win. Sophomore first baseman Mercedes Garcia went 3-3 with a home run and six RBI.

In the Aztecs’ second game, freshman pitcher Mari Contreras (6-0) shut down No. 3 Salt Lake Community College with a four-hit and 10-strikeout performance in a 2-0 win.

“We did very well. I was very happy with Vegas,” head coach Armando Quiroz said.

On Jan. 29, Pima lost to No. 9 Chattanooga State Community College 9-3, but beat No. 5 Chipola College 2-1 and No. 15 College of Southern Idaho 10-6.

Against CSI, freshman outfielder Kataryna Banks hit a base clearing, three-run double. Freshman second baseman Tiffany Ibarra hit a two-run home run.

Vanessa Arandules

In the Chipola game, Contreras gave up six hits and struck out 12. Sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros hit the game winning RBI.

The Aztecs closed out the Las Vegas tournament on Jan. 30 with a 20-0 five-inning thrashing of Colorado Northwest Community College and a 4-1 win over College of Southern Nevada.

Sophomore pitcher, Adriana Garcia gave up four hits in the shutout of CNCC and freshman outfielders Aubrey Noorda and Erika Tapia were perfect at the plate with a couple RBIs in the lopsided win as Noorda went 3-3 and Tapia 4-4.

Contreras gave up two hits and struck out 12 against the CSN tournament hosts. Freshman infielder Jessica Schneider went 2-2 with a double and two runs scored against Southern Nevada.

“We did really good for more than half our team being freshmen and I think we showed some people that we will be tough to beat this year,” Garcia said.

The Aztecs opened up conference play on Feb. 1 with a pair of dominating wins at Scottsdale Community College, 7-1 and 14-3.

In the first game, Contreras gave up three hits and struck out 16 Fighting Artichoke batters in the 7-1 win.

Tapia went 4-6 on the day, with a triple and home run and Garcia went 2-3, scored three runs, hit a double, a triple and drove in seven RBI.

“The freshmen are doing good, they are adjusting well,” Garcia said. “I think with time we will be fine.”

On Feb. 5, Pima celebrated its home opener in style, with two mercy rule wins over Paradise Valley Community College.

The Aztecs took the first game 10-0 in five innings. Contreras stuck out 14 PVCC batters, out of 15 outs and gave up two hits.

“Our pitching has been great,” Quiroz said.

In the second game, Pima won 12-3. After hitting two doubles and going 2-2 in the first game, sophomore shortstop Katie Asher went 3-3, including a home run and drove in four RBI.

On Feb. 8, the Aztecs got a bit of their own medicine. Although they beat Eastern Arizona College 7-4 in the first game, in the second they were run-ruled, 13-2.

In the first game, Contreras struck out 11 Lady Monsters. Garcia, Pima’s leader in RBIs, went 2-3 with a triple and a homerun.

Ariel Silva

“Up until today it was good, we got brought back to reality by a good team, we got spanked and I told the freshmen, welcome to the league,” Quiroz said.

“We’ve been beating up on some teams and now we are starting to see some better teams and it’s a good eye opener,” he added. “Today was a different story. It gives us some questions that we need to answer.”

In other Aztec softball news, former Pima pitcher Jordan Trujillo, last year’s ACCAC player of the year, will return to Tucson for a tournament.

She’ll lead her new team, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, at the Hillenbrand Invitational Feb. 18-20 at the University of Arizona.

Quiroz said Trujillo is scheduled to pitch Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. against the UA.

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ONLINE EXTRA: Young and deep softball confident

By JAMES KELLEY

Photo by ED ADAMS

aztecpress@pima.edu

Despite losing a plethora of talent from one of the best teams in school history, the Pima Community College softball team is optimistic this year thanks to a deep roster.

“We have a bunch of great athletes,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We are going to be very good defensively and offensively if we live up to our potential.”

The Aztecs will seek to improve on last year’s 57-11 team, which won the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference championship and finished second at Regionals.

“I think we have a lot of talent,” sophomore catcher Charissa Ballesteros said. “If we keep working as hard as we have been, then there is no reason why we shouldn’t win a national title.”

The Aztecs must replace three superstars: No. 1 pitcher Jordan Trujillo, catcher Melina Trujillo and shortstop Kaity Ingram.

Melina Trujillo and Ingram were named first team All-Americans, while Jordan Trujillo was named to the second team and was the ACCAC player of the year.

“They were the center of our team, the heart of our team, the core of our team,” Quiroz said. “We have talent but we need what they brought to us: leadership, heart, guile. That’s what we are looking for from this year’s team.”

The preseason poll has not yet been released, but the Aztecs finished last year ranked No. 4.

“We have a lot more depth,” Quiroz said. “Last year we had a great starting nine. It remains to be seen but we will match up very well to last year’s team.”

Freshman Mari Contreras, from Sunnyside High School, is one candidate to replace Jordan Trujillo. In a 3-1 exhibition loss in October against the University of Arizona, Contreras threw five scoreless innings.

Mari Contreras pitches in a 3-1 exhibition loss to University of Arizona.

“We have great pitchers, one through six, even though some of them are injured,” Ballesteros said. “They’re working really hard and we should have some of the top pitchers in the conference.”

Last year, the team used just three pitchers. Quiroz said Pima added a few more pitchers than normal this year, but all six won’t be available right away.

“We also have three pitchers that are out with injury, so I guess we are back to normal,” he said.

Quiroz is excited about his big freshman class of 15 players.

“We have a lot of freshmen coming in, so competition is really hard,” freshman third baseman Jessica Sipe said. “It just makes us work that much harder because there are so many people.”

The Aztecs also picked up a few transfers, most notably infielder Katie Asher from Oklahoma State University and outfielder Nicole Rascon from archrival Yavapai College. Last year Asher played in 15 games for the Cowgirls and Rascon redshirted.

“Katie did really well and just wanted to come home,” Quiroz said.

The Aztecs expect the new depth to help out. For example, Asher and Sipe both were third basemen last year.

“Last year it hurt because we ended up with one third baseman and one in certain areas because of injuries and stuff,” Ballesteros said. “I think it helps a lot that we have three girls at almost every position, because if one is not hitting then the other one can go in.”

Ballesteros is the Aztecs’ best returning threat on offense. Last year she was second in the ACCAC in RBIs with 79 and hit .445.

“One through 23, I think we are all amazing hitter,” Ballesteros said. “It is going to be hard for coach to pick a certain nine to put in the lineup.”

Once again the ACCAC is expected to be strong. Ten national champions since 2000, including the 2004 and 2006 titles won by Pima, have come from the ACCAC.

“This year, like every year, the conference is loaded,” Quiroz said. “There are five great teams in our division and it will be a dogfight.”

The Aztecs start the season Jan. 28 at the College of Southern Nevada Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas. Their home opener is Feb. 5 at noon against Eastern Arizona College.

Pima’s home field is at the West Campus. All games are doubleheaders unless they are in a tournament.

On Feb. 18, PCC travels to Palm Springs, Calif., for the Cathedral City Kickoff. On March 12, the Aztecs host archrival Yavapai, which upset Pima in the Regional playoffs and ended their season.

ONLINE EXTRA: Softball signs seven, baseball 10

By RORI A. MOORE

The Pima Community College softball team signed seven high school seniors in a Jan. 15 ceremony at the District Office.

The Aztecs added recruits from six high schools in Southern Arizona: four utility players, two outfielders and one infielder. The recruiting class includes two players from Sabino High School, infielder Aubre Carpenter and utility player Shawna Comeaux.

Armando Quiroz, head coach for four years, is looking forward to the recruits joining the team next year.

“They are all great players and I am excited to have them as a part of the team,” Quiroz said. “We will have a big freshman class next season, and they will have to earn a starting position.”

Quiroz said he and his staff have spent time watching the seniors play, and are convinced they will add to the team’s dynamic.

Pitcher and utility player Yvette Alvarez, from Sahuarita High School, picked Pima over conference rivals Eastern Arizona College and Yavapai College and a junior college in Las Vegas.

Alvarez chose PCC, “because it is close to home. I want to stay close to my family.”

She’s been playing softball since the age of 5, Alvarez said. Her family is athletic, so playing sports comes naturally.

Pima Athletic Director Edgar Soto opened the ceremony by addressing players, family and friends, welcoming them to PCC and the athletic department.

Vice President for Student Development Leticia Menchaca spoke on the importance of being both an athlete and a student.

“We make it difficult for our students not to succeed,” Menchaca said.

After each player signed a letter of intent, binding them to Pima, the recruit received a PCC T-shirt and was welcomed by Quiroz. Recruits took pictures with each other, softball staff and PCC staff.

Quiroz is excited to see what the signees will add to an already strong program. Last season, PCC finished 56-11.

“I am looking forward to next season,” Quiroz said.

The baseball team announced it will sign 10 players but recruits did not attend the ceremony. The Aztecs will add two catchers, an infielder, two utility players and five pitchers.

The list includes two recruits from Nogales High School, catcher Jose Figueroa and pitcher Robert Gonzales, and two from Tucson Magnet High School, pitcher Scott Laughlin and pitcher/outfielder Bryant Munoz.

BASEBALL
C – Alec Beyersdorf, (Catalina Foothills)
C – Jose Figueroa, (Nogales)
RHP – Robert Gonzales, (Nogales)
RHP – Scott Laughlin, (Tucson)
LHP – Brandon Matthews, (Ironwood Ridge)
LHP/OF – Bryant Munoz, (Tucson)
RHP – Ethan Rosebeck, (Cienega)
IF – Joe Serrano, (Salpointe)
RHP – Nick Sharp, (Flowing Wells)
IF/OF – Steven Still, (Ironwood Ridge)

SOFTBALL
P/UT – Yvette Alvarez, (Sahuarita)
IF – Aubre Carpenter, (Sabino)
C/UT – Shawna Comeaux, (Sabino)
OF – Gemma Contreras, (Salpointe)
OF – Chelsea Gourdin, (Marana)
IF/OF – Noelle Medina, (San Manuel)
UT- Amber Urias-Calvillo, (Tucson Magnet)

ONLINE EXTRA: 2011 Softball results

Photo by JAMES KELLEY

51-14, 39-9 ACCAC

Ranked No. 9

Fri. Jan. 28 CSN Kickoff Classic (Las Vegas) vs. North Idaho College W 11-0 5 innings
Fri. Jan. 28 CSN Kickoff Classic (Las Vegas) vs. Salt Lake City (Utah) CC W 2-0
Fri. Jan. 28 CSN Kickoff Classic (Las Vegas) vs. College of Southern Nevada L 5-3
Sat. Jan. 29 CSN Kickoff Classic (Las Vegas) vs. College of Southern Idaho W 10-6
Sat. Jan. 29 CSN Kickoff Classic (Las Vegas) vs. Chattanooga State (Tenn.) CC L 9-3
Sat. Jan. 29 CSN Kickoff Classic (Las Vegas) vs. Chipola (Fla.) College W 2-1
Sun. Jan. 30 CSN Kickoff Classic (Las Vegas) vs. Colorado Northwestern CC W 20-0 5 innings
Sun. Jan. 30 CSN Kickoff Classic (Las Vegas) vs. College of Southern Nevada W 4-1
Tues. Feb. 1 @ *Scottsdale CC W 7-1
Tues. Feb. 1 @ *Scottsdale CC W 14-3 5 innings
Sat. Feb. 5 *PARADISE VALLEY CC W 12-3
Sat. Feb. 5 *PARADISE VALLEY CC W 10-0 5 innings
Tues. Feb. 8 *EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE W 7-4
Tues. Feb. 8 *EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE L 13-2 5 innings
Sat. Feb. 12 *CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE W 1-0
Sat. Feb. 12 *CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE W 4-2
Tues. Feb. 15 *GLENDALE CC W 8-0 5 innings
Tues. Feb. 15 *GLENDALE CC W 6-0
Fri. Feb. 18 Cathedral City Kickoff (Palm Springs, CA) vs. Citrus (Calif.) College W 3-2 8 innings
Sat. Feb. 19 Cathedral City Kickoff (Palm Springs, CA) vs. Victor Valley (Calif.) College W 2-0
Tues. Feb. 22 *SOUTH MOUNTAIN CC W 10-1 5 innings
Tues. Feb. 22 *SOUTH MOUNTAIN CC W 6-4
Sat. Feb. 26 *ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE L 2-1 8 innings
Sat. Feb. 26 *ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE W 12-11
Thurs. Mar. 3 @ *Chandler-Gilbert CC W 11-2
Thurs. Mar. 3 @ *Chandler-Gilbert CC L 4-3
Sat. Mar. 5 @ *GateWay CC W 9-0 5 innings
Sat. Mar. 5 @ *GateWay CC W 5-3
Tues. Mar. 8 *PHOENIX COLLEGE W 11-1 5 innings
Tues. Mar. 8 *PHOENIX COLLEGE W 10-4
Sat. Mar. 12 *YAVAPAI COLLEGE L 5-4
Sat. Mar. 12 *YAVAPAI COLLEGE L 7-3
Sun. Mar. 13 Phoenix College Classic (Phoenix) vs. Illinois Central College L 4-2
Sun. Mar. 13 Phoenix College Classic (Phoenix) vs. Triton (Ill.) College W 10-2 5 innings
Sun. Mar. 13 Phoenix College Classic (Phoenix) vs. College of Lake County (Ill.) W 17-0 5 innings
Tues. Mar. 15 *MESA CC W 10-6
Tues. Mar. 15 *MESA CC L 4-2
Sat. Mar. 19 *SCOTTSDALE CC W 12-1 5 innings
Sat. Mar. 19 *SCOTTSDALE CC W 8-0 5 innings
Sat. Mar. 26 @ *Eastern Arizona College W 9-4
Sat. Mar. 26 @ *Eastern Arizona College L 7-4
Tues. Mar. 29 @ *Central Arizona College W 7-1
Tues. Mar. 29 @ *Central Arizona College W 12-3
Thurs. Mar. 31 @ *Paradise Valley W 7-0
Thurs. Mar. 31 @ *Paradise Valley W 4-2
Sat. Apr. 2 @ *Glendale CC W 5-0
Sat. Apr. 2 @ *Glendale CC W 6-0
Tues. Apr. 5 *CHANDLER-GILBERT CC W 8-0 5 innings
Tues. Apr. 5 *CHANDLER-GILBERT CC W 3-2 8 innings
Tues. Apr. 12 @ *Arizona Western College W 2-0
Tues. Apr. 12 @ *Arizona Western College W 10-0 5 innings
Thurs. Apr. 14 @ *South Mountain CC W 6-4
Thurs. Apr. 14 @ *South Mountain CC L 3-1
Tues. Apr. 19 *GATEWAY CC W 5-4
Tues. Apr. 19 *GATEWAY CC W 19-6
Sat. Apr. 23 @ *Phoenix College W 10-6
Sat. Apr. 23 @ *Phoenix College W 6-5 8 innings
Tues. Apr. 26 @ *Yavapai College W 7-1
Tues. Apr. 26 @ *Yavapai College L 15-7
Sat. Apr. 30 @ *Mesa CC W 5-4
Sat. Apr. 30 @ *Mesa CC W 11-1 5 innings
Fri. May 6 NJCAA Region I Tournament (Prescott, Ariz.) vs. Central Arizona College W 11-1 5 innings
Sat. May 7 NJCAA Region I Tournament (Prescott, Ariz.) vs. Arizona Western W 11-3
Sat. May 7 NJCAA Region I Tournament (Prescott, Ariz.) vs. Yavapai College L 3-2
Sat. May 7 NJCAA Region I Tournament (Prescott, Ariz.) vs. Yavapai College L 12-3

Home games in BOLD
* ACCAC Game

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Charissa Ballesteros

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Early Pima newspapers record beginning of Aztec Sports

By JAMES KELLEY

Pima Community College student newspapers and Aztec sports both had humble and confusing beginnings.

The college held its first classes in 1969 and officially opened in 1970, but the start of the Aztec Press and Pima sports are a bit more hazy.

A student newspaper named Graffiti Press started in 1970. That was the first of six names before the publication became Aztec Press in 1981.

A “Department of Mass Communications” launched a publication called Campus News in 1973. The Library of Congress believes that newspaper evolved into the Aztec Press after a few name changes, but is also unsure when publication of the Graffiti Press ceased.

In 1975, the Campus News newspaper and Pima's athletic department held a logo contest.

In the sports arena, Pima’s first athletes played on club teams.

A judo martial arts team started in 1970, and was the first Pima team to advance to Nationals. It even hosted Nationals in 1974, where it finished second.

In 1971, teams included “girls’” volleyball, men’s softball (Pima Suns) and baseball (Pima Giants.) Softball and baseball played in a city league, while against teams like Frontier Liquor and the Jewish Community Center.

Intercollegiate sports officially began in 1973, when Pima launched men’s cross country, wrestling, men’s basketball, men’s track and baseball teams.

The athletic department celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pima sports in 1995, but now considers 1973 its launch year.

A 1973 fencing team won Pima’s first trophy.

In 1974, when only men played on the golf team, coach Bill Johnson was 20 years old. He coached one player who was 42 and another who was 30 years old.

The first successful team sport was “girls’” basketball, which in 1975 notched Pima’s first back-to-back winning seasons.

During the 1970s, the Campus News played a significant role with Pima’s logos.

In a Sept. 28, 1973 story, the CN explained Pima’s logo, designed by Gill Kenny, coordinator of Communigraphics and Reprographics Services. The logo is a “stylized ‘P’” that is repeated in a circle and is used today.

In 1975, the Campus News and the athletic department sponsored a “Draw the Aztec” contest after the sports editor and Pima’s first athletic director, Larry Toledo, decided the college needed an Aztec logo to go with the standard circle “P” logo.

Pima's logo is a "stylized P," repeated and highlighted here in orange, PCC's orignal color.

The contest offered more than $200 in prizes, including a $100 scholarship.

In May 1975, judges chose a logo by design major Bob Einfrank. The multi-Aztec head was put on sports uniforms and used as the newspaper’s logo.

The athletic department drew criticism in the 2000s when it began limiting recruitment to in-state athletes, but the philosophy was not new. Pima originally recruited only Tucson athletes, though it welcomed out-of-state athletes who decided on their own to enroll.

Pima’s most recent sport – football – was almost one of the first. In the mid-1970s, it seemed likely that football would be added, but the program stalled when voters rejected a $9.5 million bond by an almost 2-1 margin. Football was eventually added in 2001.

The Campus News alternately supported and trashed the potential football team.

A 1974 column said Pima students should follow Scottsdale Community College’s lead. At Scottsdale, students voted against a football team. When the school added one anyway, students voted to name the team the “Fighting Artichokes” and make pink their color.

In the early 1970s, PCC teams didn’t have an on-campus gym or home fields. The school did have cheerleaders and song leaders, and composers were working on a fight song. Two “authentic” Aztec mascots were also in the works.

Men’s basketball got off to a grand start in 1973, hosting the International Friendship Festival Tournament that opened on (tape delayed) TV. The athletic director, Toledo, gave 1,000 free tickets to students.

The start of Aztec sports coincided with the 1972 adoption of Title IX, the federal legislation that forbids schools to discriminate on the basis of gender.

Gradually, Pima’s female sports teams moved from club to varsity status and changed their names from “girls’” to “women’s.”

Progress wasn’t immediate. In 1974, Pima’s first women’s softball team had just 12 players. Stories didn’t indicate how many outfielders the team used.

In a 1974 story, the Campus News revealed that both basketball teams shared locker rooms. The men dressed while the females were playing their second half, and the women changed during the guys’ game.

The Arizona Community College Athletic Conference voted in 1975 to add women’s sports.

Only a few Pima teams (cross country, volleyball and baseball) currently compete against four-year schools. In the 1970s, however, the Aztecs regularly played university club teams.

If it had added football, Pima would have played junior varsity teams from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University.

The men’s basketball team did play against JV teams, and the Campus News couldn’t resist an occasionally snarky comment. When Pima beat UA’s JV team in 1975, a cutline said the Aztecs beat the “Wildkittens” 95-71.

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Aztec Press History
Graffiti Press: 1970-1973
Campus News: 1973-1977
The Downtowner: 1975-1981
Aztec Campus News: 1977-1978
Aztec News: 1978-1981
Aztec Press (merger of Downtowner and Aztec News): 1981-1986
Aztec: 1986-1987
Aztec Press: 1987-
AztecPressOnline.com: 2010-

Sports Shorts

By JAMES SARGENT

aztecpress@pima.edu

Women’s soccer players honored

Three Pima Community College women’s soccer team members were recognized for the efforts they gave in the 2010 season.

Sophomore Tamra James earned All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference first team and All-Region 1 first team honors. The veteranforward led the team with 21 points as she scored nine goals and had three assists.

Two midfielders, sophomore Jessica Haught and freshman Adriana Ortiz, were both named to the All-ACCAC second team.

Softball wrapping up fall ball

The Pima Community College softball team is about to finish its 2010 fall scrimmage schedule.

Their last fall scrimmages will be on Wednesday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 13.

On Nov. 10, the Aztecs play Arizona Desert Thunder at 7 p.m.

Pima then closes out autumn with a doubleheader on Saturday, Nov. 13, against the Tucson Scramblers at West Campus. First pitch is scheduled for 8 a.m.

The Aztecs will then have about two months off until the 2011 season begins. The first game is against North Idaho College on Jan. 28 in Las Vegas at 11:30 a.m.

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Fall ball critical for softball

Story and photo by James Kelley

With a slew of freshmen and a lot of holes to fill, fall ball is very important to the Pima Community College softball team.

The Aztecs finished last year ranked No. 4 and 57-11. They must replace numerous sophomores whose eligibility ran out.

“We have 18 freshmen, so it’s spring training for them all,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We’re very young but I think we are very talented, we just have to refine them.”

So far the Aztecs have played three doubleheaders against three Amateur Softball Association club teams. On Sept. 11 the Aztecs played the Desert Cobras, on Sept. 18 they played the Tucson Roadrunners and on Sept. 25 they played the Desert Thunder.

Though the games are considered scrimmages and scores and statistics are not officially kept, Pima has likely gone 5-1.

Last spring Pima signed eight high school seniors to National Letters of Intent and then added more players over the summer.

“I think the fall is crucial to us, because we are so young,” Quiroz said. “They’re getting their feet wet right now.”

A key spot to fill is at pitcher. 2010 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference player of the year Jordan Trujillo is now at the University of Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

“We have several candidates; we haven’t identified her yet,” Quiroz said.

He wouldn’t go into specifics because the players are still trying out but said he was excited about the players.

Charissa Ballesteros

“There have been some pleasant surprises with the team, I am just reluctant to give any names right now because we haven’t made any decisions,” Quiroz said. “There have been several pleasant surprises.”

Pima’s next games are on Oct. 2, a doubleheader against Pure Lightning at 10 a.m. at the West Campus. On Oct. 9, the Aztecs play Velocity at 10 a.m. in another double dip, also at the West Campus.

From Oct. 15 to Oct. 17, Pima plays in the University of Arizona’s fall tournament, which will feature the UA, University of New Mexico, Arizona Western College, Central Arizona College and Cypress College.

The Aztecs then play the UA again on Oct. 20.

Pima caps the fall by hosting the Tucson Scramblers Nov. 6 and the Arizona Elite Nov. 13.

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Summer sports recap

Story and Photos by James Kelley

Pima sports ranked No. 16 nationally

The Pima Community College athletic department secured a top 20 finish in the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators Cup.

The Aztecs finished with the country’s 16th best athletic program in the scholarship division in the 2009-10 NATYCAA Cup.

Pima earned 69.5 points, led by the 41 points earned by Aztec women’s teams. The men scored 28.5, up from 9.5 the year before. For the 2008-09 season, Pima ended up in 24th place.

Softball team upset by Yavapai

The softball team’s postseason began on a sour note and ended a day later when arch rival Yavapai College upset them.

Jordan Trujillo

No. 4 ranked and top-seeded Pima (57-11, 26-6 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) lost 5-4 to second-seeded Yavapai on May 8 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region I Championship game, which ended the Aztecs’ national title quest.

Sophomore pitcher and Arizona Community College Athletic Conference player of the year Jordan Trujillo (31-6) earned a rare loss in consecutive days. When Pima opened Regionals, it lost to No. 4 seed Arizona Western College, 4-3.

Track & field teams both finish in top 17

The Aztecs had 10 top-eight finishes at the Nationals meet, as the women’s track and field team finished 13th and the men’s team took 17th place.

In Hutchinson, Kan., sophomore Sharissa Korn placed fourth in the javelin with a throw of 135 feet, 9 inches. Freshman Kat Howard finished fifth in the 10,000-meters, setting a school record, 38:18.8.

The men’s 4×400-meter relay team of sophomore Stephan Bullard, freshman Derick Coker, sophomore Chris Phillips and freshman Mathew Robertson finished fifth in 3:15.5. On his own, Bullard finished sixth in the 800-meter in 1:54.1.

Sophomore Jessica Davis took fifth in the shot put, by putting up a score of 40 feet, 2 inches.

Freshman Christian Tover achieved a personal record, 160 feet, in the hammer throw, good enough for a sixth place finish.

Freshman Chloe’ Nowell leaped her way to a seventh place finish in the triple jump, with a mark of 36 feet, 7 inches.

Freshman Magda Mankel earned seventh place in the 1,500-meter, in a time of 5:04.6.

Sophomore Kyle Bush was 8th in the 1,500-meter in 4:11.6. Freshman Anthony Johnson placed eighth in the high jump, with a best of 6 feet, 8.75 inches.

The Aztecs started the postseason by finishing third at Regionals. Pima qualified 24 athletes in 21 events for Nationals.

Region championship winners were Nowell in triple jump, freshman Mario Portillo in 5,000-meter and Tover in shot put.

The men’s 4×400 team finished in third place, running a 3:13.26. That result broke a school record they set earlier in the season.

Tennis teams finish 19th at Nationals

Both tennis teams finished 19th at Nationals, with the men competing in Plano, Texas, and the women in Tucson.

Freshman Andrew Barnett made it to the quarterfinals of the Flight 1 Singles consolation bracket. The sophomore doubles team of Raphael Sepulveda and David Tellez advanced to the quarterfinals of Flight 2.

On the women’s side, freshman Gabriela Rodriguez reached the semifinals of the singles No. 1 consolation bracket. Sophomore Lori Cinnamond made it to the finals of the singles No. 3 consolation bracket.

Cinnamond and sophomore Ana Gallardo advanced to the semifinals of the doubles No. 2 consolation bracket.

The women’s tournament was held at the Reffkin Tennis Center.

Men’s golf ranks 18th at Nationals

The men’s golf team finished in 18th place at Nationals, while the women’s team was unable to field a team due to illness.

The men shot a three-round total of 933 at the rain-shortened Nationals at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail River Course, in Owens Crossroads, Ala.

Freshman Anthony Grijalva led the way for the Aztecs with a 227 (74, 78, 75), good enough for 50th place overall.

Sophomore Nicole Gentry missed the Nationals with an illness, so the women were unable to compete as a team.

The women’s tournament, held at the LPGA International Course in Daytona Beach, Fla., was also shortened by rain. Sophomore Brianne Anderson finished in 39th place, shooting 257 (80, 90, 85).

Elizabeth Livingston

Freshman Jennifer Candanoza finished 42nd with 260 (83, 88, 89), while sophomore Elizabeth Livingston finished 66th with 276 (97, 86, 93).