Arizona's Top 10 Athletes

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 27, 2007

Arizona's Top 10 Athletes

Amanda Beard

She may be known for her Olympic medals and <i>Playboy</i> pictorial, but Beard also spent two seasons at Arizona, where as a sophomore, she won an NCAA title in the 200-meter breaststroke. And as this photo demonstrates, she never neglected her studies.

Tedy Bruschi

Before he was a key part of three Super Bowl champions, Bruschi was a stud defensive end for the Wildcats, where he tied the Division I-A career sack record (52). By the time Bruschi left Arizona, he had amassed 185 total tackles (137 solo) and six forced fumbles.

Chris McAlister

McAlister was a defensive force for the Wildcats, earning All-Pac-10 honors three times (1996, 1997 and 1998) and All-America honors once (1998). He also became the first player in school history to score a touchdown on an interception, a kickoff return and a punt return in the same season.

Jennie Finch

Finch, who remains one of Arizona's most popular athletes, earned All-America honors three times and Player of the Year honors twice. She won 109 games and struck out 1,028 batters during her four-year career.

Chuck Cecil

Before fans were debating whether Cecil was too vicious for the NFL, he was a force at Arizona, earning consensus All-America and Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors his senior year. He left Tucson with the school record for most interceptions in a game (4) and as the Pac-10 leader in career interceptions (21).

Annika Sorenstam

Sorrenstam arrived in Arizona in the fall of 1990 and made an immediate impact, winning All-America and Player of the Year honors her freshman year on the way to the 1991 NCAA championship. She also earned All-America honors as a sophomore in 1992.

Kenny Lofton

Before playing for 11 different MLB teams, Lofton was a two-sport athlete at Arizona. On the hardwood, Lofton backed up Steve Kerr during the Wildcats run to the 1988 Final Four before taking over as starter the following season. He walked onto the baseball team as a junior, and despite limited playing time, earned the eye of major league scouts and was drafted in the 17th round of the 1988 amateur draft.

Taryne Mowatt

She's only been at Arizona for two years, but what a two years it has been. She led the Wildcats to national championships both seasons and set WCWS records for strikeouts, innings pitched, complete games, victories and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player during last season's run to the title.

Sean Elliott

A native of Tucson, Elliott led the Wildcats to the Final Four as a junior, earning First-Team All-America honors. As a senior, he won the Wooden Award. He finished his college career as the all-time leading scorer in Pac-10 history (breaking the record held by Lew Alcindor).

Lorena Ochoa

Ochoa was nothing less than dominant during her two years at Arizona. In 20 tournaments, she posted 12 victories and finished as the runner-up six times. As a sophomore, she won eight of 10 tournaments, including the first seven in a row (finishing second in the other two). She won NCAA Player of the Year Awards in 2001 and 2002.