By
Connor Doyle
Arizona Summer Wildcat
Mickey-Miles moving on
Mickey-Miles Felton, the eccentric head coach of Arizona's club lacrosse team, announced at the end of the Laxcats' playoff run that he will not return for the 2002 season after nearly 26 years with the team. Felton - one of the nation's top club lacrosse coaches - is credited with bringing the Laxcats into national prominence.
Felton - who was working on Wall Street in New York when the idea of moving west compelled him to quit his job - became a local ambassador to the game, creating leagues and helping the sport grow wherever he's gone.
"(Lacrosse) has allowed me to participate in other people's lives while enriching my own," Felton said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have been in a place to accomplish what I have. It's been extremely gratifying on many levels."
Felton said the growth of the UA lacrosse program simply became too much to handle.
Felton said he doesn't have any plans to continue coaching elsewhere.
"It's time for me to enjoy my life a little differently," he said.
Gulbis passes muster at U.S. Open
UA freshman golfer Natalie Gulbis finished 34th at the U.S. Women's Open in Southern Pines, N.C. this past weekend. The first team All-American was one of only four amateurs to make the cut after the second day of play and finished second among non-professional players. She shot a 3-over-par 73 on Sunday, giving her a total score of 292 (+12) for the tournament, which was won by Carrie Webb.
Gulbis' performance in the Open came on the heels of a stellar season at UA. She was second on the team with a 72.5 scoring average behind fellow All-American Lorena Ochoa.
Awards keep coming for Ochoa
UA freshman golfer Lorena Ochoa added two more accolades to her rŽsumŽ on May 29 when she was named both player and freshman of the year by the National Golf Coaches Association. The Guadalajara, Mexico, native was runner-up in the NCAA Championships after losing a one-hole playoff. She ended the season with a 71.33 scoring average, a record for UA freshmen.
"This caps an amazing year for Lorena," said UA golf coach Greg Allen. "She is just a phenomenal player. It is nice to see her so honored for her efforts."
Women's hoops invade Italy
In a one-of-a-kind road trip, the UA women's basketball team toured Italy with both sightseeing and winning on their mind. The Wildcats posted a 5-1 record against local professional women's teams, and on their off days managed to see everything the European country had to offer.
The exhibition games marked the return of redshirt junior Julie Brase, who took last season off to recover from wrist surgery.
"After not playing for all of last season, I've just been trying to fit back in," Brase said. "I'm feeling more and more comfortable every time I'm out there."
