Tuesday September 11, 2001

Softball team honored at city council meeting

Last night, the UA softball team was awarded with the Copper Plaque, an honor given for exceptional service at the Tucson City Council meeting.

The 2001 National Champions were presented with the award by Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup.

The entire 2001 team - including graduated seniors - attended the city council meeting last night.

Arizona finished the year 65-4 overall and capped a 26-game winning streak to close the season with a 1-0 victory over UCLA in the Women's College World Series title game, earning the school's sixth NCAA Championship.

UA went 19-2 in conference play and earned its sixth Pacific-10 Conference title.

Women's golf coach names assistant coach

UA women's golf coach Greg Allen announced last week that Holly Carriker will be added to the Arizona program as an assistant coach, replacing longtime assistant Amy Solfisburg, who left the team to spend more time with her family.

Carriker, 25, comes to UA from La Cantera Golf Academy in San Antonio, where she worked as an instructor under Bryan Gathright, recently named one of Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Golf Teachers of 2001."

"We are very excited to have Holly join our program," Allen said. "The combination of her background, experience and her wealth of knowledge about the game of golf will make her a tremendous asset to our team. She is definitely going to make a positive impact and help to improve our team."

Carriker, a native of San Antonio, attended college at Southern California for two years before transferring to the University of Texas. She graduated from UT in 1999.

During her junior year, she claimed three American Junior Golf Association titles and was named an AJGA first-team All-American in 1993.

Carriker played professionally for two years, competing on the LPGA Futures Tour, the Players West tour and the Ladies Challenge.

Arizona will travel to Albuquerque Thursday to open its fall season at the UNM Dick McGuire Invitational.

Gymcats add former player to coaching staff

Former UA gymnast Rose McLaughlin is coming back to the Wildcats in a different form - she will be the team's assistant coach.

UA head coach Bill Ryden announced the hiring of McLaughlin to complete his 2001 coaching staff.

McLaughlin, who hails from New York, competed in gymnastics at the UA for two seasons (1997-98) after transferring from George Washington.

After graduating from Arizona, she began pursuing a law degree and is currently studying sports law at the UA.

"My time here with the Arizona gymnastics program was a wonderful experience," she said. "It is an honor to come back and coach one of the best programs in the nation."

UA pole vaulter honored

The NCAA announced last week that UA pole vaulter Andrea Dutoit has been named one of the 10 finalists for the 2001 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

The award recognizes women in intercollegiate athletics for their outstanding achievements in athletics, academics and community service.

Dutoit was one of Arizona's most highly touted athletes. She was named the 2001 NCAA pole vault champion, holds two school records and is a three-time All-American.

Dutoit, a native of Flagstaff, majored in molecular and cellular biology, graduating summa cum laude.

This year's finalists, who have an average grade-point average of 3.784 on a scale of 4.00, graduated or will graduate with degrees in different majors.

In 1995, UA track and field athlete Tanya Hughes received the award.