Showcasing UA sports' standout seniors
Chris Nallen ð Golf
Named the Pac-10 Men's Golfer of the Year as a senior this season, it's arguable that Nallen was the Wildcats' best overall player for most of his time in Tucson. He played second fiddle to U.S. Amateur Champion Ricky Barnes for his first three years, matching Barnes' numbers and playing arguably more consistently while deflecting all the media attention to his elder teammate. The payoff: a Pacific 10 Conference championship in 2004, being named a four-time All-American and a finalist for the Ben Hogan Award - given annually to the nation's top male golfer - and earning the "outstanding senior male athlete" tag from the UA athletics department. Not a bad trade.
Wendy Allen ð Softball
The senior softball standout put up stellar numbers as a junior pitcher/infielder last year after transferring to Arizona for a chance at a national title. A former Big 10 Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore at Ohio State, she's battled through knee surgery and carpal tunnel syndrome in her throwing wrist, and saved her best for her senior season. A hitting machine, she currently leads the nation in RBIs and was named the UA's "outstanding senior female athlete."
Jason Ranne ð Hoops
Forget the fact he averaged just four minutes and 0.8 points per game as a senior for the UA men's basketball team. Perhaps no Wildcat on any team better embodies the term "student-athlete" than Ranne, a first-team All-Pacific 10 Conference-Academic selection for his work on the court and in the classroom. The honors student earned an athletic scholarship for his work ethic after his sophomore year, and is set to enroll in law school this fall.
Clay Hardt ð Football
It may say "Hardt" right above his No. 33, but make no mistake - this senior Wildcat football defensive back truly wore his "heart" on his sleeve. On a team riddled with suspensions, defections and coaching changes galore during his tenure at Arizona, the Marana native took it all in stride. He led by example, playing through both injury and turmoil to lead the Wildcats with 87 tackles in his final season, becoming a fan favorite in the process.
Mo Duran ð Baseball
The senior baseball stalwart may have hit 15 home runs and racked up 53 RBIs as a junior - he has five longballs to go with 32 RBIs so far this season - but those aren't the most impressive stats of Moises Duran's UA career. The second-baseman-turned hot-corner handler has played in 175 games to date for the Wildcats, starting 156 at primarily second and third base. Longevity, leadership and consistency can't be overlooked in a sport that rivals men's basketball for players leaving school early.
Aimee Grzyb ð Hoops
The senior guard doesn't have the flash of backcourt teammate Dee-Dee Wheeler, nor the height of center Shawtinice Polk. She does have her name scattered throughout the UA record books. An outside threat every time out, Grzyb finished second all-time in 3-point shots made and attempted. She's played in more games - 123 in four years - and seen more floor time than any other UA women's hoops player ever. Most importantly, she currently sits tied (with her '04 teammates) for most Pac-10 titles in a career - one.
Tom Lloyd ð Tennis
The men's tennis team captain's senior season has been much like the rest of his UA career: filled with injuries, and played outside of the spotlight. The attention never interested Lloyd, though. He earned a medical redshirt and a second senior season following a back injury early last year. Lloyd has laughed in the face of the injury bug all season, leading Arizona to its current No. 20 national ranking and back to the NCAA Tournament.
Andi McCabe ð Gymcats
She'd already been a first-team All-Pac-10 selection for her performance on the vault (as a sophomore), and even scored a perfect 10 in the event during her final season as a Wildcat. So how does McCabe cap off her senior year? With a surprising victory in the all-around at the South Central Regional Championships - earning a trip to the National Championships in Los Angeles. She didn't place at nationals, but McCabe already made her mark on the UA program by helping this year's Gymcats to arguably the most successful season in team history.