Senior wins individual title by five strokes; Cats take team trophy

Consistency might be a word thrown around a lot with sports figures, but none can rule out the adjective used to describe Chris Nallen's performance this week at the PING-Arizona Intercollegiate.

The senior from Hackettstown, N.J., went wire-to-wire with rounds of 63-64-68 to notch an overall 195 and grab his second win of the year and first of the spring. [Read article]

Senior Sharifa Jones raises expectations after stellar junior year

Sharifa Jones, winner of the 2003 Most Improved Athlete Award, is working even harder this season, proving to be an invaluable asset to the Wildcat women's track and field team.

The Marietta, Ga. native earned the award as she lowered her time in her weakest event, the 100-meter hurdles, from 14.40 to 13.86 seconds over the course of a year. [Read article]

The Stanford women's hoops team is masterful at breaking its opponents' spirit early in a game. Arizona knows all about that. The No. 7 Cardinal (17-3, 10-1 Pacific 10 Conference) come to McKale Center for a rematch tomorrow, looking for a repeat performance that had the Wildcats trailing by as many as 47 in the second half of their Jan. 10 meeting in Maples Pavilion.

"We know that that was kind of one of those games," said Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer of Arizona's poor play in Stanford's 84-62 win. "We know they're a much better team, and they've played real well since, so we're expecting a great matchup." [Read article]

Lopez seeks fourth trip to Omaha

Every year since taking over the Arizona baseball program, head coach Andy Lopez has raised the expectations for the Wildcats.

After reaching the postseason in 2003 for the first time since 1999, the Wildcats are expecting to push even further into the playoffs this season.

Arizona suffered a pair of losses and an early exit from last season's NCAA Regional, but that has left this year's squad more anxious to improve on last season's playoff disappointment. [Read article]

Pitchers

Though the entire UA pitching staff is still in question, Kolberg is the frontrunner for the position. He comes in with no Division I experience but posted the best ERA in the fall season at 1.93.

Melancon and Cortez should battle with Meloan for the Sunday starting job. are in their first year in Tucson but will both see playing time. Arizona's relief pitchers are untested as well, leaving the Wildcats with no proven closer. [Read article]