Wildcat Wednesday - Another National Champion
06/15/2023 | Wildcat Wednesday
The 2022-23 athletic year came to a close last week with the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas and senior thrower Jordan Geist sent it out with a bang. The senior from Pennsylvania won the NCAA Championship in the shot put with a throw of 21.06m (69-1.25) on the final throw of his collegiate career. It is the first outdoor national title for Geist after winning the nation title at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships earlier this season. He is the first Wildcat to win an outdoor national title in any event since Lawi Lalang captured the 5000m in 2014.
The national title for Geist was the culmination of an outstanding meet in Austin, after he finished third in the hammer throw earlier in the week. He broke his own school record with a throw of 75.97m (249-3), the 14th-best throw in NCAA history. Congratulations to Jordan on an outstanding season and career!
Another highlight from Austin was senior Talie Bonds finishing fourth in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.71 (+3.8), the best finish by a Wildcat in the event since 2011. Bonds continued to push herself for more throughout the season, setting the school record in the event this season and improving upon her 16th place finish in the event at last year's NCAA Outdoor Championships. Congrats to Talie on your great career and a fantastic end to the year!
NBA CHAMPIONS
On behalf of Arizona Athletics and the University of Arizona, I want to congratulate two former Wildcats on winning their first NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets – Aaron Gordon (2014) and Zeke Nnaji (2020). Both of these guys played their role on the team to perfection and we are proud to call them Wildcats. They are the 10th and 11th former Wildcats to win an NBA title as players, joining the likes of Steve Kerr, Jud Buechler, Brian Williams, Sean Elliott, Luke Walton, Jason Terry, Andre Iguodala, Channing Frye, and Richard Jefferson.
Join us for our second annual Juneteenth Shoe Drive on Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the McKale Center Ticket Office. We are collecting new or gently-used shoes to give to those in need in our community. Last year's drive collected over 300 pairs of shoes, and we hope to surpass that number this year.
A LOOK BACK AT "THE FUTURE OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS" SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
What a great event the "Future of College Athletics" Summit was last week at the university's Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach and Collaboration. Many of the leading voices from around the country were on hand, including Dr. Robbins, Jedd Fisch, Maya Nnaji and myself, to talk about what college athletics might look like in the future.
We were able to discuss a wide range of topics from NIL to the transfer portal with industry leaders from across the sports landscape, getting their thoughts and opinions on what the future might look like for student-athletes, coaches and universities. It was yet another way to show how the University of Arizona continues to be a leading voice in college athletics and that we are committed to providing the absolute best student-athlete experience that leads to the development of academic, athletic and life champions.
I should also note that this is the final Wildcat Wednesday of the 2022-23 season. It's been an outstanding year with so many accomplishments that make us proud to be Wildcats. Bear Down, Go Cats and we will see you right back here for the next Wildcat Wednesday in the Fall.
WILDCAT HEADLINES
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· Men's Basketball will play against Purdue in Indianapolis.
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· Arizona Softball Hires Christian Conrad as Assistant Coach.
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· Four Arizona Baseball athletes Pick Up ABCA All-Region Honors
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· Soccer head coach Becca Moros has added Utah transfer Brooke Ahern to the 2023 roster.
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· Men's Tennis Athlete Jonas Ziverts Named ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award Winner.
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Arizona Football announces its promotion schedule for the 2023 season! Single tickets are on sale now with Bear Down Pricing. Click here to purchase!
SHOW YOUR COLORS
Photo 1: Allison Bradley, Class of 1993 at the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, OK.
Photo 2: Allison Bradley ('93) with son Kadin Bradley ('19) at Women's College World Series. Kadin currently works for University of Oklahoma athletic department as an assistant director of game and event operations. But always a Wildcat at heart!!
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All American 1st baseman Kiko Romero with season ticket holder Scott Bultman of Tucson after last home game of the year vs USC. Kiko signed the foul ball he hit Scott |
Thank you for wearing the colors and sharing your Arizona pride! Make sure to take a picture the next time you are wearing the colors and send it to us, we just might include it in next week's Wildcat Wednesday! And even if your photo submission doesn't make next week's edition, please check our "Wear the Colors" album at facebook.com/ArizonaAthletics on Fridays.
NOTE: Please submit photos for Wildcat Wednesday with an original email to uofaad@arizona.edu using the subject line 'Wildcat Wednesday photo.' Also, please ensure all submissions are clear and properly lit. We also ask that you identify everyone in the photo so we can highlight them accordingly.
Bear Down and Go Cats!
Dave Heeke
Vice President and Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu
