2008 Jennie Finch Olympic Profile
June 4, 2008
Former Arizona softball pitcher and 2002 Honda Award Winner Jennie Finch has been selected to the U.S. National Team and will be competing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Finch was a member of the 2004 Olympic team that won a gold medal in Athens, Greece. Finch will be coached by Arizona head coach Mike Candrea and will be joined by three other former Wildcats, including Caitlin Lowe and Lovieanne Jung.
Recently, Finch spoke about her preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games and reflected on her time as a Wildcat:
Question 1: What was your favorite memory about the University of Arizona?
Favorite... I have too many. The friendships, the many hours spent at Hillenbrand, hanging in Center, the community of Tucson, the staff, the many sporting events - so much fun! It was an all around incredible experience I am forever grateful for.
Question 2: How did playing for the Arizona Wildcats help prepare you for the Olympics?
The U of A allowed me to learn how to balance life and sport. It gave me the opportunity to excel and be the best that I could be. From the coaches to competing for a National Championship year in and year out, U of A prepared me to compete at the highest level.
Question 3: What are you looking forward to the most in traveling to Beijing?
Competing with my teammates, representing our great country, playing the Best softball the world has ever seen!
Question 4: What does it mean to you to be on the 2008 USA Softball Team with other Arizona Letterwomen and Head Coach Mike Candrea?
It is so special to have the opportunity to achieve my dreams with fellow Wildcats and Coach Candrea. It makes it all that much better having the honor to play with each other and especially under Coach. It's a unique bond we share and we are so proud to be Cats and honored to be playing for the USA!
2002 National Player of the Year
Widely regarded as the top candidate in the nation in 2002, UA senior pitcher/first baseman Jennie Finch did not disappoint and posted a year which earned her the prestigious Honda Softball Award as National Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Finch set an NCAA record in 2002 by accumulating 60 consecutive victories, a total that spanned three seasons. Finch set the record in 2001 with a 32-0 mark.
Finch ended the 2002 season with a 34-6 record and a 0.97 ERA. Finch struck out 366 batters in 273 innings pitched, threw three no-hitters and had 21 shutouts. On April 17, 2002, Finch broke her own record for strikeouts in a game when she struck out 19 batters.
Offensively, Finch ended 2002 with a .311 batting average, drove in 56 runs and banged 16 home runs, including two grand slams. Against Alabama on February 2, 2002, Finch was 3-for-3 with two home runs and seven RBI.
Finch ended her career at Arizona with a 119-16 record, moving her to No. 2 on the UA chart for career victories behind former Honda winner Nancy Evans.
Finch was selected to the USA National team, participated in its top-level international summer competition and remains a top candidate for the U.S. Olympic Team and the 2004 Olympiad in Athens, Greece.
2002 Honors
National
Team Experience 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 At The
University of Arizona Other
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