Cronkite Sports Stories

(Photo by Nathan Hiatt/Cronkite)...
Nathan Hiatt | Cronkite News

Out of the shadow: Dasean Lecque chasing success of Suns’ Jalen Lecque

Desert Vista sophomore Dasean Lecque – the younger brother to Phoenix Suns rookie Jalen Lecque – transferred from New Jersey to high school in Arizona.
4 years ago
Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott attends the college football game between the Arizona Wildcats and ...
Jesse Morrison | Cronkite News

Pac-12 officiating has improved, despite complaints, commissioner says

The Pac-12 believes it has made some strides in officiating. Larry Scott likes the changes and thinks basketball is in a good spot as well.
4 years ago
Spring training was one of the ways fans could interact with players, as Milwaukee Brewers outfield...
Lorenzino Estrada | Cronkite News

Coronavirus shakes Arizona sports with more postponements, cancellations

The sports world is reacting to the coronavirus by canceling many events, leaving much uncertainty among players, fans and leagues.
4 years ago
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)...
Edith Noriega | Cronkite News

As crowd watches Pac-12 Tournament, NCAA says no fans for March Madness

Stakes are high for the Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils in the Pac-12 men's basketball tournament that starts Wednesday in Las Vegas.
4 years ago
Nathan Hiatt | Cronkite News

ASU women hopes to bounce back with strong showing in Pac-12 Tournament

The Arizona State women’s basketball team heads into the Pac-12 Tournament without Kiara Russell but hoping to play its best before the NCAA Tournament.
4 years ago
Cooper Benson said pitching coach Jason Kelly understands his personality. “He knows when to take...
Alex Weiner | Cronkite News

Standout freshman Benson, pitching coach Kelly reunite at ASU

ASU pitching coach Jason Kelly and freshman pitcher Cooper Benson met long before they arrived in Tempe in a reunion of sorts.
4 years ago
Arizona State catch Maddie Hackbarth was one home run shy of tying the ASU single-season mark in 20...
Alex Weiner, Cronkite News

ASU catcher Maddi Hackbarth is determined to make school history

ASU softball senior Maddi Hackbarth was one home run short of tying the Sun Devils single-season record in 2019, looks to compete for the record in 2020.
4 years ago
ASU freshman shortstop Alynah Torres prepares to hit at the plate in the Kajikawa Classic. (Photo b...
Nathan Hiatt | Cronkite News

Torres, Preston shine in Kajikawa Classic as ASU softball starts strong

Alynah Torres and Madison Preston certainly had themselves impressive Sun Devil softball debuts while at the Kajikawa Classic.
4 years ago
Arizona State softball, led by fourth-year coach Trisha Ford, carries some increased expectations i...
Cole Bailey | Cronkite News

‘Ready to bust this thing open’: ASU softball has high expectations in 2020

Expectations are high for ASU softball this year, as it ranked in the top 25 in four different preseason polls released in late January
4 years ago
Blaine Patrick, a Grand Canyon “Apex Legends” varsity team captain and game community manager, ...
Lorenzino Estrada | Cronkite News

GCU ‘Apex Legends’ players adjusting to new season for battle royale title

Players of Grand Canyon University’s “Apex Legends” team must learn to adjust their strategy with the release of Season 4.
4 years ago
Arizona State pitcher Will Levine's fastball consistently hits in the 92-94 mph range and reached a...
Lyle Goldstein | Cronkite News

ASU pitcher Will Levine turning heads after returning with strong arm, focus

After a rocky freshman year, Will Levine refocused himself over summer. He's blowing teammates and coaches away with his much-improved fastball.
4 years ago
The new hitting facility is under construction at Farrington Stadium with the expected completion i...
Brady Vernon, Cronkite News

ASU softball nearing completion of ‘state of the art’ hitting facility

TEMPE – Trisha Ford had a vision for the Arizona State softball program when she took the head coaching position in 2016. Thus far, she has led the Sun Devils to three postseason appearances in three seasons, including a trip back to the Women’s College World Series in 2018 after a five-year absence. The team […]
4 years ago
R.J. Dabovich began his first season at Arizona State in the starting rotation. Now he’s a closer...
TJ Mathewson | Cronkite Sports

Arizona State baseball may have finally found its closer in RJ Dabovich

After struggling to find consistent bullpen arms for so long, ASU might have finally found its guy for the back end of the bullpen: Dabovich.
4 years ago
With the thought of learning new dance moves this season, senior Kindra Hackbarth (left) and sophom...
Nathan Hiatt, Cronkite News

ASU softball prepares for season with a new-look outfield

Two of ASU softball's dominant outfielders may have graduated, but Kindra Hackbarth and the new starters are trying to remain the top OF in the country.
4 years ago
Grand Canyon University guards Mikey Dixon (left) and Isiah Brown  talk during practice at the GCU ...
Travis Whittaker | Cronkite News

Transfers make up more than half of GCU basketball’s roster

Seven of the 13 players on GCU's roster are transfers. Dan Majerle believes signing transfers help his team stay competitive while younger players develop.
4 years ago
Ja’Tavia Tapley is on her third coach in four years and said Arizona State women’s basketball c...
Alex Weiner | Cronkite News

Ja’Tavia Tapley has found trust, success with ASU women’s basketball

Ja’Tavia Tapley has played for three coaches in four years, but Charli Turner Thorne has found a way to get the most out of the graduate transfer.
4 years ago
Samantha Noennig is the reigning NCAA champion in both indoor and outdoor shot put, and she current...
Cole Bailey | Cronkite News

ASU shot putters Washington, Noennig making waves on national scale

ASU throwers Turner Washington and Samantha Noennig are ranked among the top three in the nation for the longest shot-put throw.
4 years ago
Christina Clapp, 19,  prepares to deliver Aaron Wise’s nameplate to his spot at the driving range...
Carson Field | Cronkite News

Program provides opportunity for children with disabilities at Phoenix Open

Part of Young Life’s Capernaum program, 10 children with disabilities assisted at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
4 years ago
Arizona State's Alika Williams (Photo by Alex Weiner/Cronkite News)...
Alex Weiner/Cronkite News

Alika Williams, ASU baseball have major expectations for the 2020 season

Alika Williams’ play has progressed as Arizona State's baseball’s success has grown, so what’s next for the talented player?
4 years ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns walks on the court during the first half of the NBA game agains...
Edith Noriega/Cronkite News

Devin Booker on All-Star snub: ‘I guess I should be quiet about it’

Saying the league is different from what it used to be, Suns guard Devin Booker accepts the NBA All-Star Game snub for another year.
4 years ago
Remy Martin #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts against the Georgia Bulldogs during the secon...
Edith Noriega | Cronkite News

ASU’s season still alive in upcoming rivalry game against Arizona

ASU men’s basketball is looking stronger and learning from mistakes in the previous game against Arizona Wildcats.
4 years ago
Nathan Hyatt | Cronkite News

ASU women’s basketball builds confidence after historic weekend

ASU women’s basketball continues to build confidence after historic weekend in Tempe that included victories of the No. 2 and No. 3 teams.
4 years ago
Even though he is far from his Montana home, Ryggs Johnston saw a great opportunity with Arizona St...
Matthew Roy | Cronkite News

Small town to big city: Ryggs Johnston finds success with Arizona State golf

Arizona State freshman golfer Ryggs Johnston might feel pressure adapting to life outside of Montana, but you wouldn't notice it on the golf course.
4 years ago
Ohio State passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich, Chaparral quarterback Jack Miller and Buckeyes co...
Brady Vernon | Cronkite News

Chaparral’s Jack Miller could be Ohio State’s next star quarterback

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is known to have a big impact on quarterbacks who play under him. Chaparral quarterback Jack Miller could be his next star.
4 years ago