It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a drone! Major League Drone Racing hosts first live preseason race

PEORIA – A new competitive sport is on the rise and it involves flying drones. Major League Drone Racing has entered their 2023 preseason with a race at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday.

A drone flown by the Arizona Desert Hawks whizzes through the air during a preseason training race against the Phoenix Falcons last Saturday at the Peoria Sports Complex. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

For fore-seeable future, ASU men’s golf is on the rise after NCAA Championship showing

SCOTTSDALE – After a seventh-place finish in the 2023 NCAA Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club, the ASU men’s golf team has a promising future ahead of them.

ASU sophomore golfer Josele Ballester finished 2-up during match play Tuesday, marking the Sun Devils' only win during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo by Taylyn Hadley/Cronkite News)

Photo essay: From steer wrestling to bull riding, Gart Hardt Memorial Rodeo honors those who came before

PAYSON – The recent Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo in Payson was a night of remembrance for a former rider and roper, and for those in the military for Patriot Night.

Clay Wagner holds onto Salt River Rodeo’s Saturday Night Fever during the bull riding event at the 36th Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

‘A way to remember our country’s heroes’: Arizona Diamondbacks, MLB fans pay respect to veterans for Memorial Day

PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks organization rolled out the red carpet to honor soldiers and their families with an array of celebrations throughout Monday’s 7-5 victory against the Colorado Rockies.

Fans attending Monday's game at Chase Field honored military and veterans throughout the afternoon during the Arizona Diamondbacks' 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies. (Photo courtesy of the Arizona Diamondbacks)

Under ‘healthy pressure,’ ASU’s Preston Summerhays stars for hometown crowd at NCAA Men’s Golf Championship

SCOTTSDALE – ASU sophomore Preston Summerhays represented the only golfer in the 155-player field from Scottsdale, the home of Grayhawk Golf Club, and healthy pressure on himself to be the best he can be for the local fans.

On Monday, ASU sophomore golfer Preston Summerhayes extended the team's season with a 15-foot birdie putt in a playoff against Stanford. (Photo by Tommy Fernandez/SDA)

Scott Barclay dedicates life to keeping ASU men’s gymnastics alive

CHANDLER – Former ASU gymnast Scott Barclay witnessed funding get cut from the Sun Devils men’s gymnastics program in 1993. Over the past 30 years, the ASU Hall of Famer has creatively worked to ensure the school’s decision wasn’t a death sentence for the program.

ASU men's gymnastics coach Scott Barclay works with his gymnasts and coaching staff to fundraise $225,000 annually as a fully self-funded club team. (Photo by Bobby Murphy/Cronkite News)

Mercury earn first win behind vintage Diana Taurasi double-double

PHOENIX – Diana Taurasi turned back the clock to record her first double-double of the season and lead the Phoenix Mercury to their first victory in a 90-81 win against the Minnesota Lynx.

Diana Taurasi, right, and Brittney Griner combined for 41 points in the Phoenix Mercury's first win of the season Thursday against the Minnesota Lynx at Footprint Center. (Photo couresy of Phoenix Mercury)

Former ASU pitcher Jake Borup awaits biggest save of his career: a heart transplant

PHOENIX – After suffering a massive heart attack last year, former ASU and Phillies pitcher Jake Borup awaits a heart transplant.

Jake Borup, who has six children, said he doesn’t “remember anything for about 40, 45 days” after he was admitted to the hospital following his heart attack. (Photo courtesy of Jake Borup)

ASU’s bats wake up to secure must-win victory over Oregon State in Pac-12 tournament

SCOTTSDALE – ASU baseball earned a much-needed 14-10 win against Oregon State to stay alive in the hunt for the NCAA tournament. The Sun Devils’ win comes after a difficult loss Tuesday against in-state rival UArizona.

Arizona State's Owen Stevenson embraces catcher Bronson Balholm after closing out a must-win 14-10 victory over Oregon State in the Pac-12 Baseball Tournament at Scottsdale Stadium. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

Chef’s special: Anthony Pressley parlays 200-pound weight loss into cooking for world’s best boxers

PHOENIX – Anthony Pressley went from overweight at 400 pounds to a performance chef for world champion boxers such as Tyson Fury and Errol Spence Jr., using the same cooking techniques that helped him lose 200 pounds naturally.

An unsuccessful pursuit to be selected for 'Master Chef' inspired Anthony Pressley to pursue opportunities as a chef, where he combines his passions of food nutrition and combat sports. (Photo courtesy of Anthony Pressley)

‘We’re going to bounce back’: ASU baseball optimistic despite dropping Pac-12 tournament opener

SCOTTSDALE – More than a month after losing 20-0 to the University of Arizona, the Sun Devils walked a season-high 10 batters in a 12-3 loss in the first game of the Pac-12 tournament at Scottsdale Stadium.

ASU baseball took a thumping Tuesday in a 12-3 loss to UArizona in the Pac-12 tournament opener at Scottsdale Stadium. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

A slice of home: Sydney Seigel’s backyard dream plays out at 2023 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship

SCOTTSDALE – Phoenix native and Pinnacle High alum Sydney Seigel competed as a member of the University of Tulsa golf team last weekend at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club, and she brought a crowd to watch her fulfill a dream of playing close to home.

Sydney Seigel's golf journey came full circle last weekend at the 2023 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club – a course she played while growing up in Arizona. (Photo by Taylyn Hadley/Cronkite News)