Juan Guerra returns to Phoenix in new role as Rising head coach
PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising Football Club named Juan Guerra their next head coach. This came a week after the Rising parted ways with coach Rick Schantz.
After countless battles behind the scenes, Reyes Cortez Jr. continues his family’s fight inside the octagon
PHOENIX – More than a decade has passed since Maryvale High grad Jose Cortez, an accomplished wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, died after a two-year battle with germ cell cancer. Yet his legacy lives on with his brother and sister, both MMA fighters.
Imposing Northwestern-bound Mountain Ridge star Doost has a soft spot: mom
GLENDALE - Alexander Doost is an imposing 6-foot-6, 295 pound offensive lineman at Mountain Ridge High, who committed to Northwestern after receiving 18 offers from Power Five schools. However, he does have a soft spot. It’s for his mom, who passed away last year.
Once dead in the water, ASU’s swim program is thriving
TEMPE – Arizona State’s men’s swim team appeared to be dead in the water in 2008 when the athletic department, faced with budget constraints, decided to eliminate the program along with the school’s wrestling and men’s tennis teams. However, some former ASU swimmers stepped up to raise money to save a program that is thriving again.
ASU’s Taryn VanThof pushing for lacrosse to become sanctioned high school sport in Arizona
TEMPE – Lacrosse is a club sport at the youth and high school levels in Arizona, but how feasible would it be to see it become an AIA sport? Arizona State’s new lacrosse coach Taryn VanThof wants to expand the game across the state.
Rollettes wheelchair dance team empowers women with disabilities
LOS ANGELES – The Rollettes Experience redefines what it means to be a strong resilient female through long-lasting friendships and seminars that empower, educate and connect women from across the world on a variety of topics.
Concerns arise for women, LGBTQ+ community visiting Qatar for World Cup
PHOENIX – As Qatar prepares for the World Cup, fans traveling abroad are encouraged to pay attention to laws and customs in the Arab nation.
Since 1980, Horizon volleyball coach McKenzie has thrived in evolving sports landscape
PHOENIX – Since Ronald Reagan was president, Valorie McKenzie has been the coach of Horizon High School’s volleyball team. She has seen the high school landscape change with Title IX, college recruitment and the spread of club volleyball.
Olympic gold medalist Sydney Leroux redefines soccer moms across pro sports
LOS ANGELES – Sydney Leroux takes the term soccer mom to a whole new meaning.
A change for the better? Arizona set to add shot clocks for high school basketball
PHOENIX – Arizona high school basketball divisions 6A-3A have decided to adopt the 35-second shot clock outlined by the NFHS. A majority of coaches are praising the decision, but logistical and financial issues are causing trouble for Arizona schools.
Varsity Gay League creates inclusive sports leagues where ‘everyone’s welcome’
LOS ANGELES – The Varsity Gay League, a national organization with recreational sports leagues, aims to create an inclusive environment for all athletes regardless of sexuality, ability or gender.
‘A bunch of guys who came together’: Sunnyslope basketball’s memorable 3-year run often overlooked
PHOENIX – Sunnyslope basketball’s class of 2018 featured a memorable run with three state title appearances and back-to-back championships. Yet the program is rarely mentioned among recent high school powerhouses.
