Latest from Mary Grace Grabill
Thrilling comeback leads ASU baseball to 13-10 win, series sweep over Grand Canyon
PHOENIX – Contributions from Nick McLain, Jacob Tobias, Luke Hill and Luke Keaschall flipped a seven-run deficit into a three-run victory for Arizona State baseball over Grand Canyon Tuesday night.
GCU men’s basketball perseveres through adversity to set up NCAA tournament date with No. 3 Gonzaga
PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University men’s basketball hopes to one day build a mid-major powerhouse like Gonzaga’s. Coach Bryce Drew understands patience is key, but a good showing in Friday’s first-round matchup of the NCAA tournament will be a step in the right direction.
Pac-12/SWAC Legacy Series brings social justice issues, HBCUs to the forefront
PHOENIX – Arizona and Arizona State’s basketball programs are getting a chance to learn more about historically Black colleges and universities through a partnership between the Pac-12 and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
‘Blue mirage:’ Why Democrats’ leads slipped, bolstering GOP hopes
Tuesday night started with a blue hue in Arizona. In the morning, there was a red glow. How could this happen?
U.S. House: Redistricting, midterm malaise tighten congressional races in Arizona
PHOENIX – Democrats face stiff challenges to hold their slim 5-4 seat majority in the House of Representative races in Arizona, while the GOP hopes redistricting and midterm backlash gives Republicans the lead.
Arizona governor: Katie Hobbs holds narrow lead over Trump ally Kari Lake
PHOENIX – Democrat Katie Hobbs maintained a narrow lead Wednesday over Republican Kari Lake in Arizona’s race for governor. The race is one of the most competitive – and most consequential – in the country.
Schools superintendent: Hoffman and Horne in tight race
PHOENIX – Incumbent Kathy Hoffman, running a race in which she defended her record, and Tom Horne, a Republican who preached a return to academic basics, were neck and neck as ballots were still be counted.
Secretary of State: Adrian Fontes leads over Mark Finchem
PHOENIX – Democrat Adrian Fontes, who said his goal is to bring trust back to voters, has a lead over Republican Mark Finchem, who denies the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election.
With abortion taking center stage, Mayes and Hamadeh run neck and neck in AG’s race
PHOENIX – Arizonans had the choice to vote between two polar opposites for attorney general. Democrat Kris Mayes faced off against Republican Abraham Hamadeh, with abortion at the forefront of the election.
Like father, like son: Brophy’s freshman football team excels with NFL lineage
PHOENIX – The Brophy Preparatory Academy freshman football team is filled with NFL lineage, as five players have connections with the NFL.
Stick together: Former Alaska youth national champs reunite to chase women’s hockey title at ASU
TEMPE – Four ASU women’s hockey players first played on a youth team in Anchorage, Alaska together, where they won a national youth championship. They’ve reunited in Tempe, Arizona to run it back at Arizona State with their eyes on another national title.
Jake Paul, Anderson Silva express mutual respect ahead of blockbuster boxing bout
GLENDALE – Jake Paul and Anderson Silva face off in a press conference at Gila River Arena leading up to their fight on Oct. 29. The two fighters promoted their fight Tuesday getting fans excited for what's to come.
Phoenix Rising’s postseason hopes in dire shape after second straight loss
CHANDLER – After losing their last two games, Phoenix Rising is in an uphill battle for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Rising has six games remaining to turn it around and close the five-point gap between them and seventh-place Las Vegas Lights FC.
Year out! Diamondbacks embrace new balanced schedule for 2023 season
PHOENIX – Last week, the Diamondbacks revealed their 2023 regular season schedule and it featured an anomaly. For the first time, the MLB franchise would be taking on all 29 other teams in the league.
Football’s popularity flags as more parents worry about concussions
PHOENIX – With increased awareness of concussions parents are not allowing their children to play football. Barrow Neurological Institute conducted a study that found that this trend has been ongoing since 2016.
A gift horse indeed: Equestrian vaulting opens doors for those with disabilities
SAN TAN VALLEY – Salt River Vaulters, a non-profit organization that teaches equestrian vaulting, specializes in equine therapy for children or young adults with disabilities
A heart-stopping day: Camden Gianni returns from cardiac arrest to lead GCU volleyball
PHOENIX – Three and a half years ago, Camden Gianni went into cardiac arrest at Grand Canyon during a volleyball practice. After open heart surgery and a lengthy recovery process, he is now back leading the Lopes, and making his name known throughout the conference.
How two sisters who never played baseball saved Tempe Prep from a forfeited season
TEMPE — When Tempe Prep was at risk of forfeiting games, two sisters stepped in to fill the roster and have become an integral part of the Knights team.
Trailblazing Jamie Boggs puts GCU athletics in national spotlight
PHOENIX – Phoenix native Jamie Boggs is using her unique experience to continue to build athletics, academics and her hometown community as vice president of athletics at Grand Canyon.
Arizona Tennis Classic returns, showcases some of sport’s top players
PHOENIX – Phoenix Country Club was host to the Arizona Tennis Classic, which showcased some of the sport’s top players and raised $115,000 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Miller time: Even though GCU women lost WAC title game, coach’s past success suggests future is bright
LAS VEGAS – For the second straight year, the GCU women lost in the WAC Tournament final. Although they still haven’t reached their goal of advancing to the NCAA Tournament, coach Molly Miller's past success suggests the future is bright
GCU men fall to rival New Mexico State in WAC Tournament semifinal
LAS VEGAS - After defeating New Mexico State in the 2021 WAC Tournament finals, the Aggies got the better of GCU in this year's semifinals, winning 75-70.
‘Weathered that storm’: Despite adversity, GCU women one win away from NCAA Tournament berth
LAS VEGAS – Despite losing some key players from last season, the Grand Canyon women's basketball team has put together 22 victories and now find themselves one victory away from an NCAA Tournament berth.
Showdown: After resilient win over Sam Houston, GCU set for rival New Mexico State
LAS VEGAS – After a resilient back-and-forth win against Sam Houston, GCU will now play New Mexico State for the fourth straight time in the WAC Tournament.
Mikey’s League fills sports void for those with intellectual, physical disabilities
TEMPE – Mikey's League began in 2019 in memory of Mikey Bender, 21, who died after losing a battle with cerebral palsy and a heart defect. The league has teamed with KinectAbility to open doors for ability sports.
College Football Playoff expansion? Nimble Fiesta Bowl organizers say they’ll be ready
PHOENIX – The Fiesta Bowl is ready to host its third College Football Playoff game in December. As expansion looms, the Fiesta Bowl is awaiting what’s next for Arizona’s prestigious bowl game.
‘Those bulls don’t know it’s a gay rodeo’: Arizona event embraces LGBTQ+ community
LAVEEN – The Arizona Gay Rodeo supports the LGBTQ+ community and shows that Western culture is all inclusive. Veteran David Limon uses bullriding to break barriers.
International Wildcats adapting to life, tennis away from home during COVID-19 pandemic
TUCSON — Many of the international players on the UArizona men’s tennis team face challenges with travel, seeing family during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunny, with a chance of (beer) showers: Restriction-free Phoenix Open returns in big way
SCOTTSDALE – The wildest tournament on the PGA Tour lived up to its billing as an abundance of fans enjoyed sunny skies, a celebratory atmosphere and high quality golf.
Skatin’ for Leighton charity event also a nod to Coyotes executive Matt Shott
PHOENIX – The Arizona Coyotes hosted the second annual Skatin’ for Leighton at Phoenix Raceway. Plenty of Arizona hockey community members made it out to the 12-hour charity event that was also a nod to Matt Schott.
Reach for the sky: Embry-Riddle fields one of nation’s top collegiate flight teams
PRESCOTT – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s flight program continues to see growth, and its flight team continues to dominate regional and national competitions.
Not just for seniors: Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Phelps help spread pickleball fever
PHOENIX – Michael Phelps and Larry Fitzgerald competed with professional pickleball athletes in a special pro-am event on Friday as the sport continues to grow and receive more exposure.
Familiar faces: Emotions run high as ASU’s Jacob Bullard takes on his former Texas tennis teammates
TEMPE – Jacob Bullard transferred to Arizona State after two years on the Texas men’s tennis team and promptly had to compete against his former teammates.
From bingo to bocce: Unified Sports, Special Olympics step up for people with intellectual disabilities
PHOENIX – Opportunities and resources were once minimal for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Arizona and Unified Sports are determined to change that.
Spencer Sanders leads Oklahoma State to Fiesta Bowl win with guidance from Valley’s Tim Rattay
GLENDALE – Spencer Sanders passed for 371 yards and four touchdowns to lead Oklahoma State to a 37-35 victory over Notre Dame in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.
Coyotes host ‘Greek Life Night,’ help ASU fraternities, sororities raise awareness of sexual assault
GLENDALE – Fraternities and sororities at Arizona State are focused on helping to prevent sexual assault on campus. Teaming up with the Arizona Coyotes for Greek Life Night was a step toward that goal.
MMA with a twist of cannabis: Combat sport meets marijuana at RUF, Puff & Rumble event
PHOENIX – Promoter RUF Nation hosted a unique event Saturday, and it marked the first time an MMA organization held a cannabis expo alongside a fight card in the Valley.
Digital media company PHNX Sports brings fans-first approach to Arizona
PHOENIX – Digital media outlet PHNX Sports brings a fans-first approach to Arizona and features podcasts, postgame shows and digital content about the state’s professional and college teams as well as gambling.
After more than 600 days, ASU swim team grateful for return to competition
The Arizona State University swimming program held its annual Maroon & Gold Intrasquad scrimmage on Friday to kick off its 2021-22 season. It is the Sun Devils’ first meet in over 600 days after the entire team redshirted the 2020-21 season.
Centennial remembers football standout Zach Hoffpauir, a life taken too soon
PEORIA - The Centennial High School football team retired the No. 31 to honor the late Zach Hoffpauir, who passed away in May 2020 after unknowingly taking a pill laced with fentanyl.
Like mother, like daughter: Freshman Rosholt turning heads for ASU women’s golf team
TEMPE - Calynne Rosholt is the only freshman on the ASU women’s golf team but she’s already turning heads. It must be in the bloodlines. Her mother was part of the 1990 NCAA championship team alongside current coach Missy Farr-Kaye.
From Tokyo to Tempe: Sun Devils return to campus after competing in 2020 Summer Olympics
TEMPE - Three current ASU Sun Devils return to Tempe after competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics. After taking the road to Tokyo, they are reminded again what it’s like balancing schoolwork with athletics.
Mikey’s League changing the status quo for disabled community through sports
PHOENIX - Mikey’s League bridges the gap between accessibility and inclusivity through creating the opportunity to experience sports’ triumph and success in ways its participants will remember forever.
‘Bumper cars on steroids’: USA Wheelchair Football League debuts in Scottsdale
SCOTTSDALE - Ability 360 Expo hosted the first-ever USA Wheelchair Football League national tournament in Scottsdale. Nine teams from across the country came together to compete.
