by Simran Dave, Media Relations Student Assistant
It's hard to top the kind of start freshman Sun Devils Cairo Leonard-Baker, Spencer Torkelson, Danielle Gibson and Kordell Norfleet have had.
Leonard-Baker has been making a name for herself for Sun Devil gymnastics. She became the first Gym Devil to win Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year, which marks the first time since Katie Freeland (1996) that an ASU gymnast has won a yearly conference award. Leonard-Baker tied her career-high on vault (9.850) five times this season and broke it at the Pac-12 Championships on March 25 (9.900). She earned Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the week four times this season, including three weeks in a row (Weeks 2-4).
Norfleet, a true freshman, became a Pac-12 wrestling champion at 184 pounds this season. He was named Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year. Norfleet was one of 16 true freshmen to qualify for NCAA's.
Spencer Torkelson's impact on Sun Devil Baseball was immediately felt, as the freshman has been on a historic tear during his first season in Tempe. On March 30th, Torkelson hit his 12th home run of the season, breaking Sun Devil legend Barry Bonds 35-year old single season freshman home run record. Torkelson was the only freshman in the country to be named to the Golden Spikes Award Mid-season watch list on April 10th.
On the softball field, freshman first baseman Danielle Gibson has turned heads in her first season in Maroon and Gold. Gibson leads the team in numerous statistical categories, including batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and home runs. Gibson was instrumental in the Sun Devil's series win over No. 1 Washington earlier this season, launching a pair of game-winning RBI and batted a crisp .385 against the top-ranked Huskies, earning her Pac-12 Freshman of the week honors.
Here is a sport-by-sport look at some other freshmen who made an impact nationally in the Pac-12.
BASEBALL
Barry Bonds was one of the most heralded freshman in the long history of Sun Devil Baseball, and his first year validated the attention. Bonds hit .306 for the year, with an OPS (on base plus slugging percentage) of .963. His 11 home runs, 16 stolen bases and 60 runs scored all set ASU freshman records. His extra-inning home run propelled ASU to a late-season win at UCLA, sparking the Devils to a run that took them to a third-place finish at the College World Series in Omaha. Bonds was named to the All-CWS team. On the mound, Kendall Carter's freshman season set plenty of records. Carter won 19 games, mostly in relief, and earned first-team All-America as the Devils won the 1981 NCAA title. Dustin Pedroia made an immediate impact as a shortstop at ASU, hitting a solid .347 as a freshman, earning all-Pac-10 and Freshman All-America honors while setting the ASU freshman record with 82 hits. He also hit .398 with runners in scoring position.
James Harden averaged 17.8 points per game in 2007-08, while leading the Pac-10 in steals. He was named first-team All-Pac-10, and to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team. The Sun Devils advanced to the third round of the NIT in Harden's first season. Eddie House and Ike Diogu both earned Pac-10 All-Freshman honors, with Diogu being named 2003 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. Jahii Carson earned Co-Freshman of the Year in 2012-13 joining Byron Scott (1980), Jamal Faulkner (1991), and Diogu (2003) as Sun Devils to earn the honor. This past year, Remy Martin earned Pac-12 Co-Sixth Man of the Year.
Chandler native Chase Lucas earned Pac-12 Second Team honors at defensive back after an incredible freshman campaign in 2017, despite never playing a single snap at Division I cornerback prior to this season, and not playing as a day-to-day player at the position in high school. Lucas was the only freshman to be named to either the Pac-12 First or Second teams this season. Lucas joins a growing list of prominent Sun Devil freshmen that have had an immediate impact in recent years, becoming the 11th ASU player to be named a Freshman All-America since 2012 joining N'Keal Harry, Kareem Orr, JoJo Wicker, DJ Calhoun, Tashon Smallwood, Demario Richard, Zane Gonzalez, Salamo Fiso, D.J. Foster and Jaxon Hood. Zane Gonzalez's freshman season was a prime reason the Sun Devils won the 2013 Pac-12 South Division. In earning All-Pac-12 honors, Gonzalez led the conference in kick scoring, converting 25-of-30 field goal attempts (83.3%). He had a streak of 18 consecutive made field goals, tying the NCAA record for field goals made by a freshman in the process. His 1.7 field goals per game led the Pac-12, and he was nominated for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation's top collegiate placekicker (an award he won this year as a senior). Tight End Zach Miller became the second Sun Devil to be named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (the other being Terrell Suggs two years earlier) in 2004. Miller set ASU freshman receiving records with 56 catches for 552 yards. He earned Freshman All-America honors as well, leading ASU to a 9-3 record and a Sun Bowl win over Purdue. Zach MIller (2004) and Terrell Suggs (2000) each earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, while Junior Onyeali (2010) and Vontaze Burfict (2009) earned Defensive Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
MEN'S GOLF
Phil Mickelson's freshman year with the ASU men's golf team resulted in the first of his three individual NCAA Championships, as well as a first-team Ping All-America selection (Mickelson earned the honor each of his four years at ASU). His opening round at the NCAA's was eye-popping. Playing at the Oaktree Country Club in Edmond, Oklahoma, Mickelson tamed the Pete Dye-designed course with a nine-under par 63. He finished the four rounds at 17-under 271. Jon Rahm in 2012-13 earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and had two wins (Bill Cullum Invitational and Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic), scored in all 46 rounds he played (one of only two players in nation to do that), ranked first in nation in par-5 scoring (4.51), tied for first in nation with nine eagles, led nation with 165 birdies (beating NCAA champion Max Homa by three) and became just one of three Sun Devils in 20 seasons to have have 100 percent scoring (Chris Hanell in 39 rounds in 1996-97 and Niklas Lemke in 2006-07 in 37 rounds). He posted a 71.37 scoring average in 15 tournaments had had six top-10 finishes, including a tie for second at the NCAA Championships when he shot a 61 in the first round. Alejandro Canizares earned Co-Pac-12 Freshmen of the Year in 2003, as he became just the sixth freshman to win the NCAA golf title in June of 2003 with his 1-under 287 at the Karsten Creek Course in Stillwater, Okla.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Six Sun Devil women's golfers were named all-America as freshman – Brandie Burton (1980), Emilee Klein (1993), Heather Bowie (1994), Kellee Booth (1995), Grace Park (1998) and Carlota Ciganda (2009). Jennifer Johnson (2010), Anna Nordqvist (2007), Louis Stahle (2005) and Miriam Nagle (2000) all earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
HOCKEY
Since the inception of Sun Devil Hockey just three years ago, the program is already seeing freshman stars turn heads across the college hockey landscape. In 2016-17, rookies Tyler Busch, Jakob Stridsberg, Brinson Pasichnuk and Joey Daccord made an immediate impact on the ice for the Sun Devils. Daccord arrived in Tempe as the first NHL draft pick to commit to the Sun Devils, as the goaltender was selected by the Ottawa Senators during the 2015 NHL Draft. The trio of Busch, Stridsberg and Pasichnuk combined for 25 goals and 50 total points, which was more than one-fifth of the team's total production. All four went on to NHL Development camps during the 2017 offseason before returning for their sophomore season in 2017-18. Pasichnuk went on to lead the team in scoring as a defenseman with a collegiate-best and program record 26 points this past season. Daccord started all but two games during his sophomore campaign, and led the country in shots faced and saves. In 2017-18, a new wave of freshmen -- the No. 9 recruiting class in the country -- rolled into Tempe. One of them was Phoenix-native Johnny Walker, who would net eight goals in the final five games of the season to finish second in the country among all freshmen goal scorers. His 17 on the season was just two shy of the leader despite playing in four fewer games.
SOCCER
Both Elizabeth Bogus (2002) and Stacey Tullock (1998) earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
MEN'S TENNIS
Matt Brooklyn earned 2007 Freshmen of the Year while playing for Lou Belken.
SOFTBALL
Dallas Escobedo led ASU to the NCAA title in her freshman season (2011). Her 37 wins were the second-most in a ASU history, while recording the fourth-most strikeouts (326). Her list of accolades included Women's College World Series co-Most Outstanding Player, WCWS All-Tournament, First-Team All-America, NFCA All-Region, USA Softball Collegiate Pitcher of the Week, two-time Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week, First-Team All-Pac-10, Pac-10 All-Freshman and Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. Krista Donneworth also was named a third-team All-America as a freshman in 2008 after hitting .354 with 15 home runs as her and Kaitlin Cochran (2006) each earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
SWIMMING & DIVING
Freshmen diving sensations Frida Kaellgren and Ashley McCool impressed in their inaugural campaigns in 2017-18 as Kaellgren earned All-America honors in the 1-meter dive while McCool set a new school record in the 3-meter dive. Cameron Craig earned Pac-12 Men's Swimming Newcomer of the Year in 2016-17, as did Elina Eggers (2010) and Trisha Tumlinson (2003) in women's diving. Five Sun Devils have earned Pac-12 Freshman Male Diver of the Year: David Hoffer (2015), Riley McCormick (2010), Micky Benedetti (2007), Joona Puhakka ( 2003) and Thomas McCrummen (2002).
TRACK AND FIELD
During ASU's 1977 National Championship Track and Field season, two freshmen, Tony Darden and Dannie Jackson earned First-Team All-America honors. Darden finished second in the 200 meters at the NCAA's while Jackson placed fourth in the long jump. Dominique Malloy was named a First-Team All-American in 2008, as part of the third-place 4 X 400 relay team at the NCAA Women's Indoor Championship. J.J. Duke earned 2001 cross country Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, as did Shelby Houlihan (2011), Ali Kielty (2006) and Jessica Scalzo (2002). Houlihan (2012), Charonda Williams (2008) and Jacquelyn Johnson (2004) earned Pac-12 Track and Field Freshmen of the Year.
TRIATHLON
Hannah Henry won the individual national title in 2017 for Sun Devil triathlon, leading Arizona State to their second consecutive team title in their second year as a program. Fellow freshman Kyla Roy finished third as the Sun Devils swept the podium in an event hosted by ASU at Tempe Town Lake. A group comprised of mainly freshmen also led the Sun Devils to their first national title in 2016, the first year of the program.
WRESTLING
On March 17, 2018, sophomore Zahid Valencia completed an undefeated season and became the 11th national champion in Sun Devil history. His dominance on the mat this year was a continuation of his outstanding freshman campaign. In 2016-17, Valencia garnered Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year and Pac-12 Newcomer/Freshman of the Year awards, the first time in conference history that the same person received both awards. He became a Pac-12 champion (174) and finished third at the NCAA championships. Valencia won four titles and became an All-American. Marcus Mollica won the NCAA Championship competing at 158 pounds in 1993 as a freshman and earned All-Pac-10 and first-team All-American honors that year. Sun Devil wrestling head coach Zeke Jones won the Pac-10 Championship in 1987 as a freshman competing at 118 pounds.
Now, let's turn the tables – here's some of the most famous names in Sun Devil Athletics who DIDN'T earn national or conference accolades as freshmen, but ended up doing quite well.
JAKE PLUMMER – Started nine games for ASU in 1993, completed 51.3 % of his passes for 1,650 yards and nine touchdowns. By his senior year, Plummer was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, and led the Sun Devils into the 1997 Rose Bowl.
PAT TILLMAN – While eventually earning Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1997 and having the award named for him, Tillman recorded 10 tackles in 1994. His first collegiate play from scrimmage? A sack of California quarterback Dave Barr.
FAT LEVER – The point guard for two ASU NCAA Tournament teams (1980, 81), Lever posted a 3.6 point, 1.8 assist average in 29 games in 1978-79. "Fat" would go on to lead the Devils in assists and steals each of the next three seasons, and in 2004 was voted into the Pac-10 Hall of Honor.
ALVIN DAVIS – The sweet-swinging first baseman on ASU's 1981 NCAA title eam came off the bench as a freshman in 1979, playing behind Mike Ancich.
CHRISTY NORE - While her name can be found in several categories in Sun Devil volleyball's career statistics lists, Nore did not earn national or conference honors in 1985.
What this should prove are two things – Arizona State has a long history of successful freshman student-athletes, and this year's Sun Devil freshmen are among the best. Considering the challenges freshmen face adjusting to life at a major university, and the time demands academically and athletically, these student-athletes have proved worthy of everything they have accomplished.
It's hard to top the kind of start freshman Sun Devils Cairo Leonard-Baker, Spencer Torkelson, Danielle Gibson and Kordell Norfleet have had.
Leonard-Baker has been making a name for herself for Sun Devil gymnastics. She became the first Gym Devil to win Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year, which marks the first time since Katie Freeland (1996) that an ASU gymnast has won a yearly conference award. Leonard-Baker tied her career-high on vault (9.850) five times this season and broke it at the Pac-12 Championships on March 25 (9.900). She earned Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the week four times this season, including three weeks in a row (Weeks 2-4).
.@SunDevilGym's Cairo Leonard-Baker has taken #Pac12Gym by storm.
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 25, 2018
The five-time Freshman of the Week honoree has also nabbed the #Pac12Gym Freshman of the Year award: https://t.co/l0xtitMKpg pic.twitter.com/CWRIuj03At
Norfleet, a true freshman, became a Pac-12 wrestling champion at 184 pounds this season. He was named Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year. Norfleet was one of 16 true freshmen to qualify for NCAA's.
????? The future is bright for @ASUWrestling! ?????
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) March 28, 2018
True freshman Kordell Norfleet named Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year. pic.twitter.com/70Obvc1W9G
Spencer Torkelson's impact on Sun Devil Baseball was immediately felt, as the freshman has been on a historic tear during his first season in Tempe. On March 30th, Torkelson hit his 12th home run of the season, breaking Sun Devil legend Barry Bonds 35-year old single season freshman home run record. Torkelson was the only freshman in the country to be named to the Golden Spikes Award Mid-season watch list on April 10th.
???? HISTORY. HAS. BEEN. MADE. ????
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) March 30, 2018
Spencer Torkelson has hit his 12th home run to pass @BarryBonds for the @ASU_Baseball freshman HR record! pic.twitter.com/lQQchEyvKZ
On the softball field, freshman first baseman Danielle Gibson has turned heads in her first season in Maroon and Gold. Gibson leads the team in numerous statistical categories, including batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and home runs. Gibson was instrumental in the Sun Devil's series win over No. 1 Washington earlier this season, launching a pair of game-winning RBI and batted a crisp .385 against the top-ranked Huskies, earning her Pac-12 Freshman of the week honors.
.@ASUSoftball's @danielleeee41 is making a name for herself in #Pac12SB.
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 26, 2018
She is your Freshman of the Week: https://t.co/0wskK1fGhd pic.twitter.com/7P9OdJaEJd
Here is a sport-by-sport look at some other freshmen who made an impact nationally in the Pac-12.
BASEBALL
Barry Bonds was one of the most heralded freshman in the long history of Sun Devil Baseball, and his first year validated the attention. Bonds hit .306 for the year, with an OPS (on base plus slugging percentage) of .963. His 11 home runs, 16 stolen bases and 60 runs scored all set ASU freshman records. His extra-inning home run propelled ASU to a late-season win at UCLA, sparking the Devils to a run that took them to a third-place finish at the College World Series in Omaha. Bonds was named to the All-CWS team. On the mound, Kendall Carter's freshman season set plenty of records. Carter won 19 games, mostly in relief, and earned first-team All-America as the Devils won the 1981 NCAA title. Dustin Pedroia made an immediate impact as a shortstop at ASU, hitting a solid .347 as a freshman, earning all-Pac-10 and Freshman All-America honors while setting the ASU freshman record with 82 hits. He also hit .398 with runners in scoring position.
MEN'S BASKETBALL#TBT Jahii Carson, 2012-13 Pac-12 Co-Freshman of the Year one of the top freshman scorers in Pac-12 history. pic.twitter.com/AFzQU1o0VM
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) April 13, 2018
James Harden averaged 17.8 points per game in 2007-08, while leading the Pac-10 in steals. He was named first-team All-Pac-10, and to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team. The Sun Devils advanced to the third round of the NIT in Harden's first season. Eddie House and Ike Diogu both earned Pac-10 All-Freshman honors, with Diogu being named 2003 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. Jahii Carson earned Co-Freshman of the Year in 2012-13 joining Byron Scott (1980), Jamal Faulkner (1991), and Diogu (2003) as Sun Devils to earn the honor. This past year, Remy Martin earned Pac-12 Co-Sixth Man of the Year.
FOOTBALLYou the (Sixth) Man!!!! Remy Martin named @pac12 co-Sixth Man of Year https://t.co/4QkxgEk9n3
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) March 6, 2018
Chandler native Chase Lucas earned Pac-12 Second Team honors at defensive back after an incredible freshman campaign in 2017, despite never playing a single snap at Division I cornerback prior to this season, and not playing as a day-to-day player at the position in high school. Lucas was the only freshman to be named to either the Pac-12 First or Second teams this season. Lucas joins a growing list of prominent Sun Devil freshmen that have had an immediate impact in recent years, becoming the 11th ASU player to be named a Freshman All-America since 2012 joining N'Keal Harry, Kareem Orr, JoJo Wicker, DJ Calhoun, Tashon Smallwood, Demario Richard, Zane Gonzalez, Salamo Fiso, D.J. Foster and Jaxon Hood. Zane Gonzalez's freshman season was a prime reason the Sun Devils won the 2013 Pac-12 South Division. In earning All-Pac-12 honors, Gonzalez led the conference in kick scoring, converting 25-of-30 field goal attempts (83.3%). He had a streak of 18 consecutive made field goals, tying the NCAA record for field goals made by a freshman in the process. His 1.7 field goals per game led the Pac-12, and he was nominated for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation's top collegiate placekicker (an award he won this year as a senior). Tight End Zach Miller became the second Sun Devil to be named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (the other being Terrell Suggs two years earlier) in 2004. Miller set ASU freshman receiving records with 56 catches for 552 yards. He earned Freshman All-America honors as well, leading ASU to a 9-3 record and a Sun Bowl win over Purdue. Zach MIller (2004) and Terrell Suggs (2000) each earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, while Junior Onyeali (2010) and Vontaze Burfict (2009) earned Defensive Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
Another day, another award. @Chase_Lucas2 earned his second Freshman All-America nod this season from @TheFWAA today!
— Sun Devil Football (@FootballASU) January 8, 2018
?? - https://t.co/lkKFToBIlV pic.twitter.com/RThhB6sDTo
MEN'S GOLF
Phil Mickelson's freshman year with the ASU men's golf team resulted in the first of his three individual NCAA Championships, as well as a first-team Ping All-America selection (Mickelson earned the honor each of his four years at ASU). His opening round at the NCAA's was eye-popping. Playing at the Oaktree Country Club in Edmond, Oklahoma, Mickelson tamed the Pete Dye-designed course with a nine-under par 63. He finished the four rounds at 17-under 271. Jon Rahm in 2012-13 earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and had two wins (Bill Cullum Invitational and Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic), scored in all 46 rounds he played (one of only two players in nation to do that), ranked first in nation in par-5 scoring (4.51), tied for first in nation with nine eagles, led nation with 165 birdies (beating NCAA champion Max Homa by three) and became just one of three Sun Devils in 20 seasons to have have 100 percent scoring (Chris Hanell in 39 rounds in 1996-97 and Niklas Lemke in 2006-07 in 37 rounds). He posted a 71.37 scoring average in 15 tournaments had had six top-10 finishes, including a tie for second at the NCAA Championships when he shot a 61 in the first round. Alejandro Canizares earned Co-Pac-12 Freshmen of the Year in 2003, as he became just the sixth freshman to win the NCAA golf title in June of 2003 with his 1-under 287 at the Karsten Creek Course in Stillwater, Okla.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Six Sun Devil women's golfers were named all-America as freshman – Brandie Burton (1980), Emilee Klein (1993), Heather Bowie (1994), Kellee Booth (1995), Grace Park (1998) and Carlota Ciganda (2009). Jennifer Johnson (2010), Anna Nordqvist (2007), Louis Stahle (2005) and Miriam Nagle (2000) all earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
#DYK this #SunDevil4Life is part of an impressive group to be named @pac12 Freshman of the Year while several other standouts were named All-Americans as freshmen.
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) April 16, 2018
Learn more about impressive ASU freshmen later this week on https://t.co/EJXnNSJqpY #SunDevilTradition @ANordqvist pic.twitter.com/Nxm2MZHCLH
HOCKEY
Since the inception of Sun Devil Hockey just three years ago, the program is already seeing freshman stars turn heads across the college hockey landscape. In 2016-17, rookies Tyler Busch, Jakob Stridsberg, Brinson Pasichnuk and Joey Daccord made an immediate impact on the ice for the Sun Devils. Daccord arrived in Tempe as the first NHL draft pick to commit to the Sun Devils, as the goaltender was selected by the Ottawa Senators during the 2015 NHL Draft. The trio of Busch, Stridsberg and Pasichnuk combined for 25 goals and 50 total points, which was more than one-fifth of the team's total production. All four went on to NHL Development camps during the 2017 offseason before returning for their sophomore season in 2017-18. Pasichnuk went on to lead the team in scoring as a defenseman with a collegiate-best and program record 26 points this past season. Daccord started all but two games during his sophomore campaign, and led the country in shots faced and saves. In 2017-18, a new wave of freshmen -- the No. 9 recruiting class in the country -- rolled into Tempe. One of them was Phoenix-native Johnny Walker, who would net eight goals in the final five games of the season to finish second in the country among all freshmen goal scorers. His 17 on the season was just two shy of the leader despite playing in four fewer games.
Score seven goals in the state of Michigan in four games and they just hand it over I guess... pic.twitter.com/nxbgrCCkNl
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) February 25, 2018
SOCCER
Both Elizabeth Bogus (2002) and Stacey Tullock (1998) earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
MEN'S TENNIS
Matt Brooklyn earned 2007 Freshmen of the Year while playing for Lou Belken.
SOFTBALL
Dallas Escobedo led ASU to the NCAA title in her freshman season (2011). Her 37 wins were the second-most in a ASU history, while recording the fourth-most strikeouts (326). Her list of accolades included Women's College World Series co-Most Outstanding Player, WCWS All-Tournament, First-Team All-America, NFCA All-Region, USA Softball Collegiate Pitcher of the Week, two-time Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week, First-Team All-Pac-10, Pac-10 All-Freshman and Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. Krista Donneworth also was named a third-team All-America as a freshman in 2008 after hitting .354 with 15 home runs as her and Kaitlin Cochran (2006) each earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
SWIMMING & DIVING
Freshmen diving sensations Frida Kaellgren and Ashley McCool impressed in their inaugural campaigns in 2017-18 as Kaellgren earned All-America honors in the 1-meter dive while McCool set a new school record in the 3-meter dive. Cameron Craig earned Pac-12 Men's Swimming Newcomer of the Year in 2016-17, as did Elina Eggers (2010) and Trisha Tumlinson (2003) in women's diving. Five Sun Devils have earned Pac-12 Freshman Male Diver of the Year: David Hoffer (2015), Riley McCormick (2010), Micky Benedetti (2007), Joona Puhakka ( 2003) and Thomas McCrummen (2002).
First Sun Devil to rack up a First-Team All-American honor since 2013 ??
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) March 16, 2018
Congratulations, Frida! pic.twitter.com/jX8PhogX3U
TRACK AND FIELD
During ASU's 1977 National Championship Track and Field season, two freshmen, Tony Darden and Dannie Jackson earned First-Team All-America honors. Darden finished second in the 200 meters at the NCAA's while Jackson placed fourth in the long jump. Dominique Malloy was named a First-Team All-American in 2008, as part of the third-place 4 X 400 relay team at the NCAA Women's Indoor Championship. J.J. Duke earned 2001 cross country Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, as did Shelby Houlihan (2011), Ali Kielty (2006) and Jessica Scalzo (2002). Houlihan (2012), Charonda Williams (2008) and Jacquelyn Johnson (2004) earned Pac-12 Track and Field Freshmen of the Year.
TRIATHLON
Hannah Henry won the individual national title in 2017 for Sun Devil triathlon, leading Arizona State to their second consecutive team title in their second year as a program. Fellow freshman Kyla Roy finished third as the Sun Devils swept the podium in an event hosted by ASU at Tempe Town Lake. A group comprised of mainly freshmen also led the Sun Devils to their first national title in 2016, the first year of the program.
Your champ, Hannah Henry of @sundeviltri! #ncaatri pic.twitter.com/4NTijcYl3r
— USA Triathlon (@USATlive) November 5, 2017
WRESTLING
On March 17, 2018, sophomore Zahid Valencia completed an undefeated season and became the 11th national champion in Sun Devil history. His dominance on the mat this year was a continuation of his outstanding freshman campaign. In 2016-17, Valencia garnered Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year and Pac-12 Newcomer/Freshman of the Year awards, the first time in conference history that the same person received both awards. He became a Pac-12 champion (174) and finished third at the NCAA championships. Valencia won four titles and became an All-American. Marcus Mollica won the NCAA Championship competing at 158 pounds in 1993 as a freshman and earned All-Pac-10 and first-team All-American honors that year. Sun Devil wrestling head coach Zeke Jones won the Pac-10 Championship in 1987 as a freshman competing at 118 pounds.
??: @ncaawrestling champ @z_money_97 is just getting started #SunDevilIntensity #NCAAWrestling @craigsmorganhttps://t.co/IaqJOCJ0Yi
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) March 20, 2018
Now, let's turn the tables – here's some of the most famous names in Sun Devil Athletics who DIDN'T earn national or conference accolades as freshmen, but ended up doing quite well.
JAKE PLUMMER – Started nine games for ASU in 1993, completed 51.3 % of his passes for 1,650 yards and nine touchdowns. By his senior year, Plummer was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, and led the Sun Devils into the 1997 Rose Bowl.
PAT TILLMAN – While eventually earning Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1997 and having the award named for him, Tillman recorded 10 tackles in 1994. His first collegiate play from scrimmage? A sack of California quarterback Dave Barr.
FAT LEVER – The point guard for two ASU NCAA Tournament teams (1980, 81), Lever posted a 3.6 point, 1.8 assist average in 29 games in 1978-79. "Fat" would go on to lead the Devils in assists and steals each of the next three seasons, and in 2004 was voted into the Pac-10 Hall of Honor.
ALVIN DAVIS – The sweet-swinging first baseman on ASU's 1981 NCAA title eam came off the bench as a freshman in 1979, playing behind Mike Ancich.
CHRISTY NORE - While her name can be found in several categories in Sun Devil volleyball's career statistics lists, Nore did not earn national or conference honors in 1985.
What this should prove are two things – Arizona State has a long history of successful freshman student-athletes, and this year's Sun Devil freshmen are among the best. Considering the challenges freshmen face adjusting to life at a major university, and the time demands academically and athletically, these student-athletes have proved worthy of everything they have accomplished.