Seventeen Desert Speed School athletes were recognized following the 2022 spring softball season, headlined by three players who garnered five Player of the Year honors. After pitching a shutout in the state title game to lead Sabino to the 3A state championship, Southern Utah commit Riley Nielson was named AZPreps365 Region Player of the Year and AllSportsTucson 3A Pitcher of the Year. Meanwhile, her sister Avery Nielson was recognized as AllSportsTucson 3A Freshman of the Year.
At the 4A level, Salpointe shortstop Logan Cole was named AZPreps Region Offensive Player of the Year along with AllSportsTucson 4A Player of the Year, following a career in which she was part of 3 state championships with the Lancers.
Athletes recognized this season include:
Riley Nielson, Sabino – AZPreps365 Region Player of the Year, 1st-team; AllSportsTucson 3A Pitcher of the Year, 1st-team
Logan Cole, Salpointe – AZPreps365 Region Offensive Player of the Year, 1st-team; AllSportsTucson 4A Player of the Year, 1st-team
Avery Nielson, Sabino – AZPreps365 1st-team; AllSportsTucson 3A Freshman of the Year, 2nd-team
Hannah Haggard, Tanque Verde – AZPreps365 1st-team; AllSportsTucson 1st-team
Lauren Sizemore, Catalina Foothills – AZPreps365 1st-team; AllSportsTucson 1st-team
Ashley Stewart, Sabino – AZPreps365 1st-team; AllSportsTucson 1st-team
Skylar Hardin, Cienega – AZPreps365 1st-team; AllSportsTucson 1st-team
Paige Brady, Tanque Verde – AZPreps365 1st-team; AllSportsTucson 2nd-team
Jordy Johnson, Salpointe – AZPreps365 2nd-team; AllSportsTucson 1st-team
Krista Martinez, Salpointe – AZPreps365 2nd-team; AllSportsTucson 1st-team
Lilly Crawford, Desert Christian – AZPreps365 2nd-team; AllSportsTucson 2nd-team
Sydnee Wendel, CDO – AZPreps365 Honorable Mention; AllSportsTucson 2nd-team
Faith Valenzuela, CDO – AZPreps365 Honorable Mention; AllSportsTucson 2nd-team
Lauren Smith, Salpointe – AZPreps365 Honorable Mention; AllSportsTucson 2nd-team
Morgan Faunce, Empire – AllSportsTucson 1st-team
Makena Thompson, Catalina Foothills – AZPreps365 Honorable Mention
Desirre Miranda, Sabino – AZPreps365 Honorable Mention
(Photo credits: Darryl Webb and Rick Wiley, Arizona Daily Star, Andy Morales, AllSportsTucson)
