Kelly Nielson Sahuaro softball • senior • 5-8 ● The lowdown: Nielson is a four-year varsity starter for the Cougars, but is modest when it comes to her own statistics. Kelly says she cannot recall her record as the Cougars' ace this year - she is 5-1 - or what her batting average is (.438). What Nielson does know is that she's one of the few upperclassmen on a team that includes five freshmen. When softball was not in season, Nielson was a starter for the Sahuaro soccer team. ● Position on the field: Nielson is a utility player who plays a number of positions for the Cougars. She can pitch, or play shortstop, first base or third base. ● Favorite position on the field: Shortstop. A position Nielson says she rarely gets to play. ● Favorite major-league shortstop: Derek Jeter. ● Sahuaro's new coach: Nielson has nothing but good things to say about new coach Steve Sanchez, who took over for the venerable Billy Lopez before the season. "I think it is working well. Everyone works a lot harder." ● Father knows best: Kelly's father, Pete, began coaching his daughter at age 10. Before each game, Pete has Kelly pitch three innings to get warmed up. ● Spread it around: When asked about former UA star Jennie Finch, Nielson wondered why other players do not get as much credit. "She's a good pitcher. I think she gets too much credit. I really don't like her." ● Future Aztec: Kelly plans to play collegiately next season at Pima. She was recruited to play pitcher and shortstop. ● Speaking of Pima: Nielson said current Pima player Lisa Parks would be the toughest batter to face. Nielson could not think of the toughest batter she has faced in high school softball. ● Nielson is on the mound, but no one is at the plate: Nielson said she would never want to face a professional baseball or softball player if she could pick anyone to throw fastballs at. "No, because I don't want to be embarrassed when they rip a shot against me." ● Greatest softball moment: "My freshman year, when we were state runner-up." ● Favorite practice drill: "Dig, dig, digs." The coach hits pop-ups and Nielson makes diving catches. "I like diving." ● Nielson can go the distance: During a game against Ironwood Ridge, Nielson pitched 13 innings. The game was called because of darkness, and ended in a 3-3 tie. ● The talented Nielsons: Kelly is the youngest of six siblings. Four other siblings have played college sports. Sister Randi currently is playing softball at Marshall, and brother Scott is playing baseball at Clarke College in Iowa.

 

● Softball Down Under: During winter break in 2003, Nielson played softball in Australia for the Stars. The team's roster included players from across the United States. A highlight of Nielson's visit to Australia was seeing Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, when she visited the Australia Zoo. ● A little help from mom: Kelly knows she grew up playing softball, but mom remembers how she started. "She grew up under the bleachers eating dirty candy," her mother, Lisa, said. "Any time she was missing, I looked under the bleachers." ● Coach-speak: "Kelly is a highly determined player. The best thing about her right now is her leadership skills. She has been the cornerstone of this team. We are a young team and her leadership skills have really made a difference." - Sahuaro coach Steve Sanchez Naji Barakat Marana tennis • sophomore • 5-5 ● The lowdown: Barakat and his brother, Ashraf, taught themselves to play tennis by watching professionals and duplicating their mechanics. Now, Naji - a sophomore - is the No. 2 singles player at Marana and plans to make a splash at this year's Class 4A Sonoran Regional and state tournament. ● Favorite movie: "Groundhog Day." "The way (Bill Murray) acts is timeless." ● But what about Murray cheering on Illinois against the Wildcats: "It kind of dropped his stock. But still, he's a great actor." ● Favorite food: Mom's Middle-Eastern cooking ... too much good stuff to pick just one dish. ● Racket of choice: Prince ● If you could play anyone: Roger Federer. "I've seen him hit so many incredible shots on TV. I'd love to see him firsthand. Maybe I could learn from him." ● A safe bet: "I'd put my money on Federer." ● The recipe for a great doubles partner: "It would need to be someone I could have fun with and joke with, but also knows when to be serious." ● The clothes make the man: Barakat's attire changes during a match. "If we really need the match, I have the visor straight on. But if our team has the match won, I wear it sideways ... more relaxed." ● Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant. "If you've ever seen him play, it's just amazing what he does." ● Change the game: "Maybe I'd make the court a little bigger. It would make things a little easier on me." ● Dream job: Computer engineer. ● There's no place like Cali: Although Barakat has traveled to Palestine and Spain, he says California is still the place to be. ● If you could play anywhere: Wimbledon. "It's the history. There is so much tradition there." ● Aspirations after graduation: "I want to go to the U of A and become an engineer. I would like to play tennis at UA, but I realize how hard it is, so I am focused on academics right now." ● A simple formula for a good tennis player: "You have to have self control, but also have to be competitive. You can't have a short fuse, and you also have to be a good athlete. Oh, and it is also a lot about strategy ... you have to find an opponent's weaknesses." ● Coach-speak: "He has this amazing ability to break down his opponent's play. He really rallies his upperclassmen and peers, and he never complains. I definitely see him continuing to be a leader on our team and one of our top players for the next two years. He is one of the most respectful players I have ever been around." - Marana coach Kristin Bourguet