The worst Arizona sports moments of 2013-14

May 14, 2014

Steve Nguyen

1- Steve Nguyen / The Daily Wildcat
Track and field head coach Fred Harvey, athletic director Greg Byrne, Lezo Urreiztieta’s father, Izaro Urreiztieta, and Lezo Urreiztieta’s older brother, Gaizka Urreiztieta (pictured), mourn hurdler Lezo Urreiztieta’s death in McKale Center on Jan. 22. Lezo Urreiztieta died in December.
2- File Photo/ The Daily Wildcat
Reporter and longtime friend of Dave Sitton Sean Mooney speaks at the memorial service held for Sitton on Aug. 18, 2013. Sitton worked as a broadcaster for UA football and basketball, and was the men’s rugby head coach for almost 40 years.
3- Tyler Baker / The Daily Wildcat
Sophomore forward Brandon Ashley leaves the court after Arizona’s 87-59 victory against California in McKale Center on Feb. 26. Arizona went 21-0 with Ashley but 12-5 after he suffered his season-ending injury.
4- Tyler Baker / The Daily Wildcat
Arizona junior guard Nick Johnson reacts after Arizona’s 64-63 loss against Wisconsin in the NCAA Elite Eight in Anaheim, Calif., on March 29. While Arizona earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region, it did not make the Final Four.
5- Tyler Baker / The Daily Wildcat
ASU scores a touchdown during the No. 13 Sun Devils’ 58-21 win over Arizona on Nov. 30. The loss was the Wildcats’ second straight to their archrivals.
6- File Photo/The Daily Wildcat
Former Wildcat safety Patrick Onwuasor, who played for Arizona in 2012, was charged with four felonies last summer. Onwuasor was kicked of the UA football team and landed at Portland State in 2013.

Heartbreak in the Elite Eight

After finishing the regular season ranked No. 3 in the country, Arizona earned a No. 1 seed in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.

When the tournament started, many believed this team could win the National Championship. But the Wildcats fell short and lost to Wisconsin 64-63 in overtime in the Elite Eight.

— Luke Della
Follow Luke Della @LukeDella

ASU crushes UA football

The high of blowing out No. 5 Oregon was quickly replaced by the low of getting beaten by No. 13 ASU 58-21.

Arizona had four turnovers as it lost its second straight to ASU and fell to the depressing AdvoCare V100 Bowl in Shreveport, La.

— James Kelley
Follow James Kelley @JamesKelley520

Brandon Ashley suffers season ending injury

Arizona basketball’s season changed dramatically on Feb. 1 when then-sophomore forward Brandon Ashley suffered a season-ending injury in the opening minutes of the game at California.

With Ashley in the lineup, the Wildcats had compiled a 21-0 record. After the injury, Arizona initially struggled to find depth and rebuild with one of its most productive man gone.

— Evan Rosenfeld
Follow Evan Rosenfeld @EvanRosenfeld17

Arizona hurdler dies

One of the biggest tragedies to hit Wildcat country was the death of track and field athlete Lezo Urreiztieta. The junior hurdler and aspiring doctor died on Dec. 21 at University of Arizona Medical Center due to complications following brain surgery.

At his public memorial, friends and family said he was always eager to learn, a terrific brother, a loyal friend and an all-around phenomenal kid.

— Zoe Wolkowitz
Follow Zoe Wolkowitz @zowolko

UA legend Dave Sitton dies

The former voice of Arizona men’s basketball and football, Dave Sitton, passed away unexpectedly last August.

A UA alumnus, he played baseball and rugby. At age 22, he became the UA’s rugby coach and led the team for nearly 40 years. Sitton was also inducted into the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame.

— Daniela Vizcarra
Follow Daniela Vizcarra @Vizcarra_dw

Ex-Wildcat gets busted

Former Arizona football safety Patrick Onwuasor, also known as Peanut, was arrested on four felony charges last summer.

The hard-hitting Onwuasor was allegedly in possession of marijuana for sale, a narcotic drug for sale, narcotics paraphernalia and a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony drug offense.

Onwuasor was dismissed from the UA but is currently listed on Portland State’s football roster.

— Luke Della
Follow Luke Della @LukeDella