The Arizona Wildcats are making themselves right at home in the Big 12—and they're bringing the hardware to prove it. For the second straight year since joining the conference, Arizona has produced the Big 12 Player of the Year, and this time, the honor belongs to catcher Sydney Stewart.
Stewart didn't just win the award; she dominated her way to it. The Wildcat backstop claimed the Big 12 Batting Title with a blistering .490 average in conference games, while also leading the league in OPS (1.969), slugging (1.314), RBI (40), and home runs (13) against conference opponents. She played in all 24 league games, proving her durability matched her production. Last season, two-way star Devyn Netz took home the same honor, showing that Arizona's talent pipeline is flowing strong in its new conference home.
But Stewart wasn't the only Wildcat collecting accolades. Centerfielder Regan Shockey earned a share of the co-Defensive Player of the Year award alongside Kansas shortstop Hailey Cripe. Shockey posted a perfect fielding percentage against conference opponents and finished the entire season with a .992 mark. Even more impressive? Despite playing outfield, she was part of three of Arizona's nation-leading 41 double plays and recorded 54 defensive outs in just 24 league games. That's range, arm, and instincts all in one package.
Off the field, senior shortstop Tayler Biehl was named the league's Scholar-Athlete of the Year for softball. A four-year stalwart at shortstop, Biehl carries a perfect 4.00 GPA in nutrition. And while her defense has always been spectacular, she broke out offensively this season, hitting .364 overall and bumping that up to .405 in conference play—fourth on the team behind Stewart, Tele Jennings, and Shockey.
"When I look at these three, it's no surprise, because of the way they live their lives every day," Arizona head coach Caitlin Lowe said about Stewart, Shockey, and Biehl.
In total, nine Wildcats landed on the four all-conference teams, underscoring just how deep this Arizona squad truly is. Whether it's at the plate, in the field, or in the classroom, the Wildcats are proving that excellence runs deep in the desert.