Bear Down and Blog » Brigetta Barrett http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog Wed, 22 May 2013 22:31:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Tweets from Arizona Wildcat Nation http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/09/17/tweets-from-arizona-wildcat-nation/ http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/09/17/tweets-from-arizona-wildcat-nation/#comments Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:44:12 +0000 Christopher C. Wuensch http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/?p=1194 Current and former University of Arizona athletes are making noise on the courts, fields and pools of the world.

They’re also sounding off on Twitter:

.

 

- The Oakland Raiders don’t pay you enough to hire a maid?

 

- Thoman is the second Arizona Olympic silver medalist to be honored by the D-Backs. Last week, Brigetta Barrett sung the National Anthem before the Arizona-Dodgers game

 

You don’t want to anger the Arizona punter, he sounds hungry

- Good thing you transferred to play volleyball at Arkansas

 

- At least you didn’t add “breakfast of champions,” Arizona volleyball middle blocker, Cursty Jackson

 

]]> http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/09/17/tweets-from-arizona-wildcat-nation/feed/ 0 Arizona’s Brigetta Barrett sings national anthem before D-Backs game http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/09/11/arizonas-brigetta-barrett-sings-national-anthem-before-d-backs-game/ http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/09/11/arizonas-brigetta-barrett-sings-national-anthem-before-d-backs-game/#comments Wed, 12 Sep 2012 04:21:14 +0000 Christopher C. Wuensch http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/?p=1193

The Olympic medal around Brigetta Barrett’s neck might be silver, but her voice…well, that’s pure gold.

The University of Arizona senior — still on a victory lap after finishing runner-up in the high jump at this summer’s London Games — sang the national anthem before the first pitch of Tuesday’s Arizona Diamondbacks-Los Angeles Dodgers’ game in Phoenix.

Barrett’s leap (6 feet, 8 inches) was the best ever by collegiate athlete. Unfortunately, the mark doesn’t count toward the NCAA record books. That’s what senior years are for, right?

Since landing on the mat and into the hearts of UA and USA fans, the affable Barrett has been on a whirlwind tour of the state and beyond.

You get the feeling that once her career is over, she’ll have a promising second life on stage.

 

Brigetta Barrett celebrates her high jump silver medal in London. Ronald Martinez – Getty Images

]]> http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/09/11/arizonas-brigetta-barrett-sings-national-anthem-before-d-backs-game/feed/ 1 Arizona’s Brigetta Barrett: From Olympic star to Hollywood starlet http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/18/arizonas-brigetta-barrett-from-olympic-star-to-hollywood-starlet/ http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/18/arizonas-brigetta-barrett-from-olympic-star-to-hollywood-starlet/#comments Sat, 18 Aug 2012 22:54:57 +0000 Christopher C. Wuensch http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/?p=1173
CREDIT: Travis Kleczka

Those fortunate to experience live the women’s high jump event at this summer’s XXX London Olympics either in person or online (NBC’s prime time coverage of the event was miserable), witnessed the international debut of Brigetta Barrett. The affable rising University of Arizona senior won the hearts of many, and the scorn of others, with her pre- and post-jump antics.

By the time the mats were rolled up, the six-time All American (three indoors, three outdoors) had a personal best jump of 6 foot, 8 inches; a silver medal to wear around her neck and a golden smile to charm the country.

Her arrival in the Tucson Airport (see below) was a spectacle reserved usually for rock stars.

Before she returns this fall to defend her back-to-back dual-season titles (she was the first woman in D1 history to win indoor and outdoor titles two years in a row), the theater major might have a new moniker: movie star.

Barrett can be seen in University of Arizona film student Travis Kleczka’s short film “Confessions.” In it, she plays a…a woman who…umm…why don’t you just watch it. She does a great job.

BARRETT RETURNS TO TUCSON

]]> http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/18/arizonas-brigetta-barrett-from-olympic-star-to-hollywood-starlet/feed/ 0 Arizona Wildcats and Tucson athletes in the London Olympics: How they finished http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/12/arizona-wildcats-and-tucson-athletes-in-the-london-olympics-how-they-finished/ http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/12/arizona-wildcats-and-tucson-athletes-in-the-london-olympics-how-they-finished/#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:14:05 +0000 Christopher C. Wuensch http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/?p=1166

Brigetta Barrett shows off her silver medal in the high jump on Saturday in London. Clive Brunskill – Getty Images

 

Twenty athletes with ties to Tucson or the University of Arizona competed in the 2012 XXX London Olympic Games. Between them, they brought home nine medals – including five gold.

 

MEDAL COUNT

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

TOTAL
USA

46

29

29

104
UA/Tucson

5

3

1

9

 

ANDRE IGUODALA – BASKETBALL – GOLD

Won the first Wildcat to win a gold medal in basketball for Team USA in the Lute/post-Lute Olson modern era. Iguodala scored 32 points in eight games.

 

BRIGETTA BARRETT – HIGH JUMP – SILVER

The enigmatic rising UA senior waited until the Games’ penultimate day before receiving its second-highest honor. Her leap of 6 foot, 8 inches was the best jump ever for a college athlete at the Olympics.

 

ALYSSA ANDERSON – SWIM: FREESTYLE RELAY - GOLD

Anderson earned her gold as a member of the qualifying team in the 4X200-meter freestyle relay.

 

NICK THOMAN – SWIM: BACKSTROKE - GOLD & SILVER

Thoman claimed silver, split seconds behind Tucson Ford Aquatics teammate Matt Grevers in the 100-meter backstroke. He took gold as a qualifying member of the men’s 4X100-meter medley relay.

 

MATT GREVERS (TUCSON FORD DEALERS AQUATIC) – SWIM: BACKSTROKE - GOLD (2) & SILVER

The Northwestern alum and Tucson resident followed up an individual gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke by winning gold as a member of the 4X100-meter freestyle relay and silver in the 4X100 freestyle relay.

 

CAITLIN LEVERENZ (SAHUARO HIGH SCHOOL) – SWIM: IM - BRONZE

The Tucson native and California Golden Bear won the first medal of her career in the 200-meter individual medley.

 

Georganne Moline used a personal best effort in the 400-meter hurdles to finish with the fifth best time in the world at the 2012 Olympics. Michael Steele – Getty Images.

GEORGANNE MOLINE - 400-Meter Hurdles – 5th

Ran a personal best 53.92 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles; but it wasn’t enough to land her on the medal stand. Moline finished 5th overall.

 

JULIE LABONTÉ (CANADA) - SHOT PUT – 23rd Q

Her tosses of 17.48 and 17.32 weren’t enough to qualify her for the finals.

 

JILLIAN CAMARENA-WILLIAMS – SHOT PUT – 16th

Her best put of 18.22 wasn’t good enough to land her inside the top 15.

 

ROLAND SCHOEMAN (SOUTH AFRICA) - SWIM: FREESTYLE - 5th & 6th

Schoeman finished the 50-meter freestyle in 21.80, good for 6th place. His South African team finished 5th in the 4X100 freestyle relay.

 

DARIAN TOWNSEND (SOUTH AFRICA) - SWIM: FREESTYLE RELAYS - 5th

Failed to advance past the preliminary rounds in the 200-meter medley; finished 5th as member of South Africa’s 4X100 freestyle relay and 7th in the 4X200-meter freestyle relay.

 

JEAN BASSON (SOUTH AFRICA) - SWIM: FREESTYLE RELAYS - 7th

Finished 7th in the 4X200-meter freestyle relay along with South African and Wildcat teammate Darian Townsend.

 

CLARK BURKLE – SWIM: BREASTSTROKE - 6th

Burckle finished 6th overall in the 200-meter breaststroke.

 

SIMON BURNETT (GREAT BRITAIN) - SWIM: FREESTYLE RELAYS - DNQ

Burnett and Great Britain failed to advance passed qualifying in the 4X100-meter freestyle relay. After the race, Burnett retired from international competition.

 

ABDI ABDIRAHMAN – MARATHON – DNF

Was forced to exit the Marathon at the 46:08 mark with a knee injury. He was 1:10 minutes off the lead at the time.

 

TODD WELLS - CROSS COUNTRY CYCLING – 10th

Wells’ time of 1:31.28 left him in 10th place, 2:21 behind gold medalist Jaroslav Kulhavy of the Czech Republic.

 

ANA MONTOYA (COLOMBIA) - SOCCER – FIRST ROUND

Montoya and Team Colombia went 0-3 with losses to France, North Korea the United States.

 

NICOLAS OLIVEIRA (BRAZIL) – SWIM: FREESTYLE – DNQ

Failed to reach the semifinals in the 100-meter freestyle.

 

ALBERT SUBIRATS ALTES (VENEZUELA) - SWIM: BUTTERFLY – DNQ

Failed to reach the semifinals in the 100-meter butterfly.

 

NIMROD SHAPIRA BAR-OR (ISRAEL) - SWIM: FREESTYLE – DNQ

Failed to reach the semifinals in the 200-meter freestyle.

 

]]> http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/12/arizona-wildcats-and-tucson-athletes-in-the-london-olympics-how-they-finished/feed/ 0 Final Tweets from XXX London Olympics: Arizona Wildcat style http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/12/final-tweets-from-xxx-london-olympics-arizona-wildcat-style/ http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/12/final-tweets-from-xxx-london-olympics-arizona-wildcat-style/#comments Sun, 12 Aug 2012 21:59:36 +0000 Christopher C. Wuensch http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/?p=1165 Current and former University of Arizona athletes, as well as those with Tucson ties, are making lots of noise in the pools, fields and courts of the XXX London Games. They’re also sounding off on Twitter:

 

- Wildcat swimmers Jean Basson of South Africa, left, and Clark Burckle. Photo Tweeted by Clark Burckle @TheClarkB23  

 

- Grevers’ fiance Annie Chandler (@Annie_Channie) is a teammate of the medalist at Tucson Ford Aquatics; Chandler is a former Wildcat NCAA champ

 

- Abdi was forced to leave Sunday’s marathon after suffering a knee injury

 

 

]]> http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/12/final-tweets-from-xxx-london-olympics-arizona-wildcat-style/feed/ 0 Arizona’s Brigetta Barrett wins silver medal, the world reacts http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/11/arizonas-brigetta-barrett-wins-silver-medal-the-world-reacts/ http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/11/arizonas-brigetta-barrett-wins-silver-medal-the-world-reacts/#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2012 19:54:25 +0000 Christopher C. Wuensch http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/?p=1155

“Sometimes you just gotta do things for no reason…” Good to see 2012 Olympic high jumper Brigetta Barrett is keeping loose two weeks before the start of the Olympic games. Photo Tweeted by Brigetta Barrett @bebe3114

University of Arizona’s Brigetta Barrett is more than just a rising senior. She’s a rising star.

As well as a rising entertainer, dancer and motivator.

Barrett claimed a silver medal on Saturday in the women’s high jump, clearing a personal-best 6 feet, 8 inches (2.03 meters). The Wildcat is the first collegiate athlete to hit that mark.

Barrett’ antics and rituals earned her praise and some scorn throughout the world. As those in Tucson know ,the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion is a bit of a free spirit.

The world reacts during the Wappinger Falls, N.Y., native’s record-setting performance at the XXX London Games:

 

 

 

 

 

Brigetta Barrett celebrates her silver medal in the high jump Saturday in London. Ronald Martinez – Getty Images

 

 

 

 

]]> http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2012/08/11/arizonas-brigetta-barrett-wins-silver-medal-the-world-reacts/feed/ 1 Wildcats “edged” out by Oregon at PAC-10 track and field championships http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2010/05/17/wildcats-edged-out-by-oregon-at-pac-10-track-and-field-championships/ http://tucsoncitizen.com/bear-down-and-blog/2010/05/17/wildcats-edged-out-by-oregon-at-pac-10-track-and-field-championships/#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 19:33:05 +0000 Christopher C. Wuensch http://tucsoncitizen.com/in-progress-at-press-time/?p=67 The last time the University of Arizona women’s track and field team finished runner-up at the PAC-10 Outdoor Championships, a little band of ragamuffins named Kris Kross topped the Billboard charts.

Their song “Jump” was the No. 1 hit on May 16 of 1992, but it could easily have been a Wildcat team anthem 18 years later to the day.

Oregon earned it’s second consecutive conference title on Sunday, “edging out” (PAC-10’s media release words, not mine) Arizona 215-109 in Berkeley, Calif.

The second-place finish — despite leading the two-day conference championships after Saturday’s action — has the Wildcats leaping for joy.

It’s the first time the women’s squad has finished runner-up in the PAC-10 since 1992 and their first top-five showing since 1997.

Arizona’s 109 team points bested the women’s previous program record by 13 points.

And all this because the Wildcats got off on the right foot.

Liz Patterson claimed the second high-jump conference crown of her career, leaping 6-feet, 1 ¼ inches in the weekend’s first event.

Before the high jump competition was over, freshman Brigetta Barrett (third place, All Conference honors) and senior Jasmin Day (sixth place) gave the Wildcats 19 team points and a lead they wouldn’t relinquish to the Ducks until Sunday.

Arizona threw some more points onto their pile Saturday morning, using their arms and not their legs.

Julie Labonté won the Wildcats’ second individual PAC-10 title, with a shot put a ½ inch longer than 54 feet.

The freshman wasn’t even 2 years old the last time the UA women finished runner-up in the PAC-10.

The women went on to sweep the top-four shot put positions thanks to freshman Alyssa Hasslen, redshirt junior Kelsey Jessup and freshman Omatayo Talabi, respectively.

By the time the shot put and high jumps were over early Saturday, the Wildcats had already amassed 48 points, one shy of eclipsing the 49 total points they scored at last year’s PAC-10 championships.

Other top Wildcat performers at Berkeley included Junior Maggie Callahan, whose second-place (10:16.86) finish set an Arizona record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, and Christina Rodgers, who finished with a personal-best time in the 800-meter dash. Unfortunatley for Rodgers, her time of 2:04.50 was .14 seconds behind the winner Anne Kesselring of Oregon. 

The men finished a paltry ninth overall, eight spots behind  Oregon, who also claimed its second straight PAC-10 title.

Next up for Arizona is the NCAA West Region Outdoor Championship beginning May 27 in Austin, Texas.

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