It looked familiar, didn’t it? It was the same blend of perseverance, ambition and talent coming together at exactly the right time.
Arizona Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2) shoots for a three as she’s defended by Indiana Hoosiers forward Aleksa Gulbe (10) in the first half during the Elite Eight NCAA Tournament regional final game at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on March 29, 2021.
McDonald has rearranged the Mount Rushmore of Arizona women’s athletes. She now takes a place opposite golfer Annika Sorenstam, softball player Jennie Finch and distance runner Amy Skieresz as the four Wildcat female athletes to rise to a rarified air.
If there is any sadness, it’s that henceforth we’ll refer to McDonald in the past tense, the same way we do Finch, Sorenstam and Skieresz. But there are no regrets.
Each got the most out of their ability. You’ll say you were a witness as McDonald played basketball the same way you say you saw Finch pitch Arizona to a national championship, the same way Skieresz won seven NCAA championships, the same way you remember Sorenstam becoming the top golfer in college sports.
Barnes’ first five years as Arizona’s women’s basketball coach were just as difficult as Olson’s. Olson inherited a 4-24 team. Barnes’ second UA team went 6-24. What she overcame to break into national consciousness might’ve broken a lesser coach.
She replaced four assistant coaches.
She replaced eight transfers.
She raised a young son, Matteo, and last fall birthed a baby daughter, Capri.
