Former Empire standout Kendall Freidinger becomes the 75th athlete to be named Student Athlete of the Year since 1957. Freidinger went 21-1 from the circle for the Ravens, including her second state championship in a row. She collected 280 strikeouts this year in only 123 innings pitched.
The Weber State commit finished high school with 28 college credits to her name with a 4.45 GPA. Freidinger was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
Former Mica Mountain quarterback Jayden Thoreson and former Walden Grove standout RB Robert Cash III earned special recognition and were awarded scholarships worth $250.
KENDALL FREIDINGER IN HER WORDS
When I reflect on the person who has inspired me most throughout my life, without hesitation, I think of my mom. She is the most hardworking, selfless person I know. Her constant support, quiet sacrifices, and unwavering belief in me have shaped me into the athlete, student, and person I am today.
I began playing softball at the age of 10, and from day one, my mom has been my biggest fan. Whether it was early morning practices, long road trips to tournaments, or cold, late nights, she was always there. Before I could drive, she never missed a practice, even when it meant rearranging her work schedule or missing out on personal events. Now, as I prepare to pitch at the collegiate level for Weber State University, I look back and realize that I wouldn’t be here
without her sacrifices.
Her support wasn’t just physical, it was emotional. She’s the one who talked me through the hard days when I felt like giving up, reminded me of my worth after tough games, and celebrated every victory and growth moment with pride. Thanks to her belief in me, I was able to win two state championships while playing for Empire High School, and now I’m fulfilling my dreams of playing at the collegiate level.
Beyond softball, I’ve learned from my mom what it means to be dedicated, compassionate, and resilient. She puts her family first, always setting aside her own wants to help me chase mine. As I pursue a bachelor’s degree in health administration, I carry her lessons with me. I want to build a career where I can help others the way she has helped me, tirelessly and wholeheartedly. This scholarship would support not only my academic and athletic journey, but also honor the values my mom has instilled in me. Her example has inspired me to strive for excellence in everything I do, and I am determined to make her proud.
The Tucson Citizen profiled the city’s finest high school student-athletes from 1957 through 2008. The tradition of recognizing only the very best was continued on the pages of the TucsonCitizen.com website and we have continued this tradition at AllSportsTucson.com since 2014.
TUCSON CITIZEN STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
1957 D.L. Secrist Jr. Tucson High
1958 Donald Parsons Catalina
1959 Edward Brown Flowing Wells
1960 Terry DeJonghe Salpointe
1961 Robert Svob Catalina
1962 Ray Kosanke Tucson High
1963 Michael Aboud Tucson High
1964 Pat McAndrew Flowing Wells
1965 Charles Begley Sunnyside
1966 Eric Evett Catalina
1967 Ron Curry Tucson High
1968 Jeff Lovin Palo Verde
1969 Bruce Pawlowski Salpointe
1970 Dave Henry Sahuaro
1971 Tom Hagen Salpointe
1972 Bill Baechler Palo Verde
1973 Francisco Gomez Pueblo
1974 Richard Rucker Canyon del Oro
1975 Guillermo Robles Sunnyside
1976 Karen Christensen Rincon
1977 Michael Wing Rincon
1978 Craig Barker Amphitheater
1979 Ralph Gay Sunnyside
1980 Kristine Bush Sabino
1981 Lisa Kay Baker Sahuaro
1982 Vickie Patton Marana
1983 Martin Tetreault Sahuaro
1984 Molly Reiling Salpointe
1985 Timothy Roggeman Salpointe
1986 Jon Volpe Amphitheater
1987 Luis A. Padilla Pueblo
1988 Nicole Stern Catalina
1989 Robert Moen Flowing Wells
1990 Grace O’Neill Salpointe
1991 Angel Phillips Rincon
1992 Zenen Salazar Sunnyside
1993 Michelle Vielledent Sahuaro
1994 Julie Reitan Sahuaro and Brady Bennon Sabino
1995 Kelly Yablonski University High
1996 Joe Aguirre Palo Verde
1997 Andy Viner University High
1998 Scott Beck Canyon del Oro
1999 Glenn Schatz University High
2000 Nicole Voelkel University High
2001 Ai-ris Yonekura Catalina Foothills
2002 Philo Sanchez Sunnyside
2003 Tim Ashcraft Sahuaro
2004 Joe Kay Tucson High
2005 Tiffany Hosten Tucson High and Echo Fallon Catalina Foothills
2006 Michael Smith Sunnyside
2007 Tara Erdmann Flowing Wells
2008 James Eichberger Catalina
TUCSONCITIZEN.COM STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
2009 Sun Park Cienega
2010 Christine Clark Tucson High
2011 LeeAndra Smith Palo Verde
2012 Rachel Ward (Pusch Ridge) and Robin Landrith (Ironwood Ridge)
2013 Mally McGarity (Marana) and Asha Esprit (University High)
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.COM STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
2014 Amanda Nicholas Sahuaro
2015 Laura McGeary Flowing Wells and Courtney Brown Flowing Wells
2016 Cheyenne Pitts Mountain View
2017 Jacqueline Igulu Palo Verde
2018 Tyson Corner Marana
2019 Luc Rosenblatt Salpointe
2020 Shana Brown Ironwood Ridge
2021 Rumur Rouille Ironwood Ridge
2022 Tanvi Narendran University High
2023 Sammy Padilla Flowing Wells
2024 Addison Scott Mica Mountain
2025: Kendall Freidinger Empire
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