Destanee Nez, Adriana Machado, Julia Holt & Cody Raetzman earn college recognitions

By Andy Morales

Posted on April 19, 2026

Former Canyon del Oro standout Destanee Nez was named ACCAC DI Pitcher of the Week. Nez went 3-0 across three appearances, totaling 14 innings while allowing three earned runs on 11 hits. She struck out 12 to lead Eastern Arizona to a three wins over Yavapai.

Former Canyon del Oro pitcher Adriana Machado was named ACCAC DI Pitcher of the Week. Machado went 2-0 with two complete games, throwing 14 innings while allowing just three earned runs on seven hits. She struck out 13 to lead Pima to a pair of wins over Mesa and Glendale.

Former Canyon del Oro Pitcher Julia Holt was named “Soul of the Team” by Howard University.

Former Salpointe standout Cody Raetzman (Minot State) named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. The NFF Hampshire Honor Society is chosen annually and comprised of college football players from all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA and sprint football who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers.

This list will be updated all year in an effort to recognize all former local prep stars who have gone on to win either academic and/or athletic awards at the next level. These are not high school awards but collegiate and professional recognition. If you are aware of anything I have missed along the way, please let me know. amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com

Portions from news release.

Julia Holt/Softball
Canyon del Oro/Howard
MEAC Preseason First Team (2/1)
MEAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year (1/29)
MEAC Pitcher of the Week (2/10)
Howard Soul of the Team Award (4/16)

Destanee Nez/Softball
Canyon del Oro/Eastern Arizona
ACCAC D-I Pitcher of the Week (2/23)
ACCAC D-I Pitcher of the Week (4/15)

Adriana Machado/Softball
Canyon del Oro/Pima
ACCAC D-II Pitcher of the Week (4/15)

Cody Raetzman/Football
Salpointe/Minot State
NFF Hampshire Honor Society (4/9)

Isaiah Hill/Basketball
Pueblo/Pima
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (1/22)
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (2/5)
ACCAC D-II Player of the Year (3/2)
ACCAC D-II Freshman of the Year (3/2)
Region First Team (3/2)
Best Small Man Award (320)
First Team NJCAA Division II All-American (4/8)

Audrey Jimenez/Wrestling
Sunnyside/Lehigh
Super Region 2 Champion (2/21)
USA Wrestler to Watch (3/5)
NCAA All-American (3/6)
NCAA National Champion (3/7)
NCAA Outstanding (3/7)
NCAA Most Dominant (3/7)
NCAA Scholar All-American (3/13)
NCAA Region 2 Wrestler of the Year (3/20)
NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year (3/24)
USA Wrestling Anthony-Maroulis Trophy (4/3)

Belen Camacho/Softball
Pueblo/Pima
ACCAC Pitcher of the Week (3/18)

Lillian Gradillas-Flores/Wrestling
Mountain View/Southern Oregon
NAIA National Duo star performer (1/14)
Cascade Collegiate Conference Champion (3/1)
NAIA Scholar All-American (3/13)
NAIA National Champion (3/14)
NAIA All-American (3/14)

Sergio Vega/Wrestling
Sunnyside/Oklahoma State
Big 12 Champion (3/7)
NCAA All-American (3/20)
NCAA National Champion (3/21)

Anthony Echemendia/Wrestling
Sunnyside/Iowa State
NCAA All-American (3/21)

Michael Masunas/Football
Sabino/Texas
Texas Football Student of the Week (3/13)

Owen Kramkowski/Baseball
Walden Grove/Arizona
Big 12 Preseason Team (2/5)
Big 12 Pitcher of the Week (3/9)

Danny Knapp/Track and Field
Rio Rico/Pima
NJCAA All-American (3/8)

Tayvien Biancuzzo/Track and Field
Mica Mountain/Pima
NJCAA All-American (3/8)

Noah Macias/Track and Field
Mica Mountain/Pima
NJCAA All-American (3/8)

Elizabeth Ugwu/Track and Field
Sahuaro/Pima
NJCAA All-American (3/8)

Brian Peabody/Basketball
Sahuaro/Pima Coach
ACCAC D-II Coach of the Year (3/2)

Dylan Arvayo/Track and Field
Mountain View/Colorado Springs
RMAC Indoor Heptathlon Champion (2/28)

Bryce Cotton/Basketball
Palo Verde/Adelaide 36ers
NBL MVP (2/23)
NBL26 Three Pointer Award (2/23)
Adelaide MVP (2/27)
Members’ Choice Award (2/27)

Bria Medina/Basketball
Salpointe/Knox
Midwest Conference Player of the Year (2/26)
Midwest Conference First Team (2/26)