Wildcats set to take Tokyo: 7 Cats head to Summer Olympic Games

With the Summer Olympic Games soon set to return, a few former Wildcats will have the distinct honor of representing their home countries. 

The spectacle that is the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, better known in this case as the 2020 (err..2021) Summer Olympic Games, are set to commence July 23rd. Luckily for us, we get to watch as seven Wildcats will represent four countries in four different sports.

With the college sports season all but over with just the finals of the College World Series remaining, attention now turns to the far west, and Tokyo, Japan who is set to host the Summer Olympics.

Arizona Wildcats

It has been quite a long time coming since the outbreak of the pandemic delayed the Olympic Games from last year.

However, Arizona Athletics will have great representation at the games with participants in Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Golf, Softball, and Swimming. All the participating athletes will also be representing the United States, Canada, Philippines, and Mexico.

Softball

Softball makes its triumphant return to the games, and once again the Arizona Wildcats are well represented.

Arizona will send a trio of players to the tournament in Dejah Mulipola (USA), as well as former Wildcats Danielle O’Toole and Taylor McQuillin who will be representing Mexico.

Basketball

The Wildcats will see a pair of guards one current, and one former head to Tokyo in search for Olympic Gold, as Women’s Basketball’s Shaina Pellington will take the court for Canada, while former Wildcats legend Steve Kerr will be on the bench for the United States, serving as an assistant coach.

Diving

Delaney Schnell will look to make her mark in the Diving segment of the Olympics after winning that Platform Dive, and 10-meter synchronized Diving competitions at the U.S. Swimming and Diving Trials.

Schnell marks the 66th Arizona Swimming and Diving alum to take it to Olympic waters. The three-time All-American will now look to add Olympic Medalist to her illustrious collegiate career accolades.

Golf

Bianca Pagdanganan already has a National Championship as a member of the Arizona Women’s Golf Team, and now she has her sights set on an Olympic medal for the Philippines. Pagadanganan was a Gold Medalist at the 2018 Asian Games, so one could say she’s used to competing at the highest of levels.

https://twitter.com/AZATHLETICS/status/1409915265157013504

Are there more former Wildcats that could also potentially participate in the 2021 Summer Olympic Games?

There are still some rosters yet to be announced for a few sports, including most notably Baseball. So there is still the potential for more Wildcats to be announced.

Here at Zona Zealots, we couldn’t be happier to have so many Wildcats to root for on to international glory and would like to wish all of our competing Olympians the very best of luck in the games. No matter what, we couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of you! Be sure to catch all the action on the NBC family of networks once again starting July 23rd! Bear Down, Arizona!

S