STANFORD, Calif. – Today's edition of Fast Five takes a closer look at five freshmen standouts who were making an immediate impact prior to the nationwide cancellation of the NCAA's winter/spring seasons because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Stanford teams across the board boasted incredible rookie talent during the 2019-20 campaign, but today we're taking a moment to recognize five notable newcomers whose seasons were cut short. Some were close to wrapping up while others were just getting started.
One thing is for sure: we look forward to their continued success next year.
Brandon Briones • Men's Gymnastics • Gilbert, Ariz.
With eight different gymnasts combining for a program-record 16 All-America honors, the top-ranked Cardinal boasted incredible depth and was poised for an exciting final month in its bid to repeat as NCAA champion. One of the main reasons was Briones, who finished his season as an All-American on vault and in the all-around. A four-time CGA Rookie of the Week, three-time MPSF Gymnast of the Week and two-time CGA Gymnast of the Week, Briones won 10 event titles overall and ranked among the nation's top-10 in national qualifying average (NQA) on all-around (3rd - 82.633), vault (6th - 14.617), rings (9th - 13.883) and bars (10th - 13.883).
Jay Browne • Lacrosse • Dallas, Texas
The Cardinal's 3-4 record might not immediately grab your attention. Until you realize that all four losses came against top-10 teams and by an average of 3.2 points. With conference play just beginning, first-year head coach Danielle Spencer's squad was just getting started, with an offense ranking 18th in the nation in scoring. A starter since day one, Browne produced a team-high four goals and two assists in her debut against No. 10 Denver and never looked back. So, how did Browne wrap up the first month of her collegiate career? A team-high nine assists while ranking second in points (22), tied for fourth in goals (13) and fifth in shots (24).
Shane Griffith • Wrestling • Westwood, N.J.
With only the NCAA Championships remaining, Griffith's redshirt freshman season was nearly complete. And what a season it was shaping up to be. After wrestling unattached last season, Griffith made his presence felt by being named Pac-12 Wrestler and Newcomer of the Year. Griffith was an easy choice, compiling a 28-0 record on his way to the best start to a career in school history while leading the Cardinal in wins and falls. A finalist for the Dan Hodge Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top wrestler, Griffith made his final meet count, capturing the Pac-12 title at 165 pounds on March 7 at the Pac-12 Championships at Maples Pavilion and qualifying for NCAA's.
Alana Vawter • Softball • Kansas City, Mo.
Fresh off its first NCAA appearance since 2013, the Cardinal was on the brink of attaining a top-25 ranking and ready to carry a solid 22-4 record into Pac-12 play. The hot start was thanks in large part to a 1.51 team ERA, good enough for third in arguably the nation's strongest conference. Vawter was certainly acclimating to her role, leading the Cardinal in wins (9), appearances (15), starts (11), innings pitched (61.1), strikeouts (52) and complete games (6) while posting a 1.48 ERA. Not to mention, Vawter had already tossed four shutouts, a total which ranked tied for third in the Pac-12 and tied for 12th in the nation.
Emma Wheal • Women's Swimming • Austin, Texas
For the sixth straight season, the Pac-12's Freshman of the Year came from The Farm, with Emma Wheal becoming the Cardinal's 10th recipient in school history and the latest in a who's-who of Taylor Ruck (2019), Brooke Forde (2018), Katie Ledecky (2017), Ella Eastin (2016) and Simone Manuel (2015). Leading the Cardinal to its fourth consecutive Pac-12 crown, Wheal recorded the most points (104.5) of any freshman at the conference meet and finished 12th overall. She was part of the championship-winning 200-yard medley relay squad, swam the anchor in the runner-up 200-yard freestyle relay and established personal bests in the 50-free, 100-free and 100-butterfly. Wheal was one week away from helping Stanford chase its fourth straight NCAA title.