Who We Are: Jackson Norwich

Arizona freshman golfer Jackson Norwich's commitment story is rather uncommon. Many recruits commit to play college sports as a high school junior or at the beginning of their senior year. However, Norwich committed two months before arriving on campus. His accelerated timeline was a whirlwind that he rode all the way to the team lineup this fall. It also fulfilled his family's University of Arizona legacy by making the El Paso native a fourth generation Wildcat.

"I grew up in a family of Wildcats with parents who met while going to school at Arizona," Norwich said. "My brothers and I would watch games on television with our parents and drive over to Tucson for football and basketball games as well."

After his brothers enrolled at Baylor and UTEP for college, Norwich began his recruitment process later than most. He picked up golf halfway through high school and grew exponentially as a golfer. He shined in two big tournaments after graduating from Coronado High School and caught the attention of head coach Jim Anderson. By June, Norwich was ready to commit and make the quick turnaround to be on campus in two months.

But first came an important moment to him, telling his parents Mike and Laura.

"My mom was with me at the time, and she was happy for me. My dad was a different story because he was very, very excited. I actually had to tell him to calm down because he was just so happy for me."

Norwich had officially become a Wildcat, following in his parents' footsteps. He was also continuing his family's legacy in Tucson where his grandfather and great grandfather had also attended school.
That whirlwind of his recruitment process had accelerated his arrival on campus. Norwich rode the high speed of that decision through his first semester of college. He cracked the lineup for the nationally-ranked golf team in his first six weeks on campus, which is uncommon for freshmen in college golf.

"It felt really good to compete in the Fall of my freshman year because when you come to Arizona you want to compete," Norwich continued. "You are motivated to practice, qualify and play well in tournaments. Playing in those early tournaments really felt normal and natural. You play alongside your teammates who are great golfers and that helps me have a good mindset."

Norwich played in the team's first event of the season, the Maui Jim Intercollegiate, in Phoenix six weeks after committing. He carded rounds of 69, 68 and 71 to break par. Norwich went on to play in both of the Wildcats' tournaments in Arkansas that were broadcasted on the Golf Chanel as the team finished in the top three in both events.

It's a very uncommon Wildcat Journey for Norwich as a student-athlete to go from uncommitted to playing elite college golf in a matter of months. As Norwich reflects, he sees his journey as an Arizona student-athlete differently.

"A lot of my family and people in my life told me that what I accomplished was very hard, and I just feel like it was because of my focus and determination. To get to this point just feels normal now."
It's like Norwich was born to Bear Down as a fourth generation Wildcat and as a determined college golfer. He was born with the Bear Down spirit of determination, and he continues to grow this core value of Arizona's "Wildcat Way".