Editor’s note: With several sports going on, Wildcat Wrap serves as a recap that focuses on the Arizona programs that we do not have the time to cover on a regular basis but are certainly worthy of recognition.
The No. 6 ranked Arizona men’s tennis program will host the ITA Kickoff this weekend where it’ll open by taking on a familiar foe in USC.
The 4-0 Wildcats are one of 14 teams to host ITA Kickoff qualifiers. The advancing program out of each four-team pod will compete at the ITA National Team Indoor Championship in February.
If Arizona gets past USC, it’ll face either Oklahoma State or UCF.
Arizona is coming off a 6-1 win over No. 9 Florida State last weekend in Tallahassee. The Wildcats dropped the doubles point, then went on to sweep singles.
Arizona also has wins this season over New Mexico State (in a double header) and Georgia State.
Swimming and diving
Arizona swimming and diving swept Minnesota (No. 24 men’s/No. 23 women’s) in the final home meet of the season.
The men won 162-147 while the women came out on top 156-144.
“This was a true team effort today, and to send our Seniors off with a big win was a great feeling,” Arizona coach Ben Loorz said. “Minnesota is a very good squad, but we had so many people step up today, in both small and big ways.”
Arizona won every relay event, and in two events – the men’s 400 medley relay and the men’s 200 free relay – Arizona went 1-2.
Four Wildcats won Big 12 swimming and diving weekly awards.
Haakon Naughton won men’s swimmer of the week by sweeping the butterfly events. Gage DuBois won men’s diver of the week with podium finishes in the 1-meter dive and 3-meter dive.
Brooke Earley won women’s diver of the week by winning the 1-meter dive event and second in the 3-meter dive. And Kayman Neal won women’s newcomer of the week with podium finishes in the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke.
Arizona next competes at ASU on Feb. 8.
Women’s tennis
Women’s tennis is off to a 4-0 start with victories over LMU, UC San Diego, Cal Poly and NAU. Arizona swept the first three matches of the season and beat NAU 5-2.
Arizona will take on No. 6 Pepperdine in Malibu as part of the ITA Kickoff Weekend. The Wildcats will then face Georgia Tech or Florida State.