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.
Arizona men’s tennis senior Colton Smith has secured his place atop the program record books.
Smith, the No. 3 ranked player in the country, became the winningest singles player in school history last week with 97 wins, passing former teammate Nick Lagaev with 96. Smith reached the milestone in No. 10 Arizona’s 7-0 sweep over Utah State. Later Friday, the Wildcats swept Loyola Marymount by the same score.
Arizona then defeated No. 25 Pepperdine Sunday by a score of 4-0 to move to 8-1 on the year.
Smith was a 2024 All-American, Arizona’s first since 2006. He has already found success at the professional level, including winning an ATP Challenger title earlier this month.
Arizona returns to action next Friday with a big home match against No. 9 San Diego. The match will feature three of the top five collegiate singles players: Smith, USD’s No. 2 Oliver Tarvet and Arizona’s No. 5 Jay Friend.
Women’s tennis
Arizona women’s tennis has a chance to bolster its resume this weekend when it hosts a pair of top 25 ranked teams.
The Wildcats (5-3) will face No. 24 UC Santa Barbara Friday, then take on No. 23 Texas Tech Sunday.
Arizona has lost its last three matches. The UA has two players ranked in the top 125: No. 34 Josie Usereau and No. 121 Midori Castillo.
Swimming and diving
Arizona junior Paige Armstrong received Big 12 Swimmer of the Week honors for her performance against ASU this past weekend.
Armstrong won the 100 Back with a season-best time of 52.89 and finished second in the 200 Back in 1:56.96.
At the same meet in Tempe, Arizona’s divers cleaned up, as Zara Ayazi swept the women’s 1m and 3m, while Gage DuBois swept the men’s 1m and 3m.
The Arizona women’s 200 free relay earned an NCAA “A” Cut time and set a pool record with a mark of 1:27.75.
The Arizona women fell to ASU 190-110, while the men lost 227-73.
