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 took down a pair of top 10 teams from the Lone Star State this past weekend.
The Wildcats competed at ITA National Indoors in New York City for the first time in program history where they defeated No. 3 Texas on Friday and No. 10 Texas A&M on Sunday. Arizona also fell to No. 6 Wake Forest.
Arizona opened the 16-team tournament with a 4-2 victory over the Longhorns. A full recap can be found here.
Arizona fell to Wake Forest in the quarterfinals 4-2, then responded with a 4-1 victory over Texas A&M in consolation play.
Arizona’s Herman Hoeyeraal earned Pac-12 Men’s Tennis Player of the Week after earning a pair of singles and doubles victories across the three matches. Hoeyeraal delivered the match clinching point against Texas.
The Wildcats (7-2) are sure to jump in the rankings this week. They return home this week to face New Mexico State on Sunday in a doubleheader.
Women’s tennis
Women’s tennis also hit the road last weekend, traveling to Santa Barbara to face future Big 12 opponents Texas Tech and Kansas as well as UC Santa Barbara.
Arizona (7-4) fell to Texas Tech 4-3 in the first match of the weekend, then lost to Kansas 4-0. The Wildcats then beat UCSB 4-2.
Kayla Wilkins led Arizona with a pair of singles victories against Texas Tech and UCSB.
Arizona next competes in the Blue Grey Tennis Classic in Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 23-24.
Track and field
Arizona track and field athletes to three meets in three states over the weekend in one of the last opportunities to secure season best marks ahead of NCAA Indoor Championships next month.
Arizona’s best results came at the NAU Tune Up in Flagstaff, where a trio of Wildcats won competitions.
Youssef Koudssi placed first in the men’s shot put with season best throw of 59-6.75 (18.15m). Teammate Tyler Michelini placed runner-up with a throw of 59-2 (18.03m).
Another Wildcat shot putter, Zach Landa, competed at the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque where he finished 10th overall with a throw of 61-1.5 (18.63m).
The trio’s success moved Arizona up to the No. 1 men’s shot team in the country.
Number one in the nation
For the third week in a row, Arizona men’s shot put ranks first in the nation in the USTFCCCA Event Squad Rankings!
The team has had 3 Wildcats win the event this season: Zach Landa, Tyler Michelini, and Youssef Koudssi! #BearDown | #BeLezoLike pic.twitter.com/iDOtgtKeK4
— Arizona Track & Field/Cross Country (@ArizonaTrack) February 20, 2024
Arizona is also excelling in women’s shot put. Tapenisa Havea won the event at the NAU Tune Up with a throw of 52-4.75 (15.97m). Also in Flagstaff, Emma Gates won the women’s high jump with a season best clearance of 5-10.75 (1.80m). Teammate Diana Ramos placed runner-up with a clearance of 5-8.75 (1.75m).
NCAA Indoor Championships take place in Boston March 8-9.
