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 track and field sprinter Mason Lawyer was named the Big 12 Outdoor Performer of the Year after sweeping the 100m and 200m dashes at last weekend’s Big 12 Championships.
Lawyer, a senior, transferred to Arizona last year from Washington State after the school reduced its sprint
program.
At Big 12 Championships, Lawyer ran a 9.93 wind-aided time in the 100m, setting a school and facility record. He followed it up with a 20.02 time in the 200m, which ranks as the No. 4 mark in the NCAA this season. Lawyer was also part of the Wildcats’ 4×100 relay that finished runner-up to Houston with a time of 38.62.
“It’s huge that I was able to get this accomplishment,” Lawyer said. “It’s nice having an actual conference to compete in and being able to calculate where I stack up throughout the year. I put in all this hard work, so it’s great that it doesn’t go unnoticed. To be at the top of a powerful conference like the Big 12 is huge. It shows that I’ve got it going into nationals and that I’m able to compete at a high level. Hopefully this helps me continue building toward my last couple meets and eventually into the post-collegiate world.”
Lawyer and the Arizona track and field programs will next compete at the NCAA West First Round beginning May 27 in Fayetteville, Ark.
Men’s tennis
Arizona men’s tennis coach Clancy Shields landed a big transfer this week, as former GCU player Tristan Berard signed with the Wildcats.
Berard started at No. 1 singles for much of the season, totaling 15 wins. The 21-year old from France has three years of remaining eligibility.
“We’re really excited to have Tristan join the program,” Shields said. “I loved watching the way he went about his business this fall. He’s serious about improving, competes the right way, and has a very mature approach to his tennis. He’s the type of person that fits our culture naturally. It’s a great day for Arizona Tennis.”
Arizona also brings in freshman Sander Siversten of Norway, who signed with the program last fall.
The Wildcats are expected to return nearly all of their roster from the 2025-26 season that saw the UA advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in school history. Jay Friend is the only departing senior on the team.
Men’s golf
Arizona’s Zach Pollo and Filip Jakubcik became the first UA golfers to win an NCAA Regional since 2009, as the duo 15-under to lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Championships.
Pollo and Jakubcik join a list that includes current and former pros Robert Gamez, Harry Rudolph and Ricky Barnes.
A full recap of Arizona’s dominant run through the NCAA Marana Regional can be found here.
The Wildcats will compete at NCAA Championships from May 29-June 3 in Carlsbad, Calif.
