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.
For Arizona women’s golf to make a run at the national championship next spring, it’ll need to win in a match play format.
Arizona is getting a taste of match play this week as it competes at the NB3 Matchplay in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. The Wildcats controlled the first day of action by beating New Mexico State 4-1 in their first match, followed by a 5-0 win over New Mexico later in the day.
Arizona will compete against Texas A&M in a final match Wednesday afternoon. The tournament is being televised on the Golf Channel.
Arizona secured nine points Tuesday (one point for every matchup won) and leads Texas A&M by one point. Senior Nena Wongthanavimok won points in the first spot of the rotation in both Tuesday matches.
Arizona coach Giovana Maymon has plenty of familiarity with Arizona’s final opponent, having served as an assistant coach at Texas A&M for three seasons before taking the UA head coaching job in June 2024.
Swimming and diving
Arizona swimming and diving released its 2025-26 schedule last week.
The Wildcats open the season this Friday when they host ASU, GCU and NAU in the All-Arizona Showdown.
Arizona has road non-conference meets at SMU/TCU, Texas and NC State and also hosts USC and Texas A&M. In January the UA will compete at the Big 12 West, a meet featuring several Big 12 programs (ASU, Utah, BYU and Kansas).
Arizona closes the regular season by hosting ASU on Feb. 7.
The Big 12 Championships will be held Feb. 24-28 in Greensboro, N.C. The NCAA Championships take place in mid-March in Atlanta.
Arizona is in its second season under coach Ben Loorz.
Men’s tennis
Arizona’s Jay Friend is competing at the Fairfield Challenger tournament in Northern California this week. Friend advanced to the main draw of the ATP Challenger Tour event by winning a pair of qualifier matches and then won again on Tuesday to reach the round of 16.
Friend will face American Michael Mmoh, the No. 8 seed, on Wednesday with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.
Friend is coming off an ITA All-American championship in late September. He became the first Arizona tennis player to a win a national tournament.
“Jay continues to prove himself on every stage,” Arizona coach Clancy Shields said. “He’s showing the resilience, competitiveness, and talent that make him one of the brightest young players in college and professional tennis.”
