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 Arizona men’s and women’s tennis teams are expected to be competitive in the Big 12 this season, according to preseason polls voted on by the league’s coaches.
Men’s tennis was picked to finish second in the conference behind TCU. Arizona received one first-place vote. Clancy Shields’ program
finished runner-up in the Big 12 last season, then won the conference tournament.
No. 11 ranked Arizona has won conference regular season or tournament championships four consecutive seasons under Shields. The UA gets its season underway this weekend at the Hidden Dual in Boca Raton, Florida.
The women’s team, coached by Ryan Stotland, was picked to finish sixth in the conference. Coaches picked Oklahoma State to win the Big 12.
Women’s tennis finished fifth in the conference last year after being picked ninth in the preseason poll. Arizona lost in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
Arizona opens the season next Friday when it hosts UC San Diego and UC Davis.
Swimming and diving
Arizona women’s swimming and diving hosts NAU this Friday. The Wildcats are ranked No. 24 after taking down Texas A&M last month.
Eleni Gewalt last week was named the Big 12 Swimmer of the Week for her performance against the Aggies. Gewalt, a senior, placed first in the 100 breast and 400-medley relay and also placed second in the 200-medley relay and third in the 200 breast, 200-free relay, and 400-free relay.
Men’s swimming returns to the pool next Friday and Saturday when they compete in the Big 12 West, a five-team meet in Tempe that includes ASU, BYU Kansas and Utah. Arizona is up to No. 17 in the rankings after beating Texas A&M.
Women’s golf
Three Arizona women’s golfers are competing this week in amateur competitions.
Freshman Sara Vitasek is competing at the Women’s Orlando International Amateur in the Hills, Florida.
Senior Julia Misemer is representing Arizona Wildcats at the South Atlantic Women’s Amateur Championship in Ormond Beach, Florida.
Junior Maria Cabanillas is competing at the The South American Amateur in her home country of Argentina.
The women’s golf team will begin its spring season when it hosts the Thunderbird Collegiate on Feb. 9-10 at Tucson Country Club.
