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 Wildcats track and field program showed lots of potential in head coach Andrew Dubs’ first year, with the men’s and women’s teams earning top-three finishes at Big 12 Outdoor Championships.
Now Dubs is in his first full offseason as head coach, and it’s been a hectic one already.
Assistant Dino Donig left Arizona to be USC’s new jumps and multis coach. Gabriel Mvumvure (sprints, hurdles, relays) was promoted to associate head coach. And Brian Allen was recently hired as throws coach after a successful stint at Missouri Southern State.
All the while, Arizona has added 16 new athletes, with 14 of them being college transfers. Here’s a rundown of some of the notable signees.
Annaleise Taylor joins the UA from Oregon, where she competed in sprints and hurdles. Taylor, who is from Goodyear, has a 400m hurdles personal best time of 58.43.
Aria Cain is a Portland transfer who competes in the sprints competitions. She has a 60m PB of 7.49 and a 100m PB of 11.78.
Sophie Haag is a Miami transfer who races in the sprints. She has a 60m PB of 7.45, a 100m PB of 11.51 and a 200m PB of 23.74.
Saqqara Ruffin is a Cal transfer who competes in the hurdles. She has a 110m hurdles PB of 13.24.
On the men’s side, Uladzislau Puchko joins Arizona from Virginia Tech, where he used to throw under Dubs. Puchko has a discus PB of 63.94M.
Maurice Woodring is a Western Washington transfer. He has a 400m hurdles PB of 50.60.
Six signees followed Allen from Missouri Southern State. They are: Adrianne Casey (javelin), Keilee Johnson (javelin), Dailynn Vanderen (shot put, hammer), Gabriel Ford (hammer), Tyson Williams (hammer) and Jamale Williams (discuss, shot put).
Triathlon
Wes Johnson’s triathlon program has added Israeli Amit Ben Avida to the 2026 roster. Ben Avida is a multi-time European Junior Cup medalist.
She joins the two-time reigning national champions, who are expected to return most of their roster for the upcoming season.
Arizona has not yet released its schedule.
