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.
Fresh off one of the best postseason runs in program history, the Arizona men’s golf program is getting a test of where it stands against top-ranked teams at this week’s East Lake Cup in Atlanta, Georgia.
Arizona finished fourth of out of four teams in the stroke play portion of the tournament. The Wildcats shot one-over par, behind Auburn (13-under), Oklahoma State (11-under) and UCLA (8-under).
The four programs were the semifinalists in last year’s NCAA Championships. Arizona fell to UCLA in the national semifinal match. Auburn went on to beat UCLA for the national title.
Tianyi Xiong led Arizona Monday in stroke play with a 2-under to finish sixth individually.
On Tuesday, Arizona fell to Auburn in match play by a score of 4-1. The lone point came from Xiong. Auburn is the No. 3 team in the nation. Arizona entered the tournament unranked.
In addition to Xiong, Arizona’s starting lineup incudes returners William Wistrand and Matej Baca. Arizona has two newcomers in its lineup: UTRGV transfer Jorge Sampedro and freshman Adam Fahey.
Swimming and diving
Swimming and diving earned a split against SMU in a home meet over the weekend.
The Wildcats women won 211-89 while the men lost 155-144.
Kelsey Wasikowski led the women with a pair of individual wins in the 100 yard breast and 200 yard breast. She was also part of a first-place relay in the 200 yard medley relay.
Tomas Lukminas guided the men with wins in the 50 yard free and 100 yard free. He was part of the 400 yard free relay that took first place.
Arizona next competes in a four-team meet in Los Angeles on Nov. 7 between former Pac-12 rivals UCLA, USC and ASU.
Women’s golf
The women’s golf team competed at the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate last week, finishing in a tie for fifth in a crowded field.
Arizona shot 5-over par across three rounds. Champion Oregon led the field with a 28-under.
Sophomore Kinsley Ni finished second overall with a score of 9-under. Ni was the only Wildcats golfer to shoot under par.
Arizona has the rest of the year off before returning in February for the Thunderbird Intercollegiate, which will be held at Tucson Country Club.