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SOFTBALL SENIOR WEEKEND

This is a pivotal week for Arizona Softball as it hosts rival UCLA in the final series of the regular season. The much-anticipated four-game tilt with the Bruins is also senior weekend for our seven tremendous seniors on the roster. Fans should take note the series begins on Thursday at 7 p.m. (MST) this week to accommodate for the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday.


 
Seniors Reyna Carranco, Alyssa Denham, Jessie Harper, Mariah Lopez, Malia Martinez, Dejah Mulipola and Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza truly represent a decorated and exceptional senior class that has achieved so much on the field, in the classroom and in the community as individual greats but also as a team. Their journeys as Wildcats have embodied the pinnacle of our student-athlete experience, and we know all seven of them are Wildcats for Life!
 
We also want to congratulate the three seniors who were selected in Monday's Athletes Unlimited professional softball draft as the only school to have multiple players drafted. It was another terrific achievement in the careers of these Wildcat greats.
 
Even with our increase to 30 percent capacity for all outdoor sporting events, we have already sold all our tickets for all of the series' games. Three of the series' four games will air on Pac-12 Networks with the second half of Saturday's doubleheader airing on ESPNU. The series will wrap up on Saturday ahead of Sunday's NCAA Selection Show, which airs at 6 p.m. (MST) on ESPN2.
 
HISTORICAL MEN'S TENNIS SEASON



The all-time winningest season in Arizona Men's Tennis history continues its record-breaking ways as the team won its first two matches of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
 
Coach Shields and the Wildcats have showed us all what our Bear Down spirit of determination can do in their NCAA tournament wins over No. 12 Michigan and No. 17 Kentucky. They continue to reach new heights in exciting fashion while adding new chapters to the record book. Alejandro Reguant picked up his 143^rd career win in the victory over Kentucky to break the program's all-time overall wins record.
 
Arizona Men's Tennis isn't done yet as the magical ride will continue versus No. 3 Tennessee in the Sweet 16 at 7 a.m. (MST) on Monday, May 17 in Orlando. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
STUDENT-ATHLETE CONVOCATION



We will host our annual Student-Athlete Convocation on Thursday, which is one of our most memorable events. It is always a special day for our class of graduates as they celebrate all of their accomplishments and fulfill their dreams of becoming college graduates. We will be able to safely host this important celebration inside the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center and will be livestreaming the proceedings for family, friends and fans to tune in.
 
This particular group of Wildcats will always be remembered for overcoming the unprecedented obstacles of the last year and a half while achieving new levels of success in their sport, in the classroom and in our Southern Arizona community. We've set academic records, crowned champions and achieved true excellence during their time as student-athletes.
 
Please join us in recognizing this elite class as they begin the next chapters of their lives as alumni of the University of Arizona. They have proudly represented the Wildcat Family, and we are excited to see them continue their roles as ambassadors in the future as alumni. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
WOMEN'S GOLF OFF TO NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS



Arizona Women's Golf turned in an outstanding third and final round at the Stanford Regional earlier today, shooting 5-under par to advance to NCAA Championships for a third consecutive season. Senior Yu-Sang Hou shot a career low round of 66 on Wednesday as the Wildcats jumped USC and Florida to finish in fifth place.
 
Our women's golf student-athletes, coaches and staff have done a tremendous job of overcoming adversity this season and are playing their best golf of the year. Congratulations and a tip of the cap to the program on a job well done.
 
Next stop for Coach Ianello and the Wildcats is Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale to compete for a fourth national title in program history with the NCAA Championships beginning on Friday, May 21. We will include additional television and schedule information in next week's Wildcat Wednesday.
 
TRACK & FIELD OFF TO PAC-12'S



Arizona Track & Field begins their outdoor postseason this weekend at Pac-12 Championships in Los Angeles. This spring has been full of outstanding performances by Wildcats in a variety of events, which includes freshman Johnnie Blockburger who has broken 400-meter records while winning a handful of races. The freshman from Tucson is among a number of Wildcats on the men's side who have posted top 15 marks in the NCAA this year, which also includes throwers Israel Oloyede and Jordan Geist as well as high jump specialist Justice Summerset among others.
 
The women's side has also turned out some tremendous performances that have been among the best in the NCAA. These include Sam Noennig in the shotput and Shannon Meisberger in the 400-meter hurdles. Arizona has also seen a trio of student-athletes dominate the high jump as Lillian Lowe, Karla Teran and Alexa Porpaczy have all shined in the event with top marks in the NCAA.
 
Both the men's and women's teams enter the week in the top 20 of the national polls and will begin their championship weekend on Friday, May 14. Sunday's events will be broadcasted by Pac-12 Networks, and you can follow the action on ArizonaWildcats.com and @ArizonaTrack on social media. Best of luck to all our Wildcats competing for Pac-12 championships. We are all cheering you on!
 
ARIZONA BASEBALL RETURNS HOME



With an overall record of 32-13, Arizona Baseball returns to the friendly confines of Hi Corbett Field atop the Pac-12 standings. The Wildcats will host Washington this weekend in their final home conference series of the season, beginning with a first pitch at 6 p.m. (MST) on Friday, May 14.
 
The program continues to earn high rankings in the national polls while extending its historic season as one of the best hitting teams in America. Freshman Jacob Berry is one of our dynamic hitters and is posting an impressive campaign for national freshman of the year awards.
 
As we noted in last week's Wildcat Wednesday, we have raised our capacity at outdoor events to 30 percent. We will safely welcome more fans to cheer on our student-athletes and enjoy our gameday experience. You can click here to purchase your tickets to Bear Down with Arizona Baseball.
 
MEN'S GOLF OFF TO REGIONALS



Our Pac-12 champion Men's Golf team is off to NCAA Regionals after taking home a haul of Pac-12 awards. Brad Reeves was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and Jim Anderson was voted Coach of the Year. Brad was joined by Trevor Werbylo on the All-Pac-12 First Team while David Laskin and Chase Sienkiewicz were selected to the All-Pac-12 Second Team. The Wildcats' string of awards were the most Pac-12 honors in a season since 2004. Tip of the cap to all our men's golf student-athletes on these well-earned accolades and on this terrific season.
 
Coach Anderson and the Wildcats are off to the state of Washington for the Cle Elum Regional outside of Seattle. The team will tee off on Monday, May 17 at Tumble Creek Golf and Country Club and begin another postseason run. You can follow the Cats at NCAA Regionals on ArizonaWildcats.com as well as @ArizonaMGolf on social media platforms.

WEAR THE COLORS – SHARE THE PHOTOS

Send us your photos of you wearing the colors while staying safe!

Thank you for wearing the colors and sharing your Arizona pride! Make sure to take a picture the next time you are wearing the colors and send it to us, we just might include it in next week's Wildcat Wednesday! And even if your photo submission doesn't make  next week's edition, please check our "Wear the Colors" album at facebook.com/ArizonaAthletics on Fridays.
 
NOTE: Please submit photos for Wildcat Wednesday with an original email to uofaad@arizona.edu using the subject line 'Wildcat Wednesday photo.' Also, please ensure all submissions are clear and properly lit. We also ask that you identify everyone in the photo so we can highlight them accordingly.

Stay Safe, Bear Down and Mask Up!
 
Dave Heeke
Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu