Jake Lacey/Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore Juliette Mavroleon and the No. 59 Wildcats (2-0) defeated No. 63 Pacific (0-1) 6-1 on Saturday at the Robson Tennis Center. It was the first home meet of the season for both the men's and women's tennis teams.

Track teams improving, coaches say

The Arizona men's and women's track and field teams continued their success this weekend as the team split between the University of Washington Indoor Invitational in Seattle and the Arizona/California Invitational in Flagstaff.

In Seattle, the Wildcats' distance team had its first NCAA indoor automatic qualifier of the season Saturday when senior distance runner Robert Cheseret posted a personal best time of 7:50.40 in the 3,000 meter.

The All-American Cheseret did an awesome job, Arizona distance coach James Li said.

"He ran his personal best," Li said. "You can't argue about that for his first race of the year."

Senior distance runner Jonah Maiyo, Arizona's other All-American, also posted a NCAA indoor qualifying mark by finishing second overall in the mile with a time of 4:01.86.

In Flagstaff, two new athletes posted NCAA indoor provisional qualifying marks while two others improved their time.

In the women's short sprints and hurdles, junior sprinter Nikki Martin posted an NCAA indoor provisional qualifying time in the 60-meter dash. Martin finished the 60 No. 2 overall and posted a new personal best time of 7.36.

Senior sprinter Jennifer Whitlock also posted an NCAA indoor provisional qualifying time in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.43.

In the women's weight throw, senior thrower Sara Vigil broke another school record and set a new personal best for the second consecutive week by with a toss of 19.95m. Vigil finished second overall.

Arizona track and field head coach Fred Harvey said he definitely sees a steady improvement in his team and is excited about the impact the women are making.

"I'm definitely pleased ... with the direction of where the program is going," Harvey said.

- Cassie Blombaum

Claire C. Laurence/Arizona Daily Wildcat Wildcat junior swimmer Whitney Myers rushes through the water during her winning effort in the 400-meter individual medley on Friday. Arizona defeated the Texas Longhorns for the first time in 17 years.

Swim, dive sink Longhorns in final home meet of season

The Arizona men and women's swimming and diving teams went out on a high note this weekend, beating Texas in their final home meet of the season.

The No. 5 Arizona men's team (4-2, 2-2 Pacific 10 Conference) beat No. 6 Texas (3-3) by a score of 195-155 for their first win in 17 years over the Longhorns.

The No. 5 women's team (8-2, 4-2) drowned No. 10 Texas (3-4-1), 202-146.

"I'm happy for the seniors," Arizona head coach Frank Busch said. "It's always good to win at home. You should protect your property and establish what's important."

On Saturday, the women's team won seven of nine events while the men won six of nine.

"We have a lot of little things to work on - technique - but when you are tired, you tend to be that way," Busch said.

- Allison Hamila

Men's tennis dominates Bobcats, Lobos

The men's tennis team pulled off two victories in its first home matches this weekend as the No. 55 Wildcats (2-0) beat No. 64 New Mexico (1-1), 6-1, Saturday after sweeping No. 69 Montana State (1-2) 7-0 on Friday.

"The guys competed really well and fought hard out there," said Arizona head coach Tad Berkowitz, who earned his first victory as the Wildcats' head man.

The team got off to a slow start in doubles against New Mexico but picked up momentum at the right time to win two out of the three matches to take the doubles point. Singles matches didn't prove to be easy victories, either, as sophomore Bruno Alcala was the only player to take his match in straight sets.

"New Mexico came out good, but the guys were able to counter that and took over the momentum," said Berkowitz, a New Mexico alumnus. "Traditionally, New Mexico fights hard and competes well and will battle all the way."

- Katie Miller

Women improve record to 3-0

For the second time this season, the No. 59 Wildcats (3-0) swept their opponent when they victimized UC-Davis (0-2) 7-0 Saturday after upending No. 63 Pacific (0-1) by a 6-1 margin Friday.

"I am very pleased with how all the girls played today," said Arizona head coach Vicky Maes. "They responded very well and kept on track."

A big surprise for the weekend was freshman Danielle Steinberg being able to play after she found out late last week that she had obtained eligibility.

After being thrown into playing without being completely prepared, she played well, Maes said.

Senior Stephanie Balzert took the No. 1 position for the Wildcats and responded well to the challenge.

"Stephanie's playing as well as I've ever seen her play and is dominating in her position," Maes said.

- Katie Miller