As the Arizona Wildcats began to put a bow on the 2021-22 school year, UA student-athletes took part in the annual Catsys awards ceremony on Monday night to celebrate the top-performing individuals of the year.
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the awards show β a take on the ESPNβs βESPYsβ β returned to an in-person event held at McKale. Sportscaster Alex Flanagan, a Salpointe Catholic High School and UA grad, emceed the event.
UA standouts Sam Thomas and Brooks Fail were the big winners, bringing home the Ruby Award and Sapphire Award, respectively. The awards are given to the top female and male senior athletes every year.
Hereβs a look at the winners:
Menβs basketball
Play of the Year: Bennedict Mathurinβs dunk vs. TCU in NCAA Tournament
Menβs Junior of the Year: Christian Koloko
Menβs Sophomore of the Year: Mathurin
Womenβs basketball
Senior Womenβs Athlete of the Year (Ruby Award): Sam Thomas
Football
Menβs Community Service Award: Jordan Morgan
Academic Champions: Gunner Cruz, Kyle Ostendorp
Menβs tennis
Unsung Hero: Jared Horwood; senior
Menβs Freshman of the Year: Colton Smith
Team Community Service Award
Highest Team GPA Award
Track & field
Womenβs Community Service Award: Sam Noennig
Volleyball
Womenβs Freshman of the Year: Puk Stubbe
Softball
Womenβs Sophomore of the Year: Carlie Scupin
Gymnastics
Womenβs Junior of the Year: Sirena Linton
Highest Team GPA Award
Swimming & diving
Menβs Senior of the Year (Sapphire Award): Brooks Fail