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ARLINGTON, Texas \u2013 UT Arlington Athletics recognized four of its most accomplished student-athletes with year-end honors, announcing the recipients of the department’s Maverick Club and BG Wilson Student-Athlete of the Year awards.<\/p>\n
The annual awards are among the highest individual honors presented by UTA Athletics and recognize student-athletes for their excellence in competition, leadership, and overall contributions to their programs and the university community. \n<\/p>\n
“These four student-athletes represent the very best of UT Arlington Athletics,” said Jon Fagg<\/a>, UTA Director of Athletics. “Their accomplishments in competition are remarkable, but what makes them truly deserving of these honors is the way they have excelled in every aspect of the student-athlete experience. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the example they set for future Mavericks.”<\/p>\n The Maverick Club Student-Athlete of the Year awards are presented annually to the department’s top female and male student-athletes, while the BG Wilson Student-Athlete of the Year awards honor individuals who have distinguished themselves through athletic achievement, character and service.<\/p>\n Women’s track and field’s Jaalah Puryear was named the Maverick Club Female Student-Athlete of the Year after a record-breaking season that saw her establish UTA school records in both the indoor weight throw and outdoor hammer throw. An All-Conference performer in both the indoor and outdoor seasons, Puryear also earned a runner-up finish in the hammer throw at the 2026 WAC Outdoor Championships.<\/p>\n Men’s track and field standout Hayden Wilson earned Maverick Club Male Student-Athlete of the Year honors. One of the most decorated throwers in program history, Wilson captured four WAC individual championships during his career and ranks among UTA’s all-time top five performers in both the indoor and outdoor shot put.<\/p>\n Women’s track and field’s Sophia Allen was selected as the BG Wilson Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Allen excelled both academically and athletically, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA as a biology major while earning multiple All-Conference honors in the pole vault. She also claimed a bronze medal at the 2026 WAC Indoor Championships and was recognized with the Big Al Community Service Award.<\/p>\n Baseball’s Caylon Dygert received BG Wilson Male Student-Athlete of the Year recognition following another outstanding season on the mound and in the classroom. The mechanical engineering major posted a 3.85 GPA and earned All-WAC Second Team honors after a season highlighted by a nationally recognized performance at No. 6 Arkansas, where he struck out a career-high 11 batters over 8.2 dominant innings.<\/p>\n Three of the four recipients represented UTA’s nationally successful track and field programs, while Dygert’s recognition highlighted a standout year on the diamond for Maverick baseball.<\/p>\n Award Winners
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\u2013 #BuckEm\u00a0\u2013<\/p>\n FOLLOW THE\u00a0MAVS
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\n\tJaalah Puryear (Track & Field) \u2013 Maverick Club Female Student-Athlete of the Year
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\n\t\tPuryear set a school record in the indoor weight throw and outdoor hammer throw.
\n\t\tEarned All-Conference honors for indoor and outdoor track & field.
\n\t\tUTA Record holder in the hammer throw
\n\t\tFinished second at the WAC Outdoor Championships (2026)
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\n\tHayden Wilson (Track & Field) \u2013 Maverick Club Male Student-Athlete of the Year
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\n\t\tEarned multiple All-Conference honors.
\n\t\tWon four WAC Indoor and Outdoor titles (2025 Indoor and Outdoor Shot Put, Discus, and 2024 Indoor Shot Put)
\n\t\tGrabbed a silver medal in the outdoor shot put in 2026.
\n\t\tNo. 3 All-Time in program history in the men’s Shot Put. (Outdoor)
\n\t\tNo. 5 All-Time in program history in the men’s Shot Put. (Indoor)
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\n\tSophia Allen (Track & Field) \u2013 BG Wilson Female Student-Athlete of the Year
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\n\t\tOwns a 4.0 GPA in Biology
\n\t\tNamed the WAC Women’s Indoor Athlete of the Week. (2026)
\n\t\tEarned bronze in the pole vault at the 2026 WAC Indoor Championships.
\n\t\tGrabbed multiple All-Conference honors in that event.
\n\t\tAwarded the 2026 Big Al Community Service Award.
\n\t\tUAC SAAC Officer
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\n\tCaylon Dygert (Baseball) \u2013 BG Wilson Male Student-Athlete of the Year
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\n\t\t2026 Preseason All-WAC Team.
\n\t\t2026 All-WAC Second Team Honoree.
\n\t\tEarned national recognition from Baseball America and D1Baseball in 2026 following a masterclass performance at No. 6 Arkansas, pitching 8.2 innings and striking out a career-high 11 batters while allowing just two hits.
\n\t\tNamed Second-Team Freshman All-American by D1Baseball in 2024.
\n\t\t3.85 GPA in Mechanical Engineering.
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\nFor up-to-date news, photos, and videos, follow UTA Athletics online at\u00a0UTAMavs.com<\/a>\u00a0or via several social media accounts on Twitter\u00a0@UTAMavs<\/a>, Instagram\u00a0@UTAMavs<\/a>,\u00a0and Facebook\u00a0\/UTAMavs<\/a>.<\/p>\n