ARLINGTON, Texas – 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.

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.

"These four student-athletes represent the very best of UT Arlington Athletics," said Jon Fagg, 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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Award Winners

• Jaalah Puryear (Track & Field) – Maverick Club Female Student-Athlete of the Year
  • Puryear set a school record in the indoor weight throw and outdoor hammer throw.
  • Earned All-Conference honors for indoor and outdoor track & field.
  • UTA Record holder in the hammer throw
  • Finished second at the WAC Outdoor Championships (2026)

 

• Hayden Wilson (Track & Field) – Maverick Club Male Student-Athlete of the Year
  • Earned multiple All-Conference honors.
  • Won four WAC Indoor and Outdoor titles (2025 Indoor and Outdoor Shot Put, Discus, and 2024 Indoor Shot Put)
  • Grabbed a silver medal in the outdoor shot put in 2026.
  • No. 3 All-Time in program history in the men's Shot Put. (Outdoor)
  • No. 5 All-Time in program history in the men's Shot Put. (Indoor)

 

• Sophia Allen (Track & Field) – BG Wilson Female Student-Athlete of the Year
  • Owns a 4.0 GPA in Biology
  • Named the WAC Women's Indoor Athlete of the Week. (2026)
  • Earned bronze in the pole vault at the 2026 WAC Indoor Championships.
  • Grabbed multiple All-Conference honors in that event.
  • Awarded the 2026 Big Al Community Service Award.
  • UAC SAAC Officer

• Caylon Dygert (Baseball) – BG Wilson Male Student-Athlete of the Year
  • 2026 Preseason All-WAC Team.
  • 2026 All-WAC Second Team Honoree.
  • Earned 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.
  • Named Second-Team Freshman All-American by D1Baseball in 2024.
  • 3.85 GPA in Mechanical Engineering.

– #BuckEm –

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