Mason Lawyer has been named the Big 12 Men’s Outdoor Performer of the Year after a standout showing at the 2026 Big 12 Outdoor Championships, according to a May 21 announcement from the conference.
Lawyer’s recognition follows his historic performance in multiple events, which contributed significantly to Arizona’s runner-up finish at the championships held at Drachman Stadium. This award is notable as it marks Arizona’s first outdoor end-of-season conference honor since joining the Big 12.
The senior sprinter earned High Point Performer of the Meet honors by accumulating 28 points across three events: winning both the men’s 100-meter and 200-meter titles and helping Arizona’s relay team secure second place in the 4x100m. In the men’s 100m, Lawyer clocked a wind-aided time of 9.93 seconds, setting an all-conditions record for both Big 12 history and for any Wildcat athlete in that event. He then set school, facility, and conference records in the men’s 200m with a time of 20.02 seconds—a mark that currently ranks fourth nationally and among this season’s top twenty worldwide.
Lawyer became Arizona’s first athlete since Michael Bates in 1991 to sweep both sprint titles at an outdoor conference meet. He also helped lead Arizona’s relay squad to a new school record with their time of 38.62 seconds; this result places them eighth nationally heading into postseason competition.
Reflecting on his achievement, Lawyer said, “It’s huge that I was able to get this accomplishment. It’s nice having an actual conference to compete in and being able to calculate where I stack up throughout the year. I put in all this hard work, so it’s great that it doesn’t go unnoticed. To be at the top of a powerful conference like the Big 12 is huge. It shows that I’ve got it going into nationals and that I’m able to compete at a high level. Hopefully this helps me continue building toward my last couple meets and eventually into the post-collegiate world.”
Arizona’s men finished second overall with their highest point total since joining any conference championship since scoring their most points back in 2006 and achieving their best placement since finishing second in their league meet in 2011.
The Wildcats will continue postseason competition at NCAA West First Round beginning May 27.
