Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S sprinting sensation Tapiwanashe “Carlie’’ Makarawu has been crowned the Men’s Athlete of the Year by the University of Kentucky following a sensational 2025 season in the US.
Makarawu received the top honour — along with the prestigious Mr Wildcat award — at the university’s annual CATSPY Awards, which celebrate elite athletic and academic excellence, on Monday.
The Zimbabwean sprinter won two NCAA national championships in 2025, claiming the NCAA 200m Indoor Championship in March and NCAA 200m Outdoor Championship in June.
The latter was claimed with a school and national record time of 19.84.
His rise to the top of collegiate athletics was cemented by a rare “double” on the track.
Makarawu first clinched the NCAA 200m Indoor Championship in March with a time of 20.13 seconds.
He followed this by storming to victory in the NCAA 200m Outdoor Championship at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The outdoor triumph was particularly significant, as Makarawu clocked a blistering 19.84 seconds.
This performance not only secured the national title but also shattered both the University of Kentucky school record and the Zimbabwe national record.
Makarawu’s stand-out year includes a 7th-place finish in the 200m final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
His momentum continues to build.
On April 4, 2026, he delivered a masterclass at the Miramar Invitational in Florida, clocking a blistering 14.96 seconds in the 150m.
This performance did more than just secure second place behind Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson.
Makarawu shattered the long-standing 150m African record (on a curve) of 14.99 seconds, previously held by Namibian legend Frankie Fredericks since 1993.
The 24th annual CATSPY Awards were held on Monday night inside the Historic Memorial Coliseum to recognise athletic and academic performances during the 2025-26 year in the University of Kentucky Athletics Department.
With multiple winners in some categories, 31 individuals, who included Makarawu and three teams were recognised.
The 2026 CATSPY Awards cover accomplishments earned from April 2025 through April 2026.
Headlining the awards was the Team of the Year — volleyball, the national runner-up and Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament winners.
Craig Skinner’s squad won its ninth-straight SEC regular-season title and claimed the newly revived SEC Tournament title to cap an undefeated run through the league.
Kentucky hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament in Historic Memorial Coliseum and, also saw sold-out crowds for its Sweet 16 and Elite Eight victories at home.
The Wildcats posted a thrilling five-set victory over Wisconsin in the Final Four to advance to their second NCAA Championship match before falling to Texas A&M.
Volleyball’s Eva Hudson won Women’s Athlete of the Year, while Braden Peiser and Makarawu won Men’s Athletes of the Year.
Hudson had an incredible season for Kentucky with a lengthy list of accomplishments, including 2025 SEC Player of the Year, 2025 SEC Newcomer of the Year, AVCA First-Team All-America and a finalist for AVCA National Player of the Year. She was named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team and set a school record for kills with 546.
Peiser had a record-breaking season, setting an NCAA record smallbore score and tied an NCAA record aggregate score.
He also won the 2026 GARC Smallbore Individual Championship.
The Mr And Miss Wildcat Awards — dedicated in honour of the late Bruno Agostinelli, a UK men’s tennis All-American and past Mr Wildcat winner — are presented to Wildcats who have represented all-around excellence in athletics, academics, character and service during their Kentucky careers.
Ty Bryant and Josh Kattus from football, Levi Sandidge from men’s swimming and diving and Makarawu were named Mr Wildcat.
Brooklyn DeLeye and Hudson from volleyball, Sofia Ceccarello from rifle, Ella Emmert from softball, Teonni Key from women’s basketball and Zoe Hammond from women’s tennis were name Miss Wildcat. — Agencies.
