FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Arizona Cross Country opened the 2023 season on Saturday with the George Kyte Invitational hosted by NAU. Both the men and women finished third overall in their respective competitions. The day was filled with personal bests, as 11 Wildcats between the two teams improved their past records. Cooper Quigley was the top finisher for the men, and Sailor Hutton was the top finisher for the women.
 
Cooper Quigley led the way for the Arizona Men in the 4.5-mile run, finishing first for the team at the George Kyte Invitational for the second consecutive year. Quigley clocked a PR time of 22:33.2 to finish 12th overall. He was followed by Iker Sanchez Lopez who placed 15th with a PR time of 22:40.0. The two lowered their personal records by over a minute each.
 
Rounding out the top-five finishers for the Wildcats were Ian Sanchez Lopez (PR 23:02.4) who placed 19th, Noah Jodon (PR 23:13.1) who placed 22nd, and freshman Michael Urbanski (23:25.9) who placed 26th. Additionally, three other Wildcats improved their personal bests: Brennan Foody, Parker Lehmann (competed unattached), and Ayden Schilb. Andrew Gibby was the second-best freshman finisher for the team behind Urbanski.
 
On the women's side, Sailor Hutton finished as the top Wildcat in the 2.5-mile run. Hutton clocked a PR time of 15:16.5 and placed 10th overall. Personal bests continued to be a trend for the Arizona Women, as all four returners who competed clocked PR times. Alisa Lyesina finished second for the team and 16th overall with a PR time of 15:47.4. She was followed by Johnnie Mitchell who placed 23rd overall and ran a PR time of 16:16.5. The team's fourth- and fifth-place finishers were freshman Sage Patzer (16:46.9) and Beatrice Honebrink (PR 17:26.9).
 
The Arizona Men placed third overall and second amongst collegiate teams with a score of 78. The Arizona Women also placed third overall with a total score of 99.
 
UP NEXT
The season will continue for the Wildcats on September 16 with the UC Riverside Invitational in Riverside, Calif.
 
ARIZONA MEN'S RESULTS
12. Cooper Quigley - PR 22:33.2
15. Iker Sanchez Lopez - PR 22:40.0
19. Ian Sanchez Lopez - PR 23:02.4
22. Noah Jodon - PR 23:13.1
26. Michael Urbanski - 23:25.9
36. Brennan Foody - PR 24:07.0
40. Andrew Gibby - 24:18.0
50. Cade Russo - 24:38.4 (Unattached)
51. Parker Lehmann - PR 24:39.7 (Unattached)
63. Ayden Schilb - PR 25:01.8
74. Gibson Kibia - 25:22.0
101. Noah Ray - 26:18.4
 
ARIZONA WOMEN'S RESULTS
10. Sailor Hutton – PR 15:16.5
16. Alisa Lyesina – PR 15:47.4
23. Johnnie Mitchell – PR 16:16.5
35. Sage Patzer – 16:46.9
45. Beatrice Honebrink – PR 17:26.9
 
MEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. NAU – 18
2. NAU Alumni – 49
3. Arizona – 78
4. Central Arizona – 134
5. Mesa CC – 173
6. Embry-Riddle – 178
7. Arizona State – 181
8. Grand Canyon – 182
9. Pima CC – 206
10. Arizona Christian – 260
11. Coconino CC – 331
12. Phoenix College – 378
 
WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. NAU – 15
2. Arizona State – 53
3. Arizona – 99
4. Grand Canyon – 103
5. Embry-Riddle – 117
6. Pima CC – 197
7. Arizona Christian – 199
8. Coconino CC – 221
9. Park Gilbert – 246
 
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