WACO, Texas – Arizona Cross Country competed in their first ever Big 12 Championships on Friday morning at Baylor's Cottonwood Creek Golf Course. A pair of freshmen led the way for the Wildcats, with Gideon Mengich finishing first for the team on the men's side and Brooklyn Hanania finishing first for the team on the women's side.
 
Freshman Gideon Mengich guided the way for the Arizona Men as he has all season, placing 36th overall in the 8k with a personal best time of 23:31.7. Mengich has now lowered his PB in the 8k in four consecutive competitions. Michael Urbanski finished second for the Wildcats with a time of 24:05.7 and Ian Sanchez Lopez placed third for the team with a time of 24:09.8. Freshmen Connor Grusendorf and Mateo Pimienta were the team's fourth and fifth runners.
 
Freshman Brooklyn Hanania was the top finisher for the Arizona Women in the 6k, clocking a time of 22:38.9. It was the first time this season that Hanania has finished first for the team. She was followed closely by fellow freshman, Laina Friedmann, who ran a time of 22:44.3. Triathlete Laura Holánszky was the team's third runner. She was followed by Alisa Lyesina and Kara Mickelson to round out the team's scoring five. Sara Crociani also clocked a personal best time in what was her first collegiate 6k race.
 
Overall, the Arizona Men placed ninth with a team score of 280 points. The Arizona Women finished 16th with a team score of 463 points. The meet was streamed on ESPN+.
 
UP NEXT
Championship season continues for the Wildcats on November 15 with the NCAA Western Regional Championships in Colfax, Wash.
 
ARIZONA WOMEN'S RESULTS
102. Brooklyn Hanania – 22:38.9
105. Laina Friedmann – 22:44.3
112. Laura Holánszky – 22:58.9
118. Alisa Lyesina – 23:01.8
120. Kara Mickelson – 23:02.6
124. Sara Crociani – 23:17.8
135. Sage Patzer – 24:11.7
 
ARIZONA MEN'S RESULTS
36. Gideon Mengich – 23:31.7
52. Michael Urbanski – 24:05.7
55. Ian Sanchez Lopez – 24:09.8
103. Connor Grusendorf – 25:59.8
106. Mateo Pimienta – 26:26.8
 
WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. BYU – 41
2. West Virginia – 60
3. Utah – 86
4. Oklahoma State – 103
5. Texas Tech – 155
6. Colorado – 165
7. Iowa State – 171
8. Kansas – 230
9. Arizona State – 316
10. Kansas State – 319
11. Cincinnati – 320
12. UCF – 350
13. Baylor – 363
14. TCU – 371
15. Houston – 391
16. Arizona – 463
 
MEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. BYU – 41
2. Oklahoma State – 52
3. Iowa State – 62
4. Texas Tech – 101
5. Colorado – 122
6. TCU – 222
7. Kansas – 223
8. Cincinnati – 234
9. Arizona – 280
10. Houston – 297
11. Arizona State – 318
12. Kansas State – 328
13. Baylor - 380
 
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