COLFAX, Wash. – Arizona Cross Country concluded the 2024 season on Friday with the NCAA Western Regional Championships. The competition was hosted by Washington State at the Colfax Golf Course. Gideon Mengich was the top finisher for the Arizona Men and Molly Lakustiak was the top finisher for the Arizona Women.
 
"I think our athletes showed up and did what they had to do today," said Head Coach Bernard Lagat. "The women finishing 23 out of 39 teams was something that was good for us and the team. I know we can come back stronger next season. On the men's side we finished 16 out of 31 teams competing. As we end the cross country season and head to the track we will be able to build off this and be successful. It was a great end to the season, and we are looking forward to the future championships and races to come."
 
Molly Lakustiak led the way for the Arizona Women, finishing first for the team for the second time this season. Lakustiak placed 67th overall in the 6k with a time of 20:59.9. Kelly Lyn Wetteland finished second for the team and 74th overall in her cross country season debut, running a personal best time of 21:06.7. Mia Wentzy was the team's third runner, posting a time of 22:08.1 in her first collegiate 6k race. All three of Arizona's top runners are also members of Arizona's triathlon team. Freshmen Brooklyn Hanania (22:19.8) and Laina Friedmann (22:20.3) finished right after one another to be the Wildcats' fourth and fifth-place finishers. Sara Crociani posted a personal best time in the 6k as well. Laura Holánszky also competed for the Wildcats.
 
On the men's side, the team ran their first 10k of the season. Gideon Mengich finished first for the team as he has all season, clocking a time of 29:55.7 and placing 39th overall. Mengich came out with a strong start, finding himself in second place overall through the first 5k of the competition. Ian Sanchez Lopez (30:46.1) and Michael Urbanski (30:47.0) followed Mengich, finishing together at 68th and 69th overall. Freshmen Connor Grusendorf and Mateo Pimienta rounded out the team's scoring five runners. Cooper Quigley competed for the Wildcats as well.
 
Overall, the Arizona Men placed 16th in the West Region with a score of 457 points. There were 31 men's teams competing and 207 individual runners. The Arizona Women finished 23rd in the West Region with a score of 638 points. There were 39 women's teams competing and 262 individual runners.
 
UP NEXT
This competition concludes the Wildcats' cross country season. The distance crew will be back in action during the upcoming indoor and outdoor track & field seasons.
 
ARIZONA WOMEN'S RESULTS
67. Molly Lakustiak – 20:59.9
74. Kelly Lyn Wetteland – 21:06.7
147. Mia Wentzy – 22:08.1
179. Brooklyn Hanania – 22:19.8
180. Laina Friedmann – 22:20.3
194. Sara Crociani – 22:32.1
209. Laura Holánszky – 22:45.7
 
ARIZONA MEN'S RESULTS
39. Gideon Mengich – 29:55.7
68. Ian Sanchez Lopez – 30:46.1
69. Michael Urbanski – 30:47.0
130. Connor Grusendorf – 31:52.6
158. Mateo Pimienta – 32:39.5
183. Cooper Quigley – 33:27.0
 
WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. Oregon – 43
2. Stanford – 67
3. Washington – 101
4. Gonzaga – 134
5. Portland – 156
6. Boise State – 168
7. Washington State – 169
8. Cal Poly – 237
9. Oregon State – 297
10. CBU – 317
11. UC Davis – 365
12. UCLA – 381
13. California – 463
14. San Diego State – 478
15. Idaho – 480
16. UC San Diego – 510
17. Seattle U. – 522
18. Long Beach State – 570
19. San Francisco – 571
20. UC Riverside – 583
21. Eastern Washington – 584
22. UC Irvine – 585
23. Arizona – 638
24. St. Mary's (Cal.) – 653
25. Cal St. Fullerton – 676
26. Hawaii – 729
27. Santa Clara – 770
28. Sacramento State – 777
29. UC Santa Barbara – 816
30. Fresno State – 829
31. San Diego – 908
32. Utah Tech – 951
33. USC – 984
34. Pepperdine – 986
35. Portland State – 1031
36. Loyola Marymount – 1050
37. CSUN – 1130
38. UNLV – 1220
39. Pacific - 1227

MEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. Washington – 66
2. Oregon – 68
3. Stanford – 73
4. CBU – 99
5. Portland – 102
6. Gonzaga – 135
7. Boise State – 181
8. Cal Poly – 235
9. Washington State – 244
10. Cal St. Fullerton – 324
11. California – 327
12. UC Davis – 357
13. Santa Clara – 362
14. St. Mary's (Cal.) – 432
15. UC Riverside – 456
16. Arizona – 457
17. Eastern Washington – 534
18. UC San Diego – 541
19. UC Irvine – 617
20. UC Santa Barbara – 641
21. Pepperdine – 643
22. Utah Tech – 659
23. Idaho – 663
24. San Francisco – 702
25. Grand Canyon – 709
26. Long Beach State – 742
27. Sacramento State – 780
28. CSUN – 784
29. San Diego – 838
30. Seattle U. – 859
31. Portland State - 875
 
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