LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Arizona Cross Country opened the 2024 season on Saturday with the NMSU Lori Fitzgerald Open hosted by New Mexico State at the NMSU Golf Course. The Arizona Women finished second overall in the competition and the Arizona Men placed third. The women's top finisher was Molly Lakustiak and the men's was Gideon Mengich.
 
In the women's 5k, triathlete Molly Lakustiak led the way for the Wildcats finishing fifth overall with a time of 17:59.02. A trio of Wildcats finished 11th, 12th, and 13th, with Mia Wentzy clocking a time of 18:14.58, Laina Friedmann running 18:14.65, and Ellison Wolfe going 18:16.99. The team's fifth runner was Alisa Lyesina, who posted a time of 18:40.02. Sara Crociani, Brooklyn Hanania, Kara Mickelson, and Ruth Pardy also made their season debut for the team.
 
In the men's 5k, newcomer Gideon Mengich clocked the fastest time of the day for the team. He placed 10th overall with a time of 14:54.90.  Ian Sanchez Lopez finished second for the team and 15th overall with a time of 15:10.11. He was followed by Cooper Quigley (15:11.21) who placed 16th and Michael Urbanski (15:14.39) who placed 18th. The team's fifth runner was Ayden Schilb, and Noah Ray also made his season debut for the Wildcats.
 
Overall, the Arizona Women opened the season finishing runner-up in the competition with 61 points. The Arizona Men notched a third-place finish with 109 points.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats will be back in action on September 13 for the Cougar Classic in Colfax, Wash.
 
ARIZONA WOMEN'S RESULTS
5. Molly Lakustiak – 17:59.02
11. Mia Wentzy – 18:14.58
12. Laina Friedmann – 18:14.65
13. Ellison Wolfe – 18:16.99
20. Alisa Lyesina – 18:40.02
24. Sara Crociani – 18:51.30
37. Brooklyn Hanania – 19:21.60
42. Kara Mickelson – 19:37.90
43. Ruth Pardy – 19:42.40
 
ARIZONA MEN'S RESULTS
10. Gideon Mengich – 14:54.90
15. Ian Sanchez Lopez – 15:10.11
16. Cooper Quigley – 15:11.21
18. Michael Urbanski – 15:14.39
63. Ayden Schilb – 16:51.37
71. Noah Ray – 17:18.08
 
WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. Texas Tech – 18
2. Arizona – 56
3. New Mexico State – 71
4. New Mexico – 125
5. New Mexico JC – 138
6. UTEP – 173
7. Mesa CC – 177
8. El Paso CC – 204
 
MEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. New Mexico – 27
2. Texas Tech – 35
3. Arizona -109
4. El Paso CC – 119
5. New Mexico State – 126
6. UTEP – 150
7. New Mexico JC – 165
8. Mesa CC – 174
9. Southwest (N.M.) – 274
 
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