TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Cross Country hosted their annual home meet, the Dave Murray Invitational, on Saturday at the Tucson Country Club. Both the men's and women's teams finished third overall at the competition, with Lydia Russell winning the women's individual 6k with a time of 20:21.4.
 
"I am pleased with our teams today," said Head Coach Bernard Lagat. "We still have a lot of racing in front of us, but we are healthy and running fast. We want to keep this momentum the rest of the way."
 
In her season debut, triathlete Lydia Russell won the women's 6k at the Dave Murray Invitational with a time of 20:21.4. Russell led from the start and finished over 20 seconds faster than the next best runner. Runners two through five for the Wildcats all finished in the top 30. Alisa Lyesina was the team's second finisher, clocking a time of 22:26.4 and placing 20th overall. Freshmen Brooklyn Hanania finished 21st with a personal best time of 22:26.9 and Laina Friedmann placed 25th with a time of 22:42.8. Laura Holánszky was the team's fifth runner, finishing 27th with a time of 22:47.2. Eleanor Korten Kamp clocked a personal best time as well for the Wildcats.
 
"Lydia opened up in a very fast mile and then had confidence in the lead," said Coach Lagat. "She had a race plan of running fast and not just running at another person's pace. Opening up a 40 second gap in front of the second runner is something you hardly see in cross country, and she just ran with great confidence."
 
"It felt really good today, it was fun to be in the front of the race again," said Russell. "I haven't gotten to do that in a while, so it was super fun. I just did my thing and didn't worry about staying with the other girls. I trusted myself and trusted my training."
 
In the men's 8k, Gideon Mengich finished first for the team and 10th overall. After falling earlier in the competition, Mengich recovered to clock a personal best time of 23:54.0 and finish in the top 10. He has been the top finisher for the Arizona Men in all three of their meets this season. Michael Urbanski finished second for the team and 14th overall with a time of 24:01.9. Cooper Quigley placed 18th with a personal best time of 24:15.2 and Ian Sanchez Lopez finished 19th with a time of 24:15.3. Mateo Pimienta was the team's fifth runner.
 
Overall, both the men's and women's teams finished third. The men totaled 102 points, and the women finished with a score of 82 points.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats will travel to Riverside, Calif., for the Highlander Invitational on October 19.
 
ARIZONA WOMEN'S RESULTS
1. Lydia Russell – 20:21.4
20. Alisa Lyesina – 22:26.4
21. Brooklyn Hanania – 22:26.9
25. Laina Friedmann – 22:42.8
27. Laura Holánszky – 22:47.2
37. Kara Mickelson – 23:43.3
40. Sage Patzer – 24:08.3
58. Eleanor Korten Kamp – 27:01.9
 
ARIZONA MEN'S RESULTS
10. Gideon Mengich – 23:54.0
14. Michael Urbanski – 24:01.9
18. Cooper Quigley – 24:15.2
19. Ian Sanchez Lopez – 24:15.3
57. Mateo Pimienta – 26:16.2
66. Noah Ray – 26:58.9
67. Ayden Schilb – 27:23.8
 
WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. Northern Arizona – 20
2. New Mexico State – 55
3. Arizona – 82
4. Grand Canyon – 122
5. UTEP – 129
6. El Paso CC – 168
7. USC – 185
8. Haskell Indian - 239
 
MEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. Northern Arizona – 15
2. El Paso CC – 72
3. Arizona – 102
4. New Mexico State – 110
5. Western New Mexico – 120
6. Grand Canyon – 146
7. UTEP – 177
8. Cuyamaca - 236
 
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