TUCSON, AZ- The Arizona cross country teams turned in strong performances at the Dave Murray Invitational Saturday morning, with the men capturing the team title and the women earning a runner-up finish. The victory marked the Wildcats' first men's title at their home meet since 2022.

In his collegiate debut, Evans Tanui paced the men's field by winning the 8K in 24:22.1. He was followed closely by Bryson Nielsen, who crossed second overall in 24:40.7. Arizona added two more top-10 finishes with Michael Urbanski seventh in 24:58.0 and Connor Grusendorf placing 10th in 25:01.0. The Wildcats sealed the team victory behind strong pack running from Cooper Quigley (20th, 25:41.0), Kai Espinosa Golinski (26th, 25:57.3), and Max Liao (30th, 26:09.9). Rounding out the lineup, Mateo Pimienta finished 34th in 26:25.4 and Cade Russo clocked 27:42.4 for 56th.

On the women's side, freshman Praise Chepkemboi led the Wildcats in her debut, finishing second overall in the 6K with a time of 22:07.1 behind New Mexico State. Amelia North added a top-10 finish in seventh (22:45.3) and Laina Friedmann (22:55.4) in eighth. Kara Mickelson (10th, 23:01.8) finished at 10th. Kayla Lark closed out the scoring lineup in 20th at 23:31.0. Additional depth came from Hailey Puklin (33rd, 24:32.2), Eleanor Korten Kamp (35th, 25:02.2), and Dunja Sikima (37th, 25:15.0).

The men earned 41 points, while the women earned 46. 

Arizona Men's Results (8K)
1. Evans Tanui - 24:22.1
2. Bryson Nielsen - 24:40.7
7. Michael Urbanski - 24:58.0
10. Connor Grusendorf - 25:01.0
20. Cooper Quigley - 25:41.0
26. Kai Espinosa Golinski- 25:57.3
30. Max Liao - 26:09.9
34. Mateo Pimienta - 26:25.4
56. Cade Russo -  27:42.4

Arizona Women's Results (6K)
2. Praise Chepkemboi – 22:07.1
7. Amelia North – 22:45.3
8. Laina Friedmann – 22:55.4
10. Kara Mickelson – 23:01.8
20. Kayla Lark – 23:31.0
33. Hailey Puklin – 24:32.2
35. Eleanor Korten Kamp – 25:02.2
37. Dunja Sikima – 25:15.0