Wildcats Compete at NCAA Western Regional Championships

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…