The University of Arizona cross country team competed in the NCAA Western Regional Championship on Friday afternoon. The Arizona women’s 6k placed No. 23 of 39 teams, while the men’s team, who took on their first 10k of the season, came in at No. 16 of 31 teams. 

The women’s 6k race kicked off the day at noon in Colfax, Washington on Nov. 16. 

The women’s team had many firsts for their athletes. Molly Lakustiak led the pack for the Wildcats on the women’s side, coming in at No. 67 with a time of 20:59.9. Kelly Wetteland, who made her cross country debut this season, came in at No. 74 with a time of 21:06.7, while freshman Mia Wentzy completed her first collegiate 6k with a time of 22:08.1. All three of these racers are also on the Arizona Triathlon team that recently brought home a National Championship title.

The Wildcats finished with 638 points, falling 53 points behind University of California, Irvine. 

For the men, freshman Gideon Mengich was the top finisher for the team once again, placing at No. 39 with a time of 29:55.7. Mengich kept a strong pace throughout the majority of the race, holding a second place spot in the first 5k of the competition. Following close behind, senior Ian Sanchez Lopez and sophomore Michael Urbanski came in at No. 68 and No. 69, respectively with times of 30:46.1 and 30:47.0. 

Arizona finished with 457 points falling only 1 point behind University of California, Riverside. 

Next up

This race marked the end of Arizona’s season. The Wildcats will now shift their focus to the upcoming indoor and outdoor track and field seasons which start just after the new year.

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