Editor’s note: With several sports going on, Wildcat Wrap serves as a recap that focuses on the Arizona programs that we do not have the time to cover on a regular basis but are certainly worthy of recognition.
Arizona cross country’s Lydia Russell won the Dave Murray Invitational women’s 6K on Saturday, as both the women’s and men’s teams took third place overall at the annual home meet.
Russell ran a time of 20.21.4 to finish more than 20 seconds ahead of runner-up Ava Mitchell of NAU. Russell got out of the gate fast and developed a 14-second lead through the first 2,000 meters. Russell’s lead grew to more than 30 seconds by the 4.8K mark.
At one point, Russell’s lead expanded to 40 seconds, something “you hardly see in cross country running” said her coach, Bernard Lagat.
“Lydia just opened up a very fast mile and then she had confidence in that lead track,” said Lagat.
Russell, a senior, also competes for the Arizona triathlon team
Not only did Russell earn Arizona a signature individual win, she did so going up against the vaunted Lumberjacks, who are ranked No. 2 in the country. Six NAU runners finished second through seventh.
Four other Wildcats runners finished in the top 25.
NAU won the meet with New Mexico State finishing second.
In the men’s 8K, Arizona was led by Gideon Mengich, who finished 10th overall with a time of 23:54. Michael Urbanski was close behind him in 14th with a time of 24:01.9. Two other Wildcats placed in the top 20.
NAU won the meet with six of the top seven finishers. El Paso Community College finished second.
Arizona next competes at the Highlander Invitational in Riverside, Calif. on Oct. 19.
Men’s golf
Arizona placed sixth at the Tindal Tournament in Sammamish, Wash. this past week.
The Wildcats shot 9-under par over three rounds. Tournament champion Utah finished with a 33-under par, followed by runner-up Pepperdine at 19-under.
Tiger Christensen led Arizona with a tie for sixth place individual finish, shooting 7-under. Zach Pollo was behind him in a tie for 14th place at 4-under.
Arizona returns to action when they compete at the Windon Memorial at Conway Farms Golf Club outside Chicago on Sept. 29-30.
Men’s tennis
The Wildcats sent two players to the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Okla. Jay Friend and Colton Smith both fell in the round of 16.
No. 15 Friend fell to No. 37 Pedro Vives of TCU 1-6, 4-6. No. 5 Colton Smith lost to No. 30 Sebastian Gorzny of Texas 3-6, 3-6.
Friend and Smith were both slated for consolation matches on Saturday.
Swimming and diving
The Arizona swimming and diving program announced its 2024-25 schedule this week.
The Wildcats open the season with a quad meet against ASU, NAU and GCU on Oct. 12. The home schedule begins with a meet against Big 12 member Utah on Oct. 25-26.
Arizona opens a loaded non-conference schedule with meets against USC and UCLA (women’s only) on Nov. 8-9.
The full schedule can be seen below.
