Friday, November 13
Sacramento, CA
University of Arizona
at
NCAA West Regional
11/13/2026 | Cross Country
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Arizona Cross Country competed in the NCAA West Regional on Friday morning at Arcade Creek Course at Haggin Oaks Golf Course. Evans Tanui led the way for the men, finishing 6th overall in the 10k field. Mercy Chepkemoi led the way for the women, finishing 2nd in the 6k field.
Sophomore Evans Tanui guided the way for the Arizona Men as he has all season, placing 6th overall in the 10k with a time of 29:13.4. Josphat Meli finished second for the Wildcats with a time of 29:37.2, and Vincent Gwachi placed third for the team with a time of 29:50.6. Lawi Ngetich and Hanibal Haile were the team's fourth and fifth runners.
Freshman Mercy Chepkemoi was the top finisher for the Arizona Women in the 6k, finishing 2nd and clocking a time of 18:59.0. She was followed by Praise Chepkemoi, who finished 10th and ran a time of 19:48.5. Laina Friedmann was the team's third runner. She was followed by a pair of freshmen, Audra Huempfner and Kennedy Frakes, to round out the team's scoring five.
Overall, the Arizona Men placed fifth with a team score of 141 points, qualifying them for the national meet for the first time since 2006. The Arizona Women finished 11th with a team score of 297 points, their highest finish at the West Regional since 2013.
Arizona Men's Results
6. Evans Tanui - 29:13.4
19. Josphat Meli - 29:37.2
27. Vincent Gwachi - 29:50.6
36. Lawi Ngetich - 30:01.5
53. Hanibal Haile - 30:26.1
54. Michael Urbanski - 30:26.5
125. Ryder James - 31:46.2
Arizona Women's Results
2. Mercy Chepkemoi - 18:59.0
10. Praise Chepkemoi - 19:48.5
34. Laina Friedmann - 20:17.7
122. Audra Huempfner - 21:42.6
130. Kennedy Frakes - 21:44.9
151. Kayla Lark - 21:56.2
160. Brooklyn Hanania - 22:00.0
FOLLOW ARIZONA CROSS COUNTRY
Stay connected with Arizona Cross Country throughout the season by following @ArizonaTrack on X and Instagram. For the latest news, results and updates, visit ArizonaWildcats.com.
Sophomore Evans Tanui guided the way for the Arizona Men as he has all season, placing 6th overall in the 10k with a time of 29:13.4. Josphat Meli finished second for the Wildcats with a time of 29:37.2, and Vincent Gwachi placed third for the team with a time of 29:50.6. Lawi Ngetich and Hanibal Haile were the team's fourth and fifth runners.
Freshman Mercy Chepkemoi was the top finisher for the Arizona Women in the 6k, finishing 2nd and clocking a time of 18:59.0. She was followed by Praise Chepkemoi, who finished 10th and ran a time of 19:48.5. Laina Friedmann was the team's third runner. She was followed by a pair of freshmen, Audra Huempfner and Kennedy Frakes, to round out the team's scoring five.
Overall, the Arizona Men placed fifth with a team score of 141 points, qualifying them for the national meet for the first time since 2006. The Arizona Women finished 11th with a team score of 297 points, their highest finish at the West Regional since 2013.
Arizona Men's Results
6. Evans Tanui - 29:13.4
19. Josphat Meli - 29:37.2
27. Vincent Gwachi - 29:50.6
36. Lawi Ngetich - 30:01.5
53. Hanibal Haile - 30:26.1
54. Michael Urbanski - 30:26.5
125. Ryder James - 31:46.2
Arizona Women's Results
2. Mercy Chepkemoi - 18:59.0
10. Praise Chepkemoi - 19:48.5
34. Laina Friedmann - 20:17.7
122. Audra Huempfner - 21:42.6
130. Kennedy Frakes - 21:44.9
151. Kayla Lark - 21:56.2
160. Brooklyn Hanania - 22:00.0
FOLLOW ARIZONA CROSS COUNTRY
Stay connected with Arizona Cross Country throughout the season by following @ArizonaTrack on X and Instagram. For the latest news, results and updates, visit ArizonaWildcats.com.
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