University of Arizona
Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational
Wildcat Men Take First Place at Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational
09/25/2026 | Cross Country
CHICAGO, Illinois. – Arizona Cross Country competed at the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational Friday Morning, with the men capturing the team title.
Sophomore Evans Tanui led the men, finishing second overall in the 8K with a time of 22:41.54. Sophomore Vincent Gwachi finished sixth overall with a time of 22:57.44, and senior Josphat Meli finished 17th with a time of 23:12.49. Rounding out the Wildcats' scoring were senior Ryder James, who finished 28th with a time of 23:21.29, and sophomore Lawi Ngetich, who finished 32nd with a time of 23:23.43. Senior Hanibal Haile (23:33.75) and senior Michael Urbanski (23:34.27) added depth for the Wildcats, finishing 46th and 47th. Senior Levi Taylor (23:48.36), senior Melt Von Molendorff (23:53.77) and sophomore Kai Espinosa Golinski (24:25.02) finished 77th, 89th and 115th, completing the lineup for Arizona.
On the women's side, freshman Mercy Chepkemoi led the Wildcats, winning her first collegiate race. Chepkemoi finished first overall in the 6K with a time of 19:02.52. Sophomore Praise Chepkemoi finished 34th overall with a time of 20:08.63, and Laina Friedmann finished 49th overall with a time of 20:16.51. Rounding out the scoring for the Wildcats was freshman Audra Huemphner, who finished 98th with a time of 20:59.31, and freshman Kennedy Frakes, who finished 119th with a time of 21:19.79. Sophomore Kayla Lark (21:19.93), junior Brooklyn Hanania (21:21.16) and sophomore Amelia North (22:06.42) added depth for the Wildcats, finishing 120th, 122nd and 140th.
The men earned 85 points (1st), while the women earned 280 points (12th).
Arizona Men's Results (8K)
2. Evans Tanui - 22:41.54
6. Vincent Gwachi - 22:57.44
17. Josphat Meli - 23:12.49
28. Ryder James - 23:21.29
32. Lawi Ngetich - 23:23.43
46. Hanibal Haile - 23:33.75
47. Michael Urbanski - 23:34.27
77. Levi Taylor - 23:48.36
89. Melt Von Molendorff - 23:53.77
115. Kai Espinosa Golinski - 24:25.02
Arizona Women's Results (6K)
1. Mercy Chepkemoi - 19:02.52
34. Praise Chepkemoi - 20:08.63
49. Laina Friedmann - 20:16.51
98. Audra Huemphner - 20:59.31
119. Kennedy Frakes - 21:19.79
120. Kayla Lark - 21:19.93
122. Brooklyn Hanania - 21:21.16
140. Amelia North - 22:06.42
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