University of Arizona
Dave Murray Invitational
Men and Women Take First Place at Dave Murray Invitational
09/04/2026 | Cross Country
TUCSON, AZ- The Arizona cross country teams turned in strong performances at the Dave Murray Invitational Friday morning, with the men and women capturing the team title.
The Wildcats swept the top six positions in the men's 6K field, with sophomore Vincent Gwachi taking home the win with a time of 17:32.6. Sophomore Josphat Meli finished second with a time of 17:36.1, and senior Ryder James finished third with a time of 17:47.8. Senior Hanibal Haile (17:52.0), sophomore Kai Espinosa Golinski (18:09.6), and senior Michael Urbanski (18:10.1) rounded out the top six spots. Senior Melt Von Molendorff finished eighth with a time of 18:16.0, and freshman Collin Foley finished 14th with a time of 18:27.8.
On the women's side, sophomore Praise Chepkemboi led the Wildcats, finishing second overall in the 4K with a time of 13:47.4 behind Arizona State. Junior Laina Friedmann added a top-5 finish in fifth with a time of 14:09.8. Junior Brooklyn Hanania and Sophomore Kayla Lark both added top-10 finished with Hanania finishing seventh (14:22.2) and Lark finishing ninth (14:26.3). Sophomore Amelia North (14:29.8) and freshman Kennedy Frakes (14:31.7) finished 11th and 12th for the Wildcats. Junior Ellie Kortenkamp (15:06.7) and Senior Hailey Puklin (15:17.6) added depth for the Wildcats, finishing 18th and 21st.
The men earned 15 points, while the women earned 28.
Arizona Men's Results (6K)
1. Vincent Gwachi - 17:32.6
2. Josphat Meli - 17:36.1
3. Ryder James - 17:47.8
4. Hanibal Haile - 17:52.0
5. Kai Espinosa Golinski - 18:09.6
6. Michael Urbanski - 18:10.0
8. Melt Von Molendorff - 18:16.0
14. Collin Foley - 18:27.8
Arizona Women's Results (4K)
2. Praise Chepkemboi – 13:47.4
5. Laina Friedmann – 14:09.8
7. Brooklyn Hanania – 14:22.2
9. Kayla Lark – 14:26.3
11. Amelia North – 14:29.8
12. Kennedy Frakes – 14:31.7
18. Ellie Kortenkamp – 15:06.7
21. Hailey Puklin – 15:17.6
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