Completed Event: Cross Country at George Kyte Classic on August 30, 2025 , , M: 3rd out of 13 | W: 6th out of 10
XC
at George Kyte Classic
M: 3rd out of 13 | W: 6th out of 10
Grand Canyon University Athletics
GCU heads to Mountain West Cross Country Championships
10/29/2025 3:12:00 PM | Cross Country
Lopes hope to keep momentum going Friday in 1st MW Championships
The Grand Canyon cross country teams hope to keep their momentum going Friday when they compete in their first Mountain West Championships.
The GCU men's squad is projected to finish seventh out of 10 teams.
The Lopes have made great strides in their first year in the Mountain West under head coach Shayla Houlihan. In just her second year at the helm, Houlihan has been able to lead the fastest men's team in GCU history and a top-three finish in every regular-season meet.Â
GCU sophomore Michael Archie, who is having a record-breaking season, has been able to hold the standard for the Lopes by placing first at the Biola Invitational and winning MW Runner of the Week..
"I'm really proud of how they're progressing at this point in the season and excited to carry this momentum into the championship portion of the schedule," Houlihan said.
Lopes freshman Archie Budding is also a name to look out for the Lopes. Budding won Mountain West Freshman of the Week after a top-10 finish at the Biola Invitational.
The women's side is projected for an eighth-place finish out of 12 teams.
"The group continues to grow and push forward," Houlihan said. "There's a lot to be excited about where the team is headed."
The Lopes handed a Mountain West Freshman of the Week award to June Zimmerman, who has been a top-five finisher for the Lopes consistently.Â
The women also had a top-three finish this season in the Dave Murray Invitational beating out New Mexico State and Arizona State. The young team has continued to grow throughout the season.
The Mountain West Cross Country Championships will take place in Fresno, California, at Woodward Park on Friday.Â
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The GCU men's squad is projected to finish seventh out of 10 teams.
The Lopes have made great strides in their first year in the Mountain West under head coach Shayla Houlihan. In just her second year at the helm, Houlihan has been able to lead the fastest men's team in GCU history and a top-three finish in every regular-season meet.Â
GCU sophomore Michael Archie, who is having a record-breaking season, has been able to hold the standard for the Lopes by placing first at the Biola Invitational and winning MW Runner of the Week..
"I'm really proud of how they're progressing at this point in the season and excited to carry this momentum into the championship portion of the schedule," Houlihan said.
Lopes freshman Archie Budding is also a name to look out for the Lopes. Budding won Mountain West Freshman of the Week after a top-10 finish at the Biola Invitational.
The women's side is projected for an eighth-place finish out of 12 teams.
"The group continues to grow and push forward," Houlihan said. "There's a lot to be excited about where the team is headed."
The Lopes handed a Mountain West Freshman of the Week award to June Zimmerman, who has been a top-five finisher for the Lopes consistently.Â
The women also had a top-three finish this season in the Dave Murray Invitational beating out New Mexico State and Arizona State. The young team has continued to grow throughout the season.
The Mountain West Cross Country Championships will take place in Fresno, California, at Woodward Park on Friday.Â
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Players Mentioned
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GCU Men's Basketball vs. Coastal Carolina - Highlights
Sunday, December 14
Celly in the hallway! Lopes win!
Sunday, December 14
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Coastal Carolina - Postgame with Bryce Drew
Sunday, December 14