Completed Event: Cross Country at George Kyte Classic on September 2, 2026 , , M: 4th of 5 | W: 2nd of 5
XC
at George Kyte Classic
M: 4th of 5 | W: 2nd of 5
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Josh Cale
Lopes make strides in Riverside
9/19/2026 11:22:00 AM | Cross Country
Velazque finishes in top spot for second meet in a row
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Grand Canyon cross country continued its season at the Riverside Invitational with the men's team finishing seventh and the women's team placing 10th Saturday.
On the women's side, GCU sophomore Isabella Velazquez led the Lopes for the second consecutive meet, finishing the 6K race in 20:50.1 to place 28th overall and cracking her way into the top 10 record book.
Sophomore Lauren Pahl was the Lopes' second finisher with a time of 21:22.4 earning her a personal best on this course, while sophomore Ava Wadhwa followed closely behind at 21:25.3.
Junior Meredith Richter crossed the finish line in 21:26.8, giving GCU three consecutive finishers within five seconds of each other. Junior Grace Scott rounded out the Lopes top five at 21:36.1.
"I think we are a couple of places higher with a cleaner race, but that's why we race these chaotic big meets all season" said Head Coach Shayla Houlihan.
GCU's five scorers finished within 46 seconds of one another as the Lopes totaled 324 points for 10th place.
On the men's side, senior Ethan Smith paced the Lopes in the 8K race, finishing 24th overall with a time of 24:13.1.
Junior Jack Sindt was next across the line at 24:35.2, just one-tenth of a second ahead of freshman Micah Newkirk, who finished in 24:35.3.
Senior Tristen Coyle followed at 24:41.7, giving GCU four runners inside the top 56. Junior Alex Saldamando rounded out the Lopes top five with a time of 24:57.3.
"We held one of our top five out today so I am excited about what we can build on from here" said Houlihan. "I loved the fight I saw in every athlete across the board."
The men's top five finished within 44.2 seconds of one another as GCU totaled 247 points to secure seventh place.
The Lopes will take two weeks off before heading to San Marcos, California, for the Cougar Challenge on Oct. 3rd
On the women's side, GCU sophomore Isabella Velazquez led the Lopes for the second consecutive meet, finishing the 6K race in 20:50.1 to place 28th overall and cracking her way into the top 10 record book.
Sophomore Lauren Pahl was the Lopes' second finisher with a time of 21:22.4 earning her a personal best on this course, while sophomore Ava Wadhwa followed closely behind at 21:25.3.
Junior Meredith Richter crossed the finish line in 21:26.8, giving GCU three consecutive finishers within five seconds of each other. Junior Grace Scott rounded out the Lopes top five at 21:36.1.
"I think we are a couple of places higher with a cleaner race, but that's why we race these chaotic big meets all season" said Head Coach Shayla Houlihan.
GCU's five scorers finished within 46 seconds of one another as the Lopes totaled 324 points for 10th place.
On the men's side, senior Ethan Smith paced the Lopes in the 8K race, finishing 24th overall with a time of 24:13.1.
Junior Jack Sindt was next across the line at 24:35.2, just one-tenth of a second ahead of freshman Micah Newkirk, who finished in 24:35.3.
Senior Tristen Coyle followed at 24:41.7, giving GCU four runners inside the top 56. Junior Alex Saldamando rounded out the Lopes top five with a time of 24:57.3.
"We held one of our top five out today so I am excited about what we can build on from here" said Houlihan. "I loved the fight I saw in every athlete across the board."
The men's top five finished within 44.2 seconds of one another as GCU totaled 247 points to secure seventh place.
The Lopes will take two weeks off before heading to San Marcos, California, for the Cougar Challenge on Oct. 3rd
Players Mentioned
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/ Cross CountryFriday, September 18
Friday, September 18
Thursday, September 17
Thursday, September 17