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
9/19/2026 11:22:00 AM | Cross Country
Velazquez finishes in GCU's top spot for 2nd meet in a row
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Grand Canyon men's cross country finished seventh while the women took 10th Saturday at the Riverside Invitational.
On the women's side, GCU sophomore Isabella Velazquez led the Lopes for the second consecutive meet, finishing the 6K race in 20 minutes, 50.1 seconds to place 28th and enter GCU's all-time top 10.
Sophomore Lauren Pahl was the Lopes' second finisher with a personal-best time of 21:22.4, while sophomore Ava Wadhwa followed closely at 21:25.3.
GCU junior Meredith Richter crossed the finish line in 21:26.8, putting three consecutive Lopes runners within five seconds of each other. Junior Grace Scott rounded out GCU's 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," GCU head coach Shayla Houlihan said.
The Lopes' five scorers finished within 46 seconds of one another for 324 points.
On the men's side, senior Ethan Smith paced the Lopes in the 8K race, finishing 24th with a time of 24:13.1.
Junior teammate Jack Sindt was next across the line at 24:35.2, just one-tenth of a second ahead of GCU freshman Micah Newkirk, who finished in 24:35.3.
Lopes 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," Houlihan said. "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. 3.
On the women's side, GCU sophomore Isabella Velazquez led the Lopes for the second consecutive meet, finishing the 6K race in 20 minutes, 50.1 seconds to place 28th and enter GCU's all-time top 10.
Sophomore Lauren Pahl was the Lopes' second finisher with a personal-best time of 21:22.4, while sophomore Ava Wadhwa followed closely at 21:25.3.
GCU junior Meredith Richter crossed the finish line in 21:26.8, putting three consecutive Lopes runners within five seconds of each other. Junior Grace Scott rounded out GCU's 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," GCU head coach Shayla Houlihan said.
The Lopes' five scorers finished within 46 seconds of one another for 324 points.
On the men's side, senior Ethan Smith paced the Lopes in the 8K race, finishing 24th with a time of 24:13.1.
Junior teammate Jack Sindt was next across the line at 24:35.2, just one-tenth of a second ahead of GCU freshman Micah Newkirk, who finished in 24:35.3.
Lopes 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," Houlihan said. "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. 3.
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