NAU Cross Country Travels to Tucson for Dave Murray Invitational

Meet Information
Live Stats

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 26, 2024) – Northern Arizona's cross country teams are getting ready for its second meet of the season, traveling to Tucson, Ariz., for the annual Dave Murray Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Tucson Country Club Golf Course.
 
The meet starts with the men's 8k at 7:00 a.m. followed by the women's 6k at 7:35 a.m. Follow the live stats for the Dave Murray Invitational here.
 
On this occasion, NAU will compete against this year's host University of Arizona as well as Cuyamaca, El Paso CC, Grand Canyon, Haskell Indian, New Mexico State, UTEP, and Western New Mexico.
 
Both the men's and women's teams are counting on extending their outstanding performances after placing first at the George Kyte Classic on Aug. 31 in Flagstaff for the seventh-straight year.
 
After the victories, the NAU women checked in at No. 2 in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches' Poll and No. 1 in the Mountain Region, while the men are ranked No. 4 nationally and No. 2 in the regional rankings.
 
Florida State transfer David Mullarkey won the George Kyte Classic in his NAU debut with a time of 22:00.2 on the 4.5-mile course. Colin Sahlman followed with a second-place finish, running the race in 22:10.2. Nikita Moore was the top-finisher for the NAU women, finishing second with a time of 14:28.6 on the 2.5-mile course. The Lumberjack women then claimed spots four through 13 to easily win the team title.
 
Both squads return to action this week looking to build on the success from last year's Dave Murray Invitational where the 'Jacks swept both the team and individual titles.
 
Competing for the men this week will be Caleb Easton, Randy Espinoza, Corey Gorgas, Cael Grotenhuis, Justin Keyes, Erik Le Roux, Zack Munson, Santiago Prosser, Aidan Puffer and Ford Washburn. Espinoza is the top NAU returner in the field after placing ninth last year with a time of 24:23.9.
 
For the women, Hayley Burns, Alex Carlson, Anna Fenske, Maisie Grice, Alexis Kebbe, Ava Mitchell, Keira Moore, Emma Stutzman and Odessa Zentz make up the lineup. Grice will be back to defend her individual title from last season, winning with a time of 20:32.5. Moore came in second behind Grice, followed by Fenske who finished 10^th.
 
NAU returns to action next week at the prestigious Joe Piane – Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind., on Oct. 4.

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