(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota will host one of the most legendary cross country meets in the country this Friday as part of Gopher homecoming activities. The 2021 Roy Griak (GREE-ack) Invitational will feature thousands of runners at the Les Bolsted Golf Course on campus. The Golden Gophers have hosted the Griak since 1986 except for last year, when the pandemic forced its cancellation. Gopher head coach Sarah Hopkins says both the men’s and women’s teams are competing at a high level, with the women’s team ranked in the top ten. She says if they stay healthy and work hard, they have a chance to contend for a national championship. The Roy Griak Invitational begins with the men’s Division I race on Friday at 10:30 A-M, followed by the women’s D-I race at 11:15 A-M. The Division II and Division III runners go after that, followed by the high school divisions. For more information on the Roy Griak Invitational, click here.
MNN sports director Mike Grimm spoke with Hopkins:
Sarah Hopkins
(photos courtesy of Gopher Sports)