The Roy Griak Invitational returns for its 38th year on Friday, Sept. 20 as the University of Minnesota hosts one of the nation’s elite cross country competitions at Les Bolstad Golf Course.
The ten-race event begins with the Men’s Gold (DI) 8K race at 10:00 a.m. CT followed by the Women’s Gold (DI) 6K race at 10:45 a.m. CT. The race will be live streamed via B1G+ and RunnerSpace. The broadcast team will be Paul Swangard with former Gopher Ben Blankenship as the color commentator for the men’s races and Carrie Tollefson for the women’s race. Additionally Keenan Gray will serve as a sideline reporter and will conduct interviews after the races. Fans can also follow along live at PTTiming.com.
Participating Division I Men’s Teams
American, California, Colorado State, Minnesota, High Point, Navy, North Dakota, North Dakota State, North Texas, Ohio, Ohio State, Santa Clara, South Dakota State, St. Thomas (Minn.), Utah Valley, Wyoming, Youngstown State.
Participating Division I Women’s Teams
American, California, Colorado State (RV), Minnesota, Montana State, Navy, North Dakota, North Dakota State, North Texas, Ohio, Ohio State, San Diego State, Santa Clara, South Dakota State, St. Thomas (Minn.), No. 25 Utah Valley, Wyoming.
Roy Griak Invitational Schedule (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
• 10:00 AM – Merrill Fischbein Men’s Gold (Division I) Competition
• 10:45 AM – Jack Johnson Women’s Gold (Division I) Competition
• 11:30 AM – Jo Rider Men’s Maroon Race (Division II & III) Competition
• 12:15 PM – Suzy Wilson Women’s Maroon Race (Division II & III) Competition
• 1:30 PM – HS Boys Championship Race
• 2:15 PM – HS Girls Championship Race
• 3:00 PM – Lefty Wright Boys HS Maroon Competition
• 3:45 PM – High School Girls Maroon Competition
• 4:30 PM – Larry Zirgibel HS Boy’s Gold Competition
• 5:15 PM – Gary Wilson HS Girls Gold Competition
Honoring a Legend
A cross country coaching legend and a leader at the University of Minnesota for more than five decades, Roy Griak’s greatest contribution to the sport may be the competition that bears his name. The Roy Griak Invitational not only stands as one of the nation’s premiere cross country meets, it also honors Coach Griak and his immeasurable contributions to the sport and the University of Minnesota. Since its beginning in 1986, the event has grown from two Division I races in its inaugural form to now boasting 10 races for Division I, Division II, Division III and high school student-athletes and programs.
A former letter winner for the Gophers, Griak, who passed away on July 9, 2015, served the University of Minnesota for more than 50 years as a member of the men’s track & field and cross country coaching staff and remained devoted to his alma mater for his entire life.
Gophers To Watch
University of Minnesota redshirt senior Erin Reidy and redshirt junior Emmet Anderson were named the cross country team’s Runners to Watch by the Big Ten, the conference office announced on August 22.
Anderson was Minnesota’s top cross country men’s runner in three of the six meets during the 2023 campaign. The Staples, Minn., native helped Minnesota win the Badger Classic in Madison, Wis. by finishing fifth overall, which helped the Maroon and Gold get named the NCAA Team of the Week. Out of Downers Grove, Ill., Reidy was the program’s top finisher at the NCAA Midwest Regional last season in Stillwater, Okla., finishing 29th overall. She also was the top finisher for the Maroon and Gold at the Griak Invitational, finishing 36th.
Kohut-Jackson Named Big Ten Athlete of the Week
Graduate student Noah Kohut-Jackson was named the Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced on September 4. The Ames, Iowa, native won Minnesota’s season opening Oz Memorial on August 30. Kohut-Jackson’s victory at the Oz Memorial was his first cross country win of his career. In a personal best time of 15:56.2, Kohut-Jackson won the 5K event at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights and helped the Gophers claim the team win at home to open the 2024 campaign.
Griak Tickets on Sale
Skip the wait on race day and purchase tickets for the Roy Griak Invitational online at GopherSports.com. General admission tickets can be purchased online and at the entrance gate on race day.
Up Next: Loyola Lakefront Invite
The Maroon & Gold will send a majority of the squad to the Loyola Lakefront Invitational in Chicago, Ill., on October 4. Another portion of the team will compete at the Blugold Invitational in Eau Claire, Wis., which is also held on October 4. For more information on the Golden Gophers cross country schedule, visit the men’s and women’s schedule pages on GopherSports.com.
(info courtesy of Gopher Sports)
