University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Women Defend Griak Title
9/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Plenty of Maroon and Gold was up front in the Jack Johnson Women’s Gold race of Saturday’s Roy Griak Invitational at the Les Bolstad Golf Course, but it was Minnesota that pulled away from Arizona State for its second consecutive team title.
The two similarly-dressed teams took charge of the field from the outset and combined to have the top six finishers, including nine of the top 13 scorers. Minnesota’s 31 team points was the lowest the Gophers have scored at the Griak, while Arizona State, last year’s fourth place team at the NCAA championships, totaled 43 team points. It was the third time the Gophers have won the Griak team title, having also done so in 2007 and 2000. Minnesota edged Arizona State by three points for last year’s Griak team crown.
Arizona State had the individual champion as Kari Hardt pulled away to win in 21:19. Megan Duwell from Minnesota was second in 21:26.
“We wanted to get our first three runners up front in the first 2,500 meters,” Hardt said of the Sun Devils’ strategy. “We stayed together and that really helped.”
“I felt really happy about my race,” Duwell said. “I was hoping to go out there and stay confident. The fans helped a whole bunch and they were amazing out there. They really cheered us on and motivated us. I was able to work with my teammates and together we were able to push up front and stay competitive.”
Players Mentioned
