University of Minnesota Athletics

Gophers Host Griak Invitational on Saturday

9/20/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country



Sept. 20, 2017

Roy Griak Invitational
Date Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017
TimeUPDATED SCHEDULE
LocationLes Bolstad Golf Course | Falcon Heights, Minn.
CoverageGriak Home | Results | FloTrack Stream | Tickets
CoverageTwitter | Facebook | Instagram | #Gophers | #Griak2017

Due to anticipated high temperatures and heat index on Saturday, the University of Minnesota has adjusted the schedule for the Roy Griak Invitational. Click here for the updated timeline.

MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- The University of Minnesota men's cross country program returns to action this Saturday, hosting the 32nd annual Roy Griak Invitational at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn.

Remembering Roy Griak
Each year, the University of Minnesota honors legendary Gophers coach Roy Griak with the Roy Griak Invitational -- set for its 32nd running in 2017. Griak passed away in July 2015 after dedicating his life to the University of Minnesota and the sports of cross country and track & field. A Minnesota alum, Griak spent more than 50 years on the Gophers coaching staff including 33 as head coach of the men's track & field and cross country programs. In that time, he guided the Gophers to three Big Ten titles, three national champions, 47 All-Americans and 60 Big Ten champions.

2017 Griak Hall of Fame
The University of Minnesota and Gopher Athletics are proud to announce the 2017 Roy Griak Invitational Hall of Fame class, highlighting four individuals who have made immeasurable contributions to one of the nation's top cross country events. This year's four inductees are Dan Dornfeld (USATF Minnesota), Don Fritsch (UW-La Crosse), Nic Matack (Duluth East HS), and Kendall (Wheeler) Schoolmeester (Duluth East HS). These individuals will be honored during this year's competition.

Rewind: 2016 Roy Griak Invitational
The Maroon & Gold return four of its five scorers from last year's team at the Griak, which saw the Gophers finish ninth. Obsa Ali is Minnesota's top returner to this year's field after a sixth-place finish in 2016. Charlie Lawrence, Joey Duerr and Derek Wiebke are also back in the field after scoring for Minnesota one year ago.

Lawrence, Wiebke Captain the Gophers
Redshirt senior Charlie Lawrence is back for his second year as captain of the Maroon & Gold while senior Derek Wiebke joins him as a team captain this year. A native of Foley, Minn., Lawrence earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors last year as well as his second-straight NCAA All-Region selection. A Academic All-American from Kasson, Minn., Wiebke returns to the cross country program after winning a Big Ten indoor mile title last year along with Second Team All-America honors as part of the indoor distance medley relay team.

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Up Next: Wisconsin Competitions
The Maroon & Gold are off until the middle of October following the Griak. The Gophers return to action with the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison on Friday, Oct. 13 with the Jim Drews Invitational following on Saturday, Oct. 14 in Ettrick, Wis.

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