University of Minnesota Athletics
2019 Griak Hall of Fame Class Unveiled
9/18/2019 9:29:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota and Gopher Athletics are proud to announce the 2019 Roy Griak Invitational Hall of Fame class, highlighting three individuals who have made immeasurable contributions to one of the nation's top cross country meets.
The 2019 Roy Griak Invitational Hall of Fame class of Matthew Berens, Mike Jay and Father Jim Kirby will be honored during the 34th annual Roy Griak Invitational, set for Saturday, Sept. 28 at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn.
About the 2019 Roy Griak Hall of Fame Class
Matthew Berens, Bethel University
In the 12-year history of the Griak Invitational men's maroon III race only one man earned medalists honors on more than one occasion – Matthew Berens of Bethel University. Berens, competed for the Royals from 2012 to 2015, won his first Griak title in 2013 after running a race-leading 25:45.4 before returning to the field in 2015 and picking up his second win with a time of 26:30.0. He also made his way onto the podium at the Griak in 2012 with a 20th-place finish. A native of Oakdale, Minn., Berens was a two-time USTFCCCA All-America selection for Bethel in 2013 and 2015 while earning a spot on the MIAC All-Conference Team in 2012, 2013 and 2015. As a prep at North St. Paul High School, he was an all-state honoree in cross country.
Mike Jay
While Roy Griak will always be the face of the Griak Invitational, Mike Jay should be considered the voice of one of the nation's most prestigious cross country meets. The 2019 version of the Griak will stand as Jay's 18th calling the races at Les Bolstad Golf Course. As the action spreads over the course, thousands of Griak fans benefit from Jay's dedication and expertise as he calls each and every race year after year. In addition to his years at the Griak, Jay has been the long-time voice at Drake Relays while also calling the action as public address announcer at numerous NCAA championships, USATF championships and major college conference competitions. In 2014, he was honored as the nation's top track and field announcer by Track and Field Writers of America.
Father Jim Kirby, West Des Moines Dowling Catholic High School/Simpson College
Father Jim Kirby has been an assistant coach at Simpson College since 2017 but has coached cross country and track & field since 1992. He served as the head girls' cross country coach at West Des Moines Dowling Catholic High School from 2006-2016 after beginning as an assistant for the track & field team in 1999. Under Father Kirby's direction, Dowling Catholic won back-to-back Griak Invitational girls high school gold race titles in 2010 and 2011. He also coached Dowling Catholic runner Katie Flood to three-straight individual gold race crowns in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Along with his coaching duties with the Storm, Father Kirby is a priest at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlisle, Iowa.
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The 2019 Roy Griak Invitational Hall of Fame class of Matthew Berens, Mike Jay and Father Jim Kirby will be honored during the 34th annual Roy Griak Invitational, set for Saturday, Sept. 28 at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn.
About the 2019 Roy Griak Hall of Fame Class
Matthew Berens, Bethel University
In the 12-year history of the Griak Invitational men's maroon III race only one man earned medalists honors on more than one occasion – Matthew Berens of Bethel University. Berens, competed for the Royals from 2012 to 2015, won his first Griak title in 2013 after running a race-leading 25:45.4 before returning to the field in 2015 and picking up his second win with a time of 26:30.0. He also made his way onto the podium at the Griak in 2012 with a 20th-place finish. A native of Oakdale, Minn., Berens was a two-time USTFCCCA All-America selection for Bethel in 2013 and 2015 while earning a spot on the MIAC All-Conference Team in 2012, 2013 and 2015. As a prep at North St. Paul High School, he was an all-state honoree in cross country.
Mike Jay
While Roy Griak will always be the face of the Griak Invitational, Mike Jay should be considered the voice of one of the nation's most prestigious cross country meets. The 2019 version of the Griak will stand as Jay's 18th calling the races at Les Bolstad Golf Course. As the action spreads over the course, thousands of Griak fans benefit from Jay's dedication and expertise as he calls each and every race year after year. In addition to his years at the Griak, Jay has been the long-time voice at Drake Relays while also calling the action as public address announcer at numerous NCAA championships, USATF championships and major college conference competitions. In 2014, he was honored as the nation's top track and field announcer by Track and Field Writers of America.
Father Jim Kirby, West Des Moines Dowling Catholic High School/Simpson College
Father Jim Kirby has been an assistant coach at Simpson College since 2017 but has coached cross country and track & field since 1992. He served as the head girls' cross country coach at West Des Moines Dowling Catholic High School from 2006-2016 after beginning as an assistant for the track & field team in 1999. Under Father Kirby's direction, Dowling Catholic won back-to-back Griak Invitational girls high school gold race titles in 2010 and 2011. He also coached Dowling Catholic runner Katie Flood to three-straight individual gold race crowns in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Along with his coaching duties with the Storm, Father Kirby is a priest at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlisle, Iowa.
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