University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, September 22
St Paul, MN
10:00 AM
University of Minnesota
vs
37th Annual Roy Griak Invitational
Photo by: Bjorn Franke
37th Annual Griak Set to Begin Friday
9/21/2023 4:07:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
The ten-race event starts with the Division I races at 10:30 a.m. CT.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Roy Griak Invitational returns for its 37th year on Friday, Sept. 22 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) race at 10:00 a.m. CT followed by the Women's Gold (DI) race at 10:45 a.m. CT. The race will not be live streamed but fans can follow along live at PTTiming.com.
Participating Division I Men's Teams
Boise State, Cal Baptist, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Gonzaga, Kennesaw State, Miami (Fla.), Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota State, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Clara, South Dakota State, St. Thomas, Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Wyoming.
Participating Division I Women's Teams
Boise State, Cal Baptist, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Kennesaw State, Miami (Fla.), Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota State, Portland, San Francisco, South Dakota, South Dakota State, St. Thomas, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Utah and Wyoming.
Roy Griak Invitational Schedule (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
Between the men's and women's Division I races there will be seven teams that are receiving votes in the latest USTFCCCA national rankings at the 2023 Roy Griak Invitational. The highest ranked team on the men's side is No. 9 Portland followed by Gonzaga that is receiving votes. The deep women's field includes No. 19 New Mexico, No. 22 Cal Baptist, No. 24 Utah, No. 29 Colorado State and Boise State who are receiving votes.
Checking in with Coach Hopkins
After nine seasons serving as head coach of the women's cross country program at Minnesota, Gophers alum Sarah Hopkins is in her second campaign as head coach of both the men's and women's teams. Coach Hopkins on the upcoming Roy Griak Invitational:
"Griak week is always a fun week," Hopkins said. "It's a great week for coaches, it is a great week for the University of Minnesota and it is a great week for Cross Country as a sport. This year is the first time we've had three high school races instead of two due to the large number of entries. We also have a 'Championship Race', which is the best of the best that are going to be there which is really exciting for those individuals that are looking for great competition no matter what size of school they go to."
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.
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: Late September Competitions
The Maroon & Gold will split up following Friday's Griak Invitational with the men's contingency of Gophers taking a week off while while the women's team will head to both the Eau Claire Invitational and the Joe Piane Invitational at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
The ten-race event begins with the Men's Gold (DI) race at 10:00 a.m. CT followed by the Women's Gold (DI) race at 10:45 a.m. CT. The race will not be live streamed but fans can follow along live at PTTiming.com.
Participating Division I Men's Teams
Boise State, Cal Baptist, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Gonzaga, Kennesaw State, Miami (Fla.), Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota State, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Clara, South Dakota State, St. Thomas, Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Wyoming.
Participating Division I Women's Teams
Boise State, Cal Baptist, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Kennesaw State, Miami (Fla.), Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota State, Portland, San Francisco, South Dakota, South Dakota State, St. Thomas, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Utah and 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
Between the men's and women's Division I races there will be seven teams that are receiving votes in the latest USTFCCCA national rankings at the 2023 Roy Griak Invitational. The highest ranked team on the men's side is No. 9 Portland followed by Gonzaga that is receiving votes. The deep women's field includes No. 19 New Mexico, No. 22 Cal Baptist, No. 24 Utah, No. 29 Colorado State and Boise State who are receiving votes.
Checking in with Coach Hopkins
After nine seasons serving as head coach of the women's cross country program at Minnesota, Gophers alum Sarah Hopkins is in her second campaign as head coach of both the men's and women's teams. Coach Hopkins on the upcoming Roy Griak Invitational:
"Griak week is always a fun week," Hopkins said. "It's a great week for coaches, it is a great week for the University of Minnesota and it is a great week for Cross Country as a sport. This year is the first time we've had three high school races instead of two due to the large number of entries. We also have a 'Championship Race', which is the best of the best that are going to be there which is really exciting for those individuals that are looking for great competition no matter what size of school they go to."
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.
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: Late September Competitions
The Maroon & Gold will split up following Friday's Griak Invitational with the men's contingency of Gophers taking a week off while while the women's team will head to both the Eau Claire Invitational and the Joe Piane Invitational at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
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