Saturday, September 23
Minneapolis, Minn.
1:10 p.m.
University of Toledo
at
Roy Griak Invitational
Senior Joan Jepkirui
Rockets To Race in Roy Griak Invitational Saturday
9/21/2017 10:41:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo men's and women's cross country travels to Minnesota for the 32nd Annual Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn. The men's race will kick off the afternoon at 1:10 p.m. with the women's race following at 2:10 p.m. eastern.
The Roy Griak Invitational is named after a legendary Minnesota track & field and cross country coach who led the Gophers to three national championships in 33 years as the head coach.
"This is usually one of the bigger meets in the country," said Toledo head coach Ling Nguyen. "The top teams in the midwest region will be there along with some NCAA qualifying teams. The course is challenging and the weather will play a factor, but if we run smart it could play to our advantage."
Last time out, sophomore Dismas Koech led the Rocket men with an eighth-place finish in the ISU Country Financial Invitational. Koech completed the 8K course in 25:25.4. Senior Alberto Chelimo was also in the top 20 with an 18th-place mark of 25:44.9.
On the women's side, the Rockets were dominant in the 5K two weeks ago. Sophomore Athena Welsh paced the field and broke the tape in a winning time of 17:04.7. Seniors Joan Jepkirui, Stephanie Barlow and Petronela Simiuc each finished in the top five to help the Rockets score just 19 points and win the meet.
"We've only run in little meets thus far," continued Nguyen. "I'm interested to see how our runners react to being in a crowd and with more people around them."
The All-Ohio Championships loom on the Rockets schedule on Friday, Sept. 29. Toledo will go to Cedarville, Ohio to take on the best runner in the Buckeye State.
The Roy Griak Invitational is named after a legendary Minnesota track & field and cross country coach who led the Gophers to three national championships in 33 years as the head coach.
"This is usually one of the bigger meets in the country," said Toledo head coach Ling Nguyen. "The top teams in the midwest region will be there along with some NCAA qualifying teams. The course is challenging and the weather will play a factor, but if we run smart it could play to our advantage."
Last time out, sophomore Dismas Koech led the Rocket men with an eighth-place finish in the ISU Country Financial Invitational. Koech completed the 8K course in 25:25.4. Senior Alberto Chelimo was also in the top 20 with an 18th-place mark of 25:44.9.
On the women's side, the Rockets were dominant in the 5K two weeks ago. Sophomore Athena Welsh paced the field and broke the tape in a winning time of 17:04.7. Seniors Joan Jepkirui, Stephanie Barlow and Petronela Simiuc each finished in the top five to help the Rockets score just 19 points and win the meet.
"We've only run in little meets thus far," continued Nguyen. "I'm interested to see how our runners react to being in a crowd and with more people around them."
The All-Ohio Championships loom on the Rockets schedule on Friday, Sept. 29. Toledo will go to Cedarville, Ohio to take on the best runner in the Buckeye State.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Cross Country
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/ Men's Cross Country
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/ Women's Cross Country
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/ Men's Cross Country
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