Sept. 22, 2011
EVANSTON, Ill. -- On Saturday, Northwestern makes its first trip back to the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational hosted by Minnesota since 2009, joining 25 other programs from across the country in the Women's Gold Race. NU's strong team showings in the first two meets of the year have allowed the 'Cats to move up to No. 8 in the USTFCCCA Midwest Region Cross Country rankings.
The running of the Women's Gold Race at the 26th Roy Griak Invitational is set for 1:10 p.m. CT at Minnesota's Les Bolstand Golf Course. It is NU's first 6K test of the season.
The meet will give NU a chance to test itself against several top teams it will see later in the year at the Midwest Regional Championships; four of the top seven teams in the region (Iowa State, Minnesota, Kansas and Kansas State) are among the entrants at the Griak Invite. In total, eight of the top 30-ranked teams in the nation will be competing.
Northwestern's last appearance in the Griak resulted in a 12th-place team finish as then-freshman Audrey Huth placed 36th overall, crossing as the Wildcats' leading finisher for the first time in her career.
In addition to its wave of competitors at the Griak, Northwestern also will send runners to the Forester Invitational hosted by Lake Forest. That meet is slated for a 10 a.m. start at Adler Park in Libertyville, Ill.
Results from both meets will be posted on NUsports.com upon their conclusion.
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