Hopkins Cross Country Readies For Griak Invitational

The Hopkins girls and boys cross country teams will compete at the 26th-annual Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday at the Les Bolstad Golf Course on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus .

"We're looking to have a positive experience and give our younger kids some big-meet experience as well," Royals boys head coach Mike Harris said. "I'm hoping to be able to gauge where we are at in comparison to a couple of teams from our conference as well."

The Griak, one of the state’s most recognizable cross country events, will host high school and collegiate teams throughout the day. 

"It's going to be a great atmosphere," Harris said.

Hopkins will run against Lake Conference rivals Edina in the boys and girls race and Minnetonka in the girls event in the high school gold division, with the boys race commencing at 2 p.m. and the girls run beginning at 2:50 p.m.

Teams representing approximately 50 schools from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri and Kansas are scheduled to take part at the Invite.

Harris said that the Hopkins boys are heading into the meet on a high note after the varsity won its first competition of the year Sept. 15 in Little Falls, with the Royals' junior varsity taking second.

"It's been a real positive season with great kids and good numbers out this fall," he said. "We're optimistic that things are moving in the right direction.

The Hopkins teams will be on hand much of the day Saturday, soaking up the atmosphere of the red-letter date on the state cross-country calendar. 

It all begins at 9 a.m. with college races running through 1:10 p.m. NCAA men’s and women’s Division I, II and III races make up the morning, and high school races make up the afternoon.

The high school maroon boys race takes place at 3:40 p.m. with the girls maroon race following at 4:30 p.m. About 50 more teams will compete in each of the maroon races.

Gold race boys awards will be given at 2:55 p.m., and gold girls awards will be handed out at 3:45 p.m.

The top seven runners on each division’s winning team and the top overall individual runner will receive an award. The top three teams and the top 20 individuals of each division will be recognized.