Men's Results Here

Women's Results Here

Race Footage Here

The men and women’s cross country teams travelled to the University of Minnesota for the 23^rd annual Roy Griak Invitational.  This prestigious race had over 3,000 runners compete, making it one of the largest cross country races in the nation. The university races are split up into three divisions, Gold division (NCAA D-I), Maroon division II (NCAA D-II) and Maroon division III (NCAA D-III and NAIA). Both the men and the women’s team competed in the Maroon division II.

The women’s race had 24 teams competing with 257 runners total in the race. SBU placed 6^th place with 168 points but were a mere 8 points out of third place.  Three teams ahead of SBU were ranked in the national top 25 poll. Leading the SBU bearcats was Junior Courtney Ayers and her 4^th place finish.  Courtney’s time of 22:38 was only 22 seconds off the meet champions 22:16.  Coach McElhaney, “I was so proud of the effort we put out today.  We are really close to a breakout race.  It will depend on whether or not we can all race well on the same day.  Courtney Ayers beat a lot of solid runners today and showed her true potential. She has really stepped up in practice and as a leader on this team.  After a 10 hour drive I did not know what to expect but they came out ready to race.”

 

The men’s race also proved to be a close one with only 24 points separating the top 4 teams.  With over 22 teams and 256 runners, SBU placed 4^th with 133 points just 6 points out of 3^rd place.  Two teams ahead of SBU were ranked in the top 25 nationally and one team that placed top 5 last year at the national cross country championships.  Leading the bearcats was junior Shawn Etzenhouser and his 13^th place finish.  Shawn completed the 8k (5 mile) course in 25:56 averaging 5:11 per mile.  Coach McElhaney, “Our top 5 looked very strong today.  I think Shawn would have had a chance for top 5 overall but we held him back to pull our top 4 through the first part of the race.  I think the week off of racing will give our guys their legs back a bit and help them recover.  Three meets in three weeks sometimes catches up with the runners.”

 

Both teams have this weekend off, then travel to Harding University on October 11^th for the Ted Lloyd Bison Stampede. Races begin at 9:30am

 

SBU Women’s 6,000 Results (257 runners)

4^th Courtney Ayers          22:38

20^th Chelsea Strahm        23:43

42^nd Kristen Colon            24:15

43^rd Holly Hackney           24:16

63^rd Rebecca Brigance    24:35

89^th Erica Whitfield           25:10

93^rd Camrie Nixon            25:14

102^nd Andrea Owensby 25:22

204^th Kassidy Porter        27:35

237^th Tiffani Mangone    29:28

241^st KellyFlowers            29:46

Women’s Team Results (24 teams)

1^st Austanan (SD)               54 points *Nationally ranked 5^th

2^nd Pittsburg State           129 points *Nationally ranked 23^rd

3^rd Minn State Mankato                160 points

4^th Minnesota-Duluth     161 points *Nationally ranked 24^th

5^th Black Hills State           167 points

6^th Southwest Baptist    168 points

 

SBU Men’s 8,000 Results (256 runners)

13^th Shawn Etzenhouser                               25:56

26^th Michael McCampbell             26:23

35^th Will Hansen                                26:38

39^th Josh Rollins                                 26:41

42^nd Jeremy Glassmaker                               26:45

78^th Cameron Ayers                        27:20

93^rd David Hackney                          27:28

108^th Caleb Loya                                27:47

118^th David Schulties                       27:55

142^nd Josiah Coen                             28:27

156^th Vince Tichenor                       28:43