Sept. 20, 2000

The University of Missouri cross country team travels to the University of Minnesota for the Roy Griak Invitational this weekend.

The women, ranked 21st in this week's National Coaches Poll, took places 1-5 and six of the top-eight at the Missouri Challenge on Sept.8. Mizzou scored 15 points and tallied a total average time of 18:37.47 to beat Southwest Missouri State (47 points) and Mid-America Nazarene (71 points). Sophomore Kerry Hils took first place with a time of 18:21.88. Senior Katie Meyer (18:27.31), juniors Ann Marie Brooks (18:28.76) and Katie Sekinger (18:51.46) and sophomore Amy Chipman (18:57.94) followed Hils in places two through five, respectively.

The MU men, ranked 21st nationally, scored 20 points en route to the top spot at the Missouri Challenge. Missouri beat out Southwest Missouri State (39 points) and Mid-America Nazarene (77 points) for the home sweep. Senior Adam MacDowell (24:59.19) led the Tigers with a first place finish, another senior Nick Smith (25:22.36) took second and junior Mike Pitts (25:42.80) came in third.

Thirteen of the teams entered in the Griak Invitational are ranked or received votes in this week's top-25. Defending meet champion, Arizona State, is ranked seventh this week. The other ranked teams include No. 11 Providence, No. 12 Oregon, No. 13 Minnesota, No. 15 Colorado State, No. 23 Marquette and No. 25 Wake Forest.

"This is a very good meet and an excellent opportunity to test ourselves," said Head Coach Jared Wilmes. "Our kids are excited to compete against the best competition in the nation and we hope to run well this weekend."