Sept. 21, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri men's cross country team is set to compete in the 21st annual Roy Griak Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 23, in Falcon Heights, Minn., a suburb of the Twin Cities. The field includes eight teams currently ranked in the top 30 in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Men's Cross Country Poll. Six Big 12 teams join the Tigers in the event.

The meet marks the return of senior Tim Ross (Alto, Mich.), senior Tipper O'Brien (Kirkwood, Mo.) and junior Colten Green (Roach, Mo.). Freshman Dan Hedgecock (St. Louis, Mo.) is entering the first race of his collegiate career. All four sat out the Missouri Cross Country Challenge on Sept. 9.

The Tiger men won their first meet of the season, the Missouri Cross Country Challenge, held at A.L. Gustin Golf Course in Columbia. Missouri sophomore Garett Jeffries (Clarkson Valley, Mo.) finished first along with three other Tigers in the top four. Sophomore Tim Cornell (Columbia, Mo.) finished second (26:34.32). Junior Billy Bell (Chesterfield, Mo.) finished third and sophomore Michael Barrows (Flint, Mich.) was the fourth place finisher. Sophomore Brian Graybill (Liberty, Mo.) finished fifth for Missouri and seventh overall.

Previewing the Griak

The Course The 21st Annual Roy Griak Invitational, hosted by the University of Minnesota, takes place on the University's Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn., a suburb of the Twin Cities. The course will also host the Midwest Regional Championships in November.

The Race Missouri will compete in the Men's Gold Competition (8k), which begins at 11:20 a.m. (CT). For official results for all races, please visit www.gophersports.com.

The Field The field for the Men's Gold Competition includes 2005 National Champion, and preseason No. 1, Wisconsin. Eight of the teams in the field are in the USTFCCCA preseason top 30. Besides Wisconsin, the other ranked teams include; Arizona (8), Kansas (10), Arizona State (20), Minnesota (23), Virginia (26), Iowa (27) and Michigan State (28). The field also includes other Big 12 teams Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Tiger Women The Missouri women's cross country team is preparing for their next race, the Notre Dame Invitational, Sept. 29, in South Bend, Ind.