University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Head to Griak Invitational this Weekend
9/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 23, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn women's cross country team will head to the 24th Annual Roy Griak Invitational at the University of Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. The Griak Invitational is a 6,000-meter race at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul, Minn.
There will be 20 Division I teams competing in this year's Gold Division (Div I) as several Nationally ranked teams will be vying for the Griak Invitational title, including eighth-ranked Minnesota, 17th-ranked Michigan State and 28th-ranked Iowa State.
"Obviously the level of competition at the Griak is exceptional and we will really have our work cut out for us this weekend," said Distance Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough. "Having said that, we are in a perfect position to take advantage of this opportunity and we are confident that we are very prepared - I fully expect us to finish in the top half of this field."
The Huskies have been led by sophomore Courtney Dinnan in their first two meets of the season as Dinnan took first place in both the Bryant and Fairfield Invitationals. Also guiding the Huskies this season has been co-captain Sara Leslie, who has been a top finisher for UConn in both meets.
"It is an important step for our program to travel to these early big meet, while it is also our first time running the 6k distance this season," said McDonough. "Individually I will not be surprised to see one or two of our women get themselves onto the podium with a top-20 finish, which would be a huge accomplishment at this meet. But even those individuals are more concerned with the team's success than with their own, which is exactly the attitude we need."
"The Griak meet comes at a perfect time in our schedule where the confidence of two early meet victories propel us into the fire of national competition," said head coach Bill Morgan. "Add the excitement of travel and a festival atmosphere, (similar to that of the Penn Relays for track and field), and the components for a great effort are that much more enhanced. Coach McDonough has this team well prepared for this competition."
"This is the real test of where our team stands heading into the championship half of our season." Added McDonough.
Players Mentioned
