Michigan State University
Griak Invitational
Cross Country Concludes Action at Griak Invitational
9/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Sept. 26, 2009
Complete Results - Men
Complete Results - Women
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Michigan State cross country team concluded action at the Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota on Saturday. Overall, the women's team finished third, while the men placed sixth as a team. Pacing the Spartan women with a fourth-place finish was junior Emily MacLeod (Loveland, Ohio), crossing the finish line in 21:41. Junior Patrick Grosskopf (Corunna, Mich.) was the top male finisher, posting a time of 25:10.
"I felt that both the men and the women performed well today," said director of cross country and track & field Walt Drenth. "Both teams could have easily folded under the circumstances, but they were able to battle through and have good showings today."
Finishing three seconds behind MacLeod, in fifth place, was sophomore Carlie Green (Milford, Mich.), turning in a time of 21:44. The Spartan women were one of two teams to finish two runners in the top five, with the other being overall champion Iowa State. Sophomore Rebekah Smeltzer (Monroe, Mich.) posted a time of 22:26, finishing as the third Spartan to cross the line. Sophomore Tiffany Abrahamian (Rochester, Mich.) was the fourth for MSU to finish, turning in a time of 22:39. The final scorer for the Spartans was senior Thereseann Huprikar (Gaylord, Mich.), finishing the 6k in 22:53.
Overall, Iowa State took home the women's championship with a team score of 31, while second place was earned by host Minnesota, finishing with a score of 48. Minnesota's Megan Duwell also turned in the top time on women's side, posting a time of 21:01.
Turning in a time of 25:19, and finishing 20th, for the men was junior Spencer Beatty (Harbor Springs, Mich.), while junior Alex Russeau (LaSalle, Mich.) finished with a time of 25:34. Senior Dan Lewis (Chelsea, Mich.) was the fourth Spartan to cross the finish line, posting a time of 25:35. Sophomore Joe Dimambro (Flint, Mich.), the final scorer for the men, posted a time of 25:48.
Iowa State completed the Griak Invite sweep as the men finished first with a score of 71, just three points ahead of Oklahoma in second. Hassan Mead of Minnesota turned in the top male time, crossing the line in 24:38.
The Spartans return to action on Friday, Oct. 2, when they travel to the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind.
Players Mentioned
