RedTails Cross Country runs at Roy Griak Invitational

ST. PAUL-The Hawkeye RedTail cross country team traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota on September 23, 2022, to compete at the Roy Griak Invitational. 

Almost all of the RedTail men set a personal best at the first 8K race of the season. D'Artagnon Beaver led the way with a time of 27 minutes, 42.2 seconds. The next RedTails to cross the finish line were Brennan Sauser, 28:30.6, Zach Niederklopfer, 29:50.3, and Hunter Hughlette, 30:20.9. Victor Echeveste and Bryce Grissom finished side by side with times of 33:33.5 and 33:33.8, respectively. Kory Sweeney rounded it out for the RedTail men with a time of 34:37.2.

Coach Tyler Mudler reflected on the meet saying, "The first 8K of the season is always fun to see as you get to see the freshman get a better idea of how to approach the race. Overall each athlete ran really good times coming through 5K and kept going.  Griak's course itself is challenging, but it was a fun race for everyone and the largest amount of competitors in one race for everyone. Next, the RedTails will get some flatter courses and it will be exciting to see everyone progress from here!"

The women's team ran their only 6K race of the year. Rachel Rusche finished first for the female RedTails with a time of 30:56.3. Triniti Etzel came in with a time of 31:30.6.

"Both Rachel and Triniti improved their season best 5K times en route to a 6K finish," said Mulder. "They will benefit from this race greatly as it'll make a 5k seem short as they prepare for fellow conference members at Mount Mercy, Indian Hills, Regionals, and Nationals. We'll also be gaining some new faces as the season progresses, so don't be shocked when the women's team also cracks into the top 25 rankings as well!"