XC Notebook: Roy Griak Invite

THIS WEEK

University of Iowa cross country travels to the Roy Griak Invitational Friday morning at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Minneapolis. The men’s 8,000-meter race kicks off competition at 10:00 a.m., with the women’s 6,000-meter race to follow. Admission is $12.

LAST TIME OUT

The Hawkeyes started the 2025 season strong, performing well at the Hawkeye invite, with the women’s team taking first place with 24 points. They were led by sophomore Elena Torres, who finished the 4,000-meter race in 13:44.6. The men’s team led by junior Luke Knepp (17:59.2, 6,000-meter race) tied for first with 34 points, with Iowa Central winning the tiebreaker. The teams combined for 12 individual personal records and six appearances on the program’s all-time list. The women started strong with seven top-10 finishes and two all-time best performances. The men wrapped up the night with four top-10 finishes in the 6,000-meter race, with all four athletes securing spots on the all-time best performances list for Iowa.

WOMEN’S TOP RUNNERS

Miriam Sandeen was the leading runner for Iowa in the 2024 regular season. The senior from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, returns as Iowa’s top finisher in the Hawkeye Invite, Big Ten Preview, Bradley Pink Classic, B1G Championships and NCAA Midwest Regionals. Senior Jalyssa Blazek finished third at the 2025 Hawkeye Invite and is tied for 8th all-time at Iowa. Sophomore Hillary Trainor set a new personal record to secure seventh at the Hawkeye Invite.

MEN’S TOP RUNNERS

Iowa returns its top seven scorers from 2024. Seniors Brayden Burnett and Carson Houg were Iowa’s consistent point scorers a season ago. Freshman Elias Arbuckle placed sixth in this year's Hawkeye Invite with a time of 18:09.0, placing him at fifth all-time at Iowa in just his very first collegiate race. Also finishing well at the Invite was Kyle Montgomery in seventh with a time of 18:11.3 moving him into seventh all-time at Iowa.

HAWKEYE NEWCOMERS

This season, Iowa welcomes four newcomers to the 2025 roster. Freshmen Owen Wolfe, Spencer Alf and Elias Arbuckle join the men’s team this fall. The women’s team added one new freshman in Emma Magallan. These four look to have just as big of an impact as last year’s newcomers. Last season, Iowa relied on several newcomers. On the women’s side, Elena Torres was recognized twice as Big Ten Freshman of the Week, earning the honor for her performances at the Big Ten Preview and Gans Creek Classic. She was also named Iowa’s September Woman Athlete of the Month. Additionally, Marissa Long and Hillary Trainor placed among Iowa’s top five runners in the team’s first two races. The men’s team also saw strong performances from its then-freshmen. Kyle Montgomery and Ethan Eichhorn were key contributors, finishing among Iowa’s top five at multiple meets. Montgomery excelled at the Hawkeye Invite, Gans Creek Classic, and Bradley Pink Classic, while Eichhorn secured top-five finishes at the Hawkeye Invite, Big Ten Preview and Bradley Pink Classic.

LOCAL FOCUS

Of the 24 athletes on the Hawkeyes’ cross country team, 15 hail from the state of Iowa. Cameron Kalaway and Audra Soderlind come to the Hawkeye State from Illinois. Two Hawkeyes - Marissa Long and Miriam Sandeen - are Minnesota natives. Spencer Alf (Wisconsin), Armaan Chopra (Virginia), Ella Magallan (Texas), Kyle Montgomery (Indiana) and Elena Torres (Colorado) represent their respective states in 2025.

ROY GRIAK INVITE 2016

The University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the 31st annual Roy Griak Invite in Minneapolis. The men placed 15th overall out of 29. The women placed 24th out of a total of 34 teams racing. 

LINK UP WITH THE HAWKEYES

 For an inside look at the Iowa cross country program and to access exclusive coverage, “like” The University of Iowa Cross Country and Track & Field Facebook page and follow the Hawkeyes on X (@IowaXC_TF) and Instagram (@iowaxctf). Follow live results at hawkeyesports.com/tracklive.

UP NEXT

After a weekend off, the Hawkeyes return to action at the Joe Piane Invitational on Oct. 3. Races begin at 9:30 a.m. (CT).