Tech Cross Country Returns to Action; Sayen Looks to Defend Title at Roy Griak Invitational

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech cross country teams are back in action this week, heading to the Twin Cities for the historic Roy Griak Invitational on Friday, hosted by the University of Minnesota at Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul. 

The men compete at 1 p.m. covering 8,000m in the Jo Rider Men's Maroon Race (Division II & III), with the women following at 1:45 p.m., pacing 6,000m in the Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon Race (Division II & III).

Live results of the races can be found here.

Senior Clayton Sayen will look to defend his title from last year's Maroon race, where the team finished fourth overall after the Houghton native's low-stick finish.

On the women's side, Michelle Bollini was the top finisher for the Huskies last season, placing 26th overall as the team cracked the top-10 with a ninth-place finish. 

Last time out, the Huskies swept the Vic Godfrey Open. Sam Lange earned his first collegiate cross country race, pacing the 6,000m course in 18:27.7. His performance made league notice as he was named GLIAC Cross Country Player of the Week. 

The Huskies climbed to No. 15 in the Week One USTFCCCA National Coaches' Poll, following the Vic Godfrey Open performance.

As a team, Michigan Tech scored 24 points to win the title. Clayton Sayen had a runner-up finish on the day with Drew Kolodge, the Black & Gold's third scorer of the day was seconds behind, finishing third overall. 

In the victory, the top-eight Huskies clicked off sub 5:15 mile averages over the 6,000m course.

Michelle Bollini and Sam Kurkowski led the Huskies in the 4,000m women's race finishing third and fourth, respectively. 

Of note, Michigan Tech's top-five were within the top-16 scoring 48 points to outpace runner-up Findlay (51 points).