SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Following three weeks away from competition, the Augustana men's and women's cross country teams are ready to return to the course at the 34th annual Roy Griak Invitational. The Viking men enter the race as the three-time defending champions, and the Viking women finished as the runner-up in 2018. 

Hosted by the University of Minnesota, the Griak takes place Saturday, Sept. 28, at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. The first race of the day is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

One of the largest meets in the country, the Griak includes four collegiate races and four high school races. For the Vikings, their focus will be on a pair of competitions - the Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon Race (Division II & III), which starts at 11:10 a.m, and the Jo Rider Men's Maroon Race (Division II & III), which is scheduled for 12:10 p.m.

The official distances for the DII & DIII races are listed as 8,000 Meters for the men and 6,000 Meters for the women. 

The Vikings only have one competition in the books for the 2019 season. Augustana started off the season at the 2019 Augustana Twilight, where the men finished in second place (Four Mile) and the women finished in third (5K).

In the most recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national poll, the Viking men checked in at 10th with the women sitting in 7th. More than seven top-25 programs will be competing this weekend at the Griak.

2019 Roy Griak Schedule:
9:25 AM – National Anthem 
9:30 AM – Merrill Fischbein Men's Gold (Division I) Competition 
10:20 AM - Jack Johnson Women's Gold (Division I) Competition 
10:30 AM - Merrill Fischbein Men's Gold Awards 
11:10 AM - Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon Race (Division II & III) Competition
12:10 PM - Jo Rider Men's Maroon Race (Division II & III) Competition
12:20 PM - Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon Awards 
1:20 PM – Jo Rider Men's Maroon Awards
2:50 PM – Lefty Wright Boys HS Maroon Competition 
3:40 PM – High School Girls Maroon Competition

For purchase, FloTrack will provide LIVE coverage of the 2019 Roy Griak XC Invitational. For spectators attending the event, ticket prices are $10.00 (adult) and $8.00 (Senior/Youth). For more information on the 2019 Roy Griak Invitational, click here.