The undefeated North Dakota women’s cross country team, along with the Fighting Hawk men, return to action at the esteemed Roy Griak Invitational on Friday morning.  The men will participate in the Merrill Fischbein gold division 8,000 meter race scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. The women will compete in the Jack Johnson women’s gold division 6,000 meter race with an 11:15 a.m. start time. 

The Fighting Hawk women are coming off a first-place finish two weeks ago at the South Dakota State University Classic, defeating the host and preseason Summit League favorite Jackrabbits along with North Dakota State.  In Brookings, the women were led by senior Ellyssa Peterson who took the lead with 2K to go and finished second overall.

This will be the first six kilometer race for the Fighting Hawk women this year after a pair of 5Ks to open the season. 

After winning the Ron Pynn Classic to open the season at home, the North Dakota men ran their first 8K of the season on their way to a second place finish at the SDSU Classic.  True freshman Justin Jelaca was the first Hawk across the line in eighth overall. 

The Roy Griak Invitational will be the first meet the Hawks will see competition from outside the states of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota this season.