The UW men's cross country team looks to repeat its 2003 first place finish at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis Saturday, after a second-place showing at the season opener in Iowa City last weekend.
The Badgers were recently ranked No. 1 in the nation in the Mondo Men's Cross Country Poll conducted by the United States Cross Country Coaches Association. This weekend's meet will be the second of three competitions leading up to the Big Ten Championships Oct. 31.
With a sixth-consecutive Big Ten title expected and a shot at breaking the two-year streak as NCAA runners-up, this weekend's invitational is a big test for the men's team as they go up against talented squads from across the country.
Impressive finishes from junior Simon Bairu, who was the top UW runner in third place, and a sixth place debut from then-freshman Chris Solinsky led to the Badger win at the 2003 Griak Invitational. Both runners are expected to be top scorers again this year, with significant contributions from the rest of the deep Wisconsin team.
The Badgers' top seven runners from 2003 return this year, including Bairu, 2003 Big Ten Athlete of the Year, and Solinsky, 2003 conference freshman of the year, along with a commended list of runners including senior Josh Spiker and junior Bobby Lockhart, 2003 all-region athletes, and senior Tim Keller, who made first team All-Big Ten last season.
Lockhart was named Big Ten Runner of the Week last week after dominating the Hawkeye Invite in 25:10, a full 12 seconds faster than fellow Badger and second-place finisher Ben Gregory. The men's team is also bolstered by the return of senior Matt Tegenkamp, 2002 Big Ten Champion, who missed most of the 2003 season due to injury.
The UW women are likely to experience some growing pains this season as they join the men's team at Saturday's invitational. With new Head Coach Jim Stintzi as well as seven new members, the squad faces a learning curve in maximizing scoring potential from its runners. Coming off a second place finish at the Crusader Invitational in Valparaiso where they beat fourth-ranked Notre Dame, top finishers sophomore Katrina Rundhaug, first place in 22:30, and junior A Havahla Haynes, second place in 22:35, look to lead the team in an invitational that includes seven teams ranked in the top 25.
