St. Paul, MN- The University of Mary Men's Cross Country Team faced fierce competition at the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational held at the Les Bolstad Cross Country Course in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 22, 2023. The Maroon 8K race featured talented runners from various universities, and UMary showcased its determination and resilience throughout the event.
 
UMarys Men's Cross Country Team showed the team that they are a team to keep an eye on at the Roy Griak Invitational, securing 16th place in the 32-team division that included 460 runners. Despite the challenging competition in the rigorous 8K race, the team persevered and demonstrated their commitment to improvement.
 
Head Cross Country Coach Chris Lessard commended their remarkable patience in the face of the race's initial frenzy. While others succumbed to the temptation of a fast start, our men judiciously conserved their energy, resulting in a strong finish. Coach Lessard believes this is just the beginning of their journey, noting their tenacious spirit. He urged everyone to keep an eye on them throughout the conference season.
 
UMary's top performer in this challenging race was Guillermo Fregoso, who finished 33rd with a time of 26:42.8. Caleb Hansen also delivered a strong performance, crossing the finish line with a time of 26:51.8, earning 41st place. Eli Hansen secured 110th place with a time of 27:57.4, demonstrating the team's depth and determination.

Andrew Scheer (186^th, 28:36.3) and Luke Fundak (285^th, 29:49.9) rounded out the team scoring for UMary.
 
Overall, the University of Mary Men's Cross Country Team faced a formidable field of competitors, and they continue to work hard and improve with each race. As they move forward in the 2023 season, their sights are set on the next event.
 
The team's next challenge will be at the University of Mary, where they will compete on September 29, 2023. The race will take place in Bismarck, ND, at the McDowell Dam. UMary is eager to showcase their growth and determination on their home turf and is focused on achieving their goals in the upcoming race.
 
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