Sept. 26, 2001
ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech men’s and women’s cross country teams return to action for the first time in three weeks at the annual Roy Griak Invitational, hosted by the University of Minnesota on Sept. 29. Competition will be held at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Minneapolis.
The Jackets will face a top-notch field, which includes 15 men’s teams and 17 women’s squads that competed at last year’s NCAA Championships. Top teams competing against Tech in the Men’s Gold Race include Providence, Wisconsin, Georgetown and William & Mary, all of whom placed in the top 10 at the last year’s NCAAs.
“We still won’t be at full strength but we do have a good group of guys racing, so I am looking for us to do well,” said head coach Alan Drosky. “We have a few guys who won’t be at 100 percent, but we’re close.”
In the Women’s Gold Race, the Yellow Jackets will face stiff competition from the host Gophers, winners of the 2000 Griak Invitational, as well as Georgetown, Arizona, Arizona State and Providence. Arizona’s Tara Chaplin returns to defend her individual title.
“On the women’s side, we are virtually at full strength, minus Amy Dock, who will be out due to illness,” said Drosky. “Even without her we have had a fantastic September of training. We are anxious to see how the meet goes with everyone running together for the first time this season.”
“We’ll have great competition, a great course and great weather, said Drosky. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Tech’s men are scheduled to start the 8K event at 11 a.m. CDT, while the women are slated to race a 5K beginning at noon CDT. The Maroon Men’s and Women’s Races, which feature NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA teams, will precede these events.
Following the trip to Minnesota, Tech returns home to compete in the annual Georgia Intercollegiate Championships on Saturday, Oct. 6.
-GT-
