This Saturday, September, 27th, Flotrack is LIVE streaming the 2014 Roy Griak Invitational at the University of Minnesota. One of the largest cross country meets in the United States, Griak brings in high school and college runners alike to best the Les Bolstad Golf Course. XC is back in a big way and NCAA Kolas points are on the line.  Roy Griak Invitational storylines below. 

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#1 Emma Bates vs. #2 Shelby Houlihan

What more do you want? It's a showdown this weekend between the top two ranked ladies in the country. Emma Bates (Boise St.) comes in boasting an NCAA runner-up finish at last year's NCAA Cross Country Championships and a slew of All-American honors.  In this Friday's athlete focus, Bates mentions wanting to "put on a good show" for her "home crowd" at Griak this weekend.  We expect her to make a big splash running the course for the final time in her career.  But then there's Shelby Houlihan (ASU).  The 1500m NCAA champ took 8th at 2013 Cross Country Championships and has been described as having a range that "no runner in the NCAA possesses."  She also won this event last year.  This should be a good one. 

#18 Trent Lusignan vs. #19 Craig Lutz

Two runners stand head and shoulders above the pack at Roy Griak: nationally ranked #18 Lusignan (SDSU) and #19 Lutz (Texas).  Though not as "juicy" as the Bates vs Houlihan showdown, this one between Lusignan and Lutz should be fun to watch.  Both runners placed top 15 at last year's Cross Country Championships.  Lusignan in particular, a senior, will look for a big time performance at Griak after a disappointing 19th place finish here in 2013. 

The Team Race

Nationally ranked #1 Michigan State -yeah they're in the house.  The Spartan women stand as big favorites going into this weekend.  They placed 5 runners in the top 20 at Griak last year; all 5 should be returning to the Les Bolstad Golf Course once again. The #9 Butler women may hope to give MSU a run-for-their-money but will need major performances out of Olson and Good plus more to keep this one competitive.  The other major contenders are North Carolina, the 8th ranked women's team in the land, and also #12 Iowa State.

On the men's side of things, North Carolina comes in with the highest national ranking at 17th.  The Tar Heels should bring five seniors to Roy Griak so they stand as the event favorite.  The #23 Texas Longhorns hope to give the Heels hell though.  They took 14th at NCAAs in XC last year and should do some damage led by Lutz's charge. 

Event Schedule

8:55 a.m.  National Anthem
9:00 a.m.  Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon III (Division III) Competition
9:50 a.m.  Women's Maroon II (Division II) Competition
9:55 a.m.  Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon III Awards
10:40 a.m.  Men's Maroon III (Division III) Competition
10:45 a.m.  Women's Maroon II Awards
11:25 a.m.  Men's Maroon III Awards
11:30 a.m.  Men's Maroon II (Division II) Competition
12:10 p.m.  Presentation of Flag & National Anthem
12:20 p.m.  Merrill Fischbein Men's Gold (Division I) Competition
12:25 p.m.  Men's Maroon II Awards
12:45 p.m.  Presentations - Honorary Referees
1:10 p.m.  Jack Johnson Women's Gold (Division I) Competition
1:15 p.m.  Merrill Fischbein Men's Gold Awards
1:45 p.m.  Goldy's Kids Run
2:00 p.m.  National Anthem - Special Event
2:15 p.m.  Larry Zirgibel High School Boys' Gold Competition
2:20 p.m.  Jack Johnson Women's Gold Awards
3:05 p.m.  Gary Wilson High School Girls' Gold Competition
3:10 p.m.  Larry Zirgibel High School Boys' Gold Awards
3:55 p.m.  High School Boys' Maroon Competition
4:00 p.m.  Gary Wilson High School Gold Awards
4:45 p.m.  High School Girls' Maroon Competition
4:50 p.m.  Boys' High School Maroon Awards
5:35 p.m.  Girls' High School Maroon Awards