Sept. 29, 2007

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. -

Competing in one of the largest and most competitive meets of the season, the University of Kansas men's cross country team placed 13^th out of 23 teams at the Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn.  The Jayhawk women placed 16^th out of 26 teams.

The men were once again led by Senior Colby Wissel as he finished three spots up from last year to finish seventh.  His time of 24:42 was also an improvement of last season's Roy Griak time of 24:53.8.  Fellow Senior Paul Hefferon was not far behind as he finished 18^th in the 8K race (24:55).

There was a wide gap between the Jayhawks' No. 2 and No. 3 runner Bret Imgrund.  The sophomore improved his place and time greatly from a year ago by finishing in 82^nd place, 181 spots better than last year, with a time of 26:09, an improvement of just over two minutes.

"Anytime you have two All-American's they are going to create a gap between your No. 2 and No. 3 (runners)," Head Coach Stanley Redwine said.  "There was definitely more gap than expected, but it was a combination of things.  Paul and Colby ran well and they ran more to their potential than the other guys."

A pair of freshman rounded out the Kansas scoring.  Nick Caprario finished 102^nd with a personal best time of 26:35.  Dan Van Orsdel was right behind with a place of 106 (26:42).

The women's team was led by sophomore Lauren Bonds.  The Hutchinson, Kan. native covered the 6K course in a personal best time of 22:47 while placing 57^th. 

Three seniors were next to finish for the Jayhawks as Hayley Harbert (87^th, 23:28), Alicia McGregor (94^th, 23:35) and Lisa Morrisey (102^nd, 23:45) were all within 17 seconds of each other.  Sophomore Allison Knoll was the fifth finisher for the Jayhawks placing 110^th.

Redwine was pleased with the improvement of the women's team after finishing 23^rd a year ago.

"They ran better as a team," Redwine said.  "They competed better and there is room to get better, but I think they are moving in the right direction."

The 22^nd annual Roy Griak Invitational was the largest race in its history with approximately 4,000 student-athletes making up 350 teams in ten separate races (four high school and six collegiate).  Kansas competed in the Gold Division comprised of mostly NCAA Division I schools.

Lopez Lomong of Northern Arizona won the men's competition (24:05) while Emily Harrison of Virginia took home the women's title (20:52).

Kansas will now have two weeks to prepare for the NCAA Pre-Nationals Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind. on Oct. 13^th.

Kansas Men Results

7        Colby Wissel            24:42

18      Paul Hefferon           24:55

82      Bret Imgrund            26:09

102     Nick Caprario           26:35

106     Dan Van Orsdel        26:42

(121)  Jason Schweitzer      27:01

(148)  Patrick McGowan       28:18

Kansas Women Results

57      Lauren Bonds           22:47

87      Hayley Harbert         23:28

94      Alicia McGregor        23:35

102     Lisa Morrisey           23:45

110     Allison Knoll             23:57

122     Amanda Miller          24:10

127     Megan James           24:14