The Scoop: Roy Griak, HOKA/McNeil, Bowdoin Host Showdowns

Sep 25, 2022

Roy Griak Showcased A Head-To-Head Matchup Between Wayzata And Chery Creek

* Wayzata (blue) charged to the start of the Roy Griak Invitational

Photo Credit: Teresa Brubaker

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In one of the most anticipated meets of the weekend, the Roy Griak Invitational -- held at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights -- brought forth a great battle on the girls side.

Leading up to the meet, all eyes were on the girls gold race as Wayzata (MN) and Cherry Creek (CO), two MileSplit50 ranked girls teams, were going to head-to-head for the first time this season.

The first girl to score for Wayzata was Abbey Nechanicky who continued her undefeated streak and blew away the loaded field of talent with a 17:37.90. She ran the third-fastest time on the course behind Emily Covert (2018) and Riley Stewart from last season.

In between Nechanicky and the first pair of Cherry Creek scorers was Ballard's (IA) Paityn Noe, who finished in 18:08, and Libby Castelli of Sioux Falls O'Gorman (SD) who finished in 18:13.80.

Cherry Creek's top two runners Addison Price and Emily Cohen finished eighth and ninth respectively to start putting some points on the board.

Both teams finished with their girls in the top 51. However, it was Wayzata who finished on top by 1 point. Nechanicky, Teegan Anderson, Grace Mignone, Maddie Gullickson, and Alyson Kleyman scored 113 points with a 19:13 average to Cherry Creek's 19:11.

TEAM SCORES
PLACE	TEAM	POINTS	SCORERS	TIMES
1	Wayzata High School	113	1+12+22+29+49 (53+63)	2:33 1-5 Split | 19:13 Avg
2	Cherry Creek High School	114	7+8+26+27+46 (54+56)	1:37 1-5 Split | 19:11 Avg
3	Olathe West	142	20+21+28+30+43 (75+81)	0:30 1-5 Split | 19:38 Avg
4	Naperville (North)	247	18+38+40+68+83 (103+110)	1:17 1-5 Split | 20:04 Avg
5	Saint Paul Highland Park High School	257	9+19+51+86+92 (96+102)	2:18 1-5 Split | 19:56 Avg
6	Yorkville (H.S)	334	44+52+65+79+94 (144+173)	0:52 1-5 Split | 20:26 Avg
7	Sioux Falls Lincoln High School	403	4+36+71+122+170 (262+265)	3:18 1-5 Split | 20:16 Avg
8	Johnston High School	405	13+17+118+126+131 (137+150)	2:01 1-5 Split | 20:22 Avg

* Noah Breker continued his successful career at the Roy Griak Invitational

Photo Credit: Teresa Brubaker

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In the boys gold race, Noah Breker of Robbinsdale Armstrong (MN) added another title to his belt and ran to the second-fastest performance in Roy Griak history, just behind Obsai Ali's meet record of 15:30.80.

Breker crossed the finish line in 15:31.10, two seconds ahead of Dowling Catholic's (IA) Jackson Heidesch who completed the 5K course in 15:33.50. Iowa City's (IA) Ford Washburn finished third in 15:34.00.

Heidesch led Dowling Catholic to the team title with 153 points and a 16:26 average to Lakeville's 174 points. Meanwhile, the Wayzata boys finished third overall.

BOYS 5000 METER RUN FINALS	ALL RESULTS	
PLACE	ATHLETE		TEAM	RESULT	POINTS
1	Noah Breker	12	Robbinsdale Armstrong High School	15:31.10	1
2	Jackson Heidesch	12	Dowling Catholic High School	15:33.50	2
3	Ford Washburn	12	Iowa City High School	15:34.00	3
4	Manny Putz	10	Onalaska	15:38.00	4
5	Sam Scott	11	Minneapolis Southwest High School	15:39.60	5
6	Clay Shively	11	Wichita Trinity Academy	15:44.80	6
7	Andrew Casey	12	Lakeville North High School	15:53.30	7
8	Aidan Jones	12	Minneapolis Washburn High School	15:55.60	8
9	Micah Blomker	11	Shawnee Mission North	16:01.20	9
10	Natnael Kifle	11	Sioux City North High School	16:08.60	10