Photo: Nate Unger/MileSplit Minnesota
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The Roy Griak Invitational is one of the most prestigious cross country meets in the country, and this year's field is no exception. However, after the University of Minnesota sold the Les Bolstad Golf Course last summer, the Fort Snelling Golf Course is the new venue of choice. This marks the first time in the meet's history that it won't be contested over the grueling hills.
As we transition into a new era of the Roy Griak, these six Minnesotans have the chance to open it up with a big-time performance.
Erik Semling (Cotter/Hope Lutheran): The two-time Class 1A state champion enters the Griak as one of the most decorated runners in the field, coming off a 15:24.30 win at the All-American Invitational last weekend. Semling was 16th here a year ago in 16:25.9, and a jump into the top five or better would be a massive statement for the junior heading into the latter half of the cross country season.
Lucas Capistrant (Maple Grove): Two races this fall, two wins, and Capistrant has looked sharp from the jump, running 15:44.20 to open the season before dropping a 15:19.10 last weekend at the Crimson Twilight Meet. The senior was sixth in the varsity race here a year ago in 17:07.4, and his early-season form suggests he is ready to make a run at the top of the championship race this time around.
David Meberg (Blaine): The reigning state champion has yet to race this season, which makes Saturday one of the more intriguing storylines of the day. The senior was 38th here a year ago in 16:53.9 before going on to win the state title, and a strong Griak performance would immediately put him back in the conversation as one of the top runners in the state.
Faith Sundet (Wayzata): Running her first career Griak, the sophomore has been one of the most consistent runners in Minnesota through the early weeks of the season, winning both the St. Olaf Showcase in 19:00.47 and the AppleJack Invitational in 19:21.60. She enters Saturday as one of the individual favorites and a key piece of Wayzata's bid to repeat as team champions.
Brynlee Wegener (Blaine): The top in-state returner from last year's Griak, Wegener was ninth in the championship race in 2025, running 19:00.4 before finishing fourth at the state championships. The sophomore has looked strong to open the fall, winning the Anoka Early Bird in 18:14.80, and a podium finish on Saturday would announce her as one of the state's top individual contenders.
Cara Back (Rogers): The senior heads into this weekend with a target on her back, in the midst of a three-race winning streak that includes stops at the Orono XC Invitational, the Bauman-Rovn Invitational, and the Kevin Moorhead Northwoods Invitational. Back was seventh in the varsity race here in 2025 in 20:08.5, and her progression since then has been dramatic. A strong Griak showing would be the latest step forward for one of Minnesota's most improved runners.
