Over the weekend, the South Dakota State cross country teams will travel to Minnesota for the 33rd Roy Griak Invitational.

The event, which is hosted by the University of Minnesota, features six collegiate races and four high school races.

SDSU will be one of 12 Division I programs participating in the race and one of the four Summit League schools in the event.

It will be the third meet both Jackrabbit teams have participated in this season.

Senior Rachel King, a native of St. Michael, Minnesota, said this year’s race will not be as significant as years past.

Head coach Rod DeHaven thinks it will be a good opportunity for the team, especially team members from Minnesota.

“For a lot of our Minnesota kids, it is kind of a big deal to be running at what typically is deemed to be one of the top high school meets in the country. It gives them that opportunity to get on that surface and be able to see schools from the Summit League.” DeHaven said.

Last season, junior Chase Cayo finished 12th overall at the Roy Griak Invitational and senior Kyle Burdick finished 22nd overall.

According to DeHaven, the high temperature won’t play a factor as it has in years past. The temperature in Falcon Heights Saturday is set to be in the 50s.

Both cross country teams opened the 2018 season at the Bison Open and competed against the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State on Aug. 31.

The men’s team won the meet and was led by sophomore Micah Mather, who was runner-up.

The women placed third as freshman Ellie Friesen was runner-up in her first collegiate race.

The men finished fourth while the women finished sixth. Sophomore Gabe Peters lead the men’s team by placing eighth overall and senior Rachel King placed 14th overall on the women’s side.

Races at the Roy Griak Invitational for all schools will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 29 at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.