Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Roy Griak Invitational (Women 6K)
Rinker leads women's cross country at Roy Griak Invitational
09/24/2005 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
Sept. 24, 2005
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
MINNEAPOLIS - Competing in one of the toughest meets in the nation, junior Sarah Rinker stepped up for the Salukis to finish 22nd in the Roy Griak Invitational. Rinker ran the 6K in 21:54, finishing 47 seconds out of the lead.
Hosted by the University of Minnesota, the Roy Griak Invitational took place on the Les Bolstad Golf Course. The event was made of up 31 teams and 287 individual runners.
"Sarah Rinker and Cherylynn Schilling came through like we planned today," said Saluki head coach Matt Sparks. "With her performance, Sarah established herself as one of the top girls in the conference."
Schilling completed the 6K 19 seconds behind Rinker for a time of 23:04, finishing 108th.
Also running for the Salukis were Lindsay Wagner (23:54, 193rd) and Katie Birn (24:02, 205th).
The Roy Griak Invitational is one of the largest and most competitive cross country meets in the nation. This year's race was won by Arizona State with Amy Hastings leading the Sun Devils with the individual victory.
SIU did not score as a team in the event because sophomore Jessica Ordway fell ill during the race, putting the Salukis below the necessary five runners needed to score.
"Overall, it was a good experience for everyone across the board," said Sparks. "The ones that performed well today see that they have the potential to compete with the best while the ones that did not do as good see what they need to work on."
The women's cross country team will take the week off in preparation of its next event, the Saluki Invitational. The Saluki Invitational is set to begin Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. The men's cross country team returns to action Oct. 1 at the Lakeshore Invitational in Chicago.
ROY GRIAK INVITATIONAL RESULTS
22 - Sarah Rinker, 21:45
108 - Cherylynn Schilling, 23:04
193 - Lindsay Wagner, 23:54
205 - Katie Birn, 24:02
DNF - Jessica Ordway
