The Event

• 18th-ranked Dordt University will send a group of runners to compete in the 39th annual Roy Griak Invite this weekend
• The Defenders will take part in the Jo Rider Men's Maroon race on Friday, Sept.19 at 11:30am. 
• Fans who plan to attend must purchase tickets on-line at this link: Purchase Tickets

Meet Information

• Distance: 8000m
• 11:30am start 
• Course Map
• Meet Info
• Live Results (Wayzata Timing)

Teams Competing

• Friday's field will feature 25 teams; 3 from the NAIA, 2 Community Colleges and the rest from the NCAA D-II or D-III
• Dordt is the only team ranked in the top 25 in their respective poll

Defender Notes

• GPAC Success
  • the Defenders won their seventh consecutive GPAC title in 2024, a streak that began in 2018
  • this matches the conference record for consecutive GPAC titles won and is the second most by a men's team since the GPAC began in 2000
• National Success
  • the Defenders have qualified for the NAIA Championship 27 seasons (team and/or individual)
  • Dordt won the 2022 NAIA National Championship
  • Dordt has finished among the top 10 at the NAIA National Championship three of the last four years
• In the Rankings
  • the Defenders begin the season ranked 18th in the NAIA preseason coaches' poll
  • the Defenders have been ranked in 45 consecutive polls, dating back to the 2018 season
    • this is the 5th longest streak currently in the NAIA
  • during the streak, Dordt has been ranked among the top 10 in 24 polls
  • Dordt was picked to win the conference title based on the GPAC preseason coaches' poll released earlier this season
• Schedule Outlook:
  • Dordt's schedule features five meets during the regular season, including two home events (Sept.13 and Oct.11)
  • the NAIA Championship returns to Tallahassee, Fla. and will be held at the Apalachee Regional Park on Nov.21
  • the GPAC Championship will be held at the Mahoney State Park near Ashland, Neb. on Nov.8
  • this is the second meet of the season
• Coaching Staff
  • Nate Wolf returns for his 11th season as the head of the Dordt Cross Country program
  • Wolf was named the GPAC Coach of the Year in 2024, the 8th time he earned the league's top honor
    • 1st season - 2015
  • Jesse Veenstra and Emilee Heynen round out the Defenders coaching staff
• Last Week:
  • the Defenders opened their season with a win at the first of two home meets, the Sunflower Open
  • Dordt accounted for 24 points, well ahead of second place Dakota State (46)
  • six Defenders finished among the top 10 and nine placed in the top 15
  • Truman Johnson finished second overall with a time of 26:19, trailing only an unattached runner (Logan Ferrari)
  • 11 Defenders recorded their best ever finish and Levi Bird ran a personal best time
• Luke Swanson's leads the Defenders with five top 10's for his career
• both Truman Johnson and Trace Obbink have two top 10's for their career
• Dordt has won four of its last five regular-season meets