WHAT'S AHEAD: After a week off, the Drake men's cross country team resumes action facing its sternest test of the young season when it competes in the 24th annual Roy Griak Invitational at the University of Minnesota this Saturday. Some of the top collegiate teams in the country will compete in the 8,000-meter race which will start at 12:05 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course. It will mark the Bulldogs' first appearance in the meet since 2006.

REGIONAL RANKINGS: The Drake men's cross country team is ranked 15th in the first Midwest Regional poll conducted by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

A LOOK BACK: Senior Jeff Grassmeyer (Fremont, Neb.) placed eighth to pace the Drake men's cross country team at the Oz Memorial Run at the Les Bolstad Golf Course on the University of Minnesota campus Sept. 11.

 Grassmeyer was timed in 19 minutes 33.02 seconds on the 6,000-meter course, while senior Zac Bales-Henry (Des Moines, Iowa) was 21st in 20:02.15. Drake sophomore Colin Hagan (Wichita, Kan.) was 24th in 20:07.93.Drake sophomore Josh Buschling (Washington, Mo.) was 28th in 20:18.35, while sophomore Ben Jaskowiak (Madison, Wis.) was 30th in 20:23.23. Freshmen Mike Rodriguez (Chanhassen, Minn.)  was 38th in 21:31.76 and sophomore Tim Kojetin (Rosemount, Minn.) was 43rd in 23:00.94.

The Minnesota men's cross country team tallied seven of the top 15 finishes and scored 22 points to win the team title. South Dakota State was second with 52 points, followed by North Dakota State at 71 and Drake with 87.

The Oz Memorial is named after Gary Osborn, the longtime Drake women's track and field and cross country coach who died in 2000. Osborn was a longtime friend of Minnesota coach Gary Wilson.