NU Ready for Challenging Griak Field

Lincoln- The Nebraska cross country team continues its 2014 season Saturday afternoon at the Roy Griak Invitational in St. Paul, Minn. The Huskers will compete against more than 30 of the top schools around the country, stretching from coast to coast.

The meet begins at 12:20 p.m. with the men running first, followed by the women’s race.

Nebraska Head Coach Dave Harris is eager to get out on the course and see how the team responds to the increase in talent. Harris said the team did not handle the increased competition last year, but is confident in the young Husker squad.

“The goal is to try and improve our places from last year (men-16/24; women-24/28). I do know there will be 30 teams now, so we are expecting a bigger and better meet,” Harris said. “We did not run well last year. We looked like a young team that had never been to a big meet.”

Harris said the teams’ performances will start with leaders Anna Peer and Joe Harter.

“It starts with Anna on the women’s and Joe Harter on the men’s side. It starts with your leaders, and if they can run well, then you have a chance,” he said. “You have to get somebody in the low places and then just have to have everyone else run solid races.”

According to Harris, the sophomore Peer has been training well in recent weeks, and could contend for a top-50 spot in Saturday afternoon’s race.  

“I don’t think there is anyone (on our team) who can go with Anna right now. She is going to run her race, and everyone else needs to run their race, better than at the Woody Greeno,” he said. “Bonnie Smith is showing really good leadership in our second spot. Hopefully the freshmen and Shawnice Williams will fill in.”

Harris hopes the team will take in their surroundings on Saturday, as the Roy Griak boasts one of the most talent-rich fields in all of NCAA cross country regular-season action.

“The talent is just exceptional here for a September race. There are some of the best teams in the nation here,” Harris said. “You only have to be in the top 50 to do well, so we are hoping to have some people in that range, which we did not last year.”

Check back to Huskers.com for a full meet recap as the Huskers travel to St. Paul, Minn., to compete at the Roy Griak Invitational held by Minnesota. Results will be posted following the competition on Saturday.