Jimmies tackle tough Griak track

Talk about it

The challenging course that hosts the Roy Griak Invitational was a tough test for the Jamestown College cross country teams on Saturday.

The degree of difficulty of Les Bolstad Golf Course in Minneapolis is significant, although Jim Clark and Ed Crawford found positives from their squads.

All-American Aleona Reyes returned to action after battling an illness for the early part of the season, but the Griak is a tough track to start on.

“I didn’t talk to too many coaches who were too happy with how their teams ran,” Clark said. “It was probably the best field that’s been there in the years we’ve been coming. … It was tough.”

Reyes still finished a more than respectable 47th after coming in 20th last season.

After finally feeling healthy, Reyes had a quad issue pop up and had to deal with that during the race.

“She’s making progress. I think she’ll be fine. It’s more about getting ready for the end of the season,” Clark said.

Both teams had several freshmen on the course for the first time.

Samantha Goff handled it well, finishing 78th out of 402 finishers.

The gap from 2-3 and 4-5 is still a work in progress for the women.

“We did some good things,” Clark said. “When you don’t know the course, it turns into a pretty tough race, but a good learning experience for the kids.”

The Jimmie men’s top two runners of Dave Londe and Spencer Kamoni were in their customary finishing positions, but had off races time-wise.

Crawford said Londe is poised for a time in the 27-minute range, but he got knocked off track by some spectators Saturday and finished in 29:18.

Kamoni has lingering quad issues and came in 20 seconds after Londe.

“It was an average-type day up front,” Crawford said. “Not our best, but not bad by any means.”

The freshman contingent of Connor Doppler (30:09), Joe Jensen (30:46) and Josh Knutson (34:05), along with junior Scott Roemmich (31:21), all ran season and personal bests, however.

“I was pretty happy about our younger kids. They’re developing and getting better day by day, meet by meet,” Crawford said. “They’re definitely headed in the right direction.”

Kendall Wiltzen and Kyle Nielsen each started the race, but couldn’t finish. If either had, the Jimmies likely would have placed higher.

“It’s a demanding race, no question. Hopefully it’s a good learning experience for us,” Crawford said.

The Jimmies are back in action Friday at the Roe Granger Invite in Aberdeen.

Roy Griak Invitational

At Les Bolstad Golf Course, Minneapolis

Jamestown College results

Maroon Division II race

Placed 25th out of 38 teams

Individual results

47, Aleona Reyes, 23:58.10; 78, Samantha Goff, 24:24.50; 150, Katie Blais 150 25:32.90; 179, Andrea Markwart, 25:55.60; 229, Sheyenne Stewart, 27:26.10; 237, Bernie Bachel, 28:12.70; 238, Ashley Mueller, 28:17.70.

Men

35th out of 36 teams

Individual results

195, Dave Londe, 29:18; 208, Spencer Kamoni 29:49; 213, Connor Doppler, 30:09, 224, Joe Jensen, 30:46; 228, Scott Roemmich, 31:21; 240, Josh Knutson, 34:05.

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com

Tags: cross country, college sports, sports, jimmies