No. 10 ISU Finishes Second At Griak Invitational

MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 10 Iowa State men's cross country team opened the 2021 season with a strong showing, finishing in second place at the Roy Griak Invitational on Friday morning. The Cyclones placed four runners in the top 10, finishing with 35 team points.

BYU, ranked T-No. 3 nationally by the USTFCCCA, took home the team title with 34 points, just edging out the Cyclones in the season-opener.

Senior Wesley Kiptoo led the Cyclones, finishing second out of 216 runners at Les Bolstad Golf Course with a time of 23:54.9. Kiptoo battled reigning NCAA champion Conner Mantz down the home stretch, with the BYU runner taking first by just one second in 23:53.9.

Thomas Pollard opened his 2021 season with an outstanding showing, finishing in fifth place with a time of 24:37.4. He was joined by Gable Sieperda (eighth - 24:47.5) and Cyclone newcomer Ryan Ford (ninth - 24:49.0) as top-10 finishers. Ezekiel Rop (11th – 24:52.2) rounded out the Cyclone scoring effort.

Chad Johnson (15th – 24:57.9), Timothy Sindt (26th – 25:11.7), Nehemia Too (40th – 25:27.4) and Noah Kohut-Jackson (26:03.3) were also among the Cyclone contingent on Friday at the Griak.

Next Up
The Iowa State men will return to action at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational Presented by Under Armour in Madison, Wisconsin on Oct. 15. The men's "A" race is set to begin at 1 p.m.

Individual Results
2. Wesley Kiptoo – 23:54.9
5. Thomas Pollard – 24:37.4
8. Gable Sieperda – 24:47.5
9. Ryan Ford – 24:49.0
11. Ezekiel Rop – 24:52.2
15. Chad Johnson – 24:57.9
26. Timothy Sindt – 25:11.7
40. Nehemia Too – 25:27.4
80. Noah Kohut-Jackson – 26:03.3

Team Results
1. BYU, 34 points
2. Iowa State, 35 points
3. Michigan State, 86 points
4. Minnesota, 137 points
5. Wyoming, 175 points
6. Santa Clara, 178 points
7. Portland State, 240 points
8. Tennessee, 241 points
9. South Dakota State, 242 points
10. Liberty, 317 points

Players Mentioned

Ryan Ford

Chad Johnson

Wesley Kiptoo

Noah Kohut-Jackson

Thomas Pollard

Ezekiel Rop

Gable Sieperda

Timothy Sindt

Nehemia Too

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics