Stevens Point looking to become first Wisconsin boys team since 2010 to triumph at Roy Griak, with Dowling Catholic attempting to achieve first repeat since Wayzata in 2013-14; Trojans also pursuing first back-to-back girls crowns in program history, along with Utah in women’s gold race

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

For the first time in the 37-year history of the Roy Griak Invitational, there will be three sections of high school competition, with the addition of championship boys and girls events to Friday’s schedule at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Minnesota, along with the traditional gold and maroon races.

Since 2004, the meet has crowned boys and girls winners in both gold and maroon sections, after only one champion was recognized in each gender from 1994 to 2003.

The decision by meet officials to expand the schedule is another significant decision made to showcase elite prep athletes during the same year the Les Bolstad Golf Course scheduled to host the Minnesota high school state meet for the first time since 1990.

Wayzata will look to follow its girls gold division victory last season by prevailing in the championship section at 2:15 p.m. CDT.

The Trojans have never secured back-to-back titles at Roy Griak, with their only other girls victory in 2013.

Wayzata will contend with Minnesota rivals Minnetonka and St. Paul Highland Park, along with Johnston High from Iowa, as well as Illinois programs Batavia, Naperville North and Yorkville.

Dowling Catholic from Iowa captured the boys gold crown last season and is attempting to become the first repeat winner in the elite section since Wayzata in 2013-14.

Stevens Point High is looking to become the first Wisconsin boys program to triumph in the top race at Roy Griak since Madison West prevailed in 2010.

The Panthers are expected to clash with Wayzata, Trinity Academy from Kansas, Madison West and Dowling Catholic to determine the first championship boys winner at the event.

Libby Castelli of Sioux Falls O’Gorman is the top returning competitor from the girls gold race last year, taking third.

Castelli is expected to be challenged by Minnesota competitors Sydney Drevlow from Hopkins, Norah Hushagen of Forest Lake, Luna Scorzelli from St. Paul Highland Park, Marissa Long of Chanhassen, Avery Marasco-Johnson from Minnetonka and Jazleen Malherek-Osorio of Wayzata, in addition to Addison Dorenkamp from West Des Moines Valley in Iowa and Anjali Hocker Singh of Olathe North in Kansas.

Manny Putz from Onalaska High in Wisconsin is the top returning finisher from the boys gold race last season, finishing fourth, just ahead of Sam Scott from Minneapolis Southwest and Clay Shively of Trinity Academy.

The terrific trio is scheduled to compete against Natneal Kifle from Sioux City North in Iowa, along with Jacob Hobson of Trinity Academy, Charlie Vater from Iola-Scandinavia in Wisconsin, Aloysius Franzen and Bode Erickson of Stevens Point and Robert Mechura from Roseville Area in Minnesota.

There will still be two sections of collegiate competition, with the gold races highlighting NCAA Division 1 programs and the maroon races showcasing NCAA Division 2 and 3 teams.

Utah is returning in search of back-to-back women’s gold titles after capturing the first Roy Griak crown in program history last season.

The last women’s program to repeat at Roy Griak was Minnesota in 2007-08.

Yasna Petrova of Cal Baptist, who took third last season in the women’s gold 6-kilometer race, is the top returning competitor. Cal Baptist also placed second last year behind Utah.

With Brigham Young, Duke and Wisconsin – the past three winners of the men’s gold race – all not competing Friday at Roy Griak, Colorado State is the most recent champion from 2017 entered in the field.

Portland, Gonzaga, Southern Utah, New Mexico and Cal Baptist are also expected to compete with the Rams in the men’s gold race. Portland prevailed at Roy Griak in 2016 and Southern Utah was victorious in 2014.

Cal Baptist was runner-up to Wisconsin last season.

Nicholas Russell from Santa Clara is the top returning finisher from last year, placing seventh in the gold 8-kilometer race.

The Minnesota-Duluth women and Michigan Tech men are also looking to repeat as Roy Griak champions in the maroon races.