Cross Country runs North

Newton High School’s cross country teams will be headed in a new direction, thanks to the Newton Community School District Board of Education.

During the board’s regular Monday meeting board members approved a field trip request to allow the varsity members of the boys and girls cross country teams to travel to Minnesota to compete in the Roy Griak Invitational, to be held Sept. 22-23.

The Griak Invitational, held at  Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn., is one of the largest cross country meets in the country, including six collegiate races and four high school races. Named after legendary coach Roy Griak, who served as the head coach of the Minnesota men’s cross country team from 1963-1996 and led the Gophers to three Big Ten titles, the event features more than 4,000 runners competing from across the United States.

For cross country coaches Steve Weeks and Rachelle Tipton, the event gives their team a chance to compete against runners from across the country. Tipton, who ran cross country in college, has competed in the event previously, and thought that her team needed a chance to broaden their horizons.

“They’ll be able to go out there and see other schools, and see how they stack up,” Tipton said.

The event, which features races for both high school and college athletes also represents a chance for members of the cross country team to get a taste of what life as a college runner would be like. Weeks is hoping it’ll help motivate his team to plan for life beyond high school.

“I hope that they walk away with many great memories from this trip,” Weeks said. “I want them to see that it’s not that tough to compete at the next level.”

Both coaches plan to take eight runners each, selecting athletes who have made the most varsity starts. Each team will consist of seven runners and one alternate.

Costs for the trip will covered by the Newton Athletics Booster Club, although coaches said they expected expenses to be minor. The team entry fee for the event is $100, which Weeks said is lower than some of the events already on this year’s cross country schedule.

School board president Travis Padget was happy to vote yes on the trip, praising both coaches for finding an opportunity that would allow Newton’s student athletes to get exposure. Padget said the board would be willing to consider future field trips for other sports as long as they provided a benefit to students.

“Seizing these opportunities is important, they can enhance their education and broaden their horizons,” Padget said.

Even though they’ll be attending a big national meet, both coaches said they don’t want their runners to feel pressured as they prepare for the event. They’ll share the news of their upcoming trip with the team, but they don’t plan to alter their training plans they’ve already been working on.

“We want it to be just another meet, just another place to run,” Week said.

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com