Mantz, Cougars take first at Griak Inviational

BYU men's cross country at the finish line

Conner Mantz runs at 2021 Griak Invitational. Credit Craig Lassig/University of Minnesota Athletics

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Conner Mantz led No. 3 BYU men’s cross country to its second-straight meet title at the 35th annual Roy Griak Invitational at Les Bolstad Golf Course on Friday.

Mantz and Wesley Kiptoo of No. 10 Iowa State remained neck-and-neck for much of the men’s 8K and finished within one second of each other after a final burst from Mantz as the two All-Americans approached the finish.

"Conner is very competitive and had a well-timed kick to take the win," said BYU head coach Ed Eyestone.

Mantz seized first place from Kiptoo with an 8K time of 23:53.9. The reigning individual national champion has now recorded four consecutive first place finishes and eight for his career.

Three more BYU runners accompanied Mantz in the top-10, powering the Cougars to a first-place finish with 34 points.

Casey Clinger clocked a 24:37.4 to finish fourth in his first collegiate meet since the 2020 National Championships.

"It was great to have Casey back in the line-up and he didn't disappoint," said Eyestone. "He looked sharp in his first race since the Olympic Trials."

Clinger has finished in the top-5 in five of his last six meets.

Aidan Troutner and Brandon Garnica finished within 0.2 seconds of each other at sixth and seventh place, respectively. Lucas Bons passed 21 runners over the final 3K to finish 16th and secure the team's win in just his second collegiate cross country meet.

"Bons is gaining confidence with every race and will be key if we are going to finish on the podium at nationals," said Eyestone.

Freshmen Davin Thompson and Joey Nokes made their BYU debuts in St. Paul and finished in the top-50 with times of 25:27.6 and 25.33.3, respectively.

BYU and Iowa State finished just as tight as Mantz and Kiptoo. The Cougars narrowly edged the Cyclones 34-35, while No. 26 Michigan State took third in the team standings with 86 points. BYU also overpowered host Minnesota (137) and WCC-foes Santa Clara (sixth, 178) and Pepperdine (15th, 435).

BYU men’s cross country will next compete at the FSU XC Invite/Pre-Nationals at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida on Friday, Oct. 15.

Griak Invitational Top-5 Results | Team

Place	Team	Score
1.	No. 3 BYU	34
2.	No. 10 Iowa State	35
3.	No. 26 Michigan State	86
4.	Minnesota	137
5.	Wyoming	175

Griak Invitational Top-10 Results | Individual

Place	Name	Time	Team
1.	Conner Mantz	BYU	23:53.9
2.	Wesley Kiptoo	Iowa State	23:54.9
3.	Morgan Beadlescomb	Michigan State	24:18.5
4.	Casey Clinger	BYU	24:27.8
5.	Thomas Pollard	Iowa State	24:37.4
6.	Aidan Troutner	BYU	24:38.9
7.	Brandon Garnica	BYU	24:39.1
8.	Gable Sieperda	Iowa State	24:47.5
9.	Ryan Ford	Iowa State	24:49.0
10.	Alec Basten	Minnesota	24:51.1

Griak Invitational | BYU Individual Results

Place	Name	Time
1.	Conner Mantz	23:53.9
4.	Casey Clinger	24:27.8
6.	Aidan Troutner	24:38.9
7.	Brandon Garnica	24:39.1
16.	Lucas Bons	24:59.0
30.	Zac Jacklin	25:16.0
32.	Creed Thompson	25:20.4
41.	Davin Thompson	25:27.6
46.	Joey Nokes	25:33.3
52.	Adam Wood	25:42.9
55.	Zack Ericksen	25:43.9
58.	McKay Johns	25:47.1
59.	Justin Hartshorn	25:49.2