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 |
*Photo Credit Craig Lassig/University of Minnesota Athletics