THE Roy Griak Invitational Is Here

This will be the first and only time the Sioux Falls Lincoln and Wayzata boys will compete against each other prior to NXR Heartland. The past two years, Sioux Falls Lincoln has come out victorious at the Roy Griak Invitational, using that momentum to qualify for NXR in consecutive years (and placing 6th in 2025). Sioux Falls Lincoln is coming off a commanding win at the Augustana Twilight on September 11. Wayzata has not raced a 5k since August 29 at the Husky Invitational in Eau Claire, WI. Look for this to be a tight matchup with both teams showing depth through their top 7 runners (all under 16:50). The difference could likely come down to the low sticks of Sioux Falls Lincoln, who had 4 boys under 16:10 at the Augustana Twilight. Time will tell, especially with predicted rain the day before that will soften the course and make it a potentially more tactical affair. 

Come Saturday, the top ranked teams in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota will toe the line in what will be a preview of NXR Heartland come November. Harrisburg is coming off a commanding win at the Heartland Preview, scoring just 31 points. During that effort, Harrisburg was led by last year's Roy Griak Champion, Brianna Reilly, who looks to be in top form leading one of the top teams in the region. Johnston, IA is coming off a tight win at the Bobcat Invitational, hosted by Marshalltown, IA, in which they defeated last years 4A champions from Waukee Northwest. With a spread of :55 (18:50 - 19:45), Johnston does not have the low sticks of Harrisburg, but certainly has a tight spread and quality depth to overcome. Finally, we have the Wayzata girls. Coming off a NXN Championship in 2025 but graduating a plethora of seniors, there was uncertain consensus about this team heading into 2026. After two statement victories at the St. Olaf Invitational and Lakeville North Applejack Invitational, this team has shot up the ranking to #1 in Minnesota's 3A. With seven girls having run between 19:00 and 20:23, this team will rely runners come across in a tight spread to overcome the individual stars of Harrisburg. 

As an 8th grader, Brianna Reilly of Harrisburg, SD came out victorious at the Roy Griak Invitational. She used that early success to win a AA title in SD, qualify for NXN, and earn All-American honors. Now in her 9th grade year, Reilly does not appear to be slowing down. With two wins and a third-place finish at the Augustana Twilight, Reilly enters the Roy Griak Invitational as the runner to beat. 

Unlike the girls race, it would be tough to say there is a clear favorite for the individual title. The tops boys entering the meet are Tyrus Needles of Sioux Falls Lincoln; Keegan Decker of Iowa City Liberty; and Lucas Capistrant of Maple Grove. Both Decker and Needles competed in the championship race last season, placing 3rd and 6th respectively. Capistrant competed in the Gopher competition placing 6th. Looking back at 2025, few would have expected Capistrant to be in the conversation for the Roy Griak title. He placed 28th at the MN state meet and didn't break 17:00 at last year's meet. But this year, he appears to be on a different level, currently ranked #1 in Minnesota's 3A rankings and having a best time of 15:19 on the year. Look for Decker and Needles to use their championship pedigree to push the pace, but don't count out the fast rising Capistrant in this one. 

Entering to the Roy Griak Inviational as the top team from Iowa, Cedar Falls appears to be the team most likely to mountan upset victory in 2026. Boasting a top five that has run between 15:42 and 16:23, they will come across the line quickly! Don't count this team out if it is a tight race at the two-mile mark. 

While this year's Roy Griak Invitational will look and feel different than in years past, expect the same high quality energy and competition to continue making this meet one of the best in the Midwest!