Sept. 23, 2000

MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Missouri men's cross country team finished 12th while the women's team finished 14th at the Roy Griak Invitational here Saturday morning.

The MU men scored 356 points in the 8k event and were led by senior Nick Smith (24:41), who finished in seventh place. Junior Mike Pitts (25:02) was 26th and senior Adam MacDowell (25:12) came in 41st. Smith and Pitts recorded their best times of the season after two meets.

"Overall, our top guys ran well and Nick ran a perfect race against some of the toughest competition in the nation," said Head Coach Jared Wilmes. "Mike Pitts and Adam MacDowell also had great races today."

In the women's 6k, the Mizzou women scored 317 points with junior Ann Marie Brooks leading the way, finishing 18th (21:43). Sophomores Kerry Hils (22:02) and Amy Chipman (22:07) also cracked the top-50 finishing in spots 35 and 46 respectively.

"Ann Marie, Kerry and Amy all had a great meet. I am pleased with their performance today," Wilmes said.

MU faced a very tough field in this year's Griak meet. Eight of the teams in the men's race and seven of the teams in the women's race were ranked in last week's National Coaches poll. The Tigers combined had six top-50 finishers their best as a team at this event.

The Tigers return to action next weekend at the Lakefront Invitational in Chicago.