Justin Tyner Places Fifth at Roy Griak Invitational

Sept. 26, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Junior Justin Tyner finished fifth among 167 of the nation's top runners as the Air Force cross country team wrapped up competition at the 24th annual Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 26, in Minneapolis, Minn. Completing the 8K race in a time of 24:58, Tyner helped pace the men's squad to an eighth-place team finish. Tyner was one of three Falcons to finish within the top-40 of the Division I "Gold" race.

Tyner crossed the finish line in a final time of 24:57.8, just 20 seconds behind Minnesota's Hassan Mead, who was the wire-to-wire leader and won the race in 24:37.8. Tyner vaulted through the field during the race, as he was ranked 104th after the first 1000 meters. He was ranked 45th at the 3000-meter mark and 14th at the 5000-meter checkpoint, before surging to the outstanding fifth-place finish. His time was also fifth amongst the 751 runners that competed in all three divisions (NCAA Division I, II and III) at Minnesota's Les Bolstad Golf Course this afternoon.

Sophomore James Walmsley placed 34th overall with a time of 25:34, while senior Zach Nordahl finished 40th in 25:45. Sophomore Jonathan Rock picked up a 71st-place finish in a time of 26:28, while senior Andy Schweitzer recorded a 91st-place time of 26:46 to round out the Falcons' top-five scorers. Junior Tyler Small (101st, 26:64) joined sophomores Ryan Del Grosso (115th, 27:17), Matthew Cain (148th, 28:17) and Nick White (154th, 28:49) as the rest of the Air Force contingent.

The men accumulated 223 points to finish eighth in the 18-team Division I race. Iowa State won the meet with 71 points, edging out Oklahoma by three points. Duke (94 points), Minnesota (101) and Washington State (108) rounded out the top five.

Senior Ally Romanko paced the women's team with a 37th-place finish in the 193-runner 6K race. She was one of five Falcons to finish within the top-half of the field. Junior Katherine Ward placed 55th with a time of 23:30, while senior Katie Lynch clocked a 57th-place time of 23:32. Sophomore Elyse Willard crossed the finish line in 23:48 to finish 71st, while freshman Jennifer Bremser rounded out the Air Force scorers with a 94th-place time of 24:15. Freshman Kate Kanetzky (97th, 24:17) also competed in the race, along with sophomores Katie Carroll (120th, 24:38) and Phaelen French (158th, 25:36).

The women's team combined for 246 points to place ninth in the 17-team field. Iowa State completed the Division I sweep, as the women finished first with 31 points. Minnesota (49 points) and Michigan State place second and third, respectively, while Utah Valley (122) and Washington State (177) rounded out the top five.

Air Force remains in-state next weekend, as it travels to Boulder, Colo., for the annual Rocky Mountain Shootout on Saturday, Oct. 3.

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