The Iowa State men’s cross country team will no longer be racing at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this Saturday, Sept. 23.

Martin Smith, director of cross country and track and field, announced today that the Cyclones will not be attending the meet. According to Iowa State Athletics, four of the top seven runners on the team are dealing with illness. 

Smith noted that the health of the student-athletes comes first, and that means rest for the team this weekend.

The Cyclone distance squad has a rich history at Griak, as two head coaches have been inducted into the Roy Griak Invitational Hall of Fame. Current head coach Martin Smith was a member of the 2016 induction class, and former head coach Bill Bergan was inducted in 2015.  

Smith also mentioned that the Cyclones had been looking forward to making a run at the meet title and racing some good competition. The Iowa State women will still be competing at the invitational on Saturday. 

The men’s cross country team will resume regular season action at the Nuttycombe Invitational in Wisconsin on Oct. 13.