Defending Big Ten champion Chris Rombough kicked off his junior season in impressive style capturing medalist honors at the BYU Autumn Classic last Saturday, and today, was named the Big Ten Runner of the Week. Rombough, a Fremont, Wis., native, covered the 4-mile course in a time of 19 minutes, 16.5 seconds to lead the Golden Gophers to the Classic team title. The weekly honor is Rombough’s second of his career.

Minnesota received more good news on this young cross country season when the Golden Gophers were ranked 18th in the first NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country National Poll, released today by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The Gophers are the second of four Big Ten squads listed in the top 30 in the country. Wisconsin was tabbed No. 1 to start the season, followed by Colorado, Iona and Oregon. Other Big Ten teams ranked are Michigan State at No. 21 and Michigan at No. 26.

“We are glad to be among the ranked teams and look forward to competing against a number of them as soon as the Griak Invitational,” said Golden Gopher head coach Steve Plasencia.

The Roy Griak Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn.