May 7, 2004

Hillsdale, Mich. - For the second straight year the Grand Valley State men's and women's track & field and cross country teams pulled of the six-peat at the GLIAC Champiomships. GVSU ran the table with GLIAC titles in M&W cross country, M&W indoor T&F and M&W outdoor T&F. The Lakers ran away with the outdoor title, recording 216 points. Findlay was second with 129 and SVSU was third with 128.

GVSU claimed just three titles at the GLIAC Championships, but used stellar depth to cruise to the title. Kenny Coleman won the 400 (47.80) and placed second in the long jump (22-10). Scott Rant won the pole (14-9.50), and Kevin Kimple brought home the title in the javelin (180.7). Justin Adamec (21.95) and Jim Rejc (22.28) were third and fourth in the 200, while Brian Boeve was second in the 800 (1:53.53). Ryan Holm was third (15:13.38) and Chris Pabst fourth (15:13.47) in the 5000. Pabst was fourth (32:15.79) in the 10,000. Boomer Hoppough was second in the 110 hurdles (14.65) and Robbie Young was fourth in the 3000 steeplechase. Ryan Tibble was fourth in the high jump (6-6) and Kirk Manchip fifth with a jump of 6-6. In addition to Rant in the pole vault, Brian Beach was third (14-3.50) and Scott Levering was fourth (14-3.50). Manchip was fourth in the long jump (22-3) and Bryan Dovichi fifth at 22-11. Jou Proulx was second in the shot put (52-9.50), followed by John Ybarra in third (50-6.25) and Ian Morrison in fourth (50-4.75). Morrison was second in the discus (163.1), while Mike Simon was third (159.1) and Charles Smith fourth (151.0).

Kevin Kimple (javelin), Boomer Hoppough (110 hurdles), and the 4x100 team all set school records. Hoppough, Ian Morrison (discus), and Joe Proulx each recorded NCAA Provisional Qualifying marks as well.

"This was a great day for GVSU track and field, said head coach Jerry Baltes. "To accomplish our goal of winning two more GLAIC titles to give us six out of six for two straight years is a very special accomplishment."

"We had some very wonderful performances throughout the two days of competition," added Baltes. "We had a handful of school records along with many more qualifying marks for the NCAA Championships. Again it was our team depth that allowed us to dominate the meet on both sides. We have so many committed individuals that just trust and believe in the goal at hand and when the time to get the job done comes around they are able to excel at a very high level."

"I am very proud of what our program has been able to accomplish this year and over the past five years. It started five years ago and with some very hard working student athletes who passed down the trait to our current student athletes," stated Baltes.

"We are going to miss the great leadership that graduates our program. Today we had 12 senior women and seven senior men on the awards stand accepting the team trophy. These individuals have given so much of their time, energy, efforts, and most importatnly their patience along the way and they have trusted and believed in our direction of the program the whole step of the way. I am very proud of everything they have accomplished for our GVSU track and field program," concluded Baltes.