March 9, 2006

Boston, Mass. - Grand Valley State's Nate Peck and Mandi Zemba have been named the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA DII Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Year for the Great Lakes Region it was announced Thursday. In addition, GVSU head track & field coach, Jerry Baltes, is the NCAA Division II Women's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year for the Great Lakes Region.

Peck a sophomore from Coopersville, Mich., is ranked second in the mile (4:06.94) and second in the 5,000 meters (14:07.29) among Division II competitors entering this weekend's indoor nationals in Boston. Zemba has posted the fastest Division II time in the mile (4:45.40) among all qualifiers at this weekend's indoor nationals in Boston. She also has the fifth-fastest time in the 5,000 meters.

Baltes has guided GVSU to seven straight men's and women's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference indoor titles. The Lakers qualified 10 women for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships in Boston this Friday (March 10) and Saturday (March 11).