March 14, 2008

Mankato, Minn. - Both Grand Valley State University indoor track teams ended day one of the Division II National Championships in second place. Through four events, the women have compiled 18 points, just five out of first place, while the men finished the day with 13 points, also just five away from the top spot. The men's distance medley relay won their event, claiming the national championship with a time of 9:53.43. The meet, taking place in Mankato, Minn., will conclude March 15.

"It was a good day one of the meet for both teams," said Jerry Baltes, head coach for both teams. "I think we ran well overall and both teams put themselves in positions to be competitive tomorrow."

Only two track events have been scored so far, with both teams running the distance medley relay. The GVSU men's distance medley relay, comprised of Nick Polk, Troy Rock, Todd Schuster and Nate Peck, earned 10 points for GVSU by coming in first place. The relay team crossed the finish line in 9:53.43, nearly nine seconds ahead of second place. The women's distance medley team earned four points, finishing in fifth place with a time of 11:49.73. GVSU's women's distance medley relay team was made up of Katherine McCarthy, Katie Mandziara, Katie Alfredson and Kelly Gibbons.

"I'm extremely proud of all four of the guys on the distance medley team," Baltes said. "It's really a tribute to how hard they've worked, especially the two seniors on the team, who have meant a lot to this program."

The men picked up another three points when Ryan Rademacher earned a sixth-place finish in the long jump. Rademacher jumped a distance of 23' to place sixth. The men's high jump and weight throw also took place on Friday, but GVSU did not earn any points in either event.

The women competed in three field events, as well: the weight throw, long jump and pole vault. In the weight throw, both Mary Bogner and Kathie Posa scored points for the Lakers. Bogner scored five points with a fourth-place finish and Posa earned four points with a fifth-place finish. Bogner threw a distance of 59'6.75" and Posa hurled the weight 58'8". Emily Fox came in ninth-place, just one place out of scoring range. The women picked up their final five points in the pole vault, where Dianna Noonan and Miranda Farr tied for sixth place. Each vaulter earned 2.5 points by clearing a height of 12'5.5".