Oct. 10, 2002

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State received the men's and women's GLIAC Runners of the Week after the team's performance in the Loyola Lakefront Invitational on Saturday (Oct. 5). Mandi Long earned the women's honor after finishing sixth individually and helping the team place second in a field of 52 teams including eight teams from NCAA Division I. Aaron Rogers was awarded the men's honor after posting a 15th place performance individually, which helped the men's team to a fifth place finish.

Long posted a time of 18:02 at the 5K course which is the second fastest time in school history. Mandi improved her career best by 25 seconds and her time was second in Laker annals only to Melissa Smith's 18:00. Behind Long's effort, GVSU finished only behind University of Missouri who is ranked #20 in NCAA DI rankings.

Rogers posted a time of 25:17 in the 8K race. Aaron led a team effort that was called the "best in the last three years" by head coach Jerry Baltes. GVSU was the highest finishing Division II team at the 50 team event.

Both cross country teams will compete in the Michigan Intercollegiate Championships at Kensington Park in Milford, Mich. on Friday, October 11, at 3:00 pm.