April 18, 2005

Results

Grand Valley State's women's track and field team had six athletes record NCAA Provisional Qualifying marks over the weekend. Sophomore Jenn O'Shesky improve on her mark in the 400 meter hurdles, posting a time of 1:01.44 at the Sea Ray Relays at the University of Tennessee. Adrian Chouinard also competed at the Sea Ray Relays and finished second in the 10,000 meter run with a qualifying time of 36:49.94.

Four Lakers set NCAA Provisional marks in the 3,000 meter run. Senior Krista O'Dell won the event, finishing in a time of 9:42.93, while junior Mandi Zemba took second place in 9:45.81. O'Dell's time broke GVSU's school record, which was set by Natalie Ewing in 2003 at 9:45.57. Finishing in third place was freshman Karlie Singleton in a time of 10:05.98 and freshman Lauren Bader placed fourth with a time of 10:07.47.

"This was a great weekend for our women's squad to make some steps forward both individually and as a total team," said head coach Jerry Baltes. "It was great to compete at home and get some things done for nationals."

"We did send a couple athletes down to Tennessee to compete at the Sea Ray Relays and had great results there, which will hopefully put O'Shesky and Chouinard in the National Championships at the end of May," Baltes added.

"The meet at home was a great opportunity for the rest of our athletes to get a chance to compete on the facilities we will be competing for a GLIAC title on in three weeks."

"The highlight race of the day was the women's 3000 meter run. Mandi Zemba set a very fast early pace going through the 1600 in 5:10. Krista O'Dell used that fast pace to pull her along to a school record and the fastest time in the nation to this point. Mandi did an awesome job setting the pace for 2800 meters and then Krista O'Dell did a great job using her great kick to break the school record by three seconds. Mandi ran the second fastest time in the nation. Karlie Singleton and Lauren Bader also hung on to run times that will be close to getting them in the NCAA Championships later in May," said Baltes.