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 216.50 points. Ashland followed with 167.50 points.

Grand Valley State captured titles in seven different events and used superior depth to score a bundle of points numerous events. The Lakers set the tone for the championships with a stellar performance in the pole vault. Rachel Duthler took first (11-9.25), followed by Katie Wilkins in second (11-3.50), Kati Smith in third (11-3.50) and Bechany Hecksel in fifth (11-3.50). Jeneatte Seckinger won the 10,000m run in a time of 37.46.57, followed by teammates Sarah Jaquith in second (39:14.88) and Jaquelyn Taylor in third (39:59.56). Steph Kuhlman captured top honors in the 800 (2:11.12) and the mile (4:29.37), while Brandi Murell finished second in the 800 (2:13.60). Krista O'Dell placed second in the mile (4:32.64) behind Kuhlman, but crossed the finish line first in the 3000 (10:08.33). Ashley Thomas won the 400 (55.59), while Meredith DeVries won the high jump 5-3. Pam Treppa placed fourth in the 100 (12.23) and second in the triple jump (36-7.50), while Jen O'Shesky 14.92)and Alex Baker (14.92) finished fourth in the 100 hurdles. O'Shesky was third in the 400 hurldles (1:01.72).

Jennifer O'Shesky (100 hurdles) and Rachel Duthler (pole vault) both set school records. Ashley Thomas (400), Brandi Murrel (800), Natalie Ewing (1500), O'shesky (400 hurdle), the 4 x 400 relay team, and Duthler in the pole vault all tallied NCAA Provisional Qualifying Marks.

"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.