May 16, 2005

Grand Valley State's women's track and field team recorded three qualifying times at the Dr. Keeler Invite in Naperville, Ill. over the weekend. The Lakers will compete at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Abilene, Texas May 26-28.

Brandi Murrell ran 2:14.21 in the 800 meter, while Pamela Treppa bettered her own school record in the triple jump with a mark of 11.68 meters. The relay team of April Szatkowski, Kristen Kulczycki, Katie Mandziara, and Jennifer O'Shesky ran a qualifying time of 3:47.12. The splits of the relay were as follows, Szatkowski 57.6, Kulczycki 56.9, Mandziara 56.5, O'Shesky 55.9.

"The women came to the meet with the goal of getting the relay team qualified for the national championships because we have not had the relay team qualify at the past three championships," said head coach Jerry Baltes. "All four ladies ran awesome legs to put the team in a position to record a qualifying time."

"We should have 9-13 make the trip to nationals, which would be the second most GVSU has had qualify," he added. "Three years ago we had 14 athletes make the championships."

The final list will be released on Tuesday, May 17. The top 16 in each individual event and the top 12 relay teams will qualify for the national championships.