Sept. 8, 2005

Grand Valley State's men's and women's cross country teams will open the 2005 season at the Aquinas Open on Friday, Sept. 9. The women will run at 5:00 p.m., with the men to follow at 6:00 p.m.

The Laker women are returning 10 key performers from last year's team that placed fourth at the NCAA National Championships. Head coach Jerry Baltes will look to sophomores Karlie Singleton, Bridgette Beeny, Sam Gordon, Steph Kandas, and Ashley Wharton, juniors Stacey Kandas, Lauren Bader, and Susie Rivard, and senior Mandi Zemba and Adrian Chouinard to step up this season.

Laura Aderman, Lynsey Ardingo, and Meghan Soltis will also be competing for a spot in the top seven.

The women have won four straight GLIAC and Great Lakes Regional Championship titles. GVSU has placed in the top five at the NCAA National Championships for four consecutive years. The Lakers finished third at the NCAA National Championships in 2002 and 2003, while finishing fifth in 1999 and 2001.

"We have a great core of women coming back from our team that finished fourth last season," said Baltes. "We will rely on our front runners to set the tone for us in the meets."

"We will need some youngsters to step up and step in the important roles in the top seven as well," added Baltes. "If we are able to do this, we will be able to make it back to the National Championships again."

The Laker men are returning 10 key performers from last year's team that won the GLIAC and Great Lakes Regional Championships and placed sixth at Nationals. GVSU is returning sophomores Nate Peck, Grant Fall, Mark VanderMeer, and Robby Young, juniors Ryan Holm and Chris Pabst, and seniors Blake Terhune, Jason Prowant, Dave Harvey, and Andy Duemling.

There are six newcomers that will also fight for a spot in the top seven in junior Casey Abston, senior Nick Gatlin, freshman Chris Hammer, sophomore Nick Polk, freshman Gary Rajah, and senior Mark Terpstra.

The Lakers are looking to defend their GLIAC and Great Lakes Regional Championship titles, while also quialifying for the National Championships. The men have won three straight GLIAC and Great Lakes Regional titles and have made three trips to the National Championships. GVSU finished ninth in 2002, 14th in 2003, and recorded its highest place finish in school history last season, taking sixth.

"We have 12-15 men that have the potential of making the top seven come Novemeber," said seventh year head coach Jerry Baltes. "The depth will be a huge factor for us late in the season and we feel if everyone does their part, we can improve on last year's national place."

"We believe if we race up to our potential, we can challenge for a trophy (top four places) at the NCAA Championships in California this year," added Baltes.