March 12, 2008

Allendale, Mich. - The Grand Valley State University men's and women's indoor track teams are sending 21 members to the NCAA Championships in Mankato, Minn. this weekend. Nine men and 12 women are set to compete for all-american status on Friday and Saturday at Minnesota State University-Mankato. The Lakers recently claimed their ninth-consecutive GLIAC titles in both men's and women's indoor track.

"We are excited and proud of this group of student-athletes that have earned the right to compete at the NCAA Championships," said Jerry Baltes, head men's and women's track coach. "We feel this group has the potential to compete with the best in the nation and come home with numerous all-american honors and a high team place."

Seven men will compete in the championship events on the track. Garron Lucius will be in the 60-meter hurdles as the only short distance runner. Todd Schuster will be in the 800-meter run, as well as the distance medley relay. Schuster will be joined in the relay by Nate Peck, Nick Polk and Troy Rock. Peck and Polk also qualified in the 5000-meter run, as well as Ryan Holm and Grant Fall.

The men will also send two student-athletes to compete in the field events. Bryant Wilson qualified in the pole vault and Ryan Rademacher will compete in the long jump.

On the women's side, 12 student-athletes qualified to compete at the national meet, including six runners and six in the field events. On the track, Candice Wheat will compete in both the 60-meter hurdles and the 200-meter dash, the only sprinter that qualified for GVSU. Katherine McCarthy will run in the 800-meter event and is also a member of the distance medley relay. Katie Mandziara, Katie Alfredson and Kelly Gibbons will all join McCarthy in the relay. Megan Maceratini is the final runner, qualifying in the 5000-meter run.

The women are also sending six student-athletes to compete in the field events. Dianna Noonan and Miranda Farr both qualified in the pole vault, while Maegan Doyen will compete in the high jump. Three Lakers (Mary Boger, Kathie Posa and Emily Fox) all qualified in the 20 lbs. weight throw, and Fox also qualified in the shot put.