BLOG 1: Runners get sneak peak at GLIAC championships course

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State’s Jared Kelsh and his teammates will get a chance to run the GLIAC Championships course this Saturday (Photo/FSU Photographic Services)

BIG RAPIDS – This weekend, Ferris State University’s cross country teams begin a new era of sorts this weekend as it travels to Sault Ste. Marie, in the eastern Upper Peninsula.

The Bulldog men’s and women’s cross teams will get a feel for what is in store for them at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships (Oct. 25) in the backyard of Lake Superior State University. This weekend’s event is being dubbed the GLIAC Preview Meet and will be run Saturday (Sept. 6) and will be hosted by Lake State.

Former head coach Jeff Kavalunas has left the program and in his place is interim head coach Steve Picucci, a former Bulldog distance runner in his own right. Picucci, who has worked in a variety of capacities with the runners and for the Ferris Athletics Department, currently is the interim cross country and track and field coach. He already has brought some energy and enthusiasm to the veteran and young runners alike in his short time in the program.

The women’s team returns a team that has some experience led by senior Mikinzie Stuart while the men’s cross country squad also has an experienced face, in senior Jared Kelsh, leading its runners this fall.

After participating in the GLIAC Preview Meet, the Ferris runners get the first of two opportunities to run on their turf (Katke Golf Course) when they host the Bulldog Invitational on Sept. 19 beginning at 4 p.m. The other home meet will be a big one: the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Meet, which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on Nov. 8.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com