CHIPPEWA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL RUNNER COMMITS TO FSU
Jared Kelsh To Compete In Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country
The Ferris State University men’s track and field/cross country program has received a commitment from local prep distance runner Jared Kelsh (Chippewa Lake/Chippewa Hills), who has announced his intentions to attend and compete in track and field/cross country at FSU starting with the 2004-05 academic term. The announcement was made by eighth-year FSU head coach Jeff Kavalunas.
Kelsh, who’s presently midst his senior season in track and field at Chippewa Hills High School, has earned four varsity letters apiece (2000-04) in both track and field along with cross country for the Warriors. He attained all-state cross country accolades in 2002 by placing third overall (15:40.10) in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Lower Peninsula Division II State Championships (11/2) at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.
“Jared has the ability to step in and be competitive in our league,” Kavalunas said. “His personality and work ethic are a perfect fit for our program. I’ve had the opportunity to watch him compete for a couple of years and have been impressed with his running ability.”
The 6-0 Kelsh garnered cross country team Coaches Award recognition as a senior in 2003 after placing fourth (16:33.6) at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division II Region No. 15 Championships (10/25) in Remus, Mich. He previously received team Most Valuable Runner Award accolades in 2002. The two-time (2001-02) Western Waterways Activities Conference East Division cross country honoree tallied team Most Improved Runner Award recognition as a freshman (2000). A three-time (2001-03) state cross country individual meet qualifier, Kelsh guided the Warriors to a state team berth in 2001.
Last spring (2003), Kelsh finished seventh overall (4:22.03) in the 1,600 meters at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division II State Track and Field Championships (5/31) in Caledonia, Mich. He took sixth place (4:26.73) in the event at the 2002 MHSAA State Championships (6/1), which were held at Grand Rapids’ (Mich.) Houseman Field. Kelsh, who earned CHHS’ 2002 Most Valuable Track and Field Runner Award, also qualified for the state meet in the 800 meters last season. The 2003 Big Rapids Pioneer Athlete of the Meet recipient earned Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun Dream Team kudos for the third consecutive season during the 2003-04 campaign.
“The distance area was a recruiting focus for us this year,” said Kavalunas. “Jared has the ability to possibly compete at the national level in a couple of years. In addition, he already knows a number of student-athletes on our team so he’ll be a great addition.”
Kelsh, whose prep coaches included both Alex Vanderveen and Jason Proctor, also participated in football for one season (2000). The son of Larry and Teri Kelsh, Jared is undecided on an academic major at FSU.
Ferris State placed seventh (24 points) in the men’s competition at the 2004 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships (May 6-7) in Hillsdale, Mich. The Bulldogs tied for seventh place (12) at the conference indoor meet (Feb. 27-28) after previously finishing 10th (273) at the league cross country championships (Oct. 25) during the 2003-04 campaign.
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