FERRIS WOMEN'S TRACK/CROSS COUNTRY ANNOUNCES INCOMING RECRUITS

Four Student-Athletes Slated To Compete For Ferris State Starting In 2006-07

The quartet includes jumper/hurdler Emily Cross (Riley/Armada), sprinter/jumper Janica Buchanan (Muskegon) along with distance runners Megan Josey (Spring Lake) and Tracy Fry (Mecosta/Chippewa Hills). They join local distance runner Rebecca Monroe (Big Rapids/Crossroads Charter Academy), who committed to Ferris last fall, as members of FSU's current recruiting class. Monroe, Josey and Fry will all compete in both women's cross country and track while Cross and Buchanan will strictly be members of Ferris' track and field squad.

"Overall, this is a great recruiting class for us in terms of their ability to step in and contribute immediately," Kavalunas said. "They're all accomplished student-athletes coming off tremendous high school careers. We're excited about their potential."

Cross won the 100-meter hurdles (14.56) and placed second in the high jump (5-3) at the 2006 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Lower Peninsula Division III State Championships held June 3 in Comstock Park, Mich. She also took third place in the 300-meter hurdles (46.51) for Armada High School, which finished third with 33 points in the final team standings at the state meet. In 2005, Cross was the Division III State Champion in the high jump (5-3.10) and placed sixth in the 300-meter hurdles (47.55). Cross was chosen to represent Michigan in the Midwest Meet of Champions following her senior campaign.

"Emily had a phenomenal year and has the potential to possibly compete at the national level as a freshman," said Kavalunas. "She has the ability to produce for us right away in several events including the jumps, sprints and hurdles."

Buchanan qualified for this year's MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division I State Championships in both the 100 meters and the long jump. She claimed all-state accolades with a fourth-place long jump (17-7.50) finish at the state finals (June 3) held at East Kentwood. Buchanan previously had leaped 18-4.50 in winning the long jump at this year's regional meet.

"Janica progressed steadily and improved throughout her career," Kavalunas said. "She was extremely competitive in the long jump this year and should step in and help us in that particular area."

An all-state cross country selection, Josey qualified for the state track and field championships this season in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. She recorded a 10th-place (18:27.1) performance at the 2005 MHSAA Division II State Cross Country Championships (Nov. 5) on Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.

"Megan ran really well as a senior and posted some fast times during the year," said Kavalunas. "She's still developing and has room for improvement, but has the ability to come in and contribute quickly especially in cross country."

A local product, Fry earned All-Western Waterways Activities Conference (WWAC) honors and academic all-state recognition three times each during her prep career. The three-time state track and field meet qualifier was part of Chippewa Hills' 3,200-meter relay squad which took sixth place (9:52.62) at this year's MHSAA Division II State Track Championships (June 3) at Forest Hills Northern High School.

"Tracy finished her high school career well and had a good senior year," Kavalunas said. "She's a hard worker and should fit in well with our squad. As she continues to develop, she'll be competitive in our program."

The Ferris State women's cross country team captured fifth place at the 2005 NCAA-II Great Lakes Regional Championships (Nov. 5) on FSU's Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Mich. The Bulldog women's team finished one spot short of qualifying as a team for the national championships for the second consecutive year.

FSU's women's indoor track squad compiled six points at this year's national meet after placing fifth of nine competing teams with 59.50 points at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Indoor Championships (Feb. 24-25) in Findlay, Ohio. The Bulldog women's outdoor track and field team finished sixth with 75 points at the league outdoor championships (May 4-5) this season, which were held at Ferris' Top Taggart Field.