THREE PREP STUDENT-ATHLETES ADDED TO FSU RECRUITING CLASS

Men’s and Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country Program Inks Three More

The group includes Raymond Rollet (South Rockwood/Airport), Stephanie Root (Scottville/Mason County Central) and Ashley Sholl (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers). They join men’s distance runner Jared Kelsh (Chippewa Lake/Chippewa Hills) and women’s distance runner Jessie Rodgers (Clare), both of whom previously committed to attend Ferris, as members of FSU’s 2004-05 recruiting class.

“These student-athletes all have tremendous potential and will help supply needed depth in key areas,” Kavalunas said.

A distance runner, Rollet will compete in both men’s track and field along with cross country for the Bulldogs. The two-time (2002-03) cross country team Most Valuable Runner Award winner led Carleton’s (Mich.) Airport High School to the 2003 Huron League Cross Country Championship while attaining academic all-state laurels for the third consecutive campaign. Rollet, who served as the Jets’ team captain in both cross country as well as track and field, led AHS to its second-straight (2002-03) state cross country championships berth as a senior. He placed 36th overall (16:15.25) in the 2003 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Lower Peninsula Division II State Cross Country Championships (11/1) at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich. A two-time track and field all-region honoree, Rollet helped the Jets win a conference track and field title as a freshman (2000) under head coach Mike Schley.

“Our men’s distance area was a recruiting priority and Raymond will be a nice addition,” said Kavalunas. “He was one of the top runners in his high school division and will be competitive. His ability to improve should help him develop into a solid runner at Ferris State.”

The 5-6 Root, who will participate in women’s track and field, twice received All-West Michigan Conference accolades as a high jumper at Mason County Central High School. The 2003 academic all-state selection garnered all-conference scholar-athlete award kudos for the third-straight season in 2003. Root also attained team Most Valuable Performer honors as a junior (2003) after previously garnering team Rookie of the Year Award recognition in 2001. A three-time state track and field meet qualifier, Root tied for eighth place (4-10) in the high jump at the 2003 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division III State Track and Field Championships (5/31) in Comstock Park, Mich. She joins former Mason County Central teammates and current Bulldog sophomores Jenny Irwin (Scottville), Crystal Flutur (Ludington) and Leanna Wolf (Fountain) as members of FSU’s women’s track and field program.

“We’re expecting Stephanie to step in and contribute immediately as a high jumper,” Kavalunas said. “We’ve had super athletes from Mason County Central in recent years and we’re excited she’ll continue the tradition the others have set.”

Sholl, who runs the distance events, will compete in both women’s cross country along with track and field at Ferris State following a successful prep career at Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. The 5-4 Sholl received the Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year Award and BLHS’ team Most Valuable Runner honor in 2003. A four-time (2001-04) regional track and field meet qualifier, Sholl reached the cross country semi-state meet as a junior (2002). Sholl, who posted a school record in the 300-meter hurdles (49.2) during the 2003 campaign, also ran on the school’s record-setting 4x400 and 4x800-meter relay teams last season. She served as Bishop Luers’ track and field team captain in 2004.

“Ashley is a versatile athlete who’ll be able to compete in several of our middle distance events,” said Kavalunas. “Her natural ability and running mechanics will make her a valuable contributor in our program.”

FSU placed sixth in the women’s field (52 points) and seventh (24) 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 women’s team finished sixth (47) while the men’s team tied for seventh place (12) in the conference indoor meet (Feb. 27-28) this season. Ferris took sixth place (133) in the women’s field and 10th place (273) in the men’s division at the league’s cross country championships (Oct. 25) during the fall 2003 campaign.