CLARE’S JESSIE RODGERS COMMITS TO FERRIS STATE
Three-Time All-Conference Honoree Represents Bulldogs’ First 2004-05 Commitment
The Ferris State University women’s track and field/cross country program has signed prep distance runner Jessie Rodgers (Clare) to a national letter-of-intent to attend and compete at FSU, starting with the fall 2004 season. The announcement was made by the Bulldogs’ eighth-year head coach Jeff Kavalunas.
Rodgers, who represents Ferris’ only commitment during the early signing period, has earned All-Jack Pine Conference (JPC) track and field accolades three consecutive seasons to date at Clare High School. She also led CHS to a 14th-place finish in the 2003 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division III State Cross Country Championships (Nov. 1) after placing 17th individually (19:31.90) at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.
“We’re excited about Jessie’s addition and expect her to fit in well,” Kavalunas said. “She’s had a lot of success at the prep level and will be competitive in our league. Since we’re not looking to add many distance runners this year, it was nice to be able to sign her early in the process.”
The 5-3 Rodgers set the school’s 3,200-meter run record with a time of 11:30 as a freshman in 2001 while earning both team and conference MVP Award recognition. Last season (2003), Rodgers guided CHS to a regional championship. She has competed in both the middle and long distance events, pole vault along with the 1,600 and 3,200-meter relays during her prep career.
“Jessie is a versatile athlete who’ll add depth to both our distance group and cross country team,” said Kavalunas. “More than likely, she’ll compete in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter track events for us. She also has the ability to be one of our top three or four cross country runners.”
Besides athletics, Rodgers also is a member of the school’s Spanish Club and Winner’s Circle along with being a National Honor Society recipient. Rodgers, who is the daughter of Alan and Ruth Rodgers, remains undecided on an academic program at Ferris State.
The Bulldog women’s cross country team finished sixth overall (133 points) while hosting the 2003 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships (10/25) and then placed ninth (212 points) in the NCAA-II Great Lakes Regional Championships (11/8) at Hudsonville, Mich. In 2002-03, FSU placed fourth (84 points) in the GLIAC’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships (5/2-3) and sixth (42.5) in the league’s indoor meet (2/28-3/1), both of which were held in University Center, Mich.
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