WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY ANNOUNCES RECRUITS

Five Student-Athletes Ink With Bulldogs For 2005-06 Campaign

The group includes prep distance runners Mikinzie Stuart (Saginaw/Nouvel Catholic), Jenelle Keinath (Millington/Saginaw Valley Lutheran) and Ashley Lehmann (Grand Rapids/Grandville), hurdler/sprinter Ebony Franklin (Flint/Southwestern) along with sprinter Krystle Wilson (Detroit/Harper Woods Trinity Catholic). Stuart, Keinath and Lehmann will participate in track and field along with cross country while Franklin and Wilson will strictly be members of the Bulldog track and field team.

“They’re all great additions to our program and possess the ability to contribute immediately,” Kavalunas said. “As a group, they’ll help provide valuable depth to our program and be competitive in the league.”

A four-time state cross country qualifier, Stuart placed 14th overall (19:30) at the 2004 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division III State Cross Country Championships (Nov. 6) held at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich. The two-time all-state selection was the first female in Saginaw Nouvel Catholic High School cross country history to garner all-state recognition. Stuart, a four-time (2001-04) cross country team Most Valuable Runner Award recipient, served as team captain in track and field for the second-straight campaign in 2005. The 5-8 Stuart set school records in the 800 meters, 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters. She placed sixth in the 800 meters (2:22.22) and eighth in the 1,600 meters (5:15.86) at the 2004 MHSAA Division III State Track and Field Championships (June 5) in Comstock Park, Mich. During the 2005 campaign, Stuart finished third in both the 800 (2:21.75) and 1,600 meters (5:14.27) at the state championships (June 4). Stuart, who’s both a four-time state track meet qualifier and team MVP Award winner, also was a three-time (2003-05) all-state track and field team pick.

The 5-4 Lehmann claimed four track and field letters along with two in cross country at Grandville High School. She finished 41st overall (19:21.80) at the 2004 MHSAA Division I State Cross Country Championships while leading GHS to a 13th place team finish. The two-time (2003-04) All-Ottawa Kent Red Conference cross country recipient also achieved academic all-state cross country kudos in 2004. Lehmann, who served as a team captain in both track and cross country, placed eighth overall in the 3,200 meters (11:21.45) at the 2003 MHSAA Division I State Track and Field Championships (May 31) at Houseman Field in Grand Rapids, Mich. Her 34th-place (19:06.80) performance in the 2003 State Cross Country Finals (Nov. 1) helped the Bulldogs to a sixth-place team finish.

A three-time (2002-04) cross country all-state recipient, Keinath placed 13th (19:51) at the 2004 MHSAA Division 4 State Cross Country Championships following her 12th place (19:39) effort as a junior for Saginaw’s Valley Lutheran High School. She also took fifth place in the 3,200 meters (11:51.94) at the 2005 MHSAA Division 4 State Track and Field Championships (June 4) in Grand Rapids. A three-time (2003-05) state track and field qualifier, the 5-5 Keinath was also a four-time (2001-04) Greater Thumb Conference cross country honoree and an all-conference scholar athlete award recipient. In addition, she ran on the school’s record-setting 3,200-meter relay team and helped Saginaw Valley Lutheran to both conference and regional track and field championships in 2005.

“Both Mikinzie and Ashley have the potential to contend for one of our top five spots this fall in cross country,” said Kavalunas. “They’re both extremely hard-working and should fit in well with our returning student-athletes. Jenelle might have the most potential of the group and will show marked improvement over the next year following our training program.”

Franklin came in sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (15.29) for Flint Southwestern Academy at the 2005 MHSAA Division 2 State Championships (June 4), which took place in Caledonia, Mich. She previously also finished sixth (15.84) in the event at the 2004 state meet. The 5-8 Franklin was prepped by Jimmy Jackson and earned All-Saginaw Valley Conference recognition during her prep career.

The 5-10 Wilson claimed runner-up accolades in the 200 meters (25.99) and was third in the 100 meters (12.77) at this year’s Division 4 State Championships. As a junior, Wilson took third place (26.31) in the 200 meters at the state meet. The two-time (2004-05) all-state selection received all-conference and all-city laurels four consecutive years (2002-05). Wilson twice served as team captain and led the squad to a district championship under head coach Michelle Batten.

“We’re extremely hopeful Ebony and Krystle can perform well for us in the years ahead,” Kavalunas said. “They’re both versatile and have the talent to fill several spots in our lineup.”

The Ferris State women's outdoor track and field team took sixth place in the 2005 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Outdoor Championships (May 5-6) at Allendale, Mich. The Bulldog women's team registered 64.50 points in the 10-team field after finishing fourth with 51.50 points at the league indoor meet (Feb. 25-26) in University Center, Mich. FSU placed third (95 points) at the 2004 GLIAC Cross Country Championships (Oct. 23) held at Hudsonville, Mich.