2004-05 Recruiting News

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.

CHIPPEWA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL RUNNER COMMITS TO FSU

Jared Kelsh To Compete In Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country

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.

CLARE’S JESSIE RODGERS COMMITS TO FERRIS STATE

Three-Time All-Conference Honoree Represents Bulldogs’ First 2004-05 Commitment

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.