BLOG 11: Stuart finishes her Ferris career in style: as an All-American

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University senior runner Mikinzie Stuart and head coach Steve Picucci share a moment during the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in San Angelo, Texas

BIG RAPIDS – More than a few times, Ferris senior runner Mikinzie Stuart wondered if she would get an opportunity to finish her college track and field career on the high note she often envisioned in her head.

In the end, Stuart had plenty to smile about as she advanced to the 2009 NCAA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track and Field National Championships and returned with an honor she so desperately coveted: All-American.

“I was thrilled that I had garnered another All-American,” said Stuart, a native of Saginaw, who earned All-American status thanks to a fourth-place finish in the 1,500-meter run (4:31.67). “Since it was my last race as a Ferris track athlete, I didn’t want to leave the national meet empty handed. It just made it that much better that I was able to get top five in the nation.”

It’s not the first time Stuart has been named an All-American (she was named an indoor All-American this past winter as she finished seventh in the mile run and as a member of the record-setting distance medley relay group in 2006, as a freshman), but this time it was particularly gratifying – a great cap to her college running career.

“It was my goal to get All-American in an individual running event. Being able to meet that goal not just once, but twice, put the cherry on the cake of my running career here at Ferris,” Stuart said.

Stuart and other runners battled the elements: the late-spring Texas heat. For Stuart, who worked hard to prepare for the anticipated warm weather, the battle was even a bit tougher than she anticipated.

“Prelims was tougher than I had expected because it was so warm and sunny (85 degrees),” Stuart said. “I let the heat get to me mentally and did not run as well as I had wanted to in prelims, but my body took over on the last lap and ignored how hot my mind was telling me it was, which allowed me to qualify for finals.”

Mental toughness paid off for Stuart, who caught a bit of a break from the weather when she finally had the opportunity to run in the finals.

“Finals ended up being on the coolest day (79 degrees). Therefore I was prepared both mentally and physically for finals,” she said. “It was a little intimidating knowing you have to race some of the best people in the country, but I just had to keep reminding myself that I am one of the best in the country too, or else I wouldn’t be there (at the meet).”

Stuart had a plan and, as the race commenced, she went to work.

“The race was more about strategy than speed,” she said. “The winner (Jessica Pixler of Seattle Pacific) only ran a 4:26, which was my personal best of the season. But most of my energy was spent trying to maintain position and not get boxed in, until the last lap, where I began to make my move towards the front.”

The Bulldog senior runner did not finish first, but she claimed fourth to earn All-American honors as she capped a great running career for Ferris.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com