FSU Track & Field Opens Weekend Action At Hillsdale Gina Relays

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams returned to action with competition late Thursday night and Friday (April 25-26) at the 47th annual Hillsdale College Gina Relays.

The event took place at the Ken Herrick Track located inside Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium.  The three-day meet is annually one of the largest in the region.

The meet was known as the Hillsdale Relays from its inception until 1997. After Gina Van Laar's tragic death in an automobile accident in 1996, the meet was renamed in her honor. While a student at Hillsdale College in the 1980s, Gina was a national champion cross country runner.

Selected student-athletes took part in the meet for the Bulldogs.

For Ferris State, on the men's side, Brandon Cushman came in sixth overall in the men's 5,000 meters with a time of 14:57.63. The event included nearly 120 runners.  Also, FSU's Lucas Copi took 15th place in the same race (15:08.62).

Lucas Johnson was fifth overall in the hammer throw (171-3).

FSU's Ryan Chute captured eighth place in the 1,500 meter run championship portion (3:52.86).

Lucas Cutraro finished 10th in the men's 400 meters (51.59), Austin Syrek took 13th place in the 400 meters (52.12) while Thomas Lyons was 15th (52.41) and Brian Murphy 16th (52.69) in the same race.  Gary Atkins placed 18th (53.64).

In the men's 200 meters, Lyons was 12th (23.08) and Syrek placed 13th (23.11).

On the women's side, Gabby Baur led the way as she took 10th place in the 400 meters (1:01.46).

Shaleen Williams came in 16th in the 400 meters (1:06.43).

Alison Busick wound up 17th in the shot put (35-6).

On Saturday (April 27), the Bulldogs will head to Grand Rapids with selected competitors taking part in the Ernie Mousseau Track and Field Classic hosted by Aquians College. The meet gets underway at 2 p.m. (ET).