Ferris State Cross Country/Track & Field Bolsters Lineup With Five Incoming Recruits
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's track and field/cross country program has bolstered its lineup as head coach Jared Kelsh announced today the names of five student-athletes who recently unveiled their intentions to join the program.
Four of the five newcomers will be freshmen in eligibility this coming fall and are coming off standout careers at the prep level with another from the junior college ranks. The group includes Lansing Community College JUCO standout Kelly Babcock (Bear Lake) along with Kathryn Etelamaki (Ishpeming/Westwood), Kensington Garvey (Edmore/Montabella) and Larissa Medich (Rockford) on the women's side in addition to men's runner Grant Gabriel (Rockford).
All five will participate in both cross country and track as distance standouts for the Bulldogs under Kelsh's direction.
"We're excited to add these student-athletes to our program and expect them all to be significant contributors as we move forward," Kelsh said. "Each of these signees brings considerable experience and talent to our lineup as we continue to build for the future."
This past year, Kelsh led both the Bulldog men's and women's cross country teams to an upper-third finish in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championships. In addition, the Bulldogs also recently played host to the 2016 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships this spring at FSU's Top Taggart Field.
Below are biographical sketches on each of the incoming recruits:
Kelly Babcock
A Bear Lake product, Babcock is coming off a standout junior college career at Lansing Community College. During her time at LCC, Babcock was both a two-time All-American and Academic All-America choice. In addition, she claimed all-region laurels under head coach Jim Robinson as LCC won a national championship. Babcock competed in both track and cross country on the junior college level and posted a personal-best 18:45 time in the 5K for the two-time regional champions. While at Bear Lake, she was a four-time all-conference pick in both cross country and track in addition to serving as a team captain. Babcock also played varsity basketball and was a National Honor Society recipient.
A native of Ishpeming, Etelamaki prepped at Westwood High School. She was a four-year letterwinner on the track and also competed in both cross country and basketball. The multi-year All-State honoree was also a four-time all-conference choice and team Most Valuable Player. She established school records in a number of events, including the 5K (18:49), 3200 meters (12L02) and the 800 meters (2:29). Etelamaki won a conference championship in cross country and placed first at the Upper Peninsula State Finals in both cross country and track during her prep career. The standout runner also helped guide her team to a regional runner-up finish in 2015. In addition, she was active in a number of organizations such as the National Honor Society, Key Club, Spanish Club and Big Brothers-Big Sisters.
Grant Gabriel
The Rockford native has been a standout runner for the Rams in his prep career. A four-time all-conference choice, he's also earned both all-area and all-region accolades. In 2015, he placed among the top 35 runners at the MHSAA Division I State Finals in cross country with a personal-best 16:00 time in the 5K. He's also ranked among the top six overall at the conference championships each of the past two years. His efforts helped lead Rockford to conference, regional and state championships in both 2014 and 2015. On the track, he's raced in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meters.
Kensington Garvey
The Montabella product has been a two-time all-state honoree in both cross country and track. Garvey has earned all-state recognition in both the 800 meters and the 3200-meter relay on the track while also twice claiming all-state laurels in cross country. The three-time first-team all-league choice owns school records in both the 800 meters (2:25) and the 3200 relay (10:05). Her performance guided Montabella to conference crowns in both 2014 and 2015. Garvey has also served as president of the school's National Honor Society.
Larissa Medich
The three-time all-region choice had a standout career at Rockford High School both in cross country along with track and field. She was a two-time academic all-state choice and team MVP while earning all-conference accolades each of the past three years. In addition, she served as a team captain during her senior campaign and has also claimed team Most Improved Award recognition in her prep career. Medich, a four-year letterwinner, posted a personal-best 18:49 clocking in the 5K as a cross country senior. Her performance helped RHS win three-straight cross country league titles and the squad placed among the top six teams in the state each of the last three years while earning academic all-state recognition.