FSU Women Second, Men Fourth At GLIAC Championships

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's cross country teams put together strong showings on Saturday (Oct. 20) at the 2012 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Champioships, which were held at Maple Leaf Golf Course in Linwood, Mich.

The Bulldog women, who are ranked seventh nationally, finished second in the field as they earned runner-up honors for the second consecutive year behind champion Grand Valley State.  FSU netted 84 points in placing behind the Lakers, who totaled 25 points in the 16-team competition.

FSU junior Samantha Johnson claimed All-GLIAC First Team accolades as she took fourth place overall for the Bulldogs in a time of 21:15.4 on the women's 5K course.  Alyssa Osika was next in line as she took eighth place (21:26.1) in the event won by GVSU's Allyson Winchester in a time of 20:48.8.  For her efforts, Osika was a second team all-conference honoree.

Kristie LeSage placed 16th for the Bulldogs (22:01.7) with Brittany Anderson coming in 23rd (22:18.9) and Jordan McGruire finishing 33rd (22:31.2).  FSU's Haleigh Przybylek wound up 53rd (22:57.1) and Breeann Ovokaitys took 56th place (23:00.6)

On the men's side, Ferris State came in fourth in a highly-competitive men's field.  A total of 15 conference schools took part in this year's men's championships.  FSU totaled 112 points in the men's race, which was also won by GVSU with 29 points.  Malone was second and Ashland third on the men's side.

The Bulldog men were led by senior Tyler Crossman, who came in 18th overall in a time of 24:57.1 on the 8K course.  The men's race was won by Stephen Guelling of GVSU at 24:22.0 among the 103 comepting runners.

FSU's Ryan Chute took 21st place (25:05.6) followed by Brandon Cushman at 23rd (25:08.5) and David Silversmith in 24th place (25:09.4) as FSU had four runners finish among the top 25 overall.

Alex Bladecki placed 26th (25;18.4) with Spencer Gerber taking 27th place (25:20.1) and Andrew Harper coming in 34th (25:27.9) for the Bulldog men.

Several other Bulldog runners also took part in an open race that followed the GLIAC Championships.

Ferris State will next compete in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championships on Nov. 3 in Kenosha, Wis.