April 24, 2004
Track & Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARDINALS SET SEVERAL SCHOOL RECORDS AT HILLSDALE

HILLSDALE, Mich. - On a beautiful sunny day, the Saginaw Valley State track & field teams used ideal conditions in setting several school records on Saturday in day two of the Hillsdale "Gina" Relays, which featured nearly 3,000 student-athletes competing from the Midwest. On the men's side, relay teams turned in solid performances. The team of Chris Baranek (Kawkawlin, Mich./Bay City Western), Justin Thomason (Port Huron, Mich.), T.J. Alston (Hampton, Va.) and Glenn Martinez (Auburndale, Fla.) brought home first place in the 4x100 meter relay in a time of 41.16. Later in the day, the team of Kyle Rauschenberger (Auburn, Mich./Bay City Western), Thomason, Baranek and Lewis Gordon (Lansing, Mich./Everett) placed second in the 4x400 meter relay in a time of 3:13.38.
    In other running events, senior Pedro Ortega (Saginaw, Mich./Swan Valley) ran a personal-best of 9:18.20 in the steeplechase. For his efforts, Ortega placed sixth and became a provisional qualifier for the NCAA II Outdoor Championships. Gordon also tasted success in the 400 meter run coming in second at 48.15. His teammate on the 4x400 meter relay, Chris Baranek, ran to a second-place finish in the 100 meter dash (10.86).
    Along the women's front, the field events were especially kind to the Cardinals. Ashley Bishop (Pickford, Mich.) broke the school record in the hammer throw with a distance of 163.62 feet (49.87 meters) and finished seventh in the event. Junior tri-captain Meagan Strohkirch (Gladwin, Mich.) broke the school's top mark in the steeplechase with a time of 11:38.90 and placed 11th. Junior Mary Jo Pouillon (Owosso, Mich.) placed sixth in the shot put with a throw of 43.34 feet (13.21 meters).
    The accomplishments of Mandie Gallier (Midland, Mich.) were noteworthy as she set a meet record and set a provisional mark in the 400 meter hurdles with a first-place time of 59.18. She also placed third in the 400 meters (55.96) and eighth in the 100 meter hurdles (14.67). Jennifer Brogger (Harbor Springs, Mich.), who recently joined the team after a successful basketball career, won the javelin with a distance of 42.38 meters (139.64 feet).

Contact: Ryan Thompson (989) 964-4053

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