March 12, 2007

Grand Valley State student-athlete Mandi Zemba was named the NCAA Division II Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. She also earned Great Lakes Region Women's Track of the Year honors as well. Head coach Jerry Baltes was named the NCAA Division II Women's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year.

Senior Mandi Zemba claimed the national championship title in the 5,000 meter run as she set a meet record by over three second with a winning time of 16:16.77. The previous record was 16:19.59, which was set by Janet Kogo from Harding on March 12, 2005. The individual championship title marks the fifth one in her career. She captured her first national championship at the outdoor championships in 2002 in the 1,500 meter run (4:28.53). In the fall of 2005, Mandi won the individual cross country national championship (21.01.7). During the 2006 Outdoor Track and Field season, she recorded national championship titles in both the 3,000 meter run (9:27.01) and 5,000 meter run (17:10.69).

The senior from Menominee, Mich., also anchored the Lakers distance medley relay team that won the national championship on Friday. She was also named the GLIAC Women's Track Athlete of the Year for the second straight year.

Baltes, had 13 females qualify for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships. The Laker women claimed a third place finish, the best in school history. GVSU also won its eighth straight GLIAC Championship and Baltes was named the GLIAC Women's Coach of the Year for the eighth season in a row.