The Ginas
If you run, they'll chase you
John Anderson
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Sports
This Wednesday through Saturday, about 2000 athletes from across the United States will descend upon Hillsdale College and surrounding area for the 42nd Annual Gina Relays - the premiere track and field competition in Michigan.
The competition is noteworthy not only for its size and quality of facilities - Hillsdale boasts an Olympic-quality track - but for the heartfelt reverence competitors and spectators alike share for the event's namesake, Gina Van Laar Lanser. Lanser was a Hillsdale track star and 1988 graduate who tragically passed away in 1996.
The Gina Relays attracts athletes to compete in a wide variety of events. There are a more diverse selection of events than most collegiate track meets, including a heptathlon, decathlon and the "WYLD" Bill Lundberg 5-kilometer race.
"[The Gina Relays] started as a one-day event - back then it was the Hillsdale College Relays," Bill Lundberg, head track and field coach, said. "Then due to increased interest and entries we expanded it to a three-day event, and now it's taking place over four days. We have a whole new format."
The decathlon and heptathlon events took place yesterday and today and to test athletes in a medley of athletic disciplines: sprints, throws, jumps, and pushing the limits their speed, endurance, power and technique.
Friday's competition begins with some of the most powerful men and women on campus, Hillsdale's nationally ranked throwers {WHO}. Saturday, spectators can catch Hillsdale track stars sophomore Jared Krout, junior Jazmin Williams and freshman Marta Scheiwe in sprinting events.
The Charger athletes look forward to the week's events.
"Gina is probably the most exciting meet of the year for us," junior Nate Thompson said. "It's the biggest meet in Michigan, probably."
For some, it will be a chance to shine in front of a home crowd, with friends in attendance.
"I never actually got to have a home meet in high school," freshman Alex Ralston said. "Our track was deemed unsuitable for competition. It had some hills in it, and a 15-foot stretch of concrete."
The competition is noteworthy not only for its size and quality of facilities - Hillsdale boasts an Olympic-quality track - but for the heartfelt reverence competitors and spectators alike share for the event's namesake, Gina Van Laar Lanser. Lanser was a Hillsdale track star and 1988 graduate who tragically passed away in 1996.
The Gina Relays attracts athletes to compete in a wide variety of events. There are a more diverse selection of events than most collegiate track meets, including a heptathlon, decathlon and the "WYLD" Bill Lundberg 5-kilometer race.
"[The Gina Relays] started as a one-day event - back then it was the Hillsdale College Relays," Bill Lundberg, head track and field coach, said. "Then due to increased interest and entries we expanded it to a three-day event, and now it's taking place over four days. We have a whole new format."
The decathlon and heptathlon events took place yesterday and today and to test athletes in a medley of athletic disciplines: sprints, throws, jumps, and pushing the limits their speed, endurance, power and technique.
Friday's competition begins with some of the most powerful men and women on campus, Hillsdale's nationally ranked throwers {WHO}. Saturday, spectators can catch Hillsdale track stars sophomore Jared Krout, junior Jazmin Williams and freshman Marta Scheiwe in sprinting events.
The Charger athletes look forward to the week's events.
"Gina is probably the most exciting meet of the year for us," junior Nate Thompson said. "It's the biggest meet in Michigan, probably."
For some, it will be a chance to shine in front of a home crowd, with friends in attendance.
"I never actually got to have a home meet in high school," freshman Alex Ralston said. "Our track was deemed unsuitable for competition. It had some hills in it, and a 15-foot stretch of concrete."
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