The Collegian

Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Sports

Freshman Michael Finch, an up-and-coming Charger sprinter, looks forward to the GLIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship.

Hillsdale College's Gina Relays is the first of three home meets in a row before nationals.

Charger outdoor track and field's trip to Division I Eastern Michigan University last weekend brought home two more provisionally qualifying times in the men and women's 400-meter dash. They look forward to beginning their 43rd Annual Gina Relays today beginning with the men's decathlon at 3 p.m.

Provisionally qualifying for the Chargers last weekend was junior Jared Krout, snagging second place in the men's 400-meter dash with a time of 47.70 seconds, and sophomore Marta Scheiwe, clocking in at 56.64 and finishing eighth for the women.

"Many of our athletes are on pace for nationally qualifying in their events," head coach Bill Lundberg said. "It'll be nice not to travel and just focus."

Meets during the next three weeks include this year's GLIAC Conference Championships. The relays are Michigan's premier track and field competition and mark the first of three home meets to finish the conference season. They attract more than 2,000 athletes each year, including representatives from Division I-III schools, post-collegiate competitors and some high school students.

"We're at a record number of entries, and we still have tomorrow until noon to enter," Lundberg said. "Right now we have over 50 colleges and universities signed up to compete."

Lundberg said the event is a great way to connect the past, present and future of track and field. The Gina Relays will also commemorate other lost track-greats such as Notre Dame's nine-time All-American and 10-kilometer national champion runner Ryan Shay who died during the 2007 US Olympic time trials in New York City. He was a native of Ypsilanti, Mich., and had a brother who attended Hillsdale.

Athletes will wear shirts sporting the names of Shay and legendary Western Michigan University coach Jack Shaw, who passed away in January. Shaw greatly supported the Gina Relays and was a good friend of the college, Lundberg said.

"It's a meet that remembers not only Gina, who was the epitome of a wonderful student-athlete, but others who've contributed to Hillsdale," Lundberg said.

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