May 25, 2007

Charlotte, N.C. - Grand Valley State senior Mandi Zemba claimed the NCAA DII National Champioship in the 3000-meter run in record setting fashion Friday night at the 2007 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Charlotte, N.C. Zemba crossed the finish line in a time of 9:09.40, breaking the previous record by over four seconds. Zemba, who has now won six individual national championships during her career and is one of the most prolific distance runners in DII history, finished over 42 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. GVSU's Kelly Gibbons finished ninth with a time of 10:01.55. Rachel Duthler earned All-America honors with an eighth-place finish in the women's pole vault. Duthler cleared 12-01.50, while teammate Lindsey Jones finished 12th with a vault of 11-07.75.

"Mandi once again showed why she is one of the premier distance runners in NCAA DII history," said head coach Jerry Baltes. "Mandi showed her strength both mentally and physically during the race and when you can set a record en route to winning a national championship you have accomplished a great feat," added Baltes.

In the team standings, Grand Valley State remained in first place with 25 team points. The third and final day of the 2007 Championships will take place Saturday.